Roger Federer has reclaimed the number one spot for the fifth time after he defeated Andy Murray at the O2 Arena on Tuesday, moving a spot ahead of Rafael Nadal who needed his four-year run as the season-ender number run a year ago. Federer won his first two opening matches at the ATP World Tour finals, where Nadal choked and lost at the tournament for the top eight players in the world.
2009 was a good year for Federer. After spending a season off in 2008 the Swiss champion rebounded by reaching the finals of all four Grand Slams in 2009 and winning two, first at the French Open and then at the All England Club where he reclaimed the Wimbledon title after beating Andy Roddick. He also made history by becoming the second of only two players who reclaimed the title after losing it. The only other person to do so was Ivan Lendl who won back the number one spot in 1989. Lendl was number one from 1985 to 1987.
He is currently tied with Jimmy Connors for having five year end number one rankings, and the next obvious goal would be to beat Pete Samprasā record of six number one year end rankings. At the ATP World Tour finals Federer beat Fernando Verdasco before defeating Andy Murray. After that, he is expected to face off with Juan Martin del Potro on Thursday for a spot at the semifinals.