Roger Federer: The Top 10 Iconic Moments in His Career

Roger Federer has never been in the paper due to scandal or infamy. He has had a career free from the luxurious and sybaritic lifestyles of so many world class icons under the spotlight, instead sponsoring numerous charitable events and working as an ambassador for the sport. 

What has made headlines are the countless records he has broken and the 16 grand slam titles to his name. Federer has had several career's worth of trophies and has contributed endless seminal moments for the sport in his time as a professional.

Here are the top 10 iconic moments of his career so far.

1. Winning His First Wimbledon

It was only fitting that Federer would win his first grand slam title at Wimbledon.

Federer had a poor showing at Roland Garros just a month prior, but faced little difficulty in taking the championship, dropping just one set the entire tournament and none in the final.

It was a sign of things to come, as soon after his reign began and his dominance at the All-England Club continued.

2. Defending His Title There

Once again he had a poor showing at the French Open, but once again he took the title at Wimbledon.

That year's championship, however, proved to be much more of a test than the year before.

Andy Roddick took the first set and was up a break in the second, and looked to be in command of the match. 

A much needed rain delay provided Federer with the time to regroup, though, and he was able to defend his title there and prove that the year before was not a fluke.

3. Winning Five Consecutive U.S. Opens

Federer's dominance was not merely on grass. He proved that at Flushing Meadows year after year, becoming the first player since Bill Tilden to win five in a row.

By doing so, he has established himself as one of the greatest hard court players of all time.

4. Becoming World Number One

Federer became world No. 1 in 2004 and remained in that position until 2008. That period had dominance never before seen in the Open Era.

Federer would take three grand slam titles in 2004, 2006 and 2007, and at least one in all other years until his reign ended. He was indisputably the best player in the world, and his seasons as world No. 1 were among the most dominant in history.

5. Winning His 16th Grand Slam Title

There are records that Federer shares with the greats, and some where he is behind.

Here he stands alone.

Federer has won more grand slam titles than any other player in the open era, and still may win more in the future.

6. Winning the French Open

Federer's reign saw him take hard court and grass court slams year after year, with few people who could even contend with him on those surfaces.

Clay, however, was always the one that eluded him.

Rafael Nadal prevented Federer from winning at Roland Garros even during his prime, and it was only when the indefatigable Spaniard succumbed in the early rounds that Federer was able to capture his lone French Open title. 

In doing so, he became widely considered the greatest player ever, having won slams in all four arenas and matching Sampras' grand slam record in the process.

7. Holding All Four Major Titles

Not winning a French Open title was always the asterisk by his name when the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate turned fierce. 

Winning it led him to being among a select few who had accomplished the feat of winning slams on all surfaces, and his total amount of grand slam titles eclipsed even theirs.

8. Reaching 23 Consecutive Semifinals

Federer demonstrated an unparalleled consistency in the majors after winning his first title, and this record will probably never be matched.

It showed a level of play on all surfaces and endlessly durable fitness that none could replicate.

Here Federer stands alone as well.

9. Winning the French Open-Wimbledon Double

There are few feats more difficult in tennis than winning both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same calendar year.

The two surfaces could not be more foreign to each other, yet both tournaments are played in cruelly close proximity.

Federer was victorious in both, and remarkably after the worst year he had had since he won his first major title.

10. Winning Five WTF Championships

The World Tour Finals are considered by some to be a sort of fifth grand slam. The level of competition is unmatched: It's composed solely of the eight best players in the world.

Winning it five times showed that Federer was the best of the best and further solidified the argument that he is the greatest tennis player of all time.