SHANGHAI NEWS

Federer Receives INDESIT ATP 2005 Race Trophy

Roger Federer was honored on Monday for his record-setting 2005 season when he was presented with the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race trophy at the Tennis Masters Cup.

The 24-year-old Federer, putting together one of the most incredible seasons in tennis history, has captured 11 titles for the second straight year, including two Grand Slam titles and a record four ATP Masters Series shields. He wrapped up the No. 1 position in the INDESIT ATP 2005 Race after his title in Bangkok on Oct. 2.

Federer said to the crowd: "Thank you for being here and it's a great satisfaction to finish as the No. 1 player in the world for the second straight year. I will try to keep it again and hopefully keep it for another 365 days."

Federer became only the fifth player in the history of the ATP Rankings (since 1973) to rank No. 1 every week during a calendar year, joining Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Pete Sampras and Lleyton Hewitt. He has held No. 1 for 94 consecutive weeks since Feb. 2, 2004. He will reach the 100-week mark at No. 1 on Dec. 26 and will soon after pass the 102 consecutive weeks that Sampras spent at No. 1 to be third on the all-time list behind Connors (160 weeks) and Lendl (157 weeks).

Marco Rota, Marketing Director of Indesit Company, presented Federer with the prestigious trophy. "This is the second year running that Indesit has the honor of proclaiming Roger Federer the outright winner of the INDESIT ATP Race," Rota said. "Roger is not only a great tennis player, but also a splendid example of how the sport should be: entertaining and elegant, competitive, but fair. Congratulations Roger."

At the ceremony, ATP Chairman Etienne de Villiers added: "Roger is unquestionably the world's number one tennis player. The past season has seen him add to his growing legacy as one of greatest players of all time and there is no telling just what he can become in the next few years. Almost as impressive is his tireless contribution to tennis and society - he is not only an amazing ambassador for our game; by virtue of his commitment and conduct he is also an exemplary role model to any professional sportsman."

Federer’s commitment for on-court success is equivalently matched by his on-going charitable work. In addition to handing Federer the Race trophy, Indesit presented a check of 10,000 Euros to the Roger Federer Foundation, which was established in December 2003 to fund projects that benefit disadvantaged children and to promote sport for young people.

INDESIT ATP RACE WINNERS
2005 - Roger Federer
2004 - Roger Federer
2003 - Andy Roddick
2002 - Lleyton Hewitt
2001 - Lleyton Hewitt
2000 - Gustavo Kuerten