Roger honoured by peers and fans

Roger was formally recognised for his triumphant return to the top spot in men’s tennis on Wednesday, as the 2009 ATP World Tour Awards were announced.

The 28-year-old superstar collected Player of the Year, Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award and ATPWorldTour.com Fans' Favourite presented by RICOH honours. Federer was Player of the Year for the fifth time after finishing as the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion and his fellow players selected him for the sportsmanship award for a record sixth consecutive year, surpassing Edberg, who was a five-time recipient over eight years. In a poll of fans, Federer was voted ATPWorldTour.com Fans' Favourite for the seventh straight season.

“I am very proud of these recognitions,” said Federer. “It was a great achievement to once again finish the season at No. 1, especially in a year that was so special for me off the court with my marriage and birth of my daughters. It is also very humbling to be awarded the sportsmanship award again by my fellow ATP players, many of whom I have known for a long time. Additionally, I would like to thank my fans for voting me as the Fans’ Favourite. I always try to exhibit fair play and be a good sport, and it is the fans that inspire me to play this wonderful game.”

ATP World Tour Doubles Team of the Year Bob and Mike Bryan were also announced as the ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favourite for the fifth straight year. Former ATP World Tour pro MaliVai Washington, a winner of four career ATP World Tour titles and a finalist at Wimbledon, won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award for his charitable efforts.

Player of the Year (based on year-end South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings)
Roger Federer: The Swiss native finished as ATP World Tour Champion for the fifth time in six years, highlighted by Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He became the sixth man in the history of the sport to win all four Grand Slam titles during his career and the all-time leader with the most Grand Slam singles titles by winning his 15th Slam crown at Wimbledon, surpassing Pete Sampras. He became the second player in the history of the South African Airways ATP Rankings (since 1973) to finish No. 1 after losing it for a season. Ivan Lendl accomplished the feat in 1989.

Fellow Swiss and Roger's doubles partner at the Swiss Indoors in Basel last year, Marco Chiudinelli, received the Comeback Player of the Year Award (voted by ATP players).

Date: 17.02.2010, Source: ATP World Tour