ATP launches commemorative book No 1 at Wimbledon

Pakistan News & Features Services

The ATP has published a special commemorative coffee table book celebrating all year-end ATP World Tour No. 1s over the past 40 years, which was launched at Wimbledon on June 29.

The unique celebratory book, entitled ‘No. 1’, features exclusive interviews with No. 1s past and present, as well as never-seen-before photography over the past 40 years. 

Neil Harman, tennis correspondent of The Times, and Peter Bodo, senior writer for Tennis.com and Tennis magazine, are the main contributors to the book. 

From Ilie Nastase in 1973 to Novak Djokovic in 2012 the book features the inspirational stories of the accomplishments of the champions like Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Mats Wilander, Stefan Edberg, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Gustavo Kuerten,Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Roddick, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The book provides a unique insight into the emotions and mind-set of the world’s greatest players as they battle to reach the summit of world tennis.

“It is incredible to be a part of this elite group, looking at the names who have ended the year as No. 1, the 16 since 1973, who have done so much for tennis on and off the court. I know how much effort it takes and how many people around the world compete for that place. Being the No. 1 is the pinnacle of all the ambitions of every player. This is the dream,” Novak Djokovic, the current World No. 1, remarked. 

“It is a huge deal to have achieved the things that my heroes, people like Stefan Edberg and Pete Sampras, did. To be a member of the list is truly humbling. World No. 1 doesn't just come to you, you have to go and get it and that's what I did! It took me a lot of great performances to get there,” Roger Federer, who spent a record 302 weeks as World No. 1, observed. 

“Being No. 1 is iconic; there are not a lot of us around. I was able to stay at the top for a long time and I am very proud of that. Every now and again I'll remind myself that I was the best and stayed the best. That is a pretty cool sensation,” Pete Sampras, who finished year-end No. 1 a record six consecutive seasons, noted.