Federer Strengthens 'Big Titles' Lead With Slam No. 20

ATP World Tour

You can pick and choose your favourite Roger Federer number – 20 Grand Slam titles, six Australian Open crowns, 36 years old – but they're all reaching the stage of indescribable.

Another example: 53, his tally of “Big Titles” after earning back-to-back Australian Open crowns on Sunday for only the second time in his career (2006-07). In addition to his 20 Grand Slams, Federer's Hall-of-Fame career has also featured six Nitto ATP Finals titles and 27 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns.

But his 20^th major title was especially sweet, Federer admitted after beating Croatia's Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to improve to 9-1 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series. “Getting to 20 is obviously very, very special, no doubt,” he said.

It seems like a decade ago, not 14 months, when Federer was in the midst of his biggest Grand Slam title slump. From January 2010 to December 2016, Federer had won only two Grand Slam titles – 2010 Australian Open and 2012 Wimbledon. Not since before 2003 Wimbledon, when he won his first Grand Slam title, had Federer endured such a stretch.

Current and Former Champions' Big Titles Won (Records Since 1990) 

* Becker's four other Grand Slam titles came before 1990.
** Edberg's three other Grand Slam titles came before 1990.  

Toss in his knee surgery and his six months away from the sport in the second half of 2016, and it becomes easier to remember why he and his millions of fans wondered if he would ever kiss another Grand Slam trophy. Yet here Federer is at 36, an age known as “ancient” in tennis a decade ago, having won three of the past five Grand Slam tournaments.

“I can't believe it myself. I just got to keep a good schedule, stay hungry, then maybe good things can happen. Then I don't think age is an issue, per se. It's just a number,” Federer said. “But I need to be very careful in my planning, really decide beforehand what are my goals, what are my priorities. I think that's what's going to dictate how successful I will be.”

Longest Streaks Of Grand Slam Titles By Federer & Rafael Nadal

Federer's rivals, however, remain close behind the Swiss star in the Big Titles count. Novak Djokovic has 47 Big Titles and leads everyone, including Federer, in his efficiency at the biggest tournaments. Djokovic has played 159 Grand Slams, Nitto ATP Finals and Masters 1000 tournaments, and he's won 47 Big Titles, which means, on average, he hoists a Big Title about every three opportunities (3.4). The Serbian is also tied with Federer and Roy Emerson for the all-time Australian Open titles lead at six.

Most Australian men’s singles titles (all-time)

Active players in bold

Nadal has also won Big Titles on a more consistent basis than Federer. The Spaniard has contested 161 Grand Slams, Nitto ATP Finals and Masters 1000 tournaments, and has claimed 46 Big Titles (every 3.5 on average).

But Federer said he's not worried about extending any title lead against the current greats – Djokovic and Nadal – or the retired legends, including Emerson and Pete Sampras.

Watch Federer Tribute

“It doesn't matter. It's about living the emotions that I went through tonight again at the trophy ceremony, going through a tough rollercoaster match, five-setter against Cilic, who is a great player, and then getting No. 6 here, No. 20 overall. It's just a very special moment,” Federer said.

“Defending my title from last year, sort of the fairytale continues. That's what stands out for me, maybe not equaling Emerson or Novak. They had their own unbelievable careers. I admire what they're doing and have done with Emo. It's definitely a very special moment in my life again.”

Because, for Federer, during the 200^th Grand Slam tournament of the Open Era (since April 1968) and the 50^th Australian Open, celebrating his 20^th Grand Slam title was good enough.

Federer In Grand Slam Finals