It all began in 2003. There was a sweet smile, long hair, ponytail and promise. Roger Federer fulfilled his dream by winning the Wimbledon. This was, however, just the beginning of a dream run that would go on to best all dream runs in men's tennis. (2003)
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In 2004, he reached atop the rankings (and didn't descend for another four years). He won over 90 per cent of his matches. He won three Grand Slams, including the Wimbledon, beating Andy Roddick in four sets. (2004)
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Three in a row. Not many had done it. But Federer did, with ease. Andy Roddick, poor him, had to finish runner-up for the second straight time. (2005)
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Federer's first major success against his arch-nemesis. After Nadal denied him the only elusive Grand Slam, French Open, Federer, on their first meeting at Wimbledon, beat him to win his fourth straight title on Centre Court. (2006)
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Yes. Five. In a row. No one, except that steely-nerved Swede, Bjorn Borg, had managed to accomplish something this monumental. But, Federer, after taking down Nadal in an epic five-setter, put himself on the upper echelon of tennis greats. (2007)
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Poor Roddick! Federer left him in tears, after edging him 16-14 in the deciding set of the final. With this title, Federer went past Pete Sampras as the man with most Grand Slams. (2009)
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But wait, Sampras and William Renshaw have seven Wimbledon titles. So, Federer, in 2012, equalled that with a win over Andy Murray. (2012)
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...and the eighth. With this, he surpassed Sampras, Renshaw, everyone. At 35, he won his favourite tournament, on his beloved grass, to enrich his legacy that's already considered the greatest in tennis. (2017)
