Roger Federer is a greedy man.
Not satisfied with running away with the world number one tennis ranking and becoming only the second man after Pete Sampras to win more than $5 million in prize money in a single season, the Swiss is eyeing another record at the Masters Cup.
Should he remain undefeated and capture his 12th title of the year in Shanghai next week, Federer will equal John McEnroe's professional-era record of best match-winning percentage (96.5) in a calendar year.
McEnroe compiled an 82-3 win-loss ratio en route to winning 13 titles in 1984 and Federer -- enjoying a 77-3 record in 2005 -- is poised to match the mark.
The six-times Grand Slam champion is on a 31-match winning streak and would probably have improved on McEnroe's feat had he not been sidelined for the past month with an ankle injury.
Despite setting new standards almost every time he steps on to a tennis court, Federer remains nonchalant at the prospect of entering his own name next to McEnroe's in the history books.
"I've made loads of records but everybody has their share of records," the Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion said recently.
"The three matches I lost, in two of them I had match point so they got a little lucky.
"But I wonder why I always play so well, especially on the big occasions. It just seems to click for me."
WORLD RANKINGS
This year the 24-year-old Federer has chalked up an impressive list of firsts and, ominously for his rivals, has shown no signs of loosening his vice-like grip on the top of the world rankings.
He became the first man to win back-to-back Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles in consecutive years since the game turned professional in 1968.
He became the first man to win four Masters Series events in a season with victory in Cincinnati.
He has won his last 24 finals, 12 better than the previous record.
He has won 40 consecutive matches on hardcourt, breaking former world number one Sampras's professional-era record of 34 during the U.S. Open.
He also joined an elite club of only four men since records began in the 1880s to win their first six Grand Slam finals. In the professional era nobody has won more than their first three.
"I'm happy I have some records because it makes it more fun for me, not only to play against the other guys but to occasionally play against history," said Federer, who holds a 1,460-point advantage in the standings over world number two Rafael Nadal.
"I still cannot believe how well I've been playing over the last few years and that it just keeps on going.
"It's incredible because last year was fantastic with the three Grand Slam (wins) and the Masters Cup (victory) and all the other titles. Now to have a chance to maybe improve it is fantastic."
AGASSI COMPLIMENT
After being beaten by Federer in the Flushing Meadows final in September, Andre Agassi had no hesitation in giving his verdict on the Swiss.
"He is the best I have ever played against," declared the 35-year-old American.
It was praise indeed from a man who has competed against players of the calibre of 14-times Grand Slam champion Sampras, Jimmy Connors, McEnroe, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg and Ivan Lendl.
Federer himself appeared to be taken aback by Agassi's compliment.
"I'm little surprised with him saying that I'm better than Sampras. It's fantastic to be compared to all the players he's played throughout his career," said Federer.
"To be compared to those is great and my run is still going, so I still have chances to get there and to improve."
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