Federer, Henin take ITF crowns
Justine Henin ended the year at the top of the women's rankings
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Monday, 17, Dec 2007 04:37
Men's and women's world number ones Roger Federer and Justine Henin have been named the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) champions for 2007.
Federer, 26, wins the accolade for the fourth consecutive year - only the second man ever to do so after American Pete Sampras.
And Henin, 25, receives her third overall ITF title after winning two grand slam titles and winning the end-of-season WTA championships for the world's top eight female players.
The Belgian star retains the crown she won last year, having also taken the 2003 prize, after winning a career-high ten titles and becoming the first woman to win more than $5 million (£2.5 million) in a single season.
"This has definitely been the best season of my career so far and I am delighted to be named ITF world champion once again," Henin said.
"It has been a very challenging year overall, but I have stayed positive and proved that nothing is impossible if you work hard. I still think my best tennis is yet to come."
Swiss star Federer underlined his dominance of the men's tour by reaching the final of all four grand slam tournaments, winning at the Australian Open, the US Open and Wimbledon and losing the French title at Roland Garros to world number two Rafael Nadal.
He also won a record prize fund of more than $10 million (£5 million) in addition to his fourth Masters Cup trophy in five seasons.
"It is an honour to be named ITF world champion for the fourth year running. Each year brings new challenges, and I am proud that I have been able to raise the level of my game when needed," he said.
"It gives me great satisfaction to have won another three grand slam titles and maintained the number one ranking."
Bob and Mike Bryan of the USA, and Zimbabwe's Cara Black and American Liezel Huber were named the men's and women's 2007 ITF doubles world champions.
The system for awarding the prizes is based on a player's performances on tour as well as at the season-ending knockout event and the national team events - the Davis Cup for men and the Fed Cup for women.