Welcome To Your 30s, Roger Federer

This week, Roger Federer turned 30.  In some sports, that age can represent peak performance; in tennis, it is often a signal that the end is near.

I’m sure Roger wouldn’t appreciate being treated as an age-grouper, but viewing him that way gives us more evidence of his greatness.  Regardless of whether he returns to the top of the ATP rankings, it would seem that he’ll remain the #1 thirty-something for as long as he wants to keep playing.

Here is the current list of best 30-somethings, based on this Monday’s ATP rankings. The only achievement that exceeds Fed’s domination of the 30-and-over set is Ivan Ljubicic’s standing among 32-year-olds. [Edit: That is, if you ignore Radek Stepanek, who is older and higher-ranked.  Never mind…]

3    Roger Federer       SUI    8/8/81
18   Jurgen Melzer       AUT   5/22/81
22   Juan Ignacio Chela  ARG   8/30/79
27   Radek Stepanek      CZE  11/27/78
30   Nikolay Davydenko   RUS    6/2/81
31   Ivan Ljubicic       CRO   3/19/79
33   Michael Llodra      FRA   5/18/80
47   Albert Montanes     ESP  11/26/80
49   Xavier Malisse      BEL   7/19/80
50   Jarkko Nieminen     FIN   7/23/81
63   Potito Starace      ITA   7/14/81
64   Victor Hanescu      ROU   7/21/81
79   Olivier Rochus      BEL   1/18/81
85   Michael Berrer      GER    7/1/80
86   James Blake         USA  12/28/79
88   Eric Prodon         FRA   6/27/81
91   Ricardo Mello       BRA  12/21/80
98   Diego Junqueira     ARG  12/28/80
100  Michael Russell     USA    5/1/78
103  Marc Gicquel        FRA   3/30/77