Men's tennis world No. 1 Roger Federer and women's No. 1 Justine
Henin were awarded the 2007 ITF World Champions by the
International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Monday.
Federer, 26, who won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open
titles to bring his Grand Slam haul to 12, took the award for the
fourth straight year, while Henin, 25, who won the French and US
Open titles was named for the third time overall.
Federer said, "Each year brings new challenges, and I am proud
that I have been able to raise the level of my game when needed. It
gives me great satisfaction to have won another three Grand Slam
titles and maintained the number one ranking."
Henin said, "This has definitely been the best season of my
career so far and I am delighted to be named ITF World Champion
once again."
ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti commented: "Roger Federer
and Justine Henin both enjoyed outstanding seasons to maintain
their status as the world's number one players.
"In particular their record in Grand Slam events saw them emerge
as the clear choices for ITF World Champions."
(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2007)