Worth the wait: Federer will be world No. 1 at 36

Rotterdam, Netherlands — Roger Federer added another highlight to his age-defying career resurgence by returning to the top of the world rankings on Friday after more than five years and becoming the oldest No. 1 at 36.

“What an amazing run it's been and a journey it's been for me ... to clinch world No. 1,” said Federer, who won three of the last five Grand Slams to put him on track to the top.

Beating leading Dutch player Robin Haase 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 in the quarterfinals at the ABN AMRO World Tournament means Federer becomes the oldest player — male or female — to top the tennis rankings. He surpasses Andre Agassi, who held the men's record at age 33.

“Getting to No. 1 and enjoying it right here at 36, almost 37 years old is an absolute dream come true,” Federer said. “I can't believe it.”

Federer will leapfrog 31-year-old Rafael Nadal to No. 1 when the rankings are updated on Monday.

Also a record will be the five-yearsplus which have elapsed since Federer was last No. 1, and the 14 years since he first reached the top spot.

“This one, because I'm a little bit older, is a little bit more special maybe, because there's just so much that has to go into it, so much has to be right for it to work out,” he said.

On Monday, he will extend his record of 302 weeks at No. 1 since the rankings began in 1973. Pete Sampras is a distant second with 286 weeks at the top. Novak Djokovic (223) is the closest active player.

“Reaching No. 1 is one of, if not the ultimate achievement in our sport,” Federer said. “Sometimes at the beginning you get there just because you play so well. Later, when you're older you feel like you have to put maybe double the work in. So this one maybe means the most to me.”