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)