World number two Roger Federer has surpassed Pete Sampras to become the all-time leader in career prize money earnings in men's tennis, the ATP said yesterday.

Roger Federer of Switzerland waves to the audience after he defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the Madrid Masters Series tennis tournament in Madrid Oct. 16, 2008. [Xinhua/Reuters]

The five-times US Open champion took his career earnings to over $43.3 million at the Madrid Masters this week.

American Sampras earned $43,280,489 in a glittering career that included 14 grand slam titles. Federer is one behind that record too with 13.

"Obviously it's nice to have records. I didn't play tennis because of money, that was never my drive but I have been very successful," Federer said after beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to reach the quarter-finals yesterday.

"I've had an incredible run in slams lately that racks up the money and also the Masters Cup, there is a lot of money involved there.

"I guess this is also the moment when you can thank the all-time greats from back in the day when it was still amateur to have brought the game to where it is today. They have created the platform for us players today."

Federer meets Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in the last eight of the Madrid Masters today.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily October 17, 2008)