From correspondents in Delhi, India, 08:30 PM IST

Spaniard Rafael Nadal dethroned Roger Federer from the top billing, ending his record four-and-half-year reign as the top tennis star.

Nadal had to wait for three consecutive years on the second pedestal to unseat the Swiss champion, who claimed the top position after winning his first Australian Open title in 2004.

Nadal had a spectacular season this year, winning the French Open followed by Wimbledon and then Sunday an Olympic gold medal. Federer, on the other hand, is yet to win any major title.

Nadal is the 24th player to hold No. 1 position in the history of the ATP rankings and is the third player from Spain to accomplish the feat. Before him, countrymen Carlos Moya (1999) and Juan Carlos Ferrero (2003) laid claim to the number one spot.

In fact, Nadal's stay at the second position (2005-07) is the longest by any player in the history of the ATP ranking.

The last player to rank No. 1 before Federer was Andy Roddick the week of Jan. 26, 2004. Overall, this is the 86th time the No. 1 ranking has changed hands in the past 35 years.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)