Federer adds another record to his collection

By Pritha Sarkar

LONDON (Reuters) - He lists his favorite pastimes as sitting on the beach and playing cards but anyone who is acquainted with Roger Federer knows what his real hobby is -- collecting records.

Tennis records that is.

Ever since Federer etched his name into Wimbledon's roll of honor in 2003 by becoming the first Swiss man to win a grand slam singles crown, he has been hoarding records in the way other people collect stamps.

While Federer's mantelpiece back home in Oberwil, Switzerland, must be creaking under the weight of his stockpile of 46 trophies, historians have scrambled to keep pace with his never-ending list of achievements.

With the year not even two months old, Federer has already accomplished numerous milestones in 2007.

In January's Australian Open he became the first man since tennis turned professional in 1968 to reach 11 successive grand slam semi-finals.

By marching into his seventh successive major final, he equalled the feat of Australian Jack Crawford set in 1934.

After capturing his 10th grand slam title in Melbourne in just 3- years, he became the first man in the professional era to win three consecutive majors twice in his career.