Rediff

Madrid, Oct 17: 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 on Thursday.

The five-times US Open champion took his career earnings to over US $ 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 on Thursday.

"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 on Friday.