In 2008, Roger Federer didn’t break Pete Sampras’ record for career Grand Slam titles, but he did pass his idol on the career earnings list. By reaching the semifinals of the Madrid Masters, Federer won enough prize money to raise his career total to $43,317,870, topping Sampras’ total earnings of $43,280,489.
What does one do with all that money? Federer decided to expand his John McCain-esque roster of homes by buying a new vacation pad in the eastern Swiss town of Valbella.
“It's true. Federer bought a house with grounds in Valbella,” Urs Häusermann, a local politician, told Swiss Web site swissinfo.ch.
This is not the first time that the Basel-born Federer has ventured east. Earlier this year, he purchased a home overlooking Lake Zurich in the town of Wollerau, more than 60 miles southeast of his birthplace. Formula One racers Kimi Räikkönen and Felipe Massa, retired tennis star Martina Hingis, and former USB chairman Marcel Ospel all reside in Wollerau, a tax haven for its celebrity residents.
Federer also owns a home in Dubai, where he trains several times a year.
Contrary to reports that Federer would be trimming his tennis schedule next year, he will be playing in three events before the Australian Open begins on January 19. He will open the season in Abu Dhabi, taking part in an exhibition that will also include Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Federer will next play in the Doha International Series tournament in Qatar, and then enter the Kooyong (Australia) round-robin exhibition, which is traditionally played before Melbourne.