Roger Federer equalled Jimmy Connors' 30-year-old record of 160 consecutive weeks as world number one when the new rankings were released on Monday.

The Swiss, whose streak began on February 2, 2004, drew level with American Connors who enjoyed his run at the top of the standings between July 29, 1974 and August 22 1977.

Federer is guaranteed to break the mark next week even though he has not played a tournament since last month's Australian Open, where he became the first man in 27 years to win a Grand Slam title without dropping a set.

Such is his dominance in the sport, the 25-year-old made sure he would set a new benchmark after he won the season-ending Masters Cup last November.

"I think that is definitely one of the big records I've broken, maybe the biggest so far in my career," Federer said in Shanghai in 2006.

"I'm waiting for that date to come along and then I'll celebrate it."

Federer's triumph at Melbourne Park gave him a 10th Grand Slam title in just three and half years. He will return to action in Dubai next week.