PARIS (AFP) Roger Federer, superstar and super dad, cemented his status as the greatest player of all time in 2009 as fears increased for the long-term future of injury-plagued rival Rafael Nadal. Federer began the year an emotional, tearful wreck having seen Nadal snatch the Australian Open title and prompt wild speculation that the Swiss stars best years were behind him. By the end of 2009, however, he had become only the sixth man to complete the Grand Slam, the first to win 15 majors while also reclaiming his world number one spot. The 28-year-old found time to smash through the 50-million-dollar prize-money barrier, marry girlfriend Mirka and become the proud father of twin girls. It means a lot to have returned to No. 1 and to finish the year again at No. 1, said Federer. It was an incredible year for me both on and off the court. Federer did it the hard way, waiting until May to clinch his first title of the year beating a jaded-looking Nadal in Madrid. When Nadal, the four-time Roland Garros champion, suffered a shock first career defeat in Paris, Federer seized his opportunity to complete the Grand Slam with an easy final win over Robin Soderling, the conqueror of Nadal. Federer came back from two sets down to beat Tommy Haas in the fourth round and recovered from a two sets to one deficit against Juan Martin del Potro in the semi-finals in Paris. Meanwhile, Nadals weary battle with knee tendinitis forced the Spaniard to skip Wimbledon where he was defending champion. Again it opened the door for Federer to re-establish his dominance on the lawns of the All England Club where he had reigned supreme from 2003-2007 before Nadal muscled him off the throne in 2008. In the final, widely-recognised as the greatest Wimbledon title match of all time, Federer defeated a rejuvenated Andy Roddick 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 16-14. It was his sixth Wimbledon title and a record 15th Grand Slam trophy, captured in an epic Centre Court duel. The victory also took him past Pete Samprass record of 14 majors. I definitely feel like its come full circle for me, starting here and ending it here, said Federer who won his first major at Wimbledon in 2003. Of course, my career is far from over. But I know how much the record meant to Pete and he knows how much the record means to me. Incredibly, Federer went on to feature in the US Open final as well, but his hopes were shattered by 21-year-old Argentine Del Potro who confirmed his position as one of the games brightest talents by recovering from a two sets to one deficit to claim his maiden Grand Slam title. Nadal, whose Australian Open title gave him a sixth Grand Slam trophy, finished the year as world number two and as the spearhead of Spains triumphant Davis Cup side which crushed a poor Czech Republic 5-0 in the final. But he needed a three-month break in mid-season to recover from the tendinitis which wrecked his French Open and Wimbledon hopes and, tellingly, the last of his five titles in 2009 came on the Barcelona clay in April. Three successive defeats at the World Tour finals in London did nothing to dampen fears over his prospects for 2010. My battery is finished, said Nadal after his London trauma. Only practising will help you come back to your best level. While Federer and Nadal, as well as young pretenders Del Potro, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic geared up for 2010, mens tennis wasnt allowed to slip out of 2009 without controversy. Andre Agassi, whose colourful approach to life on and off the court helped reinvigorate the game in the 1990s, stunned the sport by admitting he used the highly addictive drug crystal methamphetamine in his career. The flamboyant American duped the ATP into believing he had taken the drug by accident.