Before the ‘big three’ of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic came along, Pete Sampras was widely regarded as the greatest men’s tennis player of all time.
The American, who retired after winning the 2002 US Open title, captured 14 Grand Slam crowns during his legendary career. Sampras won 64 ATP titles altogether, including 11 at Masters events, two at the Davis Cup, and five at the ATP Finals.
Sampras was 7-0 in Wimbledon finals, and is the only male player ever to win the grass court major three consecutive times twice in his career.
Greg Rusedski praises the career of Pete Sampras
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have since broken almost every record Sampras set, which former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski thinks has changed fan perception. On his podcast, ‘Off Court with Greg‘, Rusedski said: “With Pete, he was the GOAT; he had the record for 30 years that stood of 12 majors and Sampras got 14.
“And everybody’s like, ‘Okay, this guy’s going to go down in the history as the greatest. He won that US Open where he beat me in five sets, I was the only guy that pushed him there, and I made some terrible comments that the guy’s got no chance to win the title.
“Then he wins the US Open that year. So putting my foot in my mouth like I normally do. And he then retired and decided not to come back, because he was supposed to come back, he said no, this is the way I’m going to finish my career.
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“Then when he retired, Federer showed up, Nadal showed up, Djokovic showed up and then they superseded him and all got 20 plus majors. Since he’s not been in the game he hasn’t got the credit, because he was very much just about tennis, not his personal life, not anything else.
“It was only about that, and people didn’t really get to know him because he was a quiet demeanour on court and he never really publicised himself, but to me, he was one of the greatest players of all time who doesn’t get enough kudos for how good he was and what a great player he was.”
How Pete Sampras reacted when Roger Federer broke his record
Federer broke Sampras’ record for the most Grand Slam singles titles in men’s tennis history by winning his 15th at Wimbledon in 2009. There was no bitterness on Sampras’ end, though, when asked about the Swiss’ incredible feat.
As per the Guardian, Sampras, who flew over to London to witness Federer’s final with Andy Roddick at the All England Club that year, said: “Roger’s a friend and a good guy and a great player. He’s got 15 grand slam titles now, and he could get 16, 17 or 18 – he’s a stud. And he’s only 27.”
Asked if Federer was officially the greatest men’s player of all time over him, Sampras said: “I have to give it to him. He’s won all the majors now, and he will win a few more. So in my book he is.” Federer went on to clinch 20 major titles, but his record was then beaten by Nadal and Djokovic, who tallied 22 and 24.
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