Sampras Vs Federer: Who Really Is The Greatest?
Posted on 29. Jan, 2010 by Broadband in Sports, Tennis
7 months ago when Roger Federer equalled Pete Sampras‘ Grand Slam Title record and completed the 4 Tournament Swoop (Australian, US & French Opens and Wimbledon) some said that the debate about who was the greatest was put to rest. Even Andre Agassi who presented Roger the trophy at Roland Garros in the French Open final that night and Pete Sampras himself hailed Federer as THE best to ever step foot on to the grass, clay or hard court.
Sampras on Federer
“What he’s done over the past five years has never, ever been done - and probably will never, ever happen again, Regardless if he won there or not, he goes down as the greatest ever. This just confirms it”
Agassi on Federer
“Roger’s numbers - it’s hard to disagree with. His domination on different surfaces - hard to disagree with. Now that he’s won in Paris, I think it just more solidifies his place in history as the greatest player that played the game, in my opinion”
Indeed Federer now stands as one of the most decorated players of all time surpassing Sampras’s record; He has an enviable and almost flawless racket stroke with the ability to dismantle opponents with an array of delicate forehands and backhands HOWEVER I still believe at this current moment that Pete Sampras is the greatest.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Federer: Australian Open (2004, 2006, 2007) French Open (2009) Wimbledon (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009) US Open (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) = 15 GRAND SLAM TITLES
Sampras: Australian Open (1994, 1997) Wimbledon (1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) US Open (1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2002) = 14 GRAND SLAM TITLES
If we go by numbers there’s no question that Federer, especially at the age he is now is BETTER than Sampras, but at what expense? It’s been heavily debated that Federer’s era has included weaker opponents compared to the multiple champions and better players competing in Sampras’ Era.
New Era Caps
The Swiss Champion found competition lighter and less potent in the faces of Nadal, Hewitt, Roddick, Moya, Ferrero, Djokovic and Murray. Although all show great quality and some have a grand slam to their name, up until recently it was relatively easy for Federer to outshine them and win time after time after time. Was he really that exceptional or is he simply very good and rest of the field not that great?
Sampras entered the world stage alongside tennis players who were either at the top of their game or entering their peak; Agassi, Courier, Rafter, Ivanisevic, Edberg, Lendl, Kuerten, Muster. The American faced tough competition and was involved in a plethora of 5 set thrillers that he usually came through victorious. Did playing the best players in the world at their peak and experience give Sampras a better edge?
You can only beat who is in front of you
Lets not deter away from what Federer has achieved in such a short amount of time; weaker opponents or not the best he could do was keep winning, setting records and show consistency in his gameplay…and he did all three in abundance.
Yet one cant help but feel that bar Andy Roddick and possibly Leyton Hewitt, Federer’s explosion into tennis and his peak came at a perfect time…in between those who’s career was ending (Sampras, Ivanesivic, Agassi) and those who had just started building gameplay (Nadal, Djokovic, Murray). What was left was a group of inconsistent performers from Safin to Phillopousis to Henman, but hey that’s not Federer’s fault.
You have to beat the best to be the best
Sampras beat the best at their best. There were more consistent players who stepped up their game and were able to take the game to the American. Fear wasnt a factor, just two rackets and a court; these type of matches solidified the gritty determination of the multi-champion despite not quite getting the French Open
The argument could go on and on, but I’ll leave you with this question “If Federer would have played the same game against Agassi, Sampras, Rafter, Muster, Kuerten, Safin, Becker, Courier (just to name a few) in their best years, would he still have won 14 Grand Slams in 6 years?“
Sources
http://www.tennisthoughts.com/2007/09/16/sampras-vs-federer-in-their-prime-–-who-wins/
http://www.tennisthoughts.com/2009/07/06/federer-vs-sampras-grand-slam-comparison-–-who-had-a-tougher-job/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8088265.stm
