Pete Sampras thinks he could have held his own against Roger
Federer but conceded on Tuesday that the Swiss master is poised to
smash his record of 14 grand slam titles.
Sampras, who retired after winning the 2002 US Open, considered
what the result might have been had the two giants of men's tennis
met in their prime.
"I don't think one guy would have dominated the other," said the
American during a teleconference to announce his return to
tournament tennis, playing a limited number of events on a tour for
over-30 players.
"I think our games are pretty similar. It would have been a
great clash to see us in our prime. Roger is doing what I never
did; dominate the way he is. He's lost five matches in two years,
that's unheard of.
"But I feel like my game is too big to be dominated by someone.
When my game was on, my serve was on, I felt I was tough to beat. I
felt unbeatable."
Sampras could soon see how his career stacks up alongside
Federer, after the Swiss took another stride towards the record
with his third Australian Open crown on Sunday.
The 25-year-old Swiss has won 10 grand slams since his maiden
title at Wimbledon in 2003 and will break Jimmy Connors's record of
160 consecutive weeks as world number one next month.
After beating Andre Agassi to lift his 14th grand slam title,
Sampras believed his record would stand the test of time.
But almost immediately an unrelenting Federer launched his
assault on the mark.
"I thought it would take longer than seven or eight years," said
the 35-year-old Sampras. "I don't seen anyone pushing him so I
could see him winning 17, 18, 19 majors. He has 10 already and he's
in the middle of his career.
"He just came along at the right time and is playing tremendous
tennis and I don't see him stopping now."
Sampras also believes Federer is capable of achieving a success
that eluded him by winning on the red clay of Roland Garros.
The Swiss world No 1 needs the French Open to complete his set
and become only the third player to hold all four majors at
once.
No comeback
"I think he can because he grew up playing on clay and he's come
close the last two years," said Sampras. "I really believe he can
win there.
"I'm a fan, of his game, his temperament, how he handles himself
on and off the court. I marvel at things he's able to do," he
added.
The two players clashed just once in their careers, with the
Swiss prevailing. There will be no re-match.
"When we retire we all have thoughts of playing again but my
playing days are over on the ATP Tour," admitted the seven-time
Wimbledon champion. "It's a lot of work, a whole different
lifestyle I'm done with.
"I have been hitting the ball pretty well for the past six
months and still feel that I can maybe compete against some of the
guys. But to think about coming out of retirement is something
far-fetched."
(China Daily via Agencies February 1, 2007)