ATP Finals: Pete Sampras - A heart for Germany
Pete Sampras won five titles at the ATP Finals: all in Germany and all in the 1990s. From the point of view of the American, the even greater achievement is different.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Nov 12, 2020, 04:00 pm
It has become fairly quiet around Pete Sampras after he ended his terrific career with the final victory at the US Open 2002 against Andre Agassi with the 14th and last success in a major. At that time a record, meanwhile Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer with 20 each and Novak Djokovic with 17 have long overtaken the American. Even if in the final phase of Sampras' active time it had the impression that the now 49-year-old was primarily concentrating on the majors, another rating was even more important for "Pistol Pete". At least in retrospect almost two decades later.
"These years as number one, playing my best tennis year after year - it's very hard to stay up there," Sampras is quoted on the ATP website. "And to do it all six years in a row ... Now when I look back on it, I think it was my greatest achievement. And I've won a lot of majors and done some great things." Since the tournament in Vienna it has been clear that Novak Djokovic will catch up with Sampras . The current industry leader will also hibernate as the world's best tennis player for the sixth time after the shortened 2020 season.
Sampras won five titles in Germany
A weighty factor in Sampras' record series were the five titles that he won at the ATP finals. All of them in Germany, by the way. Two of them in Frankfurt (1991 against Jim Courier, 1994 against Boris Becker), three more in Hanover (1995 in an all-time classic over five sets against Becker, 1997 against Yevgeny Kafelnikov and 1999 against his greatest rival Andre Agassi). Incidentally, Djokovic could overtake Sampras in this category in the coming days: The Serbian is also with five successes in the season's final tournament.
"Boris was like the king who came home," continued Sampras. "It was very hard to play against him. He was a monster. Boris played so well indoors. He made a very impressive figure on the court. Boris is a great guy. And with all the German fans who Supported him, it was tough. You not only play against a great opponent, you also have to deal with the fans. "
With the success of Sampras in Hanover in 1999, the golden age of the USA also came to an end, at least with regard to the unofficial ATP World Championship. Because since then there has not been an American winner. Andre Agassi, who won in Frankfurt in 1990, reached the final twice in Lisbon in 2000 and in Houston in 2003, but did not win a set against Gustavo Kuerten and Roger Federer. Just as little as James Blake, the last finalist from the USA, against Roger Federer in Shanghai in 2006.