Pete Sampras on Novak Djokovic: "A clear sign that he's the best in history"
Novak Djokovic has finally overtaken Pete Sampras with his seventh year finish as number one. This in turn showed nothing but respect for the Serbs. And gives a strong nod in the direction of the GOAT debate.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Nov 16, 2021, 07:05 pm
His records were considered inviolable. Pete Sampras was able to finish a season as number one in the tennis world six times, and 14 times he was successful at the Grand Slam level. At a time when it was impossible to foresee what would follow in the decades to come. First of all, Roger Federer overtook the now 50-year-old in terms of major titles, now with Nadal, Federer and Djokovic three players are clearly ahead of Pete Sampras' once all time record. The "Big Three" had turned the record books of tennis upside down.
One man who is particularly eager in this regard is Novak Djokovic. The Serb - undoubtedly the best tennis player in recent years - is breaking record after record, most recently just a few days ago when the world number one crowned himself number one for the seventh time at the end of the year. The 34-year-old was able to overtake Pete Sampras in this comparison, only last year Djokovic drew level with the American.
Sampras enthusiastic about Djokovic
"I've been the man of records all these years, but he is much more the man of records than I am. He is more consistent, has won more tournaments and more Grand Slams," said Sampras himself in the end, paying tribute to the Serb. "I don't think we'll ever see someone again finish number one seven times a year." The 50-year-old is convinced that the records of the "Big Three" deserve more attention across all sports. After all, tennis as an individual sport is the ultimate challenge: "Tennis players have to have the complete package. I think you have to have an attitude to be number one, and Novak has it," the tennis portal puntodebreak quoted the American as saying.
While Djokovic makes no secret of placing his main focus on the major tournaments, Sampras is convinced that the record of most finishes as number one at the end of the year will sooner or later have a high priority for the Serb: "Seven times as the best Cutting off the season is something that I think he'll see as a bonus to all the Grand Slams he's won, but it's something he'll appreciate a lot more over the years - he did it at a time when he did Federer and Nadal dominated and kept the next generation in check. "
Sampras emphasized that the Serbian’s path to the Olympus of tennis was also a human development: "I was very impressed by his development. It is great to see how he is different from a talented young athlete who was a little mentally fragile , has developed into what it is today. " And what Novak Djokovic is today, the 50-year-old has a very clear idea: "For me, everything he has done is a clear sign that he is the best of all time."