Pete Sampras’ message to Federer: “When we met, you were only 19…”

There was a time when it seemed impossible to win more than 14 Grand Slam titles. This is the mark registered by Pete Sampras after winning the US Open in 2002, before he retired.

However, a few years later, Roger Federer broke that record and took tennis to another dimension, something that everyone acknowledges these days, including himself. Sampras, who was full of praise for the Swiss in a video posted on social networks.

The American recalled their only meeting at Wimbledon, which Federer won when he was just 19 years old.

“I don’t know where to start so I’ll start at the beginning“said Sampras, directly addressing Federer.”When we met, you were only 19 years old, you were already a promising player, but there was already a lot of talk about you. We had a great match on Center Court at Wimbledon and you beat me in five sets.“recalled Sampras, who had won the previous four titles on English grass to bring his tally to seven. “I remember leaving the court feeling like I had finished my game.”

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Sampras would go on to win one final Grand Slam title, at the 2002 US Open, before retiring. Over the next two decades, he saw the rise of Federer’s career.

“I didn’t know that 20 years later you would have won 20 Majors, that you would be number one for many years, that you would dominate our sport; in fact, I wish you had done everythingSampras praised Federer, calling him a “truly special player.”

Sampras praised Federer’s dedication, saying his famously smooth game belied the hard work that produced it. “We will miss you in our sportSampras said.