Who should really be considered the greatest tennis player of all time? Roger Federer or Former #1 Pete Sampras? Let's first look at total grand slam titles won. Federer won his record breaking 15 grand slams in a brutal 4 and a half hour Wimbledon match against #5 Seed Andy Roddick.
This was done in front of Pete Sampras himself who sat in the front seat as he watched his 14 grand slams record title slip away from him just a couple of weeks ago.
There are a lot of similarities when it comes to comparing these 2 phenomenon athletes. Their birthday is only 4 days apart with Roger being born on August 8 1981 in comparison to Pete's August 12 1971 birthday. Their height equals the exact same measurements at 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in).
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Roger Federer turned pro in 1998 playing professional tennis for 11 years. Pete Sampras retired in 2002 playing Professional tennis for 14 years. So let's back track a bit and look at some details as to why Roger Federer can and should be considered arguably the best tennis player that has ever lived.
It took Federer 11 years to reach 15 Grand Slams wheareas it took Sampras 14 years. Federer won his first historic career grand slams at the most recent French Open Vs Robin Soderling 6-1 7-6(1) 6-4. This is something Pete Sampras was never able to accomplish in his professional tennis career.
Forehand Winner: Roger Federer
Backhand Winner: Even
Net Game Winner: Pete Sampras
Baseline Winner: Even (Although, i'm leaning on Federer)
Serve Game Winner: Even
Return on Serves Winner: Roger Federer
Forehand Slice Winner: Roger Federer
Backhand Slice Winner: Even
Overhead Winner: Pete Sampras
Before i go ahead and mention that i believe Roger Federer is the best tennis player of all time, there might be people arguing with me the fact that Pete Sampras faced tougher opponents in his era than Federer did. Therefore, I'll let the readers decide who they think should be considered the greatest tennis player ever.
It took Federer 11 years to reach 15 Grand Slams wheareas it took Sampras 14 years. Federer won his first historic career grand slams at the most recent French Open Vs Robin Soderling 6-1 7-6(1) 6-4. This is something Pete Sampras was never able to accomplish in his professional tennis career.
Now let's take compare their Tennis skill levels on the court.
Forehand Winner: Roger Federer
Backhand Winner: Even
Net Game Winner: Pete Sampras
Baseline Winner: Even (Although, i'm leaning on Federer)
Serve Game Winner: Even
Return on Serves Winner: Roger Federer
Forehand Slice Winner: Roger Federer
Backhand Slice Winner: Even
Overhead Winner: Pete Sampras
Total Votes: Roger Federer (3 Winners) - Pete Sampras (2 Winners)
Before i go ahead and mention that i believe Roger Federer is the best tennis player of all time, there might be people arguing with me the fact that Pete Sampras faced tougher opponents in his era than Federer did. Therefore, I'll let the readers decide who they think should be considered the greatest tennis player ever.
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