US nice Pete Sampras pays tribute to departing Roger Federer | Tennis Information

LOS ANGELES: Pete Sampras, the 14-time Grand Slam champion whose Wimbledon reign was ended by Roger Federer in 2001, paid tribute to the Swiss nice in a social media video on Thursday.
Federer, winner of 20 Grand Slam titles and among the finest gamers in historical past, is making a farewell look on the Laver Cup in London on Friday earlier than he heads into retirement.
Sampras took the event to recall their solely assembly — when 19-year-old Federer beat him within the fourth spherical on the All England Membership.

“Probably not positive the place to start, so I will simply begin from the very starting,” Sampras stated in a video directed straight to Federer.
“After I first performed you, you had been 19 years previous, an up-and-coming participant and folks had been speaking about you. And we had an important battle on the Centre Courtroom of Wimbledon. And also you took me down.
“Powerful five-setter,” recalled Sampras, who had received the earlier 4 Wimbledon titles to take his tally to seven. “And I simply keep in mind strolling off the courtroom, feeling like I met my match.”

Sampras would win yet one more Grand Slam title, on the US Open in 2002, earlier than retiring. Over the subsequent 20 years he watched Federer’s profession blossom.
“Little did I do know, 20 years later, that you’d have 20 majors, be primary for years, dominate our sport — principally do all of it,” Sampras stated, calling Federer “actually a particular participant”.
Sampras lauded Federer’s dedication, saying his famously fluid sport disguised the rigorous work that produced it.
“You are going to be missed in our sport,” Sampras stated.