Dubai: The legendary Pete Sampras believes Roger Federer will get even better as the Swiss ace continues to lift tennis to greater heights.
Sampras, who won 14 singles Grand Slams titles in a career spanning as many years, was in awe of the work ethic and hunger of the Swiss master, who has so far picked up 17 Slam titles.
“He [Federer] is an icon for our sport. He has put up some huge numbers there in a career that has been so phenomenal. And this year he added the Davis Cup. He is 33 and he is getting stronger day by day,” Sampras said.
The American, now 43, is the ‘legend’ player with the Micromax Indian Aces participating in the inaugural International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), which concludes at the Hamdan Sports Complex here this weekend.
Sampras, who is making his debut in Dubai, added: “Federer is a lot about maintaining his health. He is 33 and things are bound to get tougher on him as he ages, but he’s got a lot of tennis left in him.
“I have watched him play and he is so smooth in his shot-making and he has got all the desire he had all this while. He is smooth and confident and I do not see him slowing down as yet. And now that he is so close, being number one in the world again will be a huge goal for him.”
Sampras and Federer belong to overlapping generations of international tennis. When Federer was breaking into the top-100 in 1998, Sampras was at the top of his game as world number one.
Federer has now gone three Grand Slam titles better than his idol, along with the possibility of playing for a few more years and improving on his record. Though he dominated men’s tennis during his career, Sampras never won on the clay of Roland Garros, while Federer has one title to his name at the French Open.
“In the near future I don’t see Federer slowing down. As a player it is pure pleasure watching him. So whenever he is playing I just sit back and appreciate what he has to offer on a tennis court. He is simply such a great ambassador of tennis,” Sampras said.
