The big difference between Roger Federer and Pete Sampras has been outlined by the man who coached them both

Posted by Admin November 25, 2024 Tennis

When Roger Federer burst onto the scene to the point where he started to win major titles, he was viewed as the heir to the throne vacated by the legendary Pete Sampras.

The Swiss performer had the same degree of elegance that Pistol Pete possessed but perhaps there were very few who would actually predict him to blow Sampras out of the water.

Despite his dominance in the nineties, Sampras only actually won 14 Grand Slam titles. Although that’s an amazing career, it’s nothing compared to what Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have achieved in the game.

Still, it’s intriguing when comparing differences between Federer and Sampras given that the eight-time Wimbledon champion was the man tipped to dominate the game much like the American player did.

Paul Annacone shares the big difference between Roger Federer and Pete Sampras

The legendary coach has spent time working with both players and if anyone knows what makes both players tick it’s certainly him.

An intriguing line in a biography entitled The Master has included some quotes from Annacone where he shares the big difference between the two players.

Annacone followed Sampras in his final seasons during 2001 and 2002 and in the book, it’s claimed he said: “Pete was done, but Roger was a different animal.

“Travelling the world drained Pete’s energy. Roger gets energy from it.”

Federer put himself on the map by beating Sampras at Wimbledon in 2021

This was the moment when fans truly started to believe that Federer would take the place on the throne once Sampras had vacated it.

Back in 2001, Sampras remained the king of Wimbledon with seven titles to his name and had won it the year previous in 2000.

Federer defied the odds, however, and defeated Sampras in five sets to reach the Wimbledon quarter-final for the very first time.

He would go on to lose in four sets to Tim Henman but by beating Sampras he had showcased to the world exactly what he was capable of.

Federer went and eclipsed the seven titles that Sampras won and the rest really is history as far as the rivalry is concerned.

Sampras only played on for another year and was quite happy to sail off into the sunset and finish his career shortly after winning the US Open in 2002.

For some time, the debate over whether Federer was better than Sampras remained but looking at the achievements of both, it’s fair to say that the man with 20 Grand Slam titles has firmly put that one to bed.