May 22, 2012
Pete Sampras thinks Roger Federer still maintains his high level
By Talys Darren
Legendary American tennis player, Pete Sampras, has said that he has not seen any decline in Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer's game.
In a recent interview, Sampras has backed his friend to capture more Grand Slam titles and break more records in the coming future. The American also believes that Federer can win at least one more title at the Wimbledon Championships.
It is pertinent to note that Federer is the same player who ended Sampras' reign at the All England Club by defeating him in the round of 16 in 2001.
Federer is the winner of most Grand Slams in the history of the sport with 16 but he has failed to grab any in the last 26 months. His last success at a Major came at the 2010 Australian Open, when he downed Britain's Andy Murray to lift the crown.
However, Sampras still believes that no one should leave out the Swiss Maestro from the list of favourites at Grand Slams. The American said, when asked if Federer is left with the potential of winning any more Majors, "Yes, I still think Roger can win a slam. He still seems very motivated. He loves to travel, he loves to play. He's sort of a young 30-year-old. He's very eager, he plays a lot, he loves the lifestyle of being on the road."
On Federer's chances of winning at Wimbledon, the American said, "Listen, he's a strong favourite, as is Novak, as is Rafa, it's really, not a lot separates the top three or four guys."
The Swiss Maestro clinched latest of his six titles at the Wimbledon Championships in 2009 by beating old foe, Andy Roddick, in a five setter thrilling final.
Sampras added, when he was inquired of his feelings on his records getting broken by the 30-year-old, "I'm used to Roger breaking my records, that's the way it's been for a number of years. There's nothing I can do about it. I would just sit here being impressed at what Roger's been able to do."
The American had the record of capturing most Majors for nine years but Federer broke it by winning the Wimbledon Championships in 2009. The Swiss Maestro also surpassed Sampras' record of most prize money earned in the whole career. Federer is now only one title away from equalling the American's record of seven Wimbledon crowns and one short of his record of most weeks as the world number one.
May 24, 2012
Pete Sampras advices Roger Federer to stay tough against Rafael Nadal
in French Open
By Steve Goerges
Former world number 1, Pete Sampras, has spoken about the Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer, and his mental discomfort. He was making a point that Federer is not happy with the results he is getting and probably not able to absorb the pressure of multiple defeats.
He stated, "It seems Roger gets a little discouraged if what he's trying isn't working. It seems like he starts to press a little bit, starts to miss a little bit. Rafa's one of those players that, his level will stay the same the whole match, he just plays one speed, one way. If Roger plays really well, I think he beats Rafa; I think if he plays pretty well, I think Rafa beats him. I just think, you can't take any time off against Rafa."
The main problem with the Swiss at the moment is that he is facing two separate but world class athletes. Reigning world number one, Novak Djokovic, comes as a surprise package in the clay court season beating the likes of Swiss tennis ace and disturbing his mental dynamics completely. Federer is unable to focus on one man at the moment; most probably he will have to get through Djokovic to face the Spaniard in the finals. It is because he is always the third seed player in the tournament and therefore drawn in the above half where the Serb exists.
Sampras further added, "I see it pretty much the same as every year. I think Roger's definitely one of the favourites. Rafa's the strong favourite and Novak is a favourite." However, the scenario changes in the clay court and Nadal takes the position of Djokovic. The Swiss tennis icon has ruled the world for almost a decade. He forgot about losing and won everything one could ever imagine; however, this also sucks the ability of accepting defeats and Federer is going through the phase where he is unable to discover a plan against the Top-2 ranked players in the world that has cost him more than anything.
Sampras picked the obvious Nadal for the hot favourite player to win the title but accepted the fact that if Federer was able to go through the mental toughness phase and play at his best, he can beat Nadal even on the clay court. However, the experience of the Spanish number one is good enough to overcome any player. It has been six straight years that he has clinched, so he still remains the favourite.