Pete Sampras = class act

[World Beater]

is MJ considered a jerk because of his arrogance..or something else...

in that case..Ali was a jerk, and many others.

somebody tried to defend sampras comment of 10 slams as light hearted. that made me laugh. that comment was full of spite.

but i think for the most pete conducted himself in a low key polite manner that i admire and that lot of other sportsmen can certainly learn from.

[Datacipher]

Originally Posted by World Beater

is MJ considered a jerk because of his arrogance..or something else...

in that case..Ali was a jerk, and many others.

somebody tried to defend sampras comment of 10 slams as light hearted. that made me laugh. that comment was full of spite.
.

I did. And it was. But I pointed out that Rafter and Sampras had been annoyed with each other for a while AND that Sampras had already explicitly said that he was angrier than he had ever been after a match (due to the line call). So he made a smart *** comment. It got big laughs and then he immediately said he was "being a smart ***". That's makes it pretty darn OBVIOUS that it wasn't meant as an entirely serious spiteful comment. He then compared Rafter's game to Edbergs and his own.

It was a funny jibe at Rafter made in a smart *** way. Sampras fully admitted it. Basically, Sampras blew off some steam by taking a little shot at Pat. Nothing more, nothing less. Hardly a Serena Williams class conference. Incidently, it's actually a moment where Sampras let his smart *** sense of humour show. He was known for this, but never let it out in public.

But this has been beat to death. People can think what they like. Funny how often these things get hopelessly misquoted and embellished here though. Creates little TW urban legends.

[Azzurri]

Originally Posted by TheFifthSet

Well lets be fair. MJ was (and still is, even if retired) probably the most popular living sportsman on the planet. He was an aloof man who got more attention than he ever wanted. He also lost his dad, the person who influenced him most, and went through a horribly demoralizing divorce. The guy is now a bitter, lonely man, but he isn't an arsehole. I would fault the Hero Machine moreso than the hero.

BTW . . . . biggest jerk in sports is ridiculous. There are thousands worse. Jordan has lived a fairly ego-driven life but in the panetheon of despicable athletes there have been drug addicts, murderers, rapists, etc. Jordan's antics pale in comparison.

I don't place jerks in the class of murderers, rapists and addicts/dealers...you do??? So someone kills 20 people and he is a [i]jerk[i]. OK.

Your whole statement about Jordna's personal life is based on complete ignorance.

[Azzurri]

Originally Posted by coyfish

Yes only pete and fed know their relationship so im not sure why all the people defending sampras love to say they are friends. Like somehow that makes either one of them more or less "classy." I think pete came to the finals to see his record be broken more than for federer. Regardless thats not important.


I think most of the people in these forums are young and don't even remember Sampras when he played. They just see him in a suit being interviewed and it screams class.

Not sure if this thread is pertaining to sampras NOW or back during his career. Or both . . .

Back in his day he had his share of tantrums and drama just like any other. I don't think he stands out.

huh? The guy was pretty reserved. Did you even watch him play? Tantrums???? There is ONE Pete tantrum that I know of and that was when he asked the umpire if he was smoking something. Pete had his share of drama...compared to who?? Mac and Tarango or Chris Everet. I am curious as to who you would relate his tantrums with.

[Azzurri]

Originally Posted by drwood

Pete just needed himself? Right. That's why he never did anything on grass until Gullickson taught him how to return serve on grass. Try again.

Basketball and tennis are two different sports -- however in his sport MJ is unquestionably the GOAT. There are clear reasons to argue against Pete in tennis -- most glaringly his average (for a GOAT candidate) record on clay. Not so for MJ...he had no weaknesses in his sport.

MJ is clearly a much bigger jerk than Sampras, but Sampras could be a jerk as well, especially when he was losing.

I respect Sampras' career and loved his game -- I never thought his game was boring at all -- a dominant serve is a beautiful thing to watch.

Jordan had no crossover, that is a weakness. Jordan was poor at the left handed lay-up, that is a weakness. While I agree MJ is the GOAT in the NBA, it has no bearing, meaning, or any other word with tennis. Gretzky domianted his sport like no other athlete and I would not call Gretazky a better GOAT than MJ because they played 2 seperate sports. You can discuss things about the way they handled themselves, the way they lifted up other players, but you can't really compare who is the greater GOAT.

MJ never played basketball on a clay court, so how would you know if he had a weakness or not? Show me one time MJ played on a clay court. Pete serve would haved been monster on a wood floor. Too bad he never got to play on it. Pete's GAME was a weakness on clay, not any one particular shot (as some have mentioned). Too many good CC players in his day for him to win the FO with his S&V style of play. His game was geared around his serve and he stated that many times. The clay hindered his serve and took away his strengths; pressure, pressure, pressure. But you don't understand, nor realize this. sad, sad you never actually watched Pete play.

Lastly, I respect what Gully did for Pete as a tennis player and person. Pete always had the grass game in him. Gully obviously was the right guy to bring it out. But make no mistake, it was Pete all alone winning 7 Wimbledon titles. Again, I give credit to Gully, but you seem to think Gully had his hand on Pete as he was playing. Pete had to hit every stroke, return ever serve and volley every ball. Gully just sat in his glory (deservedly so). Let's not forget Annacone. He did a lot to help Pete's game.

[Azzurri]

Originally Posted by Datacipher

I did. And it was. But I pointed out that Rafter and Sampras had been annoyed with each other for a while AND that Sampras had already explicitly said that he was angrier than he had ever been after a match (due to the line call). So he made a smart *** comment. It got big laughs and then he immediately said he was "being a smart ***". That's makes it pretty darn OBVIOUS that it wasn't meant as an entirely serious spiteful comment. He then compared Rafter's game to Edbergs and his own.

It was a funny jibe at Rafter made in a smart *** way. Sampras fully admitted it. Basically, Sampras blew off some steam by taking a little shot at Pat. Nothing more, nothing less. Hardly a Serena Williams class conference. Incidently, it's actually a moment where Sampras let his smart *** sense of humour show. He was known for this, but never let it out in public.

But this has been beat to death. People can think what they like. Funny how often these things get hopelessly misquoted and embellished here though. Creates little TW urban legends.

Pete is a very sarcastic person. People that know his say he like to bus chops. He admits that his sarcasm can be pretty thick. But yes, he was ribbing Rafter. I don't understand why Pete needed to be Mr. Popular in the locker room. He just wanted to win and he gave up a lot to win 14 GS titles that others were not willing to sacrfice (Mac, Agassi, Wilander, Becker, etc.). They wanted to "good life" along with the tennis. Give Pete credit for his sacrifice.

[TheFifthSet]

I don't place jerks in the class of murderers, rapists and addicts/dealers...you do??? So someone kills 20 people and he is a [i]jerk[i].

Oh you know what I meant. What a manipulative misrespresentation of my post.

Yes, to imply that Jordan is the most arrogant athlete in all of pro sports in ridiculous.

Your whole statement about Jordna's personal life is based on complete ignorance.

Ah, ok. Interesting contribution.

[TMF]

Pete's arrogant and mega ego is the problem for him being a sore loser. Rafter said it best - "Oh, when is this guy going to give me any credit for beating him".

[TheFifthSet]

in my recollection of athletes, MJ is the biggest jerk in the world. Do I know if Ryan Howard is a bigger jerk??? of course not, but in my view MJ is the biggest jerk I have ever seen.

OK, if Jordan fits the bill more than any other athlete, fine. I won't argue with your subjective opinion.

But next time, could you argue with a little less conviction when you basically admitted that you don't know very much about other athletes jerk-ish exploits?

yes, ignorance was the best way to sum up your post.

Again, interesting. Zing.

[Azzurri]

Originally Posted by TheFifthSet

OK, if Jordan fits the bill more than any other athlete, fine. I won't argue with your subjective opinion.

But next time, could you argue with a little less conviction when you basically admitted that you don't know very much about other athletes jerk-ish exploits?



Again, interesting. Zing.

you got me. most of my posts are not as convected as they seem. I don't take anything personal. I just have a large amount of disdain for MJ...a LARGE amount.

[TheFifthSet]

Originally Posted by Azzurri

Rafter could not hold Sampras's jock strap.

Not to butt in, but what does that have to do with anything? Sampras was a vastly superior player (nobody would deny that), so therefore Rafter is not qualified to question his conduct?

I think Pete was an OK chap, BTW. Not an angel, but a good guy.

[Azzurri]

Originally Posted by TheFifthSet

Not to butt in, but what does that have to do with anything? Sampras was a vastly superior player (nobody would deny that), so therefore Rafter is not qualified to question his conduct?

I think Pete was an OK chap, BTW. Not an angel, but a good guy.

messing with TMF. I was pointing out their repsective h2h.

[Gorecki]

Originally Posted by Azzurri

ok, ok. I will lay off Pat. I loved the guy in his day and liked his attitude. I am just messing with Simple Jack (TMF).

thanks buddy... i know i can always rely on good ol' Slapo...

btw... dont waste your time debating with someone who call Federer by TMF... (the mighty Federer)

it's definitely someone who is been skiping the medication...

[TMF]

Originally Posted by Gorecki

thanks buddy... i know i can always rely on good ol' Slapo...

btw... dont waste your time debating with someone who call Federer by TMF... (the mighty Federer)

it's definitely someone who is been skiping the medication...

I know it hurts but can you also handle the truth???

[Gorecki]

Originally Posted by TMF

I know it hurts but can you also handle the truth???

the truth? as in : It is true that you are one effin dork with no notion of what tennis is?

yes.. i'm torn with such truth... in fact ill cry for a few minutes

[Cesc Fabregas]

Sampras apologised to Rafter for his comments about having 10 more slams, I've never heard Roger's apology to Nadal for his 1 dimensional comment.

[TMF]

And that's how TMF became the GOAT!!!

[TMF]

Originally Posted by Cesc Fabregas

Sampras apologised to Rafter for his comments about having 10 more slams, I've never heard Roger's apology to Nadal for his 1 dimensional comment.

Federer said he's 1D a few years ago, which is true since Nadal was 1D since he can only win slam on clay. But did you hear him said he's 1D this year?

Who are you trying to fool?

[hoodjem]

Originally Posted by TMF

And that's how TMF became the GOAT!!!

By doing TV commercials? Sorry but Fed is not the GOAT, and Sampras never was.

[TMF]

Originally Posted by hoodjem

By doing TV commercials? Sorry but Fed is not the GOAT, and Sampras never was.

Yeah, but the Netjets commercial this year tells us a few things….

1. Roger won a career slam
2. Roger broke Pete’s 14 GS record
3. Roger won slams in 3 different surfaces

If Roger isn’t the goat, then who is?