A billion Reasons why Sampras is the GOAT.

[aphex]

Originally Posted by Azzurri

LOL...great response. Thanks for setting me straight.

you're welcome

[pc1]

Originally Posted by Azzurri

LOL, some just don't see the big picture. Everyone knows Fed would own Pete on clay. But on nay other surface Pete would have a better h2h. NOT because of skill either but because Pete possessed a stronger mental game. Fed looks flashier and plays in an era with garbage (except Nadal) competition (many freely admit they are defeated even before getting into the ring with this guy) with slower courts. Don't get me wrong, I think the two are neck and neck and some days I think Fed is the best and others Pete is. But everytime I read some of the ridiculous reasons the teenagers give on these threads, I pick PETE!

I was thinking of the relative merits of Sampras against Federer the other day and it occurs to me that on virtually any surface aside from clay I think Sampras can impose his style of game on Federer. Maybe I'm wrong and maybe I'm a little influenced by the exhibitions they played but Pete seems to be able to force the play on Federer,

I'm not necessarily saying Pete would win the majority nor am I saying that of Federer but Federer would clearly be out of his comfort zone with Sampras. No long baseline rallying. Federer would have to worry about Sampras at the net, among other things.

As Agassi wrote Pete can play a lousy 43 minutes of tennis, play one good minute and win the set! His serve allows him to control the game and Sampras always has the threat of being able to approach the net and volley which Federer doesn't have to fear against his opponents of today.

It's a tough match for both and believe it or not I think Sampras can be a tough match for Federer even on clay if he is in shape and rested even though objectively you have to favor Federer on clay.

It's a good point that Sampras seems to be mentally tougher than Federer. I read a comment about Sampras in John Newcombe's book and it was really stunning. Newcombe wrote about a match Sampras played against Patrick Rafter in the Davis Cup. Newcombe was on the side of the court coaching Rafter when Sampras ran to hit a ball near Newcombe. Newcombe was shocked at the fierceness of Sampras close up. I think he felt Sampras would have run over him to win. It's subjective of course but Sampras to me is one of the toughest and gutsiest players I've ever seen.

[David_86]

Whenever Sampras was sick on court, or looking like he was about to break down or die, I always had more sympathy for the other guy. It's like a McEnroe tantrum. What can you do? Go up to the umpire and say "this is ridiculous, do something about this guy" knowing that they will just let the best player in the world do whatever he feels like doing. And then Sampras would serve an ace and everyone would go "wow, what a hero". Not me though.

[samprasvsfederer123]

many of you dont get my point my point is that lets say there is this thing where to save usa pete has to win and to save switzerland roger has to win and the goal is to win the most grand slams by facing each other 4 times one time for each slam, i think pete would win the majority, because when i look at their strengths hard court and grass pete has an upper hand .

pete was just unstoppable in his best, in hard court and clay. if they were both together in same era federer would only be winning clay and (some) of the other grnad slams but pete would be owning

[AAAA]

I was thinking of the relative merits of Sampras against Wayne Ferreira the other day and it occurs to me that on any surface I think Sampras can impose his style of game on Wayne Ferreira.
However when I look at their actual h2h it occurs to me when they actually played all theory went out of the window and Ferreira held his own no problem.

[akv89]

Originally Posted by samprasvsfederer123

many of you dont get my point my point is that lets say there is this thing where to save usa pete has to win and to save switzerland roger has to win and the goal is to win the most grand slams by facing each other 4 times one time for each slam, i think pete would win the majority, because when i look at their strengths hard court and grass pete has an upper hand .

pete was just unstoppable in his best, in hard court and clay. if they were both together in same era federer would only be winning clay and (some) of the other grnad slams but pete would be owning

Pete SEEMED unstoppable in his best. As did Federer. That's why they're great. Aside from the fact that there is no such thing as an unstoppable force, you're argument is based purely on a conjecture. You made up a hypothetical match in your head, came up with a hypothetical result with no significant explanation, and you're using that to make your case. Not very convincing at all.

[hoodjem]

Originally Posted by samprasvsfederer123

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6GPm...eature=related

federer only had nadal to stop him, sampras had a much harder time, federer might be the better overall player cause he could do something good in clay but when these two face each others' strengths like grass, or hard court no matter the speed of the courts i think sampras would win. sampras could have a dazzling game even without serve and volleying.

A billion? I count two.

[quest01]

Federer is definitely the GOAT. Federer has won every grand slam something Sampras has never done, he never won the French Open or even made it to the final. Federer has a winning record against Sampras where he beat him at the 2001 Wimbledon 4th round snapping Sampras's win streak. Federer also played in a more competitive era that included Djokovic, Murray, Nadal, while Sampras only had to contend with Agassi, Courier, Chang, who were all weaker then Federer's rivals. Overall Federer is by far the better player then Sampras, he's won more grand slams and he'll still win more, he's made it to 22 consecutive grand slam semifinals, and he stands alone in so many categories. Sampras is maybe the 2nd best ever but he's nowhere near as accomplished as Federer.

[sphinx780]

I just came in here to see an actual list to 1 billion. That would be something new and compelling into this continued back and forth.

[Meaghan]

I do think Fed would have sorted Pete out in the French but I think Pete would have a better head to head on all other surfaces.
As for the level of competitors there have been some good points made but for me Pete had a harder time due to the diversity of play from baseliners to all courters, S&V and Brad Gilbert! Todays game has its own pressures of course but it certainly doesnt have an array of player types.

[President of Serve/Volley]

Originally Posted by quest01

Federer is definitely the GOAT. Federer has won every grand slam something Sampras has never done, he never won the French Open or even made it to the final. Federer has a winning record against Sampras where he beat him at the 2001 Wimbledon 4th round snapping Sampras's win streak. Federer also played in a more competitive era that included Djokovic, Murray, Nadal, while Sampras only had to contend with Agassi, Courier, Chang, who were all weaker then Federer's rivals. Overall Federer is by far the better player then Sampras, he's won more grand slams and he'll still win more, he's made it to 22 consecutive grand slam semifinals, and he stands alone in so many categories. Sampras is maybe the 2nd best ever but he's nowhere near as accomplished as Federer.

Pete Sampras had: Edberg, Agassi, Chang, Courier, Becker, Stich, Kuerten, Kraijeck, Corretja, Rafter, Kafelnikov and Ivanisevic.

You're telling me that they are worse than Murray, Joker, Nadal? Yeah, Right. They would toy with Murray and Joker like you wouldn't believe. Nadal would have a hell of a tough time vs prime Serve and Volleyers like Becker, Stich, Kraijeck, Rafter. On Clay, Kuerten, Corretja, and Thomas Muster would given him a run for his money... They would all give Federer a tough time.

Roger Federer is a brilliant player, and one of my favorites to watch as with everyone else, but he wouldn't be as successful as he is if he played in the 1990s. Let's face it here: 1990's had one of the strongest era in tennis history. It makes the 2000s look pale.

[Carsomyr]

Originally Posted by Azzurri

that's only 6.

And? I was generous enough to post that many, which was more than the "billions" of "reasons" the OP posited.

[pc1]

Just to enjoy myself I put in some reasons, even if I don't necessarily believe some of them and some don't make any sense. And yes some of these reasons can be argued in Pete's favor in a reasonable manner. But a billion is a lot so I had to figure out something.

1. Sampras is the greatest server ever.
2. Sampras is the greatest serve and volleyer ever.
3. Sampras is the guttiest player ever.
4. Sampras has the most powerful running forehand ever
5. Sampras is the greatest athlete in tennis history
6. Sampras is the most well rounded tennis player in history
7. Sampras has the greatest overhead in history
8. Sampras has the greatest second serve of all time.
9. Sampras is the greatest Wimbledon player of all time.
10. Sampras is married to Bridgette Wilson.
11. Sampras beats Agassi when it counts
12. Sampras has the most powerful forehand ever.
13. Sampras was number one six years in a row.
14. Sampras knows how to throw up in a flower bed at the National Tennis Center during a big match.
15. Sampras is one of the mentally toughest players ever.
16. Sampras is married to someone who was in movies with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Adam Sandler.
17. Sampras has played in a tournament with a wood racket.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0_YyhKV0ig
18. The name Sampras sounds tough.
19. The name Pete sounds tougher.
20. Sampras has a great slice backhand approach.
21. Sampras is married to someone who was in "Saved by the Bell."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwykL...om=PL&index=27
22. Pete has a one handed backhand.
23. Sampras has won 64 tournaments in his career and a lot of Masters Events.
24. Pete is mentioned a few times in Andre's book.
25. Andre is mentioned a few times in Pete's book.
26. Sampras led the ATP numerous times in percentage of holding serve.
27. Sampras can serve a lot of aces on big points.
28. Sampras beat Russia all by himself in Davis Cup.
29. Sampras has seven letters in it.
30. Sampras thinks his name sounds better than Roger Federer.
31. Sampras thinks his name sounds better than Andre Agassi
32. Sampras has super footwork and movement.
33. Sampras has won the Italian Open proving he can win on clay.
34. Sampras has won the Italian Open proving he likes pasta.
35. Sampras has won 14 majors.

Only 999,999,965 reasons more to one billion. lol. This may take a while.

[lawrence]

Lol @ Azzurri.
You get posters Carsomyr and flying24 presenting reasonable and factual arguments as to voice their opinions on Federer/Sampras being GOAT, and in comes Azzurri replying without any logical argument calling them teenagers and tools.

[hoodjem]

Originally Posted by pc1

Just to enjoy myself I put in some reasons, even if I don't necessarily believe some of them and some don't make any sense. And yes some of these reasons can be argued in Pete's favor in a reasonable manner. But a billion is a lot so I had to figure out something.

1. Sampras is the greatest server ever.
2. Sampras is the greatest serve and volleyer ever.
3. Sampras is the guttiest player ever.
4. Sampras has the most powerful forehand ever
5. Sampras is the greatest athlete in tennis history
6. Sampras is the most well rounded tennis player in history
7. Sampras has the greatest overhead in history
8. Sampras has the greatest second serve of all time.
9. Sampras is the greatest Wimbledon player of all time.
10. Sampras is married to Bridgette Wilson.
11. Sampras beats Agassi when it counts
12. Sampras has the most powerful forehand ever.
13. Sampras was number one six years in a row.
14. Sampras knows how to throw up in a flower bed at the National Tennis Center during a big match.
15. Sampras is one of the mentally toughest players ever.
16. Sampras is married to someone who was in movies with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Adam Sandler.
17. Sampras has played in a tournament with a wood racket.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0_YyhKV0ig
18. The name Sampras sounds tough.
19. The name Pete sounds tougher.
20. Sampras has a great slice backhand approach.
21. Sampras is married to someone who was in "Saved by the Bell."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwykL...om=PL&index=27
22. Pete has a one handed backhand.
23. Sampras has won 64 tournaments in his career and a lot of Masters Events.
24. Pete is mentioned a few times in Andre's book.
25. Andre is mentioned a few times in Pete's book.
26. Sampras led the ATP numerous times in percentage of holding serve.
27. Sampras can serve a lot of aces on big points.
28. Sampras beat Russia all by himself in Davis Cup.
29. Sampras has seven letters in it.
30. Sampras thinks his name sounds better than Roger Federer.
31. Sampras thinks his name sounds better than Andre Agassi
32. Sampras has super footwork and movement.
33. Sampras has won the Italian Open proving he can win on clay.
34. Sampras has won the Italian Open proving he likes pasta.
35. Sampras has won 14 majors.

Only 999,999,965 reasons more to one billion. lol. This may take a while.

Nice list. Pretty funny. (I really like no. 14.) A few are fairly open to debate, though. Yes, you do have a long way to go.

Here, let me help you: how about
36. Agassi thinks Sampras is dull.
37. Sampras did not take crystal meth.
38. Sampras did not wear a hairpiece at the French Open.
39. Sampras did not hate tennis.
40. Sampras did not have an abusive father.

[zapvor]

Originally Posted by lawrence

Lol @ Azzurri.
You get posters Carsomyr and flying24 presenting reasonable and factual arguments as to voice their opinions on Federer/Sampras being GOAT, and in comes Azzurri replying without any logical argument calling them teenagers and tools.

lol yea. even more funny to me is that 1. he did not get the point of my post, and 2. he still cant read. i have long given up on him.

[hoodjem]

Originally Posted by samprasvsfederer123

is this a real question or are you trying to intimidate my position lol?

No, it was a legitimate question. (I would not know how to " intimidate my [your] position"--whatever that means.) Most importantly, you suggested it in the first place, right here--

Originally Posted by samprasvsfederer123

sampras could have a dazzling game even without serve and volleying.

I was just logically following through on the concept you initiated.

[pc1]

Originally Posted by hoodjem

Nice list. Pretty funny. (I really like no. 14.) A few are fairly open to debate, though. Yes, you do have a long way to go.

Here, let me help you: how about
36. Agassi thinks Sampras is dull.
37. Sampras did not take crystal meth.
38. Sampras did not wear a hairpiece at the French Open.
39. Sampras did not hate tennis.
40. Sampras did not have an abusive father.

Excellent reasons. Only 999,999,940 to go.

[grafselesfan]

Here are some reasons I think Sampras could be considered a strong GOAT candidate atleast.

-the 1990 to 1996 field which he won over half his slams and ended 4 straight years at #1 against was incredibly strong and deep. Still not quite as strong as the killer late 1960s field Laver amazingly won his Calender Slam against, but still one of the strongest and deepest in recent memory.

-Sampras at his best played tennis on medium to fast surfaces that could IMO challenge and beat any of the greatest men in history.

-Sampras dominated all of his biggest rivals in head to head, IMO a prerequisite for GOAT.

-As others have mentioned the 14 slams, while mighty impressive, was never his most significant record. There are several greats who would have more slams than both Federer and Sampras currently have had the games been as it is today. Sampras's records of 7 Wimbledons and 6 consecutive year end #1s in the modern game are extremely impressive, and wont be easily matched or bettered for a long time.

-His longevity in the modern game is also incredible. Having already referred to his amazing Wimbledon record, it is most displayed at the other of the Worlds 2 biggest events- the U.S Open. There he first was Champion in 1990 and last was Champion in 2002, a remarkable stretch of 5 titles and 8 total final appearances.

[hoodjem]

^^^Agreed on all of this. Sampras is a worthy contender.