sampras on fire!!
- Thread starter Young Pete
- Start date
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Scary!
If Federer watched that video before his exhibition matches against Sampras, even he'd be scared going in. :-o
If Federer watched that video before his exhibition matches against Sampras, even he'd be scared going in. :-o
War Safin!
Professional
This clip illustrates:
a) what a great offensive player Sampras was.
b) what a great returner Agassi had to be.
c) how Federer dominates today's players in a similar fashion*
*(but who aren't anywhere near Agassi's level)
a) what a great offensive player Sampras was.
b) what a great returner Agassi had to be.
c) how Federer dominates today's players in a similar fashion*
*(but who aren't anywhere near Agassi's level)
Baghdatis72
Hall of Fame
That's a great exhibition of talent and power by Sampras
AgassiFan12
New User
WOW!! WOW!! and WOW!!
I sometimes forget how dominant Sampras could actually be. Especially against my boy, Agassi. I never appreciated Sampras when he was having his run because I was too busy being mad at him for nearly always beating Andre, but when I see videos of him it makes me upset that I didn't appreciate him when he was around. Oh, well thank god there is you tube and DVD's to buy!
I sometimes forget how dominant Sampras could actually be. Especially against my boy, Agassi. I never appreciated Sampras when he was having his run because I was too busy being mad at him for nearly always beating Andre, but when I see videos of him it makes me upset that I didn't appreciate him when he was around. Oh, well thank god there is you tube and DVD's to buy!
oscar_2424
Legend
great video, thanks for sharing
Fedace
Banned
I had forgotten how big Sampras serve really was. even on video, you can see the pace and spin of his serve which is pretty incredible.
drakulie
Talk Tennis Guru
^^^^ So true. His backhand that day was absolutely scary. Pete in no way allowed AA to dictate any point from the baseline. As soon as AA would start a cross-court rally (BH to BH), Pete would go for broke >>> and was nailing it. Time and time again. His serve was also unbelievable. One of my favorite matches to watch.
Although Pete says the 99 Wimbledon win was the best he ever played >> I disagree. I think this is the best I have ever seen him play.
Although Pete says the 99 Wimbledon win was the best he ever played >> I disagree. I think this is the best I have ever seen him play.
tHotGates
Rookie
There's a slew of Pete zoning matches on youtube. In fact, it seems like all of Pete's matches are on youtube (except Pete v Lendl 90 USO .. grumble). Check this link ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esbvf2RJXDQ&mode=related&search=
Other notables:
Pete v AA 96 SJ (both complete match & mini clip)
Pete v Chang 94 USO (both complete match & mini clip)
Pete v Courier 92 USO (complete match)
Pete v Agassi 99 Wimby (complete match)
Summer & Spring of 99 (complete matches)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esbvf2RJXDQ&mode=related&search=
Other notables:
Pete v AA 96 SJ (both complete match & mini clip)
Pete v Chang 94 USO (both complete match & mini clip)
Pete v Courier 92 USO (complete match)
Pete v Agassi 99 Wimby (complete match)
Summer & Spring of 99 (complete matches)
War Safin!
Professional
Sampras - Agassi, Wimbledon Final 1999 is still the benchmark of being 'in the zone', IMO.
noeledmonds
Professional
The 1999 ATP World Championship Final was a remarkable performance by Sampras, but I agree with "War, Safin!" here that Sampras's best performance this year (and probabely ever) was the Wimbledon final. Even Federer's best single matches (to date) don't match up to the way that Sampras demolished Agassi at Wimbledon that day. It was not the score line, it was the way that after saving a break point in the 1st set Sampras never looked vunerable. Agassi hit barely any unforced errors, but Sampras had an answer for everything. This was one of the best grass court performances of all time.
ShooterMcMarco
Hall of Fame
I had forgotten how big Sampras serve really was. even on video, you can see the pace and spin of his serve which is pretty incredible.
Its crazy how much the ball explodes off the court on his serves
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
That's what happens when you use a 14 oz. small headed racquet strung with gut with the perfect service motion. It's like pounding nails with a hammer! :-o
ShooterMcMarco
Hall of Fame
That's what happens when you use a 14 oz. small headed racquet strung with gut with the perfect service motion. It's like pounding nails with a hammer! :-o
Lets see what he can do with a 14 oz k-factor
kirbster123
Banned
Amazing match. Anyone know exactly what string he used, and what tension he strung his racquet at?
War Safin!
Professional
From what his stringer at the time states, Babolat VS gut 17 strung at 70-75lb, on a racquet leaded up to 380g...
War Safin!
Professional
That's just it - over the last 6 months, Federer's serve has really dipped.
No doubt pistol played impressive against agassi in wimbledon 1999 and in masters that same year. But somehow I think he played his best in 1997.
Look at these highlights from paris 1997 http://youtube.com/watch?v=tpPDFuP7nZE
and masters 1997 http://youtube.com/watch?v=BTpfaT8fduE
look at his movement, he was much quicker than in 1999, also his ball placement was incredibly efficient, and of course the power in his shots was insane. That Sampras vs. Federer today would be awsome to watch.....
Look at these highlights from paris 1997 http://youtube.com/watch?v=tpPDFuP7nZE
and masters 1997 http://youtube.com/watch?v=BTpfaT8fduE
look at his movement, he was much quicker than in 1999, also his ball placement was incredibly efficient, and of course the power in his shots was insane. That Sampras vs. Federer today would be awsome to watch.....
A.Davidson
Semi-Pro
Once again, the "Federer is to Sampras as Nadal is to Agassi" comparison has to come into play here - both Nadal and Agassi are/were so talented, and they had the task of playing arguably the greatest player of all time. Luckily for fans, it was and is always interesting.
Young Pete
Professional
tenniskid3119
Semi-Pro
amazing. thats why he's one of the best
ShooterMcMarco
Hall of Fame
IMO he prances around like a deer (which isn't a bad thing), Federer is a little more smoother. Both effective ways to move around the court
tHotGates
Rookie
I think Pete moves more like a cat (quick, fast, & agile) if I had to make an animal comparison. Roger is definitely the smoother of the two ... Fed's footwork is really beautiful to see.
If I were making the ultimate Sampras, I would take athletically peak Sampras of 1995-97, then combine that with 1999 experience savvy Pete, & finally & very importantly include or equip Pete with a modern K-factor racquet.
If I were making the ultimate Sampras, I would take athletically peak Sampras of 1995-97, then combine that with 1999 experience savvy Pete, & finally & very importantly include or equip Pete with a modern K-factor racquet.
I have. I donno how much i look like him, but i'd say for my size (about 5' 5", 5' 6" and i have the biggest serve on my D-3 socal team) i'd say its worked alright.
Young Pete
Professional
pete combined with a st. vincent produces such a beautiful way to play tennis. it also has to do with his choice of weapon. his st. vincent is like his paintbrush and pete is the artist. try a st. vincent you will know what i mean. i've never seen a player except maybe a henin hit like that. fed plays more of an ugly tennis. just watch how pete at times improvises, so unique. he's like a jazz musician on court!
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Phil
Hall of Fame
Pete would have played well using a whisk brush. Racquet brand is way overrated in judging a player's abilities. It wouldn't have mattered what BRAND of paintbrush Van Gogh used...his ability as an artist would remain the same. Bad analogy, but nice try in trying to sound "smart".
tennis_hand
Hall of Fame
Pete and Fed play different style of games.
Pete is a S&Ver who needs to rely on his serve a lot to get points.
Fed is an all-courter, set up the game, and win the points. Fed mixed up with a lot of variety. He doesn't have to rely on his serve as much as Pete does to win. This all ensures the beauty of Fed's game.
Thank God our current No1 is not another pure boring S&Ver.
Young Pete
Professional
IMO he prances around like a deer (which isn't a bad thing), Federer is a little more smoother. Both effective ways to move around the court
a deer would not dare to serve and volley. IMO pete = prancing horse = ferrari
Young Pete
Professional
do u have classic strokes and have you ever played with a st. vincent? try it you will know what i mean. but only pete can truly master the brush.
ShooterMcMarco
Hall of Fame
Well if hes a horse, then he gallops.
Phil
Hall of Fame
I use a racquet that is not much bigger than a PS85, but so what? Pete is Pete...the racquet doesn't make all that much of a difference. If you think it does, maybe you don't know very much about tennis.
Young Pete
Professional
dude i know pete is pete the point im trying to make is only pete can truly use the st. vincent to its full potential. i give up.
Phil
Hall of Fame
Edberg, Courier, Graf, Evert and a young Federer didn't do to badly using the St. Vincent. Y
ou SHOULD give up. You're barking up the wrong tree. It isn't the stick...it's the Playa.
Young Pete
Professional
ok i agree with you those players u mentioned are well respected in my book too. question: did fed and pierce really use a ps sv or just a ps 85?
i know edberg used a chicago. courier a sv, graf used a 200g for sure. evert probably a sv, i know jen cap used a taiwan 85 i believe.
Phil
Hall of Fame
I thought Graf, at one point, used the PS...maybe it was just the 7.5. She switched from Head to Wilson in the early 90's, I believe.
What is the DIFFERENCE where the racquet was made? You young guys are totally hung up on this...I bet you could not tell the difference, if you didn't know, between using the SV and the Taiwan sticks. Would Capriatti have played any BETTER if her racquet said "Made in the USA" rather than "Made in Taiwan"? No.
It's all about the brand name with you. Like the snobs who will only drink FRENCH wine and not touch the Caliifornia or Australian stuff...even though those wines are, sometimes, better. If you want, I can find you some mint SV's. I know a store that stocks 'em...depending on the condition, the price is between $300 and $750. What a rip!
tHotGates
Rookie
re: racquets ..... true Pete (a tennis prodigy) can just about turn or use anything for a racquet to beautiful use .... but I put emphasis on the K-factor racquet because of Pete's recent comments of improved ground strokes & player & fan statements (see McEnroe) to the same effect.
On the issue of "these are just highlights" check out the final stats of the matches cited & you will find a dominating performance by Pete.
On the issue of "these are just highlights" check out the final stats of the matches cited & you will find a dominating performance by Pete.
L
laurie
Guest
That 1999 ATP final is incredible. The German Master of Ceremonies interviewed Pete after the match on court and reminded Pete that Pete said he wanted to use that match as a test for next season (due to been off with a bad back for much of the Autumn) The German MC asked almost in exasperation - "Is this the way you test?!"
That brought a smile to Pete's face!
Some of Pete's other very best performances (and I recommend Pete fans to get ahold of these matches):
1997 Davis cup semifinal v Rafter (Rafter was slaughtered)
1990 US Open semifinal v McEnroe
1993 US Open quarterfinal v Chang
1999 Cincinatti semifinal v Agassi (the second set is absolutely somethng else, against a great player not a mug, for 25 minutes that's the best he's played. I'm sure the people in the stadium that day will not forget it for a long time)
1997 ATP final - v Kafelnikov
2000 US Open quarterfinal v Krajicek
1996 ATP final - v Becker
1996 US Open final - v Chang
1998 Vienna quarterfinal - v Henman (6-0 6-3 in 45 minutes!)
That brought a smile to Pete's face!
Some of Pete's other very best performances (and I recommend Pete fans to get ahold of these matches):
1997 Davis cup semifinal v Rafter (Rafter was slaughtered)
1990 US Open semifinal v McEnroe
1993 US Open quarterfinal v Chang
1999 Cincinatti semifinal v Agassi (the second set is absolutely somethng else, against a great player not a mug, for 25 minutes that's the best he's played. I'm sure the people in the stadium that day will not forget it for a long time)
1997 ATP final - v Kafelnikov
2000 US Open quarterfinal v Krajicek
1996 ATP final - v Becker
1996 US Open final - v Chang
1998 Vienna quarterfinal - v Henman (6-0 6-3 in 45 minutes!)
The Gorilla
Banned
why have you stopped posting matches laurie?
