What do Sampras and Agassi really think of eachother?

[Blocker]

This may have been discussed before, but forgive me for not going through over 1,000 pages of threads to be certain, but I was watching that doubles match on youtube between Federer/Sampras vs Nadal/Agassi, and to me it's still painfully obvious that Agassi and Sampras still hold deep down grudges against eachother.

Agassi made a comment to Sampras about having to be serious which I thought was funny. Sampras then mimmicked Agassi's walk which I thought was funny, but then Agassi mentions the tipping incident which he mentioned in his book. IMO Agassi crossed the line.

They sort of kissed and made up after, if anything for the crowd, but I was just wondering if anyone knows for a fact how these 2 really feel about eachother.

On a side note, Federer was all class in that match. When you could sense the tension between Sampras and Agassi during the above incident, Federer made a joke to Nadal to break the tension. Just a really likeable bloke. Nadal, due to his poor English, didn't say much, I'm sure he would have if he was more fluent.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

I don't think they like each other very much, no.

 

[dlam]

I just seen that on YouTube recently too
Makes me appreciate the cordial way Nadal and Fed act toward each other
I think Agassi cross the line too

 

[Razoredge]

They're good friends.

 

[sureshs]

Sampras is not giving any tips to Agassi, that is for sure.

 

[RF20Lennon]

Another great thing about the Fed-Nad rivalry both have the at most respect for each other. There has always been tension between Sampras and Agassi and being from the same country probably makes it worse

 

[citybert]

Another great thing about the Fed-Nad rivalry both have the at most respect for each other. There has always been tension between Sampras and Agassi and being from the same country probably makes it worse

Would you prefer all the man love or this hate and tension. I definitely think tennis needs more trash talking, not like some other sports but just a little more. But since everyone is so respectful no one wants to say anything even if they wish they could.

 

[Razoredge]

Tennis needs wrestling levels of trash talk between players.

I'm tired of seeing Djokovic and Murray be all friendly towards eachother, I want Djokovic calling Murray every name in the book.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Tennis needs wrestling levels of trash talk between players.

I'm tired of seeing Djokovic and Murray be all friendly towards eachother, I want Djokovic calling Murray every name in the book.

Punch ups would be awesome too, no?

 

[Cup8489]

I thought it was great. I'd have loved to see them slug it out.

Sampras ftw, Agassi's back would cripple him.

No pun intended.

 

[citybert]

Tennis needs wrestling levels of trash talk between players.

I'm tired of seeing Djokovic and Murray be all friendly towards eachother, I want Djokovic calling Murray every name in the book.

This ^

They should be given the mike before every match and talk trash about their game.

But seriously I would like to see more guarantees tho. Berdman did some trash talking and pumped himself and his davis cup team up to win. I know it backfires too, but it would be a good show for the fans at least.

 

[MrCLEAN]

With Andre, I think his feelings regarding Pete are pretty complicated. Remember, during the majority of their playing days, Andre's commitment to tennis came and went, while Pete's was always rock solid. I think when Andre was was "out" he didn't care in the least what Pete did. But when he was "in", I think it irked him that no matter how much he practiced, lifted, or how well he played, Sampras was always just a little bit better. I think Pete's commitment to tennis was something that bothered Andre when he was "in", as it was something he couldn't duplicate over a long period of time.

With Pete, I think he always respected what Andre brought to the table, but he also always knew that he was a little better, and more accomplished player, so he didn't have any envy for Andre as a player. And because of that, I don't Pete really GAS what Andre thought or did. Personally, they get along ok, but they're never going to be good friends.

When Andre put that story about the tip in the book, I thought it was pretty juvenile and petty, and reeked of insecurity. Maybe he put it in there to convey his actual feelings towards Pete at that time of his life, as the book is written in a first person linear fashion. I don't know. But who hasn't been caught short before? Heck, I still owe a tip to Lance at the Waikiki Hilton from 2 years ago .

 

[tennisMVP]

Agassi wrote everything in that book, it was called OPEN so he had no choice but to write everything that he could recall encountering in his career. But I agree it was wrong for him to bring it up during the charity match. But did you see Sampras' response? Sampras blasted a serve at Agassi's head (Agassi was not the returner, he was down the tramlines). Agassi has the best reflexes I've ever seen, but can you imagine the controversy if Agassi failed to duck that ball?

 

[90's Clay]

I know there as always respect between the two..Sampras has stated numerous times, Andre was the best he ever played against and was the player that made him really want to improve (especially his 2nd serve early in his career)

I'm sure Andre was very bitter and jealous of Sampras deep down. Pete IMO stopped Andre from having a GOAT-like career. If it hadn't been for Pete, Andre may have never had that meltdown after the USO. Andre even stated in '99 when he made his comeback even though he was number 1 for the year but didn't feel like #1 because he couldn't beat Pete.


Regardless of how well Andre played, Sampras could always raise his game just a little bit higher on the big stage. While theres great respect, you could always sense the bitterness in Andre. But can't say as if I blame him, Sampras cost Andre ALOT of success

 

[TMF]

I know there as always respect between the two..Sampras has stated numerous times, Andre was the best he ever played against and was the player that made him really want to improve (especially his 2nd serve early in his career)

I'm sure Andre was very bitter and jealous of Sampras deep down. Pete IMO stopped Andre from having a GOAT-like career. If it hadn't been for Pete, Andre may have never had that meltdown after the USO. Andre even stated in '99 when he made his comeback even though he was number 1 for the year but didn't feel like #1 because he couldn't beat Pete.


Regardless of how well Andre played, Sampras could always raise his game just a little bit higher on the big stage. While theres great respect, you could always sense the bitterness in Andre. But can't say as if I blame him, Sampras cost Andre ALOT of success

But had Agassi won those BIG matches, you don't know that he would still hold any grudge towards Sampras. It's not all about beating one another on the court, but the person's character that ones don't like. Sampras is known for not being friendly guy on the tour. Remember he said the difference between him and Rafter is "10 grand slams". And Rafter have done nothing to Sampras except respect. How a player carry himself does factor in his relationship with his peers. Federer ruined Roddick's career, far worse than Sampras did to Agassi. Yet, Roddick doesn't hold any grudges towards Federer. Federer beat Agassi 8 straight times, and Agassi respect Federer, considered him a great role model. That's because Federer is a very friendly person, and it's difficult to dislike him.

 

[Borrelli]

Nobody liked Sampras for a reason - he was a dick.

 

[Rhino]

With Andre, I think his feelings regarding Pete are pretty complicated. Remember, during the majority of their playing days, Andre's commitment to tennis came and went, while Pete's was always rock solid. I think when Andre was was "out" he didn't care in the least what Pete did. But when he was "in", I think it irked him that no matter how much he practiced, lifted, or how well he played, Sampras was always just a little bit better. I think Pete's commitment to tennis was something that bothered Andre when he was "in", as it was something he couldn't duplicate over a long period of time.

With Pete, I think he always respected what Andre brought to the table, but he also always knew that he was a little better, and more accomplished player, so he didn't have any envy for Andre as a player. And because of that, I don't Pete really GAS what Andre thought or did. Personally, they get along ok, but they're never going to be good friends.

When Andre put that story about the tip in the book, I thought it was pretty juvenile and petty, and reeked of insecurity. Maybe he put it in there to convey his actual feelings towards Pete at that time of his life, as the book is written in a first person linear fashion. I don't know. But who hasn't been caught short before? Heck, I still owe a tip to Lance at the Waikiki Hilton from 2 years ago .

This is a good post. I wonder though if Sampras was better than Pete overall. It seems Pete was better at the US Open and Wimbledon, whereas Andre had the edge at Roland Garros and the Australian Open.
Obviously Andre had the big '97/'98 slump, but that was his choice and not a reflection of his peak ability.

Anyway, my gut feeling is that they are not too keen on each other.

 

[Mustard]

But had Agassi won those BIG matches, you don't know that he would still hold any grudge towards Sampras. It's not all about beating one another on the court, but the person's character that ones don't like. Sampras is known for not being friendly guy on the tour. Remember he said the difference between him and Rafter is "10 grand slams". And Rafter have done nothing to Sampras except respect.

I have never seen Sampras as wound up as he was by Rafter in the summer of 1998. Rafter recovered from a poor start to beat Sampras in the 1998 Cincinnati final, and Sampras was really bitter about a controversial point. Rafter then beat Sampras in the 1998 US Open semi finals in 5 sets on his way to his second US Open title.

 

[tennisMVP]

I have never seen Sampras as wound up as he was by Rafter in the summer of 1998. Rafter recovered from a poor start to beat Sampras in the 1998 Cincinnati final, and Sampras was really bitter about a controversial point. Rafter then beat Sampras in the 1998 US Open semi finals in 5 sets on his way to his second US Open title.

I agree, Rafter knew Sampras inside-out. And Sampras had no control over Rafter (when Rafter was at his peak anyway).

 

[Towser83]

I never was fond of either guy, but yeah I thought Agassi was out of order in that charity match. It was like he was poking at Pete for being too serious, kind of acting like "I'm funny out here, I have the personality, you're just a boring guy, you can't entertain the crowd in a non tennis way like I can" So pete took the bait, did an impression of Andre. Given Andre's funny man persona he was giving off he should have been able to take the joke. Instead he got serious. He then came out with "It's all fun and games til someone gets hurt" which is ironic cos I thought it was him who was trying to be fun and games until HE got hurt, because he couldn't take a joke, which was meant as a good humoured thing.

 

[Razoredge]

Someone give me a link to this charity match and the minute this stuff happens.

 

[Mustard]

Someone give me a link to this charity match and the minute this stuff happens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QSK9t6OrgU

 

[Borrelli]

I remember all the hoopla in the media over it when it happened. Definitely pretty low class of Agassi to say that stuff, he could have easily done a impersonation or something, instead he pulls his pockets inside out haha :shock:

 

[NadalAgassi]

Federer ruined Roddick's career, far worse than Sampras did to Agassi.

This is not true. Most have Roddick winning only 2 to 4 additional slams (for 3 to 5 total) without Federer. He was never going to be a dominant player, he isnt good enough, and he never dominated the field outside of Federer. Agassi lost atleast 4 slams due to Sampras, so as many, or probably more than Roddick lost out because of Federer. Furthermore Agassi would have been #1 in 1994, 1995, and 1999 hands down without Sampras, and may have even never slumped after his crushing 95 U.S Open defeat to Sampras and been on top some or all of 96-98 too. 2003 is the only year Roddick probably would have been #1 even without Federer, even in 2004 Hewitt probably would have been #1 over Roddick as Hewitt usually beat Roddick, except sometimes on grass, and despite getting tougher draw with Federer in round of 16 or quarters early in the year ended up virtually tied with Roddick in points. After 2004 no chance of #1 even without Federer.

 

[hoosierbr]

AA has always struck me as someone in need of acceptance and approval. I think he wanted everyone to like him, especially Sampras, whom it's quite obvious he admires in so many ways but over the years that might have turned into a little bit of envy. It comes through in his book when he talks about, even obsesses over, all the big matches he lost to him. Now in retirement I think AA wants them to friends to fill some kind of void. That makes sense condsidering they're the same age and understand each other better than anyone else they know, apart from Steffi Graf.

Sampras is a strange guy who keeps people at a distance. I think that's what makes AA more eager to gain his good graces.

PS and AA are just fundamentally very different people who don't seem to click and their personal relations will probably always be strained unless Sampras learns to loosen up a little bit.

This dance is similar to the one between Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg. Two very different guys. They're friendly but their main issue is that whilst Edberg let tennis go and moved in a completely different direction with his life and family than Becker did, Boris has this insatiable need for Stefan and him to be best chums. Edberg is quiet, lives in Sweden and dislikes the high life. Becker still has to be in the spotlight, maybe even more today.

All four men are legends of the sport who have no need to be envious or jealous of another. If they don't like each other, well, whoever said they had to?

 

[LeeD]

Pete...AA sure needs to clamor for image, and while his rebel image is one thing, his pure boring tennis play with consistency and few winners just bores me to death...
AA... Pete is boring. His play is all about attacking and one track minded tennis. He attacks and attacks. Lucky for him he can serve, he can jump, and he can volley.

 

[tennisMVP]

I wonder if Agassi regretted ducking the ball (when Sampras blasted the down-the-line serve). See, if Agassi didn't duck the ball, Sampras would have been blasted by the media. Sampras would have been the villain big time if that ball went into Agassi's face. The only reason why Agassi ducked is because his reflexes got the better of him. If he had time to think and premeditate a reaction he would have let the ball hit him I suspect. And Sampras had lost his head and was so hot under the collar he truly wanted that ball to hit Agassi regardless of the PR consequences. Sampras struck that ball at FULL PACE.

 

[ctoth666]

I'm not really picking sides, and I certainly don't think Andre's comment was appropriate, but for me Agassi seems like a real person, who had real problems, who still makes real mistakes, and who has real faults. I identify more with that, and I find him more interesting than either Federer, Nadal, or Sampras. I can remember back to Arthur Ashe Kids Day when Kournikova was sitting in the chair and Agassi was playing some points against Roddick, and Agassi is joking around about playing for her number and mocking her Russian accent. It was funny, and it's something Pete or Federer or Nadal, for example, would never do.

 

[Paul Murphy]

They'll never be best friends that's for sure - vastly different personalities.
But there's something to be said for hostility between players.
As much as I like the big four and how they get on well together, those rivalries in the 1980s added a wonderful edge to big matches.
Connors, Lendl and McEnroe all put on quite a show at times and the entertainment level was ratcheted up several notches due to their distaste for each other.

 

[tennisMVP]

Nadal resigned from the ATP Player Council this year, because of Federer. And Federer has regularly made his typical passive-aggressive statements about Nadal. They are only 'friendly' for the cameras. Both care about PR. But the frostiness is more than obvious.

 

[Blocker]

AA has always struck me as someone in need of acceptance and approval. I think he wanted everyone to like him, especially Sampras, whom it's quite obvious he admires in so many ways but over the years that might have turned into a little bit of envy. It comes through in his book when he talks about, even obsesses over, all the big matches he lost to him. Now in retirement I think AA wants them to friends to fill some kind of void. That makes sense condsidering they're the same age and understand each other better than anyone else they know, apart from Steffi Graf.

Sampras is a strange guy who keeps people at a distance. I think that's what makes AA more eager to gain his good graces.

PS and AA are just fundamentally very different people who don't seem to click and their personal relations will probably always be strained unless Sampras learns to loosen up a little bit.

This dance is similar to the one between Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg. Two very different guys. They're friendly but their main issue is that whilst Edberg let tennis go and moved in a completely different direction with his life and family than Becker did, Boris has this insatiable need for Stefan and him to be best chums. Edberg is quiet, lives in Sweden and dislikes the high life. Becker still has to be in the spotlight, maybe even more today.

All four men are legends of the sport who have no need to be envious or jealous of another. If they don't like each other, well, whoever said they had to?

Good post.

Just on the comment I highlighted, is it just me, or should Sampras quit his short lived comedian career? When he did the Agassi walk, sure it was funny, but the way he handled things after that was just akward to watch. If it's not in you to begin with, don't tempt it. Yes he is off the mens' tour now and plays a bit of seniors where the pressure is notches below, but trying to be funny on a tennis court is just not Pete Sampras. Never was, never will be. I just found the whole incident after the Agassi walk incident to be akward for him.

 

[90's Clay]

Good post.

Just on the comment I highlighted, is it just me, or should Sampras quit his short lived comedian career? When he did the Agassi walk, sure it was funny, but the way he handled things after that was just akward to watch. If it's not in you to begin with, don't tempt it. Yes he is off the mens' tour now and plays a bit of seniors where the pressure is notches below, but trying to be funny on a tennis court is just not Pete Sampras. Never was, never will be. I just found the whole incident after the Agassi walk incident to be akward for him.

I thought it was funny for Sampras to take the edge off a bit and do the "duck walk" but Sampras was a fierce competitor.. Heck look at how hard he played vs. Roger in those 4 exos. Pete wants to win. I respect that more then other guys who are just out there for a payday and goofing off or not taking their job seriously.

I have more respect for guys who WANT TO WIN (even if its just expos) then guys who half arseee it multiple times a year.. I wish we these wouldn't be exos but legitimate matches.. Like that doubles match in Haiti.. I hate watching guys goof around.. I wouldn't pay to see that.. I want to legends go at it.. Legimitately

Thats why I go back every month to watch the Sampras-Fed exos.. Sure there were some "comedy moments" but overall these were competitive matches. Not like that mess of a doubles match

 

[loci]

Two wrongs don't make a right. The fact is both Agassi and Sampras were there under the context to raise money for people who were affected by the earthquake in Haiti. How pathetic that both of them couldn't rein in their petty bull$*#t and be bigger men, when, in fact, people either lost their homes or lives as a result of that devastating event. Truly sad.

 

[loci]

Oh, and I highly doubt that these two really get along, they just tolerate each other.

 

[Borrelli]

Good post.

Just on the comment I highlighted, is it just me, or should Sampras quit his short lived comedian career? When he did the Agassi walk, sure it was funny, but the way he handled things after that was just akward to watch. If it's not in you to begin with, don't tempt it. Yes he is off the mens' tour now and plays a bit of seniors where the pressure is notches below, but trying to be funny on a tennis court is just not Pete Sampras. Never was, never will be. I just found the whole incident after the Agassi walk incident to be akward for him.

No doubt Sampras is a awkward fella but the walk was pretty funny and the thing is Agassi invited it by asking him to "lighten up a bit". Agassi could have easily responded with any number of impersonations but it seemed like he couldn't come up with something on the fly (maybe he was on drugs?) so he decided to personally attack the guy? That's pretty pathetic or maybe he was just trying to sell a few more copies of his book?

What's fascinating is how close Sampras came to hitting him with that serve. I probably couldn't come that close hitting a line drive serve like that if I tried.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

Agassi can only deal with female versions of Sampras like Graf. It is strange for Agassi not to be in love with Sampras also, since Graf's character is similar to that of Sampras and her on court demeanour was also a lot like that of Sampras.

 

[Towser83]

No doubt Sampras is a awkward fella but the walk was pretty funny and the thing is Agassi invited it by asking him to "lighten up a bit". Agassi could have easily responded with any number of impersonations but it seemed like he couldn't come up with something on the fly (maybe he was on drugs?) so he decided to personally attack the guy? That's pretty pathetic or maybe he was just trying to sell a few more copies of his book?

What's fascinating is how close Sampras came to hitting him with that serve. I probably couldn't come that close hitting a line drive serve like that if I tried.

Sampras should have said "Ok I'm a bad tipper. You're a great tipper, Andre. How much do you tip a meth dealer? Is it less or more than you tip the ATP to cover things up?"

Would have been an interesting next few minutes :lol:

 

[slowfox]

Agassi can only deal with female versions of Sampras like Graf. It is strange for Agassi not to be in love with Sampras also, since Graf's character is similar to that of Sampras and her on court demeanour was also a lot like that of Sampras.

Interesting point of view. Never really thought about it that way. What will all the amateur Freuds out there say..?

 

[MTF07]

I thought it was great. I'd have loved to see them slug it out.

Sampras ftw, Agassi's back would cripple him.

No pun intended.

Nah. Agassi is so strong physically, I don't think it'd even be a contest. He'd floor Sampras.

 

[tennisMVP]

Sampras should have said "Ok I'm a bad tipper. You're a great tipper, Andre. How much do you tip a meth dealer? Is it less or more than you tip the ATP to cover things up?"

Would have been an interesting next few minutes :lol:

If only Sampras had Agassi's level of intelligence. I'd love to have witnessed that conversation.

 

[Gonzalito17]

I saw them at MSG this month for the exo and they did not interact at all. They didn't even hit together. In warmup Rafter hit with Sampras, Agassi hit with Courier. There was no interaction between Agassi and Pete at all. Sampras was chatting with Rafter nicely, and also with Courier but there seemed a coldness between Pete and Andre. They ended up not playing each other either. Something is up there. Pete may act cool about it in public but deep down the cheap barbs by Andre may be unforgivable. Remember, Pete donated $250,000 to Cerebral Palsy Foundation after he beat Gilbert in the Grand Slam Cupo final, so he is not cheap.

 

[Gonzalito17]

Who said Sampras isn't funny on the court? AtMSG he did Gangnam Style dance and it was hilarious!

 

[Gonzalito17]

Just rewatched that vid of the IW exo, Agassi is one funny guy but man it's unbelievable that he would bring that out in that situation. That was brutal for Pete to deal with. For a rich person to be humiliated as cheap in front of millions has got to be an unbearable insult. Then you have two legends like Roger and Rafa having to put up with this whole scene. Only Agassi could do something like this, what a showman! lol

 

[Sartorius]

Just rewatched that vid of the IW exo, Agassi is one funny guy but man it's unbelievable that he would bring that out in that situation. That was brutal for Pete to deal with. For a rich person to be humiliated as cheap in front of millions has got to be an unbearable insult. Then you have two legends like Roger and Rafa having to put up with this whole scene. Only Agassi could do something like this, what a showman! lol

For them that was definitely as awkward as it gets. What I remember clearly is how both reacted exactly the same way after Sampras went for the headshot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4QSK9t6OrgU#t=163s

 

[NatF]

Yeah I think that was really out of order from Agassi. Saw that documentary about Pete (Beyond the Glory) a few months back. Really gave me a lot of respect for the guy as a competitor, seems like a genuine nice guy as well.

One example of Sampras leaving a bad tip doesn't mean he's cheap anyway, he could have had no change or something.

 

[hawk eye]

It's Agassi who should be embarassed after this. He wasn't able to do or say something funny himself after Sampras impersonated him so he came up repeating his cheap shot at Sampras in his book.
plus he started the whole thing trying to make Sampras look bad and without humour. But guys like Sampras and Lendl you shouldn't mess around with..

BTW notice ho much Sampras looks like The Joker in the shot at 0:56.

 

[Rozroz]

you cannot possibly know if Agassi has a soft spot for being impersonated on his crippled walk. or i guess you do now..

 

[edmondsm]

Would you prefer all the man love or this hate and tension. I definitely think tennis needs more trash talking, not like some other sports but just a little more. But since everyone is so respectful no one wants to say anything even if they wish they could.

I would agree with this. I really dislike how cordial tennis players feel like they have to be. One slightly negative comment about another player and the message boards light up with threads about Player X being a classless jerk. These are very competitive people and they are trying to beat each other day in and day out. There is nothing unnatural about disliking another person, especially when their job is to literally make you less successful then they are.

 

[edmondsm]

It's Agassi who should be embarassed after this. He wasn't able to do or say something funny himself after Sampras impersonated him so he came up repeating his cheap shot at Sampras in his book.
plus he started the whole thing trying to make Sampras look bad and without humour. But guys like Sampras and Lendl you shouldn't mess around with..

BTW notice ho much Sampras looks like The Joker in the shot at 0:56.

Nah. Sampras could give it but couldn't take it. Agassi has always poked fun at his opponents in these exos. Sampras tried to play along but, at least to me, looked like he couldn't keep himself from taking it personally.

 

[edmondsm]

Just rewatched that vid of the IW exo, Agassi is one funny guy but man it's unbelievable that he would bring that out in that situation. That was brutal for Pete to deal with. For a rich person to be humiliated as cheap in front of millions has got to be an unbearable insult. Then you have two legends like Roger and Rafa having to put up with this whole scene. Only Agassi could do something like this, what a showman! lol

What's funny is that Sampras had so much ammo to come back with. Agassi literally had given him a million bullets to fire in that book. Imagine if Sampras had started pretending to pick his hair up off the tennis court. OMG it would've been priceless.