In 2002, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras met for the final time in their careers... The stage? The @usopen final. 🏟️ Full match 👉 bit.ly/3fdCPxq
"We weren’t just two opposite players": Andre Agassi admits personality clash made Pete Sampras rivalry so special
ATPMonday, 13 November 2023 at 01:30
Andre Agassi reflected on his rivalry with Pete Sampras and acknowledged that the differences in their personalities made their matches more special.
The rivalry between Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras is a landmark in the tennis history of the '80s and '90s, with over 30 encounters that kept the world on edge. Their contrasting playing styles, with Agassi's aggressiveness from the baseline and Sampras's mastery in serving and volleying, added an intriguing element to their duels. While Sampras first solidified his position by winning a Grand Slam in 1990, Agassi defeated him at Wimbledon in 1992.
As both players crossed the age of 30, Agassi reached the world No. 1 ranking and secured five Grand Slam victories during this period. The rivalry reached its climax at the US Open in 2002, where Sampras triumphed in a thrilling final against Agassi.
Agassi recently reflected on the rivalry that spanned 14 years with his compatriot and the differences in their personalities, which, in his opinion, contributed to making their matches even more special.
"I think rivalries aren’t guaranteed in any sport. It doesn’t matter how talented a generation is, you need to capture the imagination of cultures and people,” Andre Agassi stated.
“In the sense of me and Pete [Sampras], we weren’t just two opposite players, which was so obvious on the tennis court, we were two opposite personalities and two opposite people altogether. So, to find those… You need dynamics," former world No. 1 added.
Despite the passage of time transforming their competition into a genuine friendship, the legacy of Agassi and Sampras endures as they remain recognized as two of the greatest tennis players in history. With a total of 34 matchups, Sampras secured 20 victories, while Agassi claimed 14. Their storied record includes five Grand Slam finals, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of sports history.
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