Pete Sampras vs. Patrick Rafter, one of the famous tennis rivalries of all times
Born on August 12, 1971, the former number one professional tennis player from the United States of America, Pete Sampras has a won a total of fourteen Grand Slam singles trophies, a record exceeded by the Swiss tennis ace, Roger Federer back in 2009. Throughout his fifteen years professional career, Sampras famously know as pistol, Pete enjoyed a success loss record of 204–37 over a total of fifty two major singles championship appearances. The right handed tennis ace is considered as one of the best tennis players of all times. The 1.85 meters tall Pete was rewarded the twelfth highest spot in the list of fifty greatest athletes from the United States of America by Time Magazine.
Commonly known as an all court player, the American tennis ace, Pete Sampras was famous for his rivalry with Patrick Rafter throughout his career apart from Andre Agassi.
The player with a potent forehand has triumphed in a total of twelve matches out of the sixteen; he has played versus Patrick Rafter. A competition in the real sense between the two of them started back in 1997 when Rafter stunned the entire world by grabbing United States Open title. It was the championship that most of the tennis experts favoured Sampras to be the ultimate winner as he had already won the title back in 1995 as well as 96. However, Rafter turned out to be the winner at the 1997 United States Open championship that also raised his ATP rankings to as high as number two in the world with Sampras at the number one position.
After this victory, many of the sports experts as well as a renowned American tennis ace, John McEnroe viewed that; Rafter won’t be able to win any other major title and regarded his 1997 US Open victory as fluke.
However, the prediction later on turned out to be nothing more than a c**p. Back in 1998, Pat knocked down the pistol, Pete in the final match of the Cincinnati masters. Pete at that time was the owner of a total of eleven major titles. In an interview after the match, when questioned about the difference between both of the two players, Sampras replied, “Ten MAJOR titles”.
Both the players then faced each other in the semi final match of the Grand Slam United States Open championship back in 1998. Rafter once again turned out to be the winner who knocked down Sampras in a total of five sets. In the post match ceremony, the American tennis ace, Pete Sampras instead of praising Rafter’s game blamed his leg injury as the cause of his defeat at the clay court championship. The Australian tennis ace, Patrick Rafter replied on that comment of Pete by saying that, “He actually does say some silly things at the wrong time", said Pat, "We are out there fighting at our very best and he doesn't show acknowledgement towards my game at the end of the day. He always attempts to give justifications for his loss instead of praising his opponent’s better display of game and this is one of his habits that really irritate me and so I miss no chance of bugging him”, he added.
After winning the title at the 1997 US Open championship by knocking down Mark Philippoussis, the Australian tennis ace Patrick Rafter when questioned about Pete’s previous remarks about having to grab one more major title in order to be included in the list of top level tennis players, Pat replied.
"Probably you should ask him this question, as this is the way he thinks. As far as my views however are concerned, I am glad that I have won another major title and it is not over yet. And I feel great to repeat my winning performances over and over again at the major competitions”.
In spite of the fact that Pete Sampras all through his professional life idealized himself after "such refined Aussies" including Roy Emerson, Rod Laver as well as Ken Rosewall however he confessed a fact about Rafter when he said that, “When I see him lifting the United States Open title, it really annoys me".
At last, Sampras won against his rival Rafter at the final match of the grass court Grand Slam tournament back in 2000 in a total of four sets. A win at the All England Club added one more title to his already twelve major ones.
Regardless of their mutual grudges and professional jealousies, there is no doubt about the fact that both these sensational tennis players have contributed a great deal in showcasing some stunning performances over the past that will be remembered for ages.
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