Pete Sampras, tennis legend and winner of 14 majors, mentally considered Rafael Nadal the best player he has ever seen, although he acknowledged that it is very difficult to determine who is the number one of all time, since between the Spaniard and the Serbian Novak Djokovic would be like choosing between a Ferrari or a Lamborghini.
“Everything he does (Nadal) is exceptional. Roger (Federer) and I had a period of dominance on grass, but to win the same major 14 times is incredible. And mentally, what a player. Surely the best I’ve seen, “said Sampras, in an interview in the L’Équipe magazine.
IMPOSSIBLE
However, for the American, now 51 years old and a golfer, answering who is the best tennis player of all time is impossible.
«Novak has done incredible things in the last 10 years, he has good numbers against most players, he is the one with the record of staying as number 1. He has won everywhere. He has all the records except for the Grand Slam », he referred.
Sampras admitted his disbelief that his record of 14 majors was surpassed by three players (Federer, Nadal and Djokovic) in the space of 17 years. «In my time, we retired close to 30. Mentally, I could no longer be 31. Having been so regular for so many years. They are monsters of this sport.
Among the three, the tennis player assumed that he is closest to Federer, because he has a personality close to his.
“With Novak I have already had dinner and we talk to each other from time to time. And with Rafa, although we have not spent much time together, I have great respect for everything he has achieved, “he stressed.
CHANGES
Sampras also spoke about how tennis has changed since the 90s, when it had its golden age fueled by a historic rivalry with André Agassi, and welcomed the fact that there is now more talk about mental health, although he warned of the evil of social networks that They come through mobile phones.
«If I were active today, I would send the mobile to the sea. It’s a gadget that makes you anxious. It works if you get lost in the pampas, if not, it leaves you vulnerable and accessible. Today kids have one at 10 years old. That can influence mental health », he concluded. EFE
