{"id":40484,"date":"2025-04-22T07:33:10","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T07:33:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/40484\/"},"modified":"2025-04-22T07:33:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T07:33:10","slug":"what-pete-sampras-said-when-asked-if-he-thought-anyone-could-ever-beat-his-grand-slam-record-in-2000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/40484\/","title":{"rendered":"What Pete Sampras said when asked if he thought anyone could ever beat his Grand Slam record in 2000"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Pete Sampras held the Grand Slam record for several years, having won more titles than any other player in the history of men\u2019s tennis.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The American <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetennisgazette.com\/tag\/atp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ATP<\/a> star dominated during his time on tour, winning a then-record 14 Grand Slam titles between 1990 and 2002.<\/p>\n<p>Sampras had his first taste of Major success at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetennisgazette.com\/tag\/us-open\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">US Open<\/a> 35 years ago, when he beat Andre Agassi in straight sets to win his first Grand Slam.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"672\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-515328114-1024x672.jpg\" alt=\"(Original Caption) New York: Both Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi wait their turn to be introduced during the award ceremony of the U.S. Open. Sampras beat Agassi in straight sets becoming the youngest player at 19, to win.\" \/>(Original Caption) New York: Both Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi wait their turn to be introduced during the award ceremony of the U.S. Open. Sampras beat Agassi in straight sets becoming the youngest player at 19, to win.<\/p>\n<p>Over the next ten years, 11 Slams followed, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetennisgazette.com\/tag\/pete-sampras\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sampras<\/a> tied with Australia\u2019s Roy Emerson for the Grand Slam record of 12 titles.<\/p>\n<p>Winning <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetennisgazette.com\/tag\/wimbledon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wimbledon<\/a> in 2000, Sampras moved ahead to 13, standing alone as the male with the most Grand Slam titles in the history of the sport.<\/p>\n<p>After breaking the record, Sampras was asked whether he thought anyone would ever better his tally of 13 Majors.<\/p>\n<p>Pete Sampras said it would be \u2018difficult\u2019 for anyone to break his Grand Slam record in 2000<\/p>\n<p>Sampras beat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetennisgazette.com\/tag\/pat-rafter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pat Rafter<\/a>, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2 to win his record-breaking 13th Grand Slam title in 2000, and gave his thoughts on whether his new record would ever be broken during his post-match press conference.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, time will tell if it will be broken,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think in the modern game, it could be difficult. It\u2019s a lot of commitment, a lot of good playing at big times.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou know, it\u2019s hard to see one guy or three guys that I see maybe doing it. It\u2019s possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI mean, the next person might be eight years old, hitting at a park somewhere around the world. You never know.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s guys that are, you know, great players that could possibly do it. But it\u2019s not easy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"736\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-733667077-1024x736.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by Gary M. Prior\/Getty Images\" \/>Photo by Gary M. Prior\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>The 53-year-old made things even tougher for the next generation of tennis stars looking to break his record when he won his 14th Major two years later.<\/p>\n<p>Sampras proved a class above at Flushing Meadows in 2002, ending his career with one final victory over his rival Agassi.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"inline-links multi\">\n<li>2002 US Open F \u2013 Pete Sampras beat Andre Agassi, 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4<\/li>\n<li>2002 US Open SF \u2013 Pete Sampras beat Sjeng Schalken, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2<\/li>\n<li>2002 US Open QF \u2013 Pete Sampras beat Andy Roddick, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4<\/li>\n<li>2002 US Open 4R \u2013 Pete Sampras beat Tommy Haas, 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 7-5<\/li>\n<li>2002 US Open 3R \u2013 Pete Sampras beat Greg Rusedski, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4<\/li>\n<li>2002 US Open 2R \u2013 Pete Sampras beat Kristian Pless, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4<\/li>\n<li>2002 US Open 1R \u2013 Pete Sampras beat Albert Portas, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"839\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-1156307853-1024x839.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY\/AFP via Getty Images\" \/>Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY\/AFP via Getty ImagesWho broke Pete Sampras\u2019 record of 14 Grand Slam titles?<\/p>\n<p>Sampras\u2019 record stood for just nine years before the legendary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetennisgazette.com\/tag\/roger-federer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Roger Federer<\/a> clinched his 15th Major title at Wimbledon in 2009.<\/p>\n<p>The Swiss star dominated tennis during the 2000s, surpassing Sampras\u2019s tally of 14 with a thrilling victory over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetennisgazette.com\/tag\/andy-roddick\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Andy Roddick<\/a> at SW19.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Grand Slam number<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Tournament<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Final opponent<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Score<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>15<\/td>\n<td>2009 Wimbledon<\/td>\n<td>Andy Roddick<\/td>\n<td>5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>14<\/td>\n<td>2009 French Open<\/td>\n<td>Robin Soderling<\/td>\n<td>6-1, 7-6, 6-4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>13<\/td>\n<td>2008 US Open<\/td>\n<td>Andy Murray<\/td>\n<td>6-2, 7-5, 6-2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>12<\/td>\n<td>2007 US Open<\/td>\n<td>Novak Djokovic<\/td>\n<td>7-6, 7-6, 6-4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>11<\/td>\n<td>2007 Wimbledon<\/td>\n<td>Rafael Nadal<\/td>\n<td>7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>10<\/td>\n<td>2007 Australian Open<\/td>\n<td>Fernando Gonzalez<\/td>\n<td>7-6, 6-4, 6-4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>9<\/td>\n<td>2006 US Open<\/td>\n<td>Andy Roddick<\/td>\n<td>6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>8<\/td>\n<td>2006 Wimbledon<\/td>\n<td>Rafael Nadal<\/td>\n<td>6-0, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>2006 Australian Open<\/td>\n<td>Marcos Baghdatis<\/td>\n<td>5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>6<\/td>\n<td>2005 US Open<\/td>\n<td>Andre Agassi<\/td>\n<td>6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 6-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>5<\/td>\n<td>2005 Wimbledon<\/td>\n<td>Andy Roddick<\/td>\n<td>6-2, 7-6, 6-4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<td>2004 US Open<\/td>\n<td>Lleyton Hewitt<\/td>\n<td>6-0, 7-6, 6-0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<td>2004 Wimbledon<\/td>\n<td>Andy Roddick<\/td>\n<td>4-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>2004 Australian Open<\/td>\n<td>Marat Safin<\/td>\n<td>7-6, 6-4, 6-2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<td>2003 Wimbledon<\/td>\n<td>Mark Philippoussis<\/td>\n<td>7-6, 6-2, 7-6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p>Roger Federer\u2019s first 15 Grand Slam titles<\/p>\n<p>He added a further five Majors to his tally, ending his career with 20 Grand Slam titles when he retired from tennis in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Federer\u2019s record was then broken by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetennisgazette.com\/tag\/rafael-nadal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rafael Nadal<\/a>, who stood alone on 22 Grand Slams after his victories at the Australian Open and French Open three years ago.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-1401693671-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by Tim Clayton\/Corbis via Getty Images\" \/>Photo by Tim Clayton\/Corbis via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>The Grand Slam record is now held by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetennisgazette.com\/tag\/novak-djokovic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Novak Djokovic<\/a>, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles, more than any other player in the history of men\u2019s tennis<\/p>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Titles<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Name<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Most recent Grand Slam<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>24<\/td>\n<td>Novak Djokovic<\/td>\n<td>2023 US Open<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>22<\/td>\n<td>Rafael Nadal<\/td>\n<td>2022 French Open<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>20<\/td>\n<td>Roger Federer<\/td>\n<td>2018 Australian Open<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>14<\/td>\n<td>Pete Sampras<\/td>\n<td>2002 US Open<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>12<\/td>\n<td>Roy Emerson<\/td>\n<td>1967 French Open<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<p>Most men\u2019s single Grand Slam titles<\/p>\n<p>Somewhat poetically, Djokovic\u2019s ascension to Grand Slam supremacy reflects what Sampras predicted 25 years ago.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI mean, the next person [to break the record] might be eight years old, hitting at a park somewhere around the world,\u201d said Sampras.<\/p>\n<p>In 2000, Djokovic was just 12 years old, training in Germany, having moved from his native Serbia to work alongside former world number six Nikola Pilic at his tennis academy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Pete Sampras held the Grand Slam record for several years, having won more titles than any other player&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":40485,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4105],"tags":[4294,9082,79,1068,16,15,5068],"class_list":{"0":"post-40484","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tennis","8":"tag-atp","9":"tag-pete-sampras","10":"tag-sports","11":"tag-tennis","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom","14":"tag-wimbledon"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114380459827874050","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40484"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40484\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}