What Pete Sampras said when asked if he thought anyone could ever beat his Grand Slam record in 2000

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Pete Sampras held the Grand Slam record for several years, having won more titles than any other player in the history of men’s tennis.

The American ATP star dominated during his time on tour, winning a then-record 14 Grand Slam titles between 1990 and 2002.

Sampras had his first taste of Major success at the US Open 35 years ago, when he beat Andre Agassi in straight sets to win his first Grand Slam.

Over the next ten years, 11 Slams followed, as Sampras tied with Australia’s Roy Emerson for the Grand Slam record of 12 titles.

Winning Wimbledon in 2000, Sampras moved ahead to 13, standing alone as the male with the most Grand Slam titles in the history of the sport.

After breaking the record, Sampras was asked whether he thought anyone would ever better his tally of 13 Majors.

Pete Sampras said it would be ‘difficult’ for anyone to break his Grand Slam record in 2000

Sampras beat Pat Rafter, 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.

“Well, time will tell if it will be broken,” he said.

“I think in the modern game, it could be difficult. It’s a lot of commitment, a lot of good playing at big times.

“You know, it’s hard to see one guy or three guys that I see maybe doing it. It’s possible. 

“I mean, the next person might be eight years old, hitting at a park somewhere around the world. You never know. 

“There’s guys that are, you know, great players that could possibly do it. But it’s not easy.”

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.

Sampras proved a class above at Flushing Meadows in 2002, ending his career with one final victory over his rival Agassi.

• 2002 US Open F – Pete Sampras beat Andre Agassi, 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
• 2002 US Open SF – Pete Sampras beat Sjeng Schalken, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2
• 2002 US Open QF – Pete Sampras beat Andy Roddick, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4
• 2002 US Open 4R – Pete Sampras beat Tommy Haas, 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 7-5
• 2002 US Open 3R – Pete Sampras beat Greg Rusedski, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4
• 2002 US Open 2R – Pete Sampras beat Kristian Pless, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4
• 2002 US Open 1R – Pete Sampras beat Albert Portas, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4

Who broke Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam titles?

Sampras’ record stood for just nine years before the legendary Roger Federer clinched his 15th Major title at Wimbledon in 2009.

The Swiss star dominated tennis during the 2000s, surpassing Sampras’s tally of 14 with a thrilling victory over Andy Roddick at SW19.

He added a further five Majors to his tally, ending his career with 20 Grand Slam titles when he retired from tennis in 2022.

Federer’s record was then broken by Rafael Nadal, who stood alone on 22 Grand Slams after his victories at the Australian Open and French Open three years ago.

The Grand Slam record is now held by Novak Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles, more than any other player in the history of men’s tennis

Somewhat poetically, Djokovic’s ascension to Grand Slam supremacy reflects what Sampras predicted 25 years ago.

“I mean, the next person [to break the record] might be eight years old, hitting at a park somewhere around the world,” said Sampras.

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.