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Who Andre Agassi once said was the ‘greatest player’ in tennis who ‘accomplished more than anyone else’

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
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Andre Agassi has left a superb legacy from his glittering career, which included eight Grand Slam titles.

Agassi lost a further seven Grand Slam finals, but impressively was able to emerge victorious at all four major tournaments.

The former ATP number one won four of his eight Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, with two successes at the US Open.

Agassi also won once at the French Open and once at Wimbledon, with his success spanning from 1992-2003.

His former coach Darren Cahill thinks Agassi often played into the hands of his opponents, but he also gave them plenty to think about.

Andre Agassi poses with the trophy after beating Goran Ivanisevic in the 1992 final
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images

Andre Agassi labels Pete Sampras ‘the greatest player’ after Wimbledon final in 1999

And undoubtedly representing his biggest rival was Pete Sampras, who ended his career with a 20-14 record against Agassi.

Agassi loved Sampras’s spirit, which certainly helped the latter beat the former in the 1999 Wimbledon final.

READ MORE: How Pete Sampras responded when asked how different his career would have been without Andre Agassi

Speaking after that defeat, Agassi said of his rival: “I think he is probably the greatest player. He has accomplished more than anyone else in my opinion.

“He has dominated on grass, finished no 1 in the world for six years in a row. His achievements speak for themselves.”

TENNIS: WIMBLEDON 1999
Photo by Mark Sandten/Bongarts/Getty Images

Andre Agassi helpless against ‘impeccable’ Pete Sampras in 1999 Wimbledon final

Agassi’s praise of Sampras in London was certainly justified, with the winner clinching a sixth Wimbledon title in seven years in 1999.

He also successfully defended his title against Pat Rafter the following year, where his stunning Wimbledon story would finally end.

READ MORE: Pete Sampras admitted one tournament was ‘missing’ from his trophy cabinet in 1995 but he then never even reached the final

A helpless Agassi could only stand and watch as his inspired opponent took charge in their 1999 final, which Sampras won 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.

Talking further of the champion, the runner-up said: “I have to give full credit to him, he played some impeccable tennis at times.

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

“I had six games maybe at 30-30 on his serve but if he didn’t serve an ace with his first serve his second was 110, 112, 120mph. He was taking chances out there.

“People think he’s walking on water until he misses some of those but he didn’t so he was walking on water today. I was going out there expecting him to be a big pain in the a– and I ran into a buzzsaw.”