Unfortunately for tennis fans, legendary figures Pete Sampras and Roger Federer only met once on the court in their glittering careers.
That sole meeting arrived at Wimbledon in 2001, when a 29-year-old Sampras was out to not only defend his title, but claim a fifth consecutive success.
However, the top seed met a 19-year-old Federer in the fourth round, in a thrilling match that the American has now looked back on.
You can bring one tennis legend out of retirement. Who do you pick and why?
Pete Sampras looks back on 2001 Wimbledon loss to Roger Federer
ATP icons Sampras and Federer played out an all-time epic that year, and it was the Swiss youngster who emerged victorious.
After three hours and 41 minutes of high-quality action on Centre Court, Federer won 7-6(9-7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-7(2-7), 7-5.
As quoted by the ATP website, Sampras has now said of that match: “He was 19 or something.
“I knew he was good.
“I was caught off guard with Roger when I played him that match.
“He was fast, he was powerful, he had all the shots.
“I met my match in that match.
“I was getting up there [in age] and I’m thinking that was a passing of the torch, maybe.
“I just remember walking off the court thinking, ‘This kid’s pretty special, he’s a little bit different.’
“And he was.”
It was an accurate thought in the heat of the moment from Sampras, who claimed seven Wimbledon titles before being outdone by Federer’s eight, more than any other man.
That year, however, the teenager fell in the quarterfinals to Tim Henman, but it was Goran Ivanisevic who eventually lifted the trophy.
Roger Federer’s first reaction to Rafael Nadal breaking onto the ATP Tour
Federer also surpassed Sampras’ all-time leading Grand Slam tally of 14, with the former claiming 20 before his retirement.
However, the Swiss legend was then overtaken by the 22 of Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal, whose breakthrough Federer has now reflected on.
“When Rafa came onto the scene, I guess I first had to appreciate the rival, that he is going to be around,” said Federer, as quoted by the ATP website.
“He’s going to win more in the future and he’s going to be around.
“Maybe I have to adjust my game towards him, so you have to accept that.”
Of course, Nadal’s 22 titles place him second in the all-time list, two behind Novak Djokovic, who is still looking to add to his tally.
The Serbian legend has another chance to do that at Wimbledon, where a successful run would bring him level with Federer on eight titles.
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