Though his career was hindered by injuries, Lleyton Hewitt enjoyed plenty of success during his playing days.
The Australian star won two Grand Slam titles, emerging victorious at the US Open in 2001, and Wimbledon in 2002.
During the 2001 season, Hewitt became the youngest man in history to reach world number one status, doing so aged 20 years, eight months and 26 days.
Back in the year 2000, Hewitt met Pete Sampras at the Miami Open, which marked just their third tour-level meeting.
Sampras claimed his third consecutive victory over the then-teenager, but had high praise for him following the win.
Pete Sampras’ comments about Lleyton Hewitt in 2000
Hewitt forced Sampras to a decisive third in their match that day, but could not get over the line, with the American advancing to the final.
As per the Independent, after the match, Sampras said: “Lleyton has all the intangibles to be a champion.
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“He’s got the attitude, he’s got the game, he’s got the heart. It seems to me he’s going to get better and better.
“He fights very hard; that’s what makes him so difficult to play. He’s very quick and doesn’t give you an inch.
“A very composed young guy, got a good head on his shoulders,” concluded Sampras, who ultimately beat Gustavo Kuerten in the final to win the tournament.
Months later, Hewitt earned his first triumph over Sampras, beating him in straight sets to win the Queen’s title.
Lleyton Hewitt’s head-to-head record against Pete Sampras
After Hewitt hoisted the trophy at Queen’s, Sampras got his last win over him in the 2000 US Open semifinals.
From then on, Hewitt was undefeated against Sampras, winning all four of their remaining clashes on the ATP Tour.
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One of those meetings was the 2001 US Open final, the first Grand Slam title bout Hewitt had made in his career.
There, Hewitt won in straight sets, 7-6, 6-1, 6-1, to claim a maiden major title.
In winning their last match at the 2002 Indian Wells Open, the head-to-head finished 5-4 in favour of Hewitt.
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