Sampras saves one record, can the other still stand?
Posted by tennisplanet on August 4, 2008
Ending the year as No. 1 six straight years is not going anywhere anytime soon. But what about No. 14 that was so certain to fall just few months ago?
Federer has to forget about every freaking thing and concentrate on that number. How freaking meaningless will all those records look without clinching the biggest one of them all, after having a run like that?
Sampras must be thrilled to be still on top with the likelihood of probably staying there forever. I don’t think even he thinks that Nadal can even come close, with who is nipping at his heels and his physical vulnerability.
That last Grand Slam Sampras squeezed out is providing him the much needed cushion to still have some hope. Federer needs three to beat him, which doesn’t look like a possibility any more. So now Sampras wish list has been upgraded from being surpassed, to being tied, to being alone at the top.
These two records – six straight years at No. 1 and No. 14 – lend great credibility to his status as arguably the greatest player of all time. Federer cannot hope to get there without at least one of them in his bag. Either that or Roland Garros, which is so beyond reach that it’s not even on the table any longer.
Sampras got saved by a whisker. Borg may not be as happy with his No. 11 trounced and No. 5 equalled, but it could have been worse if Nadal had not won this year.
Can Federer get the second wind to surprise everyone, or he is already too far down the tubes?
Bettyjane said
Sampras is a what’s known as a compiler. Lots of baseball players get into the Hall of Fame by sticking around the game long enough to amass numbers that impress. I’m sorry but with the French Open record Pete has, there’s a big asterisk next to his name in my book. That’s a huge gap in his resume that should be made far more of. Not only didn’t he win, he never made a final.
Bento said
Ending the year as No. 1 is total BS. Being No. 1 for consecutive weeks is much more difficult.
As to No. 14, that looks further away from Federer now, but if he comes back to playing at least half of what he played in 2004-07 in terms of quality, then all the others are in trouble.
Claire said
as of today: as of 8/18:
1. Federer* Nadal
2. Nadal * Federer
3. Djokovic Djokovic
4. Davydenko* Ferrer
5. Ferrerer* Davydenko
6. Murray Murray
7. Nalbandian Nalbandian
8. Blake * Roddick
9. Roddick * Blake
10.Wawrinka Wawrinka
Thought some of you would want to know other changes that will happen on 8/18! Can’t forget the other guys!
PS – I’m still home alone, can’t go outside so home,shopping,or meals with friends are only options! That surprise better be good!!! Only shopping I can do is grocery -at least I can eat – maybe I’ll gain a few pounds – invite a friend over and eat!!!
Claire said
O.K. here’s the points the “guys” will have:
1. Nadal= 6225
2. Federer= 5830
3. Djokovic= 4885
So, Federer is 395 pts. away from Nadal, Djokovic is 945 pts. away from Federer!
PS I went to the store to get my BONBONS and thought why is my grocery store so crowded, there were also lines at the gas stations! I went down the water isle and there was hardly any water left! Oh, I said Edward (hurrican) is coming. So I went down the junk food isle and filled up with junk food!
I WILL have to go shopping when my family returns, nothing will fit! My hubby always says, “do you want it or do you need it!” I WILL need to buy clothes!
Mike__ said
How soon we forget Sampras.
He made Lendl, Wilander, and McEnroe look old and irrelevant …
He consistently beat Becker, Rafter, Ivanisevic, Muster, and Philippoussis in the big matches …
Was the best of the greatest generation America had to offer in Agassi, Courier, Martin, and Chang …
He embarrrassed Roddick on the way out …
And hung with Federer in exo’s years after retirement.
That’s 3-4 generations by my count.
Yes, Sampras was a KILLER.
GG said
All I can say is I wouldn’t count Fed out so soon!!!!! TP, you are way too early w/your post and predictions of Fed’s demise. I can’t wait for him to prove you wrong.