Former world number one Pete Sampras believes that Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer can still win another Grand Slam title. The American shared his thoughts during a new conference call on Wednesday ahead of an upcoming exhibition match against Andre Agassi in London on March 3, 2014.
”I’m amazed that he is up for more tennis,” Sampras said. ”He has done everything in the game and he could walk away tomorrow feeling great about it. But he still wants to travel and compete and I’m in awe of it. He is a true lover of the sport.”
Federer has had a disappointing 2013 season which saw him winning only one title. However, the Swiss star is starting the year with promising. He’s reached the final of Brisbane International and reached the Australian Open semifinals last month. He’ll be back in action in next week’s Dubai Tennis Championships.
”I thought his level was quite good,” Sampras said. ”When you’re playing against Rafa and if you’re not quite on your game then it can seem like you’re struggling. Rafa is a rock. But I do see Roger building from that, I think he’s going to do well this year.”
Sampras said that Federer’s best chance to win his 18th Grand Slam title would be at Wimbledon where it would be played on Federer’s favorite surface – grasscourts.
”That’s why he’s playing, I don’t think he’s playing for anything else but to win some more majors,” said Sampras.
Sampras retired from professional tennis when he turned 31 and has amassed 14 Grand Slam singles titles. He used to hold the most number of Slam titles before Federer overtook the record and now stands at 17 Major titles.
Federer, currently 32, has no plans of retiring anytime soon and might still compete until the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
”As long as Roger is enjoying it and he’s healthy, I can see him playing for another two, three, four more years,” Sampras said.
