5 Greatest hardcourt players of all time

3. Pete Sampras

Pete Sampras remains the greatest grasscourter of all time and his serve quite possibly is the best shot ever seen in tennis. However, he was a superb hardcourt player too and won five US Opens and two Australian Opens in his career. He also won 11 ATP Masters titles, most of which were played on hardcourts.

Sampras was the greatest exponent of the serve-and-volley game in his time, but could hit breathtaking winners from the baseline too. His running crosscourt forehand was a visual delight, and he also had a very strong single-handed backhand.

Sampras won some memorable battles against the likes of Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, Jim Courier and Stefan Edberg on hardcourts, and was easily the best player of his generation.

Sampras’ victory over Agassi in the 2001 US Open quarterfinal remains one of the finest matches of all time. His win over Agassi in the 2002 US Open final was also a classic.

Sampras was a deceptively quick mover on the surface and managed to have an 80% winning ratio on hardcourts in his career.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Musab Abid