"It messed with Andre Agassi's head, he couldn't understand that" - When Pete Sampras felt Agassi was 'freaked out' by his 'normal' personality

Pete Sampras once shared his thoughts on Andre Agassi's critical comments about him in his compatriot's memoir. Sampras attributed the criticisms to his rival's difficulty in understanding his reserved personality.

The American duo forged one of the sport's most iconic rivalries, with Sampras enjoying a 20-14 lead in their head-to-head record. The compelling nature of their rivalry was heightened by their contrasting temperaments, as Sampras was known for his calm and composed nature compared to his compatriot's audacious personality.

Early in his career, the 14-time Grand Slam champion even made it clear that he would never exhibit the fiery personality of John McEnroe or the brashness of Agassi. Nevertheless, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi had a cordial relationship off the court, with Sampras highlighting their mutual respect and emphasizing that they "weren't going to take any cheap shots in the media."

As such, Pete Sampras was taken aback by the eight-time Grand Slam champion "taking shots" at him in his memoir 'Open.' In a 2010 interview with Inside Tennis, the former World No. 1 responded to Agassi's remark that he "envied Pete's dullness," conveying his surprise at the comment.

Sampras expressed his belief that the eight-time Grand Slam champion was "freaked out" by his unwavering focus. The American suggested that Agassi found it difficult to comprehend his quiet personality, even though it felt entirely natural to him. He also highlighted that Roger Federer and Bjorn Borg shared a similar temperament.

"I think it freaked him out the way I did my thing. It sort of messed with his head that I was able to maintain my focus, which to me wasn’t a big deal. But he was amazed by it. The fact that I was a little on the quiet side — he couldn’t understand that. And I think, 'Why can’t you understand that?' That’s what Borg did. That’s what Roger does. It’s something that’s very normal to me," he added.

---

"It's not like there's any bad blood" - Pete Sampras on his relationship with Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras - Source: Getty

Despite the fallout from Andre Agassi's book, Pete Sampras maintained his respect for his compatriot. During a press conference at the 2014 Australian Open, the 14-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged Agassi as his toughest opponent and expressed excitement about reviving their rivalry at the World Tennis Showdown in London.

Sampras also shed light on their personal relationship, emphasizing that there was no animosity between them, despite the "awkward moments" they had encountered the years.

"You know, I respect Andre. He was my toughest opponent. We're going to compete in London, have some fun, compete for the people there. Our relationship's fine. It's not like there's any bad blood. We've had a few awkward moments here and there, but it is what it is," Sampras said.

Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras' blockbuster clash at the World Tennis Showdown attracted over 5,000 spectators, with Agassi claiming a thrilling 6-3, 7-6 (1) victory.