Roger Federer vs Pete Sampras at Wimbledon: Andre Agassi's former coach predicts who would win in hypothetical match-up

Roger Federer and Pete Sampras were the trailblazers of their respective eras. While Sampras reigned on tennis courts in the 1990s, the Swiss maestro’s dominance followed right after. Federer established himself as one of the greatest athletes of all time with his victories that spanned a decade and a half from 2003 onwards.

Both Sampras and Federer have earned legendary statuses in their own right. In that context, tennis analysts and former American pros Brad Gilbert and Patrick McEnroe recently discussed the possible outcome if the two were to be pitted against each other in their prime.

In his Holding Court with Patrick McEnroe podcast, the American asked for Brad Gilbert’s opinion on the winner of a hypothetical Wimbledon final between prime Pete Sampras and Roger Federer. And Gilbert gave a definitive answer.

Interestingly, the paths of Sampras and Federer did collide at the 2001 Wimbledon Championships, which turned out to be their sole professional encounter. The 19-year-old Federer ended Sampras’ astonishing 31-match winning streak at the grasscourt Major, beating the four-time defending champion 7-6(7), 5-7, 6-4, 6(2)-7, 7-5 in the fourth round.

Recalling the meeting, Brad Gilbert stated that the 20-time Grand Slam champion had already beaten Sampras in his most favored conditions. Quick grasscourts allowed the American to execute his serve and volley style of play to deadly effect.

“On the very fast grass, didn’t Fed beat him in five sets?” Brad Gilbert remembered.

Gilbert then opined that considering the present slower courts with higher bounce, Pete Sampras’ odds against Roger Federer would be even lower. The Swiss, in his opinion, managed to successfully adapt to the slower court conditions from 2001 onwards.

Federer famously went on to register five consecutive Wimbledon titles and also create the men’s record, lifting eight titles overall at SW19.

“The courts they are playing on now, Fed’s gonna win a huge percentage of the time,” Gilbert noted.

"I needed the likes of Pete Sampras to show me how it is at the top" – Roger Federer on taking over from the American

The pair during an event in 2014

Pete Sampras earned numerous accolades during his career. He was the man to beat on the tour for a long time, and still holds the record for most consecutive year-end World No. 1 finishes with six (1993-98).

The American was not able to hold all of his previously set records, losing many to Roger Federer. But the Swiss maestro recently claimed that he wouldn’t have been able to rise to the occasion if Pete Sampras hadn’t led him.

“You also have a duty, in my mind, to represent the sport well and enjoy it while it lasts. And I really felt like I squeezed out that lemon till the last drop. And I tried my very best to the end. And It was incredible and I needed the likes of Pete Sampras to show me how it is at the top," he said during a talk show appearance last December.