Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
By ATP StaffPete Sampras believes Roger Federer can still win an eighteenth Grand Slam title despite turning 34 last week.
Federer will bid once again at the upcoming US Open in New York to end his long Grand Slam drought, the Swiss last winning a major title at Wimbledon in 2012.
Asked during an exclusive interview with The Tennis Podcast if Federer still had one last Grand Slam title left in him, Sampras said: “I do think there is. I think he’s playing well, he’s fit, he hits the ball great, he’s doing everything that he’s been doing for years.
“It is tougher as you get older and now Novak [Djokovic] and [Andy] Murray, they’re in their prime now.
“I think for Roger to win, things need to fall into place. I think if he has to play Murray, Djokovic, then Rafa in one week or back-to-back, it gets more difficult.
“Wimbledon I think is his best chance, but the US Open he’s won there five times, he knows what he’s doing. I think he’s got a good shot, but I think obviously Novak is the man to beat.”
Although 14-time Grand Slam champion Sampras feels Djokovic is the favourite for the final Grand Slam of the year, he believes Murray will provide a formidable challenge for the Serb on the hard courts of New York after securing his return to world No. 2 in Montreal.
Sampras said: “I think Andy is just right behind him. Murray’s on a hard court at the US Open, he’s won it there and he’s got to the final there, so he’ll be a contender.
“There’s a couple of dark horses, [Gael] Monfils seems like he plays well there if he can put it together. But I like Djokovic, Murray and Roger, I think those three are going to be in the last weekend and we’ll see what happens.”
One notable omission in that trio is Rafael Nadal, who has struggled for consistency this year and has dropped to No. 9 in the world rankings. Sampras has noticed how negative the 29-year-old Spaniard has become, but feels he can still recover and return to the top.
Sampras said: “I think he is still working hard. He is doing all the right things, he is just not playing as well. It just seems like anxiety is creeping in, he seems a little bit nervous, he’s hitting a lot of short balls, a little yippy at times and hopefully he just gets out of it somehow, just through winning some matches.
“Guys don’t fear him as much and it’s tough to play defence out there. Mentally and physically he’s been out there a while and it’s taking its toll.
“I think he’ll be fine but it’s not like Roger who can not play well and still win. I think Rafa if he’s not playing well he mentally gets negative and feels like he’s not as good and convinces himself that he’s not as good as he used to be.
“When I was struggling, I still felt I was like the best player in the world. When Rafa struggles, I think he feels like his career is over, just with some of the things he says. He’ll be fine, he’ll get back to where he once was.”
When Sampras – who turned 44 on Wednesday – won his last Grand Slam title at the 2002 US Open, Serena Williams won her fourth major in the women’s singles. Thirteen years later, Sampras is amazed that 33-year-old Williams is still so dominant that she is now bidding for the final part of a Calendar Grand Slam.
Sampras said: “It’s amazing and what a great achievement. The French Open I think was her biggest hurdle, she got that and she is full of confidence. But it will be different for her just because of the attention and the media attention.
“But when you are the best player in the world, you are the best player in the world, no matter what is going on. I wish her nothing but the best, and it would be great for tennis, great for American tennis, and I hope she does it.”
The Tennis Podcast on iTunes – http://goo.gl/v5BZxh
Photo: Chris Jenco
Follow Josh Newman on Twitter
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
By ATP Staff
Pete Sampras believes Roger Federer can still win an eighteenth Grand Slam title despite turning 34 last week.
Federer will bid once again at the upcoming US Open in New York to end his long Grand Slam drought, the Swiss last winning a major title at Wimbledon in 2012.
Asked during an exclusive interview with The Tennis Podcast if Federer still had one last Grand Slam title left in him, Sampras said: “I do think there is. I think he’s playing well, he’s fit, he hits the ball great, he’s doing everything that he’s been doing for years.
“It is tougher as you get older and now Novak [Djokovic] and [Andy] Murray, they’re in their prime now.
“I think for Roger to win, things need to fall into place. I think if he has to play Murray, Djokovic, then Rafa in one week or back-to-back, it gets more difficult.
“Wimbledon I think is his best chance, but the US Open he’s won there five times, he knows what he’s doing. I think he’s got a good shot, but I think obviously Novak is the man to beat.”
Although 14-time Grand Slam champion Sampras feels Djokovic is the favourite for the final Grand Slam of the year, he believes Murray will provide a formidable challenge for the Serb on the hard courts of New York after securing his return to world No. 2 in Montreal.
Sampras said: “I think Andy is just right behind him. Murray’s on a hard court at the US Open, he’s won it there and he’s got to the final there, so he’ll be a contender.
“There’s a couple of dark horses, [Gael] Monfils seems like he plays well there if he can put it together. But I like Djokovic, Murray and Roger, I think those three are going to be in the last weekend and we’ll see what happens.”
One notable omission in that trio is Rafael Nadal, who has struggled for consistency this year and has dropped to No. 9 in the world rankings. Sampras has noticed how negative the 29-year-old Spaniard has become, but feels he can still recover and return to the top.
Sampras said: “I think he is still working hard. He is doing all the right things, he is just not playing as well. It just seems like anxiety is creeping in, he seems a little bit nervous, he’s hitting a lot of short balls, a little yippy at times and hopefully he just gets out of it somehow, just through winning some matches.
“Guys don’t fear him as much and it’s tough to play defence out there. Mentally and physically he’s been out there a while and it’s taking its toll.
“I think he’ll be fine but it’s not like Roger who can not play well and still win. I think Rafa if he’s not playing well he mentally gets negative and feels like he’s not as good and convinces himself that he’s not as good as he used to be.
“When I was struggling, I still felt I was like the best player in the world. When Rafa struggles, I think he feels like his career is over, just with some of the things he says. He’ll be fine, he’ll get back to where he once was.”
When Sampras – who turned 44 on Wednesday – won his last Grand Slam title at the 2002 US Open, Serena Williams won her fourth major in the women’s singles. Thirteen years later, Sampras is amazed that 33-year-old Williams is still so dominant that she is now bidding for the final part of a Calendar Grand Slam.
Sampras said: “It’s amazing and what a great achievement. The French Open I think was her biggest hurdle, she got that and she is full of confidence. But it will be different for her just because of the attention and the media attention.
“But when you are the best player in the world, you are the best player in the world, no matter what is going on. I wish her nothing but the best, and it would be great for tennis, great for American tennis, and I hope she does it.”
The Tennis Podcast on iTunes – http://goo.gl/v5BZxh
Photo: Chris Jenco
Follow Josh Newman on Twitter
