Pete Sampras and Roger Federer are two of the greatest players to have ever graced the grass courts of Wimbledon.
Between them, they won 15 Wimbledon men’s singles titles (Sampras – 7, Federer – 8), dominating two different eras of men’s tennis.
They played one match at SW19, which Federer won 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, 6-7, 7-5, although neither player was in their prime during their 2001 clash.
Give us your one crazy prediction for the second week of Wimbledon!
But who would have won at Wimbledon if prime Federer took on prime Sampras?
Jim Courier gives the edge to prime Roger Federer over prime Pete Sampras at Wimbledon
Appearing as a guest on the ‘The Tennis Worthy Podcast‘ hosted by Patrick McEnroe, Jim Courier was asked to pick between prime Federer and prime Sampras at Wimbledon.
“We might have a 70-68, it might be an [John] Isner/[Nicolas] Mahut type match if we didn’t have a match tiebreak, because it’s hard to see much of a difference in the gap between them,” said Courier.
“Listen, [Roger] Federer had a more complete game than Pete [Sampras], because his topspin backhand was better, it was more consistent.
“But you and I both experienced first-hand how clutch Pete was as a player.
“I’ve never seen a player be that clutch. You look at Pete’s record in major finals, he’s 14-4, but the bulk of the finals he lost were late in his career.
Pete Sampras’ Grand Slam final record (14-4)
| Grand Slam final | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 1990 US Open | Andre Agassi | WIN | 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 |
| 1992 US Open | Stefan Edberg | LOSS | 6-3, 4-6, 6-7, 2-6 |
| 1993 Wimbledon | Jim Courier | WIN | 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 |
| 1993 US Open | Cedric Pioline | WIN | 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 |
| 1994 Australian Open | Todd Martin | WIN | 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 1994 Wimbledon | Goran Ivanisevic | WIN | 7-6, 7-6, 6-0 |
| 1995 Australian Open | Andre Agassi | LOSS | 6-4, 1-6, 6-7, 4-6 |
| 1995 Wimbledon | Boris Becker | WIN | 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 |
| 1995 US Open | Andre Agassi | WIN | 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 |
| 1996 US Open | Michael Chang | WIN | 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 1997 Australian Open | Carlos Moya | WIN | 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 |
| 1997 Wimbledon | Cedric Pioline | WIN | 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 |
| 1998 Wimbledon | Goran Ivanisevic | WIN | 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 |
| 1999 Wimbledon | Andre Agassi | WIN | 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 |
| 2000 Wimbledon | Patrick Rafter | WIN | 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2000 US Open | Marat Safin | LOSS | 4-6, 3-6, 3-6 |
| 2001 US Open | Lleyton Hewitt | LOSS | 6-7, 1-6, 1-6 |
| 202 US Open | Andre Agassi | WIN | 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 |
“He was just so good at finishing people off, and he played in an era that had some quality players in it.
“So, I don’t know that I’d be able to put a compass pointing in one direction or another.”
The 55-year-old found it tough to choose between them, but eventually made his pick.
“I think it would have just been so close,” said Courier.
“I think on a slower surface, I think I probably would have given Roger a little bit more of an edge, because I think his backhand would have been able to neutralise a bit more than Pete’s would.”
McEnroe then suggested that Sampras would have beaten Federer if they played on the grass courts used at Wimbledon in 1993 (Sampras defeated Courier in the final).
“I don’t disagree with that,” said Courier.
“Because we have evidence that Pete could serve and volley, first and second, and win.”
The reality is that we will never know who would have won at Wimbledon in their prime, but it’s certainly an interesting debate!
How Novak Djokovic compares to Roger Federer and Pete Sampras at Wimbledon
Federer has won more men’s singles titles (8) at Wimbledon than anyone else.
Sampras is one behind him on seven, as are Novak Djokovic and William Renshaw.
Most Wimbledon men’s singles titles
- 1. Roger Federer – 8
- T-2. Pete Sampras – 7
- T-2. Novak Djokovic – 7
- T-2. William Renshaw – 7
- T-4. Bjorn Borg – 5
- T-4. Laurence Doherty – 5
Djokovic could move level with Federer this weekend if he wins the title.
To do so, the Serb must beat Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals and then Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Flavio Cobolli, or Arthur Fery in the final.
Djokovic will fancy his chances of taking the title, but will be more than aware of the challenges that await him when he plays Sinner in the semis on Friday, July 10.
