Roger Federer v Pete Sampras: It's hit and Swiss in the FedEx - Pistol Pete shootout

I was a huge McEnroe fan in the 80's. I then hopped aboard the Sampras bandwagon in the 90's. That said, I can honestly say that Roger has taken tennis to a completely different level (see David Foster Wallace's article in the New York Time "PLAY" Magazine for an articulate take on his greatness). Roger is the best ever.

clearly the doctor should stick to something he's familiar with,which is charming snakes and watching cricket,djokovic and nalbandian dont by any stretch of imagination hold candle to agassi and company,and as far winning five titles goes,his opponent has been nadal!!!!!a freakin claycouter.Hey i can play with people much worse than me and look like the greatest of them all!!!its not federer making them look bad,the fact is they just are!!!

Firstly, sportingo has made an error here, only half the article has been published here. And Bret, I respect your opinion but I'd suggest you write what you think about the article and not try to give suggestions about what I am good at and what I am not. Its a pity that such naive, childish and ignorant people exist who think all of India is about snake charmers. Seriously dude, get a life.

It's simple. The faster the surface the more it benefits Sampras. On slower surfaces Federer would dominate. Wimbledon before 2002 was a fast surface championship. Now it is slower than some hard courts. Take a look at the world championship finals between Sampras and Agassi in 1999 or the Wimbledon Final in 1999 - and remember just how good Pete was. The best match up for these two would be on the fast hard courts of the US Open (Australian Open's hard court is significantly slower).

I was there when sampras and federer faced off in msg. Even though it was an exhibition that went three sets ( the last two in tie-breaks), and even though sampras is 10 years older and five years retired, he was pretty amazing. Wasn't it Federer himself who said if Sampras were playing today he'd be in the top 5? Read between the lines...Federer's in the top 5... Sampras still has the incredible serve and second serve combo. He's a natural volleyer of the kind that doesn't exist today (and Federer isn't close either), and now that he's experimenting with new technology racquets (which he refused to do during his entire career!), his trademark forehand is beyond belief. If you guys can see a recording, watch how hard he hits it cross court with his signature lazy-looking swing and leaves Federer planted. What did Sampras really lack in the MSG exhibition? His flexibility at bending down soon enough at the net, and his speed at lateral side to side movement. That's where his age really showed. But still, he's scary even today. Match them up at the same age with the same racquet technology...it would be anyone's match for sure, as Rafa might say...

Agassi is a champian and he knows better than all of us regarding who is best. Read the article below http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/Tennis/0,,2- 9-1517_1768884,00.html

"Pete (Sampras) was great, no question," he said. "But there was a place to get to with Pete. It could be on your terms. "There's no such place with Roger. I think he's the best I've played against."

i think samprass beats feder on the mental aspect of the game.If federer had the right mental attitude he would have won the french open already,but i think when he faces players who get him out of his comfort zone,he his cool,so i think samprass would beat him because of this