Former Grand Slam record holder Pete Sampras has given his views on Roger Federer’s 2017 season. Sampras, who retired after winning the US Open in 2002, won 14 Grand Slams in his career, a record that was surpassed by Federer at Wimbledon in 2009.
Sampras: “Roger has had a magical year, to be able to play at this level at his age. He’s still playing at a very high level. What Roger has done is improved. He’s added aggression to his game, he’s coming in, and he’s adding things.”
Sampras also praised Federer for tailoring his playing time very specifically in response to his advancing years. “Roger’s just one of those freaks of nature who comes around once every 50 years. He’s been very smart with his schedule and hasn’t overplayed. He has been playing enough to keep it fresh.”
“He still enjoys the travel. He loves the game. Put that all together and he can play for another year or two if he wants to, and if not, he’s got the right to do whatever he wants.
Federer ended his 2016 season after losing in the Wimbledon semi-finals to Milos Raonic, only reappearing in the Hopman Cup ahead of the 2017 season. Since returning Federer has put together an incredible 49-4 record including such major titles as the Australian Open, Wimbledon, Indian Wells, and Miami.
Sampras added: “To come back after being out for six months and to win a major, that’s a pretty incredible feat. I think we were all surprised that he won the Australian Open because he was coming back after a long layoff and that’s a tough tournament to win, because of the court and the heat.”
Federer, who now holds a men’s singles record 19 Grand Slam titles, is next in action at the ATP season-ending ATP Finals in London. Federer, a six time winner of the event, has been placed in a group with the United States’ Jack Sock, Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic, and young German star Alexander Zverev. Long-time friend and rival Rafael Nadal, the year-end No.1, is in the other group, with the Spaniard joined by Dominic Thiem, David Goffin, and Grigor Dimitrov.
