20 years since the tennis classics, which marked the symbolic surrender of the crown
The central court at Wimbledon was pretty crowded that Monday night for all tennis fans. After three hours in 41 minutes of an unworkable color that took his breath away, the then 19-year-old Federer finished a string of 31 consecutive Sampras victories on Church Road. He won with 7: 6 (7), 5: 7, 6: 4, 6: 7 (2) in 7: 5. It was really a real “Manic Monday”.
From the first games onwards, it was clear that the favored Sampras had a hard time. Federer got an extended game of the first set of 9: 7, and in the next two sets he decided one break. The American played brilliantly in the extended game of the fourth set, winning it 7-2 and tied it at 2-2 in the series. The atmosphere was electrified, spectators often got up from their seats and rewarded the competitor with long applause. Sampras took a break and stepped aside, few thought a teenager from Basel would cross his accounts.
Federer is in key moments
In the deciding set, Sampras was in the ninth game of two break points, Federer managed to save. With the Swiss leading 6-5, Pete served and Roger had two finishing balls. With an exceptional forehand return, he sent the field past the helpless Sampras, fell to his knees and covered his face with his hands, which was soon covered with tears.
Between 1993 and 2000, Wimbledon’s main pitch was Sampras ’second living room. He suffered only one defeat. In the 1996 quarterfinals, he was surprised by Richard Krajicek. The Dutchman then also won the tournament 25 years ago.
Statistics | Sampras | Federer |
First service (%) | 70 | 62 |
Asi | 26 | 25 |
Double faults | 9 | 6 |
Unforced errors | 22 | 16 |
Winners | 42 | 42 |
Points scored | 180 | 190 |
Break opportunities | 2/11 | 3/14 |
Sampras predicted a bright future for him
Sampras had previously left Wimbledon so early in 1991 when he was eliminated in the 2nd round by compatriot Derrick Rostagno. At the press conference, Pete was published full of praise on Roger’s account: “He really has no weaknesses, his game is without bad points. He really played amazing, with no mistakes. A lot of young players are coming, but Roger deserves a very special place among them. ”
At that time, the ATP association ironically highlighted the arrival of a new generation with special commercials. Lleyton Hewitt, Marat Safin, Gustavo Kuerten and Federer were the main protagonists of the “New Balls Please” ads.
McEnroe wrote it off too soon
“I think this defeat marks the end of Sampras ’dominance. He managed to win 13 grand slam tournaments. When he beat Rafter in the final last year, he set a record. Now it’s hard to motivate yourself for a smaller tour, and the whole thing is then transferred to the grand slam as well. But maybe it is because of these words that the hotel will prove me wrong, “said John McEnroe after the match, who is always brilliant in comments for the BBC.
Sampras really proved him wrong. He put the finishing touches on his rich career in the last match of his career, beating Andrej Agassi in the final of the 2002 US Open (it was his 20th victory in 34 clashes).
“It’s amazing how cold-bloodedly this youngster played in the key current decisions of the set. He has a lot of dangerous blows, he has a bright future ahead of him, “McEnroe described Federer. But he probably didn’t think that 20 years later the Swiss would break records, among other things, and win as many as 20 grand slam titles.
He had to wait until 2003 for his first title
Federer then had to concede victory to audience favorite Tim Henman in a four-set quarterfinal. A year later, in the first round, he was shocked by the Croatian Mario Ančić, and then in 2003 he started a series of victories with a victory over Marko Philippoussis. Sampras returned to the “sacred grass” in 2002, but lost in the second round against the Swiss qualifier George Bastl.
The defeat of Sampras paved the way for Ivanišević
That Monday, on pitch number one, Goran Ivanišević eliminated Greg Rusedski in three sets. When he found out about the defeat of Sampras, the man from Split said that this could be his year. The third Monday arrived on Church Road and an unforgettable finale with Pat Rafter …
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