Not really sure where to begin, so I’ll just start from the very beginning,” Sampras said in a video directed.
“When I first played you, you were 19 years old, an up-and-coming player and people were talking about you.
“And we had a great battle on the Centre Court of Wimbledon. And you took me down.
“Tough five-setter,” recalled Sampras, who had won the previous four Wimbledon titles to take his tally to seven. “And I just remember walking off the court, feeling like I met my match.”
Sampras retired in 2022 as one of the best tennis players in history. Over the next two decades, he watched Federer grow into an even better tennis player.
Little did I know, 20 years later, that you would have 20 majors, be number one for years, dominate our sport – basically do it all,” Sampras said
You’re going to be missed in our game,” Sampras said.
The American also lauded Federer, praising him for his famously fluid games that hid the rigorous work and preparation that took to produce it.
The video was posted on Thursday ahead of the Laver Cup where Federer will play his final ATP Tour match alongside longtime friend and rival Novak Djokovic at the O2 Arena in London.
It was posted on YouTube by the ATP Tour: