via Getty
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 16: L-R Novak Djokovic and Pete Sampras chat after their exhibition doubles match on day thirteen of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2019 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
via Getty
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 16: L-R Novak Djokovic and Pete Sampras chat after their exhibition doubles match on day thirteen of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2019 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
The influence of American tennis icon Pete Sampras on Novak Djokovic is intense. Every now and then, the world no.1 has made sure to mention Pistol Pete’s name when it comes to people who had inspired him to take up the sport as a young kid.
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In an already terrific year for the Serb where he managed to win three out of four Grand Slams, he deservedly clinched the year-end no.1 crown for a record seventh time in his career. In doing so, Djokovic surpassed idol Sampras, who managed to achieve the feat six times in his stellar career.
Novak Djokovic turns back time to reflect over inspiring moment involving idol Pete Sampras
After his straight-sets victory over Casper Ruud in the round-robin stage at the on-going ATP World Tour Finals in Turin, Djokovic was bestowed with the year-end no.1 crown. The Serb talked about getting influenced by Sampras lifting Wimbledon title.
“I was 4 or 5 when I saw Sampras play at Wimbledon for the first time. I asked for a racquet and fell in love with tennis. To know that I hold this record now, after Pete, it’s incredible”, revealed the Serb.
Djokovic : "I was 4 or 5 when I saw Sampras play at Wimbledon for the first time. I asked for a racquet and fell in love with tennis. To know that I hold this record now, after Pete, it's incredible." #Djokovic #ATPFinals pic.twitter.com/LSa90Gbj4p
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 15, 2021
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In his biography written by noted sports journalist Steve Flink, Sampras envisioned how a potential matchup against Djokovic would look like.
Sampras envisioned playing against Djokovic in his biography released last year
“I feel with my serve-and-volley game I would be in all of these matches against all three of these guys. There is nobody in the past or present I feel I couldn’t play with. It would be interesting to see the length of his return. I have never seen anything like that”, mentioned the American.
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Sampras continued, “I would try to get in on his second serve and try to do something with that, but his flexibility, stretch and reach are unlike anything I have ever seen”.
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It’s evident that both these players have utmost admiration and respect for each other. Even though the duo didn’t get a chance to face each other on the ATP tour, it would have been a cracking contest to witness as Djokovic has a lot of Agassi-like ability on return with an invincible level of athleticism.
