Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras had one of the most intense rivalries in tennis history. The two American tennis legends faced each other a total of 34 times, with Sampras winning 20 of those encounters. However, in a CNN interview five years ago, Agassi revealed how one loss against Sampras made him feel like a loser. He had revealed that the loss almost pushed him to quit tennis altogether.

Agassi reminisced about the 1995 US Open finals, where he faced Sampras. He had won every match during the summer. Agassi had no energy left in him after his matches. He was searching for a bit of strength for one more match, as he knew he was up against arguably the best tennis player in the world at the time, Sampras.

Andre Agassi once shared the details of his loss in an exclusive interview

After his loss, Andre Agassi felt like he had let himself and his fans down. The experience made him want to quit tennis and disconnect from the game. In the interview, he shared, ” I’ll never forget the loss I had against Pete in the finals of the US Open in 1995. I won every match over the summer..”

The rivalry between Agassi and Sampras was fueled by their vastly different playing styles and personalities. Agassi was known for his rebellious image, long hair, and flamboyant clothing. However, Sampras was the complete opposite, with his clean-cut image, conservative style of play, and ice-cold demeanor on the court.

Their rivalry captured the attention of the tennis world, and their matches were must-watch events, as they were filled with drama, tension, and high-quality tennis. Agassi added, “I was searching for just a little strength for one more match. And now I’m facing the Mount Everest of our game, Pete Sampras and I couldn’t do it. I had won that entire summer and I felt like like a loser. You know, I felt like I was so close and it sent me into a tailspin. It made me want to quit. It disconnected me from the game.”

Agassi and Sampras continued to play against each other over the next few years. Their rivalry remains one of the most memorable in tennis history. In retirement, both legends have become ambassadors for the sport, working to promote tennis and inspire the next generation of players.

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Agassi had apologized in the past for mocking Sampras

During a humorous exchange, Sampras had once mimicked Agassi’s pigeon-toed walk. The joke elicited laughter from the audience. Agassi responded with a joke about Sampras’ stinginess, insinuating that he was a poor tipper. However, Agassi later regretted this remark, admitting that it was inappropriate and that he was trying too hard to be funny.

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Agassi also reached out to Sampras to apologize in person, as he felt bad about what he had said. Despite the exchange between Agassi and Sampras, the two tennis legends eventually reconciled and maintained a respectful relationship. They even teamed up for doubles matches in exhibition games after they retired from the professional circuit. Their rivalry on the court was one of the most iconic in tennis history, but their off-court friendship demonstrated the true sportsmanship and mutual respect that they had for each other.