Quote Originally Posted by crimson king View Post
But how exactly is it unnecessary? You can't say that objectively without considering other factors. Do you really want players to make a suicidal approach like Llodra and lose the point just because it would entertain SOME sections of the crowd? They are out there to win at the end of the day. And with the depth and pace of even normal rally balls these days, there is an extreme risk of getting passed unless you choose the right moment. And it has a lot more to do with racquets than courts. This is US Open 2000 final..before the 'slowdown'. Safin just kept passing Sampras all day...this was the new tennis. It was already born before Federer or Nadal came along. People just didn't notice it because they couldn't respect players like Hewitt or Safin for some reason.
I remember this match clearly, Pete thumped Hewitt in the semifinals and was swept away by Marat Safin in the Finals. This was 2000 US open. Yes. Exactly the reverse happened the next year. Sampras conquered Safin in the SF and subsequently lost in the finals to Hewitt.

But, the point i am trying to make is Pete Sampras taught Marat Safin a lesson or two about S&V in the SF of US Open 2001 and conquered his conquerer of last year with this trademark and delightful S&V.

In case, you forgot that, here is the video link for the US Open 2001 SF.



Despite losing to the likes of Safin and Hewitt when he clearly was ageing and slowing down, Sampras ended on a high, next year against Agassi in the US Open 2002.

My point is, at least with Pete, he never allowed anyone to 'own' him during his playing career. Off course, in clay courts everyone owned him, but in Grass and Hard courts, he was close to unstoppable. Agassi, Ivanisevic, Krajicek, Rafter, et all all posed different threats (if you can include the likes of Chang/Courier who both were lighting quick from the baseline) and Sampras always had answers.

When the 'Fab 3 (or 4)' of the current generation hang their boots, this will be one thing that will/should be discussed when deciding their legacy.

I will stop here, basically because i have not watched the current 4 closely to compare them with Pete's era.