Rafael Nadal holds 22 titles, two fewer than Djokovic, while Roger Federer trails with 20. Sampras, enjoying his status as the fourth-best in history, has 14 Grand Slam victories to his name.

In 2014, Sampras publicly acknowledged and praised the Big Three, recognizing their exceptional skills. Now, in the post-Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal era, Djokovic remains the lone giant.

Sampras’s reign was marked by groundbreaking successes, beginning with his Grand Slam debut in 1990. He was known for his competitive spirit, rivalries, and majestic performances, especially on grass courts.

Pete Sampras Overcomes Adversity for a Memorable 2002 US Open Win

In 2002, Sampras clinched his 14th Grand Slam title by defeating his long-time rival Andre Agassi at the US Open. This victory, held at his home Grand Slam, was particularly significant.

Five of Sampras’s Grand Slam wins came at the US Open. His best achievements were at Wimbledon, where he won a remarkable seven titles.

Sampras reflected on the win, saying in his post-victory press conference, “I think this one might take the cake.” He expressed that reaching 14 titles was challenging but rewarding.

Sampras, known for his resilience, handled criticism and negative press during this period. His fifth and final US Open victory felt extra special to him. “To kind of get through it and kind of believe in myself at a very tough time means a lot. It means more than anything probably, because adversity and to be able to get through the adversity feels great,” he shared.

Sampras Applauds Agassi After 2002 US Open Final

Sampras’s victory over Agassi was hard-fought, with scores of 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. This triumph not only extended his record of Grand Slam titles but also showcased his competitive rivalry with Agassi.

Sampras had previously lost the US Open final twice, in 2000 and 2001, but his persistence and determination led to the 2002 win. His overall record included two Australian Open titles, but he never managed to secure a French Open crown.

When asked to rank the 2002 US Open among his 14 Grand Slam victories, Sampras replied, “This one might take the cake.” He reiterated this sentiment, emphasizing his peak performance against Agassi after five grueling matches in seven days.

Sampras’s fascination with Agassi was evident when he described him as “very tough to beat.” He highlighted the pressures and physical toll of contesting back-to-back matches against one of the sport’s most formidable opponents.

Reflecting on his third win at the US Open, Sampras praised Agassi’s ability. “Having to play five matches in seven days. That was a lot of work. Just glad it’s over, you know. I feel really good. Feel like I played extremely well today and I had to against Andre, who’s very tough to beat. It was just a tough second week. It was one of the tougher second weeks, having all the rain delays. Having to get through tough matches, playing back-to-back Saturday and Sunday, it was a good effort. One of my