By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday November 15, 2021
When Pete Sampras talks, people listen. And on the day that Novak Djokovic was awarded his trophy for locking down a record seventh year-end No.1 ATP ranking, the American legend gave an interview to ATPWorldTour.com with some pretty strong words backing the Serb as tennis’ ultimate GOAT.
“Seven years, for him, I’m sure he sees it as a bonus to all the majors that he’s won,” Sampras said of the 34-year-old’s achievement. “But I think he’ll appreciate it more as he gets older. He did it at a time where he dominated two of the greats, in Roger and Rafa, and he handled the next generation of players very well – all at the same time."
Sampras says that over time it has become clearer to him that Djokovic stands above the rest.
“I do think what Novak’s done over the past 10 years, winning the majors, being consistent, finishing No. 1 for seven years, to me it’s a clear sign that he is the greatest of all time.”
Sampras, who previously held the record for year-end No.1 finishes, knows how difficult it is to finish a season No.1. He nearly ran out of gas chasing down his sixth consecutive year-end No.1 in 1998, and when he broke Jimmy Connors' record he wouldn’t be the same for a while.
The six consecutive years is a record that may never be touched by another player, and that’s why Sampras went for it. And he realizes that Djokovic’s entire body of work, when all is said and done, might be untouchable by any other tennis player, including his rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
It may be better shelving the GOAT argument until Djokovic, Federer and Nadal have all retired, but for now, Pete Sampras has spoken – and people are listening.