By Chris Oddo | Thursday, February 20, 2014

 

Speaking in London ahead of his showdown with Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras expressed his amazement at Roger Federer's passion for the game.

Photo Source: Corleve

Speaking ahead of his March 3 exhibition match with Andre Agassi in London, 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras said that Roger Federer basically blows his mind.

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Well, that's pretty much true for most of us, but hearing it from a legend like Sampras is a pretty big deal.

Sampras, who was in attendance at this year's Australian Open to see Federer play Nadal in the semifinals, says that the enthusiasm that the 32-year-old Swiss still harbors for the game is quite impressive.

"He's done everything in the game,” Sampras said. “He could walk away tomorrow feeling great about it. I'm in awe of it. I don't know how he maintains the level.”

Sampras, who retired from the sport in 2002 at the age of 32 after winning the U.S. Open title, says that he started to lose the fire in the belly at around age 30 or 31.

Not true of Federer, he says. “He's got a true love of the sport, doesn't mind the travel, doesn't mind the lifestyle,” Sampras said. “He seems to enjoy it. I'm amazed he finds the motivation to play the outside events, although obviously the majors are his main motivation. I found myself getting tired when I hit about 30, 31 – he's still enjoying it. He could play another three or four years."

Despite Federer's one-sided loss to Nadal in Melbourne, Sampras feels that the Swiss Maestro's level has been quite good this season.

Can he win another major? Why not, says Sampras.

“Rafa's just a rock,” he said. “But I do see Roger building from [the loss to Nadal]. I think he's going to have a good year. Obviously the French and Wimbledon are his next main goals, and I do think he can win another major. Everything needs to fall into place and he needs to play well, but he can do it. That's why he's playing. I don't think he's playing for anything else but to win some more majors, and Wimbledon is the most likely."

Sampras will play Agassi in London as part of the World Tennis Day celebration on March 3.