Federer v. Sampras - New York 2008 Exhibition Highlights

[@sandragoodman2059]

You can really see how Federer modeled his game on Sampras'. This was like Federer playing himself, or Sampras playing himself -- they are so similar. And how wonderful seeing Sampras still playing so well!

[@pencilcheck]

ahh, federer = sampras and djokovic = agassi, nadal = ?

[@Lil7672]

Other than the one hander, I actually think their games are completely different. Sampras was an ultra aggressive serve and volleyer, and never wants to get into long exchanges, but roger was more of an all court player who likes to build his game from the baseline

[@pencilcheck]

@ Federer modeled after Sampras, but later adapted to Nadal, Djokovic style of baseline play because the ball, court surface has changed (a.k.a. Slowed down)

[@SSJBen]

Wtf are you talking about? Federer modeled his game after Edberg, he spoke on this multiple times throughout his career. While no doubt he took some inspirations from Sampras, Fed's game was Edberg 2.0 until Nadal came along. After 2011, Federer had to remake almost his entire game.

[@pencilcheck]

@@SSJBen his game only is edberg like after he hired edberg to help him with the net game, what are you talking about?

[@sz7444]

Awesome what kind of Tennis could Sampras produce in 2008. He was a great champion.

[@briandtnguyen]

This makes me think about Federer’s longevity. When Fed was the same age as Sampras was in 2008, he was winning the Australian open.

[@LVPAcharn]

He played just about them all ,,,

[@SMartyn007]

Federer and Alcaraz better do this lol, good buisness opportunity for the maestro

[@TvRF20]

Fed's knee is better so I think they'll do it

[@jacobchawngthu7775]

I really love, appreciate and admire these two legends.. I, without doubt can say that I never miss the match that these two legends had ever played.. So, let me request that an exhibition match against these two tennis giant have been there to see...

[@theaviator1152]

Oh my god, this quality is beautiful. Never seen this match above 240p.

[@Alexx22570]

Thank you 😍

[@naamamarkishorekumar822]

Federer is clearly playing at 65%. he's trying to make this a lengthy event but at the same time not to embarrass Sampras. Sampras thinking he has any chance against Federer prime here would be completely delusional.

[@gino3286]

ok still aces are aces Sampras has been one of the very best servers in tennis history I like it when the opponent remains impaled as if unable to move

[@tomsd8656]

This was pure exhibition. Fed controlled the match result, making it close. Neither player was serving first serve or putting any speed on ground strokes, just playing angle for fun.

[@LuisGJaramilloS]

In which part of 2008 was this? cause Roger is wearing his US Open night session kit from 2007, right?

[@plush1993]

March 10, 2008

[@LuisGJaramilloS]

@plush1993 thanks!

[@ustulo3488]

Sampras was one of the best at the net of all time.

[@damirbua4427]

Stefan edberg

[@SimonJack94]

Sampras coulda gotten to 20 + slams had he not retired early

[@robertbrescia3196]

Unlikely. He wasn't training as hard after he broke Roy Emerson's record at Wimbledon in 2000. Also at 31, his thalassemia condition was starting to affect his stamina a little more. He was a little unlucky not to have 2 or 3 more US Opens under his belt.

[@robertbird6387]

@@robertbrescia3196 I also have to agree, and I am a huge Sampras fan. The game was changing rapidly after he retired at the end of 2002. I truly doubt Pete would have won another major.

[@sumandas9487]

​@@robertbrescia3196had not he suffered from thalasemia he could have won more grand Slam.

[@IzakD8]

@@sumandas9487Yeah and if Rafa didn’t have tendonitis in both his knees and Mueller-Weiss disease in his foot for his whole career he would have won 30 slams. Not the reality though.

[@vika0194]

With the crowd sitting so low it must have been difficult seeing the ball most of the time.

[@にゅる-k5o]

サンプラス、さすがに全盛期の切れ味は失われているが、２人の全盛期同士の戦いを見てみたいものだ。

[@AG-js1bl]

Sampras was so fool, he could won this match easily, but like always sampras was so lazy

[@initialize21]

LOL you think Federer was actually trying here?

[@AG-js1bl]

@initialize21 of course, federer is not a benevolent player, that mesns that if federer csn beat his opponent 6/0 6/0 he will.do, also.sampras was winning the third set 5/3 snd with his service.

[@IzakD8]

@@AG-js1blDude you can clearly tell Roger is holding back, if you have ever watched Roger play before. Look how many freebies Roger gave Sampras on the return, feeding him high balls for the volley. Federer never returns like that. Federer was going at maybe 75-80% in this match.

[@AG-js1bl]

@@IzakD8 did you watch play sampras when he was in his prime?, sampras was unbeatable, if sampras had not been lazy, overconfident and conformist, he could won much more grand slam tittles, sampras was much better player than federer, djokovic and nadal