Pete Sampras vs Stefan Edberg: Best ATP Shots & Points in Their Rivalry!

[@insulani]

These guys had it all. Artistry, skill, imagination and beauty.

[@FUsheK]

And no french open title 😉

[@zcharg0]

Yes..not like the ogres that play today.

[@cosmojairzinho14]

@@FUsheK well, up to you, if you like to jerk off on cups piles , bullshit fanboys goat debate, grunting baseline grinders ...people watching and commenting here just want to enjoy classy technique,classy attitude , nice serve and volley...

[@MrClebophd]

@@FUsheK Well, they played in the era where the surfaces were really different. The clay at Roland Garros was really slow, and grass at Wimbledon was really fast. For a while the very best players had not won a career slam; Connors, Borg, McEnroe, Edberg, Becker, Wilander and Lendl all had that in common. In the cases of Lendl (grass), Edberg (clay), McEnroe (Clay) and Borg (Hardcourt at Flushing Meadows) reached the finals on their most challenging surface but couldnät win. Of these champions, I think Edberg was closest against Chang in Paris. He was up 2-1 sets, and he had so many break balls in the fourth, but he couldn't close the deal in the heat, and Chang won in five. The only player from that era who had a career slam is Andre Agassi. After that, the grass became slower in Wimbledon, and players like Nadal and Djokovic benefited a lot, whereas players with big serves like Raonic, Isner, Federer, Roddick etc were nerfed, along with the serve-and-volleying became a lost art. Instead, we must watch the old legends how it was done.

[@HONORTONUMERIC123]

@@MrClebophd yeah... That's right.... Grass was fast and clay was slow at that time.... And u know what abt the games that was played at that time was very much reasonable to watch.... That's so great and wonderful.....

[@tortillasarenotbiceps7622]

Man, do you forget how utterly amazing Edberg was. I do remember he was one of my favorite players for years. Now I remember why.

[@Myrslokstok]

Edbergs style is the kind of effortless tennis you would like to master, much undervalued.

[@kevinmartin2038]

Edberg's backhand is the most beautiful shot I ever seen on a court. So graceful and accurate.

[@archangelmusic13]

it's right up there with henin's backhand and stan wawrinka's backhand. those 3 had the best backhands

[@radiohead2206]

Of course then...his forehand was a liability.

[@theacechip]

Actually I think Edberg's forehand was a more reliable, high percentage stroke because he rarely used it as an offensive weapon. Wawrinka backhand is very reminiscent of Lendl. In terms of aesthetics, I think Federer is probably the best because of his (more) fluid motion.

[@robertjones8598]

@@radiohead2206No it wasn’t. It was well designed for his net attacking game and he could paste it when needed. There is no way that FH could be considered a liability, even in contrast to his great BH and superb volleys.

[@lesparys]

I am big fan of Edberg, but I've got to admit I prefer Stan's backhand. But at the net, nobody except Sampras came even close

[@renatoyap]

Edberg's movement into the court after his serve was pure buttery smoothness . It seems like he was gliding in on rollerblades

[@jboww2121]

i adore these two. this is classic serve and volley first strike tennis. you won’t see a cleaner more textbook volley technique. they absorb the pace from the return so well. just like they’re guiding the ball to redirect it. beautiful!

[@soothingpiano2901]

Shame that serve and volley has disappeared nowadays

[@HONORTONUMERIC123]

@@soothingpiano2901 I think it's not a shame that those two things are disappeared.... It's like totally the game is changed along with the surface of the courts and fastness on those courts.....

[@antoinev9733]

@@HONORTONUMERIC123 sure it is a shame. same show all around the planet. "changed" ? maybe ... poorer surely. think just coaches forgot to learn it. this knowledge is disappearing it is very sad and ... quite boring.

[@abradfordajb]

Jack Kramer started the Serve and Volley era. These two perfected it.

[@kifinov1239]

The Edberg backhand is a thing of beauty.

[@kifinov1239]

@ppm120667 Definitely! His kick serve out wide in the ad court and that backhand volley were the equivalent of the modern serve + forehand. His block return on the backhand was also gorgeous. He had so much variety and he moved like a ballerina (similar to Federer). He's my favorite player from the 80s/90s.

[@abdallahbastouri554]

Sampras the very best ever

[@Abdallaelharty]

@ppm120667 Australian open is not that fast court. Just Look at the opponents he had to beat in his time to get his 14 GS

[@Abdallaelharty]

@ppm120667 I am not arguing with the fact that samprass style is more suitable for faster courts . 7 Wimbledon is proof enough but i think overall he is the best given the variety of styles of the opponents he had to beat to win gs. Think lendl mcnroe Agassi becker edberg stich ivanesivic to name a few . I think his stats against them head to head are in his favor

[@LuLu-nw6bi]

I don't like it too much, his arm is too stiff when he's hitting it. His backhand volley however is the most beautiful I've seen.

[@bclamore]

These two were prime examples at the end of the era of the serve & volley. Oh, how I miss it.

[@scottstorchfan]

yeah so fun with 2 ball rallies. those were the days

[@winstonlim8]

Yes, I can barely stand the dinglydonglypinglypongly 273-stroke rallies nowadays. I can go make myself a cup of coffee and come back to find the same point still on-going.

[@atarumoroboshi75]

Completely agree but the fault lies with those (ATP) who changed the surfaces, especially the grass of Wimbledon...since that year, it was 2001, Golden Era of tennis ended…

[@HankFinkle11]

@@scottstorchfantoday’s tennis is a drag.

[@joseresino367]

@@scottstorchfanSonsimole by your side. In that era you had serve and volley and at the same time, clay players, Agassi… You had different styles. But enjoy the present, with only one style! You have a lot of tennis now, what are you doing watching two serve and volley beasts?

[@cammpinno]

This is so BEAUTIFUL. It is a poetry on court. Two of the most elegant, skilled athletes ever. Both faster than appreciated, one of the best movers not only around the net. This is the best all-round tennis you can ever find. The best era with the best players.

[@felixy23]

Edberg was my favorite since childhood, his serve motion was the best, his backhand and volley so beautiful. Elegant and sportmanship was displayed from this man

[@skylaxx]

100% hell yeah man!

[@alanfrost75]

Mine too! I think I was around 10 when I started watching him. He will always be my fav.

[@TheEJ1408]

Couldn't agree more!

[@houstonbalaji4768]

Edberg, Wilander, Borg…a wonderful Swedish trio! Edberg was such a class act!

[@jliang70]

@@houstonbalaji4768 He stood out from the Swedish trio, being the greatest Swedish serve and volleyer, the guy glided on the court so gracefully. I was fortunate enough to see him in junior years and through his senior years. there just won't be another like him, he was a wonderful tactician on court, we have lost this part of the game with all the changes with courts, strings and racquet

[@Dr1n1an]

Two of my all time favourite players. Stefan Edberg was such a graceful player and a gentleman.Thanks for uploading

[@AlexanderArsov]

Never a dull moment with these two on the court.

[@pburski]

Edberg was my Hero. Those battels with Becker - legendary!

[@airkuna]

Man this is Sampras, not Becker!! :D

[@EndoftheTownProductions]

Two of the greatest serve and volley players of all time! Plus, they were total professionals.

[@1bcordell]

My ranking: #3 Edberg, #2 Becker, #1 Sampras.

[@860anthony]

To watch these two giants of the serve and volley is a joy. Give me the three most difficult shots to hit: serve, volley, passing shot any day over the endless rally ball tennis we see today. Man, Edberg and Sampras were fun to watch.

[@jonm2522]

How much I miss this sort of tennis, never to be done again.

[@marcosdoyter7460]

That is so pleasant to watch. The 90s were the funniest epoch in tennis history. Different personalities, different game styles, and a very competitive scenario. It was unpredictable to know the winner of a Grand Slam.

[@mtklaric]

otherwise known as the golden era of tennis...from 1985 to 2001

[@marcosdoyter7460]

@@mtklaric Yes. I totally agree.

[@dickrichards9650]

@@mtklaric It really was, except for Sampras at Wimbledon. Seven of eight from 93' to 00', with 96' loss to R.K, from running the table for eight years.

[@vinceventura2393]

Agree!

[@manohoo]

Edberg is my all time favorite player, classy, elegant, attacking prowess, finesse, self-control, volley master...

[@embracenaturenow4962]

Am a tennis nuts and didn't realize Edberg has such a great backhand until watching this video. Awesome moments of the two greats!

[@azizseber]

When serve and volley at its best as it is right here, always something special to witness..

[@kenekai9296]

Wow, how time flies! I can't believe it's been 24 years since Edberg retired from the game, and Sampras 18 years. Still seems all like yesterday to me.

[@KLETwave]

The tennis world will never be the same, these guys had it all. Tennis was so entertaining back then with that serve and volley style whether you move it or not. I really miss those times

[@KingCast65]

God I love this. Seems like yesterday when we all had our little 85 PS's out there... Edberg and Sampras taking over from Mac on the Serve & Volley....

[@Belgarath777]

30 years later, I still can't find a racket that has the control of that one :). If only my arm could handle it still :)

[@HONORTONUMERIC123]

@@Belgarath777 yeah... That's right... Copy that....

[@lordbyron3603]

Love watching these two serve and volleyers. Edberg’s Backhand is a beauty!

[@sultanabran1]

i'm a bigger fan of stefan now than i was when he was playing. i can truly appreciate his mastery now.

[@newme0403]

Totally agree. I guess because we can compare their style with endless rallies we’re watching nowadays

[@pranavsambamurti7746]

They played some amazing matches. Such great memories...

[@wayjayth]

When I was a kid playing tennis back in the days (early 90’s) I remember all the tennis kids were mimicking Stefan Edberg’s serve and collecting his Adidas shirts. When you have that kind of following you know you have done something special as a player. His serve was so distinctive and was a beauty to watch. He was also really dominant when he was ranked No.1. Good old days.

[@jatinbhatia632]

OMG...That quality was amazing....and Edberg....beautiful control, technique, touch and feel....WOW!! It's art!!

[@rogerparker4468]

Gorgeous...thanks. Two of the most athletic and graceful tennis players who could do it all.

[@lucagaspari8900]

Stefan Edberg's left side: most beautiful thing ever seen on a tennis court. Unmatchable and mesmerizing: the elegance of a swan in motion.

[@theleftstrokesthedeathstro9910]

Beautiful description of Edberg’s greatest strengths: one of the finest one handed backhands in tennis history and arguably the best backhand volley of all time. Reading the comments here makes me realize that this kind of s&v game has a legion of fans that would love racquets that gave both the aggressive baseliner or counterpunchers and an all court or serve and volley players all capable of winning when weapon grade racquets with new string technology along with slower courts and heavier balls are done away with because tennis does not feel like tennis any more.

[@rengarajanramamoorthy2889]

It's so sad that tennis is not watchable anymore! The 80's and 90's had so much variety! Serve and Volley is much needed very much!

[@marsilio_ficino]

Edberg's shots are pure poetry.

[@HONORTONUMERIC123]

Yeah.... Copy that... That's right....

[@nizzam1]

Man Edberg ‘s backhand is just beautiful to watch

[@williamchan4340]

The two greatest players of all times. Their styles of play are almost identical to each other except Edberg combines a bit more of backhand slice. For sure, they really enjoyed playing against each other.

[@thomasmiles340]

Thanks. This was a rivalry for tennis afficionados. Two maestros playing great music together.

[@diegoheco]

The one starting at 1:26 is one of the best points ever

[@pezima77]

True , it's incredible !

[@Funkytrip73]

Weird that it is not featured more often in 'best rallies' compilations. It 's a thing of beauty!

[@erikthehalfabee6234]

A truly incredible rally

[@theholetruthandnothingbutt9146]

It is pure elegance, power and perfect skill in its purest form. I am in awe. The best rally I've ever seen. Thanks for uploading.

[@mariaelenazaratevidal5002]

Fantastic stuff from Sampras. He was my childhood hero. I was also an Edberg fan. Real tennis.

[@nacofichetti-dibujante]

It´s like an implicit rule, if you like Stefan you like Pete and if you like them you like Roger. They have the same essence!! Sampras was my hero from youngest days and was an Edberg fan too... now is Roger :)

[@jenni431]

@@nacofichetti-dibujante Exactly. Those of us who grew up watching good positive attacking tennis would always like Edberg, Pete and then Roger.

[@HONORTONUMERIC123]

@@anthonyroberts79 don't know abt stich.... But Becker comes under positive attacking tennis player...... That I have seen in those matches from that decade....

[@860anthony]

Two of the most beautiful games the sport has produced!

[@wendellroden7037]

Wow Stefan Edberg's movement was unreal!

[@pier70juve]

This is level “paradise” of tennis 🎾

[@claussteiner5857]

Period.

[@KTLam]

As many have said already: Edberg and Sampras (and Becker) are the Gods amongst the serve/ volley players. These extraordinairy games will never be seen again. Things won't get better ever again. As well as for fun to watch, the '80 & 90's matches are unmatched, with all respect to Federer and Nadal.

[@farid1406]

Don't forget Mac...

[@atarumoroboshi75]

Totally agree. If you think Nadal won Wimbledon twice like Edberg or Djokovic seven times like Sampras, an abomination…

[@shaileshgupta]

Don’t forget matches of Laver and Newcombe.

[@msiroi01]

absolute magicians. BEAUTIFUL one-handed backhands. AMAZING volleys. Today's game is the worse for not having the varied style of serve and volley players.

[@MohsinSir]

90s easily the best Era of tennis. Attack Attack and more Attack. No holding back.

[@dougmaverick3287]

Not like today's boring baseline game.

[@rishbahpandey8697]

@@dougmaverick3287 zverev vs Medvedev 😂😂

[@jenni431]

@@rishbahpandey8697 Hahaha. Exactly. And they would both be burned out by rhe time they turned 28 or 30. Lol.

[@rikuberndtson9246]

Well born in 1978. I remember that MOST were backline bashers in the 90s as well ;)

[@jenni431]

@@rikuberndtson9246At least they were aggressive and stuck closer to the baseline.

[@madisetti]

Edberg's backhand is treat to watch

[@suatkayatennis]

Watching this makes me remember how fortunate i was watching many of their matches back then,two of the greatest serve & volley players of all time together with McEnroe and Becker.

[@vinayshende9867]

What a master Edberg was..The behind the back volley

[@deepakpotluri7817]

Thank you for refreshing those wow moments, just love to watch them, poetry in motion

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

They are so evenly matched! Beautiful, explosive tennis!

[@ashoo1807]

im here to enjoy the beauty of Volley in its glory !! Elegant & poetic movements, backhands & lobs !!

[@lucasotero8880]

Stefan Edberg... What a class...

[@jackschlangen4347]

that was tennis from another planet, from Edberg and Sampras, so beautiful en high level.

[@pranavsambamurti7746]

6:47, that was a cool moment between two great Champions that really enjoyed competing against each other. Special Stuff!

[@keaneoRX7]

2:25 that volley was too good !

[@Rauliki_U_u]

Min 6:45 Stefan: Oh thank you friend for coming to help me Sampras: To help you? Stay there and don't get up anymore!! 😄 excellent tennis players both

[@anonymousLeroy]

I mean, who would watch this and say serve and volley is dull. Anybody who watches this and somehow thinks the 2010s is untouchably special is out of their mind, this is spectacular.

[@adrianoruggiero7918]

I think the truth is in the middle...although i m a millenial i gotta say this video amazed me, however a game with only serve and volley can be boring af (especially on grass with players not as good as the ones in this video).

[@anonymousLeroy]

@@adrianoruggiero7918 I mean, the best serve and volley players from this era weren't PURELY serve and volley. They were also exceptional at the baseline, Sampras and Becker especially. Really mixed it up well, which is PERFECT in my opinion. I think the real issue you're getting at is just too many aces or service winners, but that was always player-dependent -- Krajicek or Ivanisevic then, Isner or Karlovic or Anderson now.

[@adrianoruggiero7918]

@@anonymousLeroy yes, this is perfect in my opinion too. But even Sampras on his run in Wimbledon used to play only with serve and volley (or at least in those 4-5 full matches i watched, i hope i'm saying reasonable things). And that's probably why i prefer hard courts over grass, at least there you can observe points longer than 3 hits

[@adrianoruggiero7918]

In the end what i wanted to say is that those games, especially in Wimbly, look boring to me, maybe I lost the point for a while in the last comment xD If those games had this quality of serve and volley points i wouldnt say so but i mean, Edberg and sampras are two legends of the game. With the same reasoning somebody can defend the baseline game of this decade by throwing in games as AO 2012 Final etc.. Just my opinion

[@anonymousLeroy]

@Kevin Smith they were fun to watch for me, and at least ivanisevic had a hell of a personality.

[@stefano78]

When these two guys face off, you know the match is going to heavy on finesse. What a pleasure to watch.

[@keaneoRX7]

Sampras and Edberg, real tennis from real artists at the net, not boring baseliners...

[@adamcang4683]

Yes Djokovic and Tsitsipas could learn from that

[@joshuathompson8132]

I mean they slowed down the courts because the crowds didn't like the points being over in 1 or 2 shots all the time

[@pigkiller21]

Adam Cang djokovic could also win less grandslams than both of em too right?

[@keaneoRX7]

@@adamcang4683 The actual players are still quite good, but we don't have the variety of style we had in the 90's anymore.

[@michaelgarza8271]

Joshua Thompson...that was probably part of the motivation. But they destroyed the game in doing so. Tennis was my life for many years. Watching these highlights reminds me of how I believe tennis should be played.

[@JimmyOlsson]

1:25 Wow! What a point! Fantastic players! Stefan is one of the most gracious players of all time and one of my all time favourites!

[@markuslautkoski3464]

What a gem of a video! Just amazing points from my two favorite players of all time, and in actually really decent quality considering it is material from the 90s

[@TareqAstroPhoton]

Sampras was the player who made me to watch Tennis, i loved his matches against Agassi first and against Becker and Edberg, a true legend, in fact i always compare the current three legends to him, good for them to break his records, otherwise he will remain a top legend in all eras, facing so many great top players in since 80's until new millennium.

[@thuyanhnguyen111]

Great compilation!! Stefan Edberg and his marvelously SHBH and volleys.

[@hasiemwily1947]

No matter how great Sampras game was... Edberg's game was far more beautiful

[@bombelbombel7416]

Two Killers in Action,Amazing to watch No Excuses,,..GOAT

[@joeherbert4360]

The beauty of the prostaff 85 racket. Amazing angles and control in the right hands. These guys are like cats....

[@nacofichetti-dibujante]

like cats, yeeess, i feel the same, they fly smooth on court, liker Roger, these 3 are my heroes

[@Manouchiao]

Edberg will always be the god of net game. I have never seen someone getting close to his perfection in serve & volley.

[@jflow5601]

man i miss the serve and volley. someone needs to bring that back

[@frankcarbo6622]

Oh, that pure sound of the strike... and they did this with 85s. We were the lucky ones to enjoy those match ups.

[@rszanger]

Stefan Edberg has had the best backhand with awesome sportsmanship.

[@kanankumar1257]

Tennis was exciting those times

[@aminch168]

sure..

[@aminch168]

Stephan Edberg, what a perfect player, and Sampras so awesome..

[@petrolhead1960]

Watching this again reminds me of why I don’t watch tennis anymore.

[@jdmresearch]

1:26 I don't think I've ever seen a point like this one. Truly amazing.

[@RossBayCult]

The volley at 2:24 😳

[@pl4851]

I love Federer's backhand, no doubt it's a pleasure to watch. But I bet Fed got his inspiration from Edberg growing up for sure...watch the body motion at 8:15...

[@soyouseethis]

Edberg is Federer's hero and childhood idol. He has said so a number of times.

[@pablotupone4190]

@@soyouseethis both , edberg and sampras are Roger s heros

[@ivanno193]

1:27 i’ve never seen a point like that in my life! Totally amazing

[@mezanine10]

Sampras - Edberg - Becker. Loved watching all 3 play each other.

[@Widkey]

Edberg was one of the few players back then who could actually match Sampras head to head.. Edberg was a tough matchup for him.

[@808Monkseal]

Absolutely loved watching this. Classic serve and volley tennis. I do miss seeing it.

[@jemmygho5900]

Two of my favorite legends. Beautiful tennis.

[@alwynmalan1]

Grew up as a huge Edberg fan but never appreciated Sampras as much as I should've. 80s and 90s sure was the best years of sports imo

[@christophedupin.artist]

I've seen that era. Yes today we have the big three aliens, yes tennis is faster, but to me, the golden age of tennis was that 80's early 90's period with so many incredible players with different styles and personalities. Edberg was the definition of elegance on and out of the court. The most beautiful backhand volley in tennis history.

[@subhashanand5669]

Edberg poetry in motion

[@footfault1941]

This is the one kept in file to be reviewed sometime. Beauty of technique is here & there between them. Only between them! It's a nice collection!

[@bricetiloup612]

Quel superbe tennis! Deux gentlemen de ce sport qui étaient au sommet de leur art avec ce tennis en service-volée et des amortis sortis de nulle part qui nous régalaient tant. En plus tous leurs coups étaient en une main. Merci de nous remémorer un tennis aujourd’hui disparu😢😢 Pete et Stephan resteront des monstres à jamais. Merci

[@Kareem_Alcindor]

Such a High Level of Shot Technique, such a High Level of Tennis IQ. 2 Masters of the Game that can get the best of one another at any moment's notice.

[@crsantin]

Edberg was an amazingly talented player. Beautiful volleyer and beautiful backhand. I thought he should have won more than he did. He didn’t have the monster serve and maybe that hindered him a bit. Wonderful player though

[@Audimann]

When tennis was fun to look at. Today one big baseline slugfest.

[@larrycoker8093]

That's right. Tennis today is boring, which is why I don't watch it anymore.

[@mtklaric]

@@larrycoker8093 same here

[@aranighosh3945]

@kal Ke Nowadays all surfaces behave the same almost. Big Three shouldn't be compared with previous generations who were just as good in their respective times. Besides baseline slugfest was a clay court occurrence in those days. Nowadays that happens on every surface which is bad for tennis I believe

[@travb705]

Sampras brought out the best in Edberg at the end of his prime. It took Pete a long time to figure out how to beat Stefan. That 92 US Open final haunted Sampras for a long time.

[@vidyasonavane9602]

Here after us open 3 rd match of boring Novak match! Such a treat and the graceful Edberg👏👏

[@sediqshafi3868]

Edberg the Most elegant Player of all time

[@TheTabugman]

I'm Swedish and as a die hard Edberg fan I used to dislike Sampras. And boy, did he give me lots of reasons to. What an extraordinary player he was, as was Stefan.

[@fundhund62]

It's actually sad how much better this is than today's tennis.

[@servingpublic]

Wonderful to watch those single handed backhands!

[@92edro]

you can clearly see how much roger picked up from these guys. just incredible players

[@metblvette]

Totally. It's actually pretty amazing that Federer has been able to re-mold his game and be so successful in today's game of slow courts and heavy groundstrokes.

[@nacofichetti-dibujante]

@@metblvette that´s because of the pure talent they all 3 man have!!!

[@kanankumar1257]

They are Roger's idols

[@MargauxMachek]

Amazing! Forgot how great these 2 guys were in their prime.

[@vidyasonavane9602]

1:56 what a beautiful shot making stance. I love one handed backhanders. Also love how graceful he was, always smiling and always with the gold wrist watch.

[@aemiliadelroba4022]

Great matched these two played , This was before my time . Need to study this .

[@xtctrader1467]

I wish tennis was like this now. It'd be worth watching.

[@gevsjan8012]

FANTASTYYYYYYYYY ❤ ✝️ givn talents Great highlights enjoyed it 👍🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🏻

[@cyriljacob4839]

Edberg was the Wawrinka of the 80s

[@alanfrost75]

Just beautiful. The kind of tennis I miss so much.