Although many see Pete Sampras as one of the best to ever play the game, he doesn’t share that view about himself.
Pete Sampras remains one of the most decorated champions in tennis history. His 14 Grand Slam singles titles once stood as the all-time record — a benchmark many believed would last for generations. Yet, as the sport evolved and a new era of icons emerged, even Sampras acknowledged that others had moved beyond his own astonishing achievements.
While debate continues to swirl around the Big Three who followed him — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic — Sampras has never hesitated when asked to identify which one stands above the rest. Years after his retirement, his perspective has only grown sharper.
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Why Sampras named Novak Djokovic as the greatest of all time
Speaking to the ATP Tour at the end of the 2021 season, Sampras was clear-cut in his assessment. Djokovic had just secured a record seventh year-end No. 1 finish, a milestone Sampras felt the Serbian would appreciate even more later in life. But what impressed him most was Djokovic’s dominance across multiple generations.
“He did it at a time where he dominated two of the greats, in Roger and Rafa,” Sampras said. “And he handled the next generation of players very well — all at the same time.” He described the combination of major titles, consistency and longevity as a “clear sign” that Djokovic had surpassed everyone in history.
Sampras ultimately concluded: “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.”
How Djokovic stacks up against Federer, Nadal and the new generation
The GOAT debate will never produce a universally accepted answer. Fans who favour Nadal’s dominance at Roland-Garros or Federer’s elegance across surfaces will not be swayed, even if Djokovic continues extending his records. As of now, the Serbian leads the men’s field with 24 Grand Slam titles and owns virtually every key statistical benchmark — including Olympic gold in 2024, ATP Finals triumphs, and titles at all nine Masters 1000 events.
A look at the numbers shows the scale of the comparison:
Sampras: 14 Slams, 286 weeks at No. 1
Federer: 20 Slams, 310 weeks at No. 1
Nadal: 22 Slams, 209 weeks at No. 1
Djokovic: 24 Slams, 428 weeks at No. 1
Yet the landscape is shifting. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner — already winners of six and four Slams respectively, plus Olympic medals and Masters titles — are charging forward at a pace that could redefine the discussion in the coming decade. For now, though, Sampras’ verdict is unwavering: Novak Djokovic stands alone at the top.