By AJ Cadman
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The two kings of tennis held court Sunday at the Los Angeles
Tennis Center for the 2001 Mercedes Benz Cup final. Their royal
feud played out like 30 before, with both giving it their all.
“Pete brings out the best in my game,” said Andre
Agassi, who defeated archrival Pete Sampras 6-4, 6-2. “You
wake up differently when you play him and know that you need to be
at your best.”
The sentiments on the other side of the net are nearly
identical.
“When we face each other, the preparation, warm-up,
anticipation and energy that the crowd feels is something we also
strongly feel,” said Sampras.
Sampras strides onto the court like a knight from Camelot. The
owner of an all-time best 13 Grand Slam titles, he finds his armor
now slightly scratched from injuries that don’t heal as
quickly at the age of 30.
Meanwhile, Agassi is arguably the hottest player on the tour.
His credentials stack up comparably to that of Sampras with 49
career singles titles after this weekend. Most recently, he notched
the Australian Open in January for his seventh Grand Slam
title.
With Agassi expecting his first child in December and Sampras
receiving news Sunday that he became an uncle, both of the
game’s brightest stars relish the opportunity to go
head-to-head in battle at the latter stages of their careers.
“He will always be known as the rival that defined my
career,” said Sampras. “(Muhammad) Ali had Frazier and
(Agassi) is that person to me.”
The respect Agassi holds for his friend is just as
heartfelt.
“The ability to play Pete in a big match is something I
strive on,” he said. “There’s a greater sense of
satisfaction to rise above and win.”
In 1999, the two racket wizards met in the championship of this
tournament, with Sampras emerging victorious, as he would in the
Wimbledon final as well, and spoiling a nearly flawless season for
the eventual year-end No. 1 ranked Agassi.
However, Agassi dished Sampras a serving of defeat in March at
Indian Wells with a straight sets win at the Masters Series event.
And with a spoonful of the same on Sunday, Agassi inched closer to
a .500 record against the hometown favorite.
The only question for the two of them now is the significance of
finishing ahead of the other in the rivalry.
“Maybe I’ll just quit now,” joked Sampras,
alluding to the haunting word of retirement.
For both of the game’s most recognizable ambassadors,
they’re not likely to step down from their thrones any time
soon.