The very proof of a tiring week is that I am 5 days late in posting this blog. Two of my sporting heroes were clashing and given the fact that they belong to two different eras, this could be possible only on a exhibition match 4 years after Pete Sampras bid his adieu to world of professional tennis. I still remember his last defeat at Wimbledon in hands of Roger Federer that brought an end to a streak of seven unbelievable title victories. He had cried, as he often did on court. He could just manage to win one more US Open Title in 2002 and that was it for him. People had already started questioning his consistency, capacity and fitness.

I did not think much of the 3 exhibition matches Fed and Pete were going to play. I will admit that I did not for once think Sampras had a chance and I am pretty sure 99% people did not either. But the legend showed that he can never be written off. He is so truly a champion. Swiss took the first match in 2 sets in an hr. Sampras did play commendably and brought back the memories of his reigning era. In the second match, he carried off winners after winners and left his opponent trying hard to earn every point. Both sets went to tie breaks. Even this would have been enough for the fans like me who had been missing his fierce serve and volleys since 90s. But he had something else in mind, he wouldn’t go without a victory. In Macao on Nov 24^th, he stunned his 10 years junior, prevailing world no. 1 and the Swiss hero — Roger Federer in a 7–6, 6–4 match. And it was not that Swiss did not put his best, but the champion was bettered by the veteran. This is the most exciting news I have read in past few months. I still find it so bewildering that Sampras can pull such a performance at his age. He is just the BEST!!

I would also admit that I have been one of the believers that Federer might be actually better than Sampras (as people have been arguing over and over again) but hell, no! Sampras is the all time legend and undoubtedly so now. In his era, he had better rivals than what Federer is having. If you read about his life history a bit, you’ll be amazed at the kind of victories he has had. I am not at all saying that Roger Federer is not good anymore but lets not really compare. Sampras is Federer’s idol — and this says it all. One would never really know who is better because they would never compete at top of their careers. Federer is the emperor and he IS going to break Sampras’s record. There is nothing that can be picked on him. He is going to be on all the record books and he deserves it completely.

But, I am just missing the Sampras era…those late night matches on TV that I watched in my student life. His unexampled rivalry with Agassi, that 4 set 7–6, 7–6, 7–6, 7–6 US Open 2001 semi final match, his unnerving determination, his aces on second serves, his piercing forehands, the way he cried on court after winning his 7^th Wimbledon and 13^th career title, his heart-wrenching defeat in Wimbledon in 2001.…his final bye at the US Open…