ver since Roger Federer [Images] beat Pete Sampras in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2001, he has been hailed as Sampras' successor on grass. Five years since, Federer is threatening to topple Sampras as the best modern-day player, ever.
The American, when at his peak, looked like a one-in-a-lifetime player. But it took only 10 years before Federer was born.
Australian legend Rod Laver, the only player to win all four Grand Slams the same year twice, thinks Federer can win a Grand Slam of titles.
Andre Agassi [Images], after the 2005 US Open final, proclaimed that the Swiss was the best he had ever played against.
At 24, Federer has seven Grand Slam titles. Sampras retired with the most men's singles Slams in history --14.
ATP released statistics that show their amazingly similar career paths, separated by exactly 10 years.
Birthdate Sampras: August 12, 1971
Birthdate Federer: August 8, 1981
Winning % Sampras: 0.773 (437-128)
Winning % Federer: 0.765 (391-120)
Titles Sampras: 36
Titles Federer: 33
Year Sampras' Reign began: at the 1993 Wimbledon contest(it was his 5th Wimbledon competition and the 17th major he had entered)
Year Federer's Reign began: at the 2003 Wimbledon contest (it was his 5th Wimbledon and the 17th major he had entered)
Sampras' peak period: Won 6 out of 10 majors 1993 Wimbledon to 1995 US Open
Federer's peak period: Won 6 out of 10 majors 2003 Wimbledon to 2005 US Open
Sampras' Grand Slam record: 1 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon titles, 2 US Open titles
Federer's Grand Slam record: 1 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon titles, 2 US Open titles
Wimbledon Sampras: 1993-1995
Wimbledon Federer: 2003-2005
Major stumble Sampras: Roland Garros, 3 quarterfinals
Major stumble Federer: Roland Garros, semifinal, quarterfinal, 4th round
Masters Cup Sampras: 1991, 1994
Masters Cup Federer: 2003, 2004
Sampras at No. 1 slot: 109 weeks
Federer at No. 1 slot: 100 weeks
The list does not include Federer's 2006 Australian Open victory. The period up until January 1996 is considered for Sampras and the one up until January 2006 for Federer.
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Ever since Roger Federer [Images] beat Pete Sampras in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2001, he has been hailed as Sampras' successor on grass. 
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