Roger Federer’s favorite match came early in his career and surprisingly, it wasn’t one of his storied encounters with Rafael Nadal. Instead, the Swiss tennis legend has revealed that his most cherished match was his first and only meeting with Pete Sampras.
In 2001, Federer was just 19 years old and had already made a significant impact in tennis by winning three Wimbledon titles. This early success earned him the opportunity to face his idol, Pete Sampras, in the Round of 16 at Wimbledon. At the time, Sampras was a seven-time Wimbledon champion, aiming for his fourth consecutive title. The clash between the two players was highly anticipated, and it did not disappoint. Federer emerged victorious in a five-set thriller, winning 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, 6-7, 7-5, ending Sampras’ bid for another Wimbledon title.
This match has been seen by many as a symbolic passing of the torch from one Wimbledon great to another. Federer’s victory marked a significant moment in his career and in tennis history. In a recent interview with Vogue, Federer reflected on the match and expressed how it remains his favorite.
“July 2001—it must be Wimbledon. Is it the Sampras match? I don’t know the date, per se—it’s not ingrained in my brain—but that match against Sampras is my favorite match of all time,” Federer shared. He explained that the match was a fairytale moment for him, given Sampras was his hero and it was his first time playing on Centre Court. The match went the full distance, and Federer’s emotions were overwhelming.
“It had everything: He was my hero at the time, and this was both my first time and my only time to play against Sampras. It was the first time I played on Centre Court at Wimbledon, and it turned into five sets. There was just so much going on in my head, it was fairytale stuff,” Federer recounted.
Federer also spoke about the emotional impact of the match. He recalled crying after winning, which was a rare occurrence for him. “I don’t know if this was the first time or the second time in my career when I cried after winning—I cried when I beat the Americans 3-1 at the Davis Cup in Basel, my hometown, and I was able to help the team with three points to win it and clinch it, but I don’t remember if that was before or after—but when I went onto my knees after my forehand return against Sampras landed in and all of that pressure just fell away, I started crying,” he said.
For Federer, the victory was not just a personal achievement but also a confirmation that his hard work was paying off. “I’m like, ‘This is surreal—what is going on? But I guess Wimbledon and Sampras and Centre Court, I don’t know—all of that does that to you. And that’s when you realize: Oh—the hard work’s paying off. You’re on the right track. It’s a milestone victory. It was like the perfect match,'” Federer reflected.
The match’s significance was further underscored by a tribute from Pete Sampras himself after Federer announced his retirement in 2022. Sampras spoke highly of Federer, recalling their memorable encounter and acknowledging Federer’s impact on the sport. “Not really sure where to begin, so I’ll just start from the very beginning. When I first played you, you were 19 years old, an up-and-coming player and people were talking about you. And we had a great battle on the Centre Court of Wimbledon. And you took me down. Tough five-setter. And I just remember walking off the court, feeling like I met my match. Little did I know, 20 years later, that you would have 20 majors, be number one for years, dominate our sport – basically do it all,” Sampras said in a tribute video.
Since retiring, Federer has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of returning to professional tennis. Despite numerous inquiries about a possible comeback, Federer has been firm in his decision to close that chapter of his career. “The pro tennis chapter is 100 percent closed,” Federer has stated.
Now, at the age of 43, Federer is enjoying a different phase of life, focusing on spending quality time with his family and children. This shift in priorities is crucial for him as he embraces a new chapter off the court. With his career accomplishments cemented and his legacy secured, Federer’s reflections on his favorite match offer a glimpse into the personal and emotional milestones that have defined his illustrious career.
