In fact, Sampras plans to be sitting among Federer’s most vocal supporters when he does win a 15th career major — even if that requires a lengthy flight to Melbourne, Australia.
Federer has 12 Grand Slam titles, two behind Sampras’ record.
If Federer won a sixth straight Wimbledon title next month and a fifth consecutive U.S. Open title in September, he would be aiming for No. 15 at the Australian Open in January.
“There is a burning desire in Roger to break my record, and when he does it I would like to be there,” Sampras said Thursday. “I said to Roger, ’Just make sure it’s in New York or London. Australia is a long way to go. (But) if it worked out like that, I would fly there.’
“I would just let him enjoy it as his moment but (I would want to be there) just to respect the record and what he was able to do and to just say, ’Congratulations.”’
Despite Federer’s loss to No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal in the French Open final, Sampras is confident the Swiss star will bounce back at the All England Club.
“He’s created this monster of winning so many tournaments and so many majors and doing it with ease,” Sampras said in Sao Paulo, Brazil. “As great as Roger is, he’s going to have his losses and his bad days. It’s just human nature to go through some lulls.”
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