PARIS, JUNE 6 – Andre Agassi, back at Roland Garros to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his title round comeback win over Andrei Medvedev, says that if Roger wins the title on Sunday over Robin Soderling, he could be called the greatest player ever.
If Federer accomplishes the feat, he’ll tie American Pete Sampras with the most Grand Slam titles ever with 14.
“It ends the discussion of where he fits in the history of the game,” said Agassi, who is here with his wife, Steffi Graf, who also won the ’99 Roland Garros title. “It’s not so much a question of Pete, if it wasn’t for [four-times champion Rafael] Nadal, he probably would have won a handful of these things. So nobody would underestimate where he deserves to fit in this game. This is going to mean so much to him, to have that hole filled. It’s something he’s going to earn tomorrow and I think it will to change his life.”
If Federer completes the feat, he’ll join Don Budge, Fred Perry, Rod Emerson, Rod Laver and Agassi as men to have won titles at all four majors. Agassi, who had lost in the 1990 and 1991 finals before finally raising the trophy in 1999, said that the feat defined him.
“It changed my career and as result my life,” he said. “It’s probably the most profound moment in my career, getting over obstacles and doubts I had coming to win here. Tomorrow there’s a chance to see history and I think Roger being the second best clay courter over the last five years, earning a spot in the final four different times, deserves this more than I did. It would be privilege for the game to see history being made and in some ways it feels like destiny for him and it’s going to be pretty exciting.”
Agassi added that going around the block all four times is one of the greatest achievements in sports.
“I’m so proud of it because every surface, every condition demands something different from the physical and mental challenges and rewards you differently,” said Agassi, who was at Roland Garros on the behalf of Longines, the official timekeeper of the French Open. “I’m pulling for Roger because he’s earned this opportunity and in many respects deserves it. If it wasn’t for one freak of nature from Mallorca, and that’s a compliment where I come from, he would have won this tournament a few times. He’s extraordinarily talented and talk about grace on court, watching him play is something special to see and if he does it tomorrow, he’ll know what an accomplishment it was.”
From TennisReporters.net
