Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras ruled the courts during their playing days. They were just like Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Rivals on-court and best friends off-court. Even though their playing styles and take towards the game differed, they formed a bond. Sampras and Agassi challenged, improved, and kept pushing each other to perform better.

One can say that they became such big players because of the rivalry. Here’s what Agassi said about the importance of Sampras’ presence in his career.

How Sampras modified Andre Agassi and his game

While in an interview a few years ago, the eight times Grand slam champion opened up about the impact of sharing tours with Sampras on his career. He said, “My career would have been way better off without Pete for sure. But I think I would have been less.”

“You know Pete was a mirror for me to ask myself what can I do to be better or how I need to do something. Because he obviously dominated so much during his career, and getting over the finish line against him was some of my greatest accomplishments.” He added.

Read more: ‘Won’t Have to Watch Me Suffer’ – Andre Agassi Recounted a Spooky Story of How a ‘Ghost’ of His Father Popped Up Out of Nowhere to Warn Him

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Agassi locked horns with Sampras 34 times. In fact, the 14 times Grand Slam champion played his last match against him. Out of those 34 clashes, Agassi secured 14. They first met on the clay courts of Rome and Agassi got the better Sampras in straight sets.

Following that, a long back-and-forth of lead took place and finally ended in the year 2000. They squared off for one last time on the hard courts of the US Open for the majors trophy. Sampras, who was bidding farewell to his illustrious career, outdid Agassi’s game at the expense of a set.

What is Agassi up to these days?

After saying goodbye to his tennis career, the American decided to invest his time and energy into building a better environment for the youth. He started the Andre Agassi Foundation with the aim of providing educational opportunities and resources to otherwise under-deserved children.

Watch this story: When Roger Federer toyed his opponent so bad, he asked for advice from Andre Agassi in the crowd Wimbledon championships

Further, Agassi tried his hand at coaching as well. He at first worked in collaboration with the 21 times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and then trained the Bulgarian tennis ace, Grigor Dimitrov. Currently, he is taking a break and might return in a partnership with a new face.