Today, beating Sinner is more difficult than beating the best Sampras

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We often emphasize how dangerous and harmful comparisons can be, often unnecessary and taken out of context. However, it is inevitable to fall into them occasionally, it happens to journalists and even to the players themselves. In a recent interview with Super Tennis, it is striking to hear Richard Krajicek linking Pete Sampras with Jannik Sinner, two men separated by a 30-year gap. For example, who dares to say which of the two is more difficult to beat in their prime? A few, including the former Dutch player.

"Today beating Sinner is harder than beating Sampras back when he played," Krajcek points out in his statements, as if he holds the universal truth in his discourse. "Sampras was an incredible player, that is unquestionable, but I knew that if I could attack him on the backhand side, I would have a small chance to overcome him. Right now, everyone knows how to do everything on the court, all players move very well. When I look at them, I think: if I were playing now, how could I defeat them? Currently, I consider that Sinner has no weaknesses," the former world No. 4 from the end of the last century assumes.

"Today all players handle themselves differently, they have longer careers, better teams, they are more complete in every way. When I played, even the best in the world had weak points: Sampras' backhand or Agassi's serve, for example. When stepping onto the court, you felt that you could defeat anyone, even Sampras, whom I defeated six times. I am happy to have played in the 90s and now be a tournament director; otherwise, it would have been very difficult," adds the man who has been directing the Rotterdam ATP 500 for years.

A PROMISING FUTURE

Influenced probably by seeing Jannik Sinner conquering Rotterdam a few months ago, Krajicek is optimistic about the future of professional tennis, quickly aligning himself with those who bet on a successful transition despite leaving behind the most impactful period in recent memory. That is also the legacy of the Big3, making it seem like anyone coming now is not on their level, but the Dutchman has full confidence in the health of the men's circuit.

"Many wondered what would happen to tennis after the Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic era, but suddenly Sinner and Alcaraz appeared. There is also Zverev, who is currently world No. 2 and playing very well. With Sascha, I have the feeling that the day he wins his first Grand Slam, there will be several more to follow, something that also happened to Ivan Lendl, who had to wait a long time to conquer the first one," predicts the 17-time ATP title champion. "I am sure that new stars will emerge, men's tennis is in good hands, this sport is becoming more popular every day, as seen in the number of fans," he concludes.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, “Hoy ganar a Sinner es más difícil que ganar al mejor Sampras"