"Andre Agassi has a right to say now he's greater than Pete Sampras" - When Andrei Medvedev discussed Agassi's historic feat after French Open final
Andre Agassi emerged victorious at the 1999 French Open, accomplishing a feat that even the likes of Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg or Jimmy Connors never managed. After finishing as the runner-up, Andrei Medvedev asserted that Agassi had proved himself worthy of being considered better than his arch-rival Sampras.
That year, Agassi entered Roland Garros as the 13th seed and delivered an impressive campaign to reach the final. The American, who had fallen short in two previous French Open finals, appeared on the verge of another devastating defeat as Medvedev took a commanding two-set lead in the title clash.
However, Agassi mounted an incredible comeback to claim a 1-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory and clinch his maiden Roland Garros title. With his triumph, the American completed the coveted career Grand Slam, becoming only the second man in the Open Era after Rod Laver to achieve the historic feat.
Although the victory marked Andre Agassi's fourth Major title, compared to Pete Sampras' 11 at the time, Andrei Medvedev asserted that the French Open champion had earned the right to deem himself a greater player than Sampras.
Speaking to the press after his loss, Medvedev acknowledged his disappointment but emphasized that he had no regrets because he had been bested by an exceptional player in Agassi.
"I don't have regrets. As a competitor, I'm disappointed that I came up short, but I came up short to a great player. He has a right to say now that he's a greater player than, let's say, Pete (Sampras) by winning all four Grand Slams. It's an argument that he can have," Medvedev said (via The Ledger).
Andre Agassi himself marveled at joining legends like Laver, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf in accomplishing the career Grand Slam.
''To be assigned a place with some of the game's greatest players is an honor I'll have the rest of my life,'' Agassi said. ''I can't believe I can join that company.''
Pete Sampras thwarted Andre Agassi's hopes of completing French Open-Wimbledon double in 1999
Andre Agassi described winning the 1999 French Open as the "greatest feeling" he had ever experienced on the court. The American also expressed confidence in his ability to win more Major titles, aiming to become the first man in decades to win both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.
''I felt numb. There are so many reasons I have to be overwhelmed at that particular moment. This is certainly the greatest feeling that I've ever had on the tennis court. It's almost like it was just sheer destiny," Andre Agassi said.
''I certainly know I have a lot more tennis in me. It's been 25 years or so since somebody has won the French and Wimbledon in the same year. That would be something," he added.
Agassi did reach the final at Wimbledon following his French Open triumph. However, two-time defending champion Pete Sampras claimed a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 win in the title clash and dashed his compatriot's hopes of clinching the title at the grasscourt Major.
Nevertheless, Andre Agassi bounced back strongly at the US Open, beating Todd Martin 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-2 in the final to claim his fifth Grand Slam title.