"This wouldn’t even buy some cars I’ve seen in Palm Springs" - When Andre Agassi joked about prize money at Indian Wells 2001 after winning the title
Back in 2001, Andre Agassi jokingly stated that the prize money for the title-winner at the Indian Wells Masters was so scant that one could not even buy some of the cars on location in Palm Springs, California, with it.
Agassi faced off against one of his biggest rivals, Pete Sampras, in the final of the tournament in 2001 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The eight-time Grand Slam champion got the better of his fellow American, registering a comprehensive 7-6, 7-5, 6-1 win in straight sets.
Upon clinching the title, Agassi was keen to make note of the meager prize money for the winner during the presentation ceremony.
"This wouldn’t even buy some of the cars I’ve seen in Palm Springs," the American said humorously.
Agassi received a winner's check of around $400,000, while runner-up Sampras was handed $211,000. Meanwhile, in the ongoing Indian Wells Masters, winners of both the ATP and WTA Tours will receive an amount of $1,262,220 and the losing finalist will earn $662,360.
During his post-match conference, Sampras went on to reflect on the expertise of his opponent. He acknowledged that hitting second serves against a player like Agassi who returns "too well" proved to be the deciding factor that cost him the title in the end.
"You can’t continue to hit second serves against Andre Agassi because he returns too well. The serve all week didn’t feel like it was quite there. It was a little bit inconsistent," observed the 14-time Grand Slam champion.
"The best match I ever played against Andre Agassi was the final at the 1999 Wimbledon" - Pete Sampras after the Indian Wells final
After the summit clash at the 2001 Indian Wells, Pete Sampras revealed that the best match he ever played against Agassi on tour was the final of the 1999 Wimbledon. Sampras, who is known for his prowess on grass courts, outclassed Agassi 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 to clinch the sixth Wimbledon title of his career.
Reflecting on the match, Pete Sampras called it the best display he had ever put up against Agassi.
“For me, the best match I ever played against Andre was the final a couple of years ago at Wimbledon. Granted, it was grass. I think it’s the best display I’ve ever put together,” he stated.
Andre Agassi met Sampras on 34 occasions on tour, with their head-to-head record reading 20-14 in favor of the latter. The duo last faced off against each other in the 2002 US Open final, where Sampras won 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to clinch the last Grand Slam title of his career.