Pete Sampras Knows Rafael Nadal Will Pass His Record

Written by: Staff on 7th December 2012

RAFAEL NADAL WILL BE THE SPANISH OLYMPIC TEAM FLAG BEARER

Pete Sampras Knows Rafael Nadal Will Pass His Record

epa03306440 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal poses for photographers holding the Spanish national flag which he will bear during the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony, at Spanish Olympic Committee headquarters in Madrid, Spain, 14 July 2012. Nadal will be the Spanish olympic team flag bearer in the London 2012 Games beginning on 27 July 2012. EPA/BALLESTEROS |

It didn’t take Pete Sampras to lose his title as the all time Grand Slam singles winner, as Roger Federer passed him with his 15th major crown in 2009 – just seven years after the American won his last major at the US Open. Now Sampras thinks that Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who currently has 11, will pass him. Nadal has been off the tour recovering from knee surgery since Lukas Rosol stunned him at Wimbledon.

“It is going to be a tough process for Rafa,” he told Tennis Channel. “He is someone that needs to practice a lot and needs to play a lot, not only for the sake of his game but mentally as well. It will take some time, not only tennis-wise, but having the confidence in his legs again. It will take him time to get back into the groove. But I believe he will be right there. He will do all of the things he needs to do to get back to where he needs to be. I see him coming back strong. At 26 with 11 majors, if he stays healthy and plays for another four or five years, I think he is very well going to pass my total of 14 majors.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Career Titles, Pete Sampras, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis News