Agassi and Sampras played one another 34 times during their professional careers, as the latter came out on top, 20-14, in their head-to-head.
The pair combined for a mightily impressive 22 Grand Slams, with Sampras winning a then-record 14 titles and Agassi winning eight.
6 Jun 1999: Andre Agassi of the USA holds up the trophy after defeating Andrei Medvedev of the Ukraine to win the men’s singles final of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France.
6 Jun 1999: Andre Agassi of the USA holds up the trophy after defeating Andrei Medvedev of the Ukraine to win the men’s singles final of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France.
Their ATP Tour rivalry was one for the ages, facing off in five Major finals, as the Americans battled it out for the sport’s biggest prizes.
However, regardless of the legendary status of the Sampras/Agassi rivalry, the latter named another player his favorite-ever opponent in 2022.
Andre Agassi picked Pat Rafter as his favorite tennis opponent ahead of Pete Sampras
Speaking ahead of the 2022 Australian Open, Agassi picked the player he enjoyed playing against the most during his tennis career.
“Pat [Rafter] and I had so many great matches, he was truly the most enjoyable player for me to compete against because he was such a sportsman, such a good guy,” he said.
“He was a class act in victory and defeat.
“His game was opposite of mine, but yet unlike [Pete] Sampras he allowed me to get into a rhythm out there and I always knew I was going to play well against him and we would raise each other’s game.”
21 Jan 2001: Patrick Rafter of Australia fails to rip his shirt after the Australian Open 2001 fourth round match played at Melbourne Park, in Melbourne, Australia. Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill /Allsport
21 Jan 2001: Patrick Rafter of Australia fails to rip his shirt after the Australian Open 2001 fourth round match played at Melbourne Park, in Melbourne, Australia. Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill /Allsport
In 2001, Agassi and Rafter made their way through to the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where they produced a classic on Rod Laver Arena.
