Rafael Nadal: The playing style of Pete Sampras was not enjoyable to watch

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For me, in the past it was just serve, serve, serve."

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thats funny because that is what mens tennis has pretty much been for the last 10 years albeit a couple of players here and there (nadal being one of them)

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Mats Wilander, the seven-time Grand Slam champion, says there is greater depth today. "If you go down to the 100th-ranked player, we weren't as deep as they are today," said Wilander. "But the first seven or eight guys were at the same level and produced great rivalries. Looking back, it was really special."

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definitely deeper today, and I think that makes it more exciting really (unless you only watch Majors)
The gap between the guys in the top 75-100, and Monfils (#8) for example isnt that huge in most cases.

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when i watch the men, it wrecks my enjoyment of the women...

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Reword or

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Rafael Nadal believes previous tennis eras cannot match the excitement generated by the current stars of the sport. "Personally, to watch a Pete Sampras versus Goran Ivanisevic match, or one between those kind of players, is not enjoyable," the 10-time major champion told The Evening Standard. "It's not really tennis, it is a few swings of the racquet. It was less eye-catching than what we do now. Everyone enjoys the tennis we play much more. I am not saying we are playing better tennis, just more enjoyable tennis. For me, in the past it was just serve, serve, serve."

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I AGREE WITH THIS!!! IF you follow the sport over the last 20 years. He IS right.

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you "poly strings ruined the game" people are ridiculous.

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"Ruined" is a matter of opinion. "Changed" is a matter of fact.

Sampras was a very underrated "tennis player." He had a big serve, but frankly so does Federer, and Nadal's serve is definitely a weapon.

But Sampras was the last true serve-and-volley Wimby champ, and I fear there will never be another because the equipment will not allow it. You can sit back like Nadal and tee off from the baseline game after game.

FWIW, my top faves are:

1. McEnroe
2. Edberg
3. Sampras
4. Borg
5. Federer
6. Agassi

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In his prime, Pete Sampras would have worn Rafa Nadal's azz out, both on serve and volley. Sure, Federer ended Sampras' run as Wimbledon King, but to say Sampras was at his best at that time would be ignorant. He was well past his best days by the time his AELTCC run ended. In his prime, there was no better tennis player in the world, EVER!!!

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LOL, completely disagree.

I’ve had this argument with a hundred people, but I think Rafa would beat Sampras in 4 sets at Wimbledon. Now that’s not to say Rafa is a better player. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, you can’t compare players from different generations head-to-head. You can only compare what they did and how they fared against their generation.

Sampras was the better Wimbledon player against his generation; it’s not debatable. However, if you matched them up, I think Rafa would take him, and yes part of it is because of the improvements/changes in equipment. I don’t think some of you understand the effect the new strings have on the ability to pass. That’s why the serve and volley game died out. Rafa, IMO, is the best passer in the game’s history and it’s because of:

A. The change in strings allows him to get so much more pace on the ball while still whipping it over and keeping it low. If someone hit a passing shot back in Sampras’ day with the pace Rafa does it would be in the stands.

B. The fact that he used to hit a forehand with each hand and thus has such a strong off-hand.

Again, let me reiterate, Sampras is the better Wimbledon champion, but Rafa would beat him head-to-head.

Also, I agree tennis is more exciting now. Longer rallies and better depth and athleticism. If only there was an American of note. It’s the only reason tennis isn’t getting the hype it deserves; it’s at a golden age right now.

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What equipment do you propose this match be played with? If Sampras era equipment I'd put my money on Sampras. With modern equipment I'd bet on Nadal. If you want to go back to wooden rackets you have to consider those who mastered the game with that equipment. It's not like Nadal has developed some revolutionary technique for swinging a tennis racket. He has simply made the best use of the equipment available by tailoring his game to use the equipment effectively.

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Yea I just assume you’d match them up with the technologies they used or I guess Sampras could go to today’s strings if he wanted.

I think Borg is probably the one player whose game could translate the best through different eras. The guy was getting the kind of pace and topspin compared to the rest of the field with a damn wooden racquet that Rafa gets in today’s game with the new strings.

I'd take Agassi in a match over Sampras if they were to play with today's equipment. Hell, Michael Chang might have won multiple majors with today's rackets.

There's alot of Sampras hate in this thread. That dude was a cold blooded cyborg. If they met in their true primes, I wouldn't be surprised if Sampras demolished Nadal, and I LIKE Nadal.