Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz: tennis legend’s provocation wreaks havoc

Pete Sampras holds the’incredible record of six seasons closed at No. 1 in the Atp rankings, a record he achieved in the seasons between 1993 and 1998. Roger Federer achieved it for four consecutive years (2004-2007) and Novak Djokovic for two years in a row on three different occasions, while Rafael Nadal has never closed two consecutive seasons as No. 1. Interviewed by the official website of the Atp, the U.S. legend provoked Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner: “I am trying to stay humble, but the record speaks for itself, I don&#8217t think it will ever be beaten by anyone. It was an incredible thing”.

Clearly, Pistol Pete’s words sparked a huge debate on social media: fans of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner did not like it and vented especially on X. “I mark it Pete, see you in a few years” wrote one user. “I hope you are right, otherwise I will storm you in a few years with messages” is the message another user shared on their X profile. “It was beautiful but it also drained me emotionally in the following years. It is very difficult to stay No. 1, and to do it six years in a row is really something unthinkable” continued the’former U.S. tennis player.

Nicknamed Pistols or Pistol Pete because of the power of his shots, Sampras is considered one of the greatest tennis players in history. During his career he won 14 Grand Slam tournaments and five ATP Finals. He was world No. 1 for 286 weeks, a figure that ranks him third overall behind Novak Đoković and Roger Federer, and ended six consecutive seasons at the top of the rankings, a record still unmatched. He has also been named ITF World Champion for six years in a row. Although he did not complete the Career Grand Slam-he always missed a triumph at Roland Garros-he is remembered for his seven titles at Wimbledon, achieved in as many finals played, a record later surpassed by Federer.

The record was broken by Federer.

At the U.S. Open he collected five victories, an Open Era record shared with Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer, while at the Australian Open he had two wins. A player inclined to attack and fast surfaces, Sampras was distinguished by flat, violent and accurate strokes, as well as extraordinary effectiveness in serve & volley. His rivalry with compatriot Andre Agassi remained among the most exciting ever, thanks to the contrast between two opposite but complementary styles that marked an era. In 2007 he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, a recognition that definitively enshrined his sporting legacy.