With giant servebots Isner, Ivanisevic, Sampras, Karlovic, Roddick Without servebots Pancho Gonzalez, Sampras, Ivanisevic, Roddick, Krygios My only objection with Krygios being when he has made it to the biggest pressure moments (USO QF, Wimbledon F) his serve hasn't fully delivered, and that's where I would consider a swap with say Becker or Federer (2009 W final with Roddick where the serve won him the final and the slam) Other great servers of the past that no one remembers now: Krajicek Wimbledon 1996), Michael Stitch, Roscoe Tanner. And Agassi rated Wayne Arthur's as having the best serve (technique, disguise) he ever faced after Sampras.
Very early on in Sampras’ career and just beginning to get recognized as a phenom, I remember him stating in an interview that he believed he has to get to the net to win Wimbledon, apparently an ultimate objective at the time. I believe that this was a key idea in his mind that made his serve the weapon that it was, his weight and momentum were perfectly synchronized in the serve so he can win at the net.
@@wozmac771More like a tie. Fed and Sampras are equal in fluidity, and both had the same trophy pose. But in terms of who had the better serve, Sampras takes it by a mile.
@@tolendoi123 I do believe the Sampras serve is the most difficult to return, he was using a ton of weight behind it. Federer has been using lighter rackets, bad for a heavy serve, but still has the same speed and angles. That's why I feel Federer was better. Btw, the Sampras pose is a bit more difficult to master, he uses all of his body. Federer, I think took that and made it work for his bad back.
Pete may not have the most power serve (don’t forget he played with smaller racket head and older technology compared to big three) but routinely well placed 120 mph first serve and a second serve often in 120mph as well, perfect for his serve and volley game. His ground strokes however doesn’t compare to the big three in consistency, especially his forehand.
@@henryangus6934 true, but to be fair his FH was inconsistent because it was designed to end points as quick as possible. Pete has thalassemia so a low margin shot on his FH side made sense. All things - racquet size and natural gut strings - considered, it was quite a decent stroke.
@@henryangus6934 the courts were faster and the balls smaller, Djokovic and Nadal would be having a hard time adjusting into a flatter shorter swing with less topspin.
Yeah Patrick is really putting himself out there by proclaiming Pete at top 5 - wow! The fact is that Pete could serve aces against top players while throwing up from exhaustion between serves. It was a lethal combination of effortless speed and accuracy. On many occasions, he'd start by serving aces and un-returnables to win the first game outright. Maybe the best server ever.
Pete is *everyone's* list of top 5 servers of all time. 14 slams and 6 years ending number 1, largely built off that absolutely incredible serve. And it wasn't just the technique, speed and precision, it was the ability to deliver his best serves under pressure for over a decade in the biggest stages.
I mean he moved well before the back injury, had a great net and transition game and a massive forehand, a good slice and constructed points well in addition to the serve. He was more than just his serve. One of the finest grass and hard court players ever.
@@mitchaelhollingsworth1698 yes agreed, but remove the serve and would be have the same success, would he beat Agassi and Becker as many times as he did? His serve is what made his mind bulletproof. By contrast take away Federer's serve or Novak's backhand and they'd still win slams.
@@manutd1968Agility and movement aren't the shots. Give those to Pete and still take away his serve, Pete wouldn't be winning much slams. However, Nole and Roger would still be in contention of winning slams. I have seen Nole snd Roger winning slams despite the low quality of their backhand and forehand respectively by virtue of their other traits. I can't say the same about Serve-less Pete
Sampras had the best serve of all time in my opinion. It wasn't the fastest, nor did he serve the most aces. But he could produce the unreturnable serve when he needed it most. If I had a dollar for every time his opponent was ahead 30-40 in the game, only for Sampras to hit three unreturnable serves in a row and close out the game. Soul crushing
Yes absolutely. One instance of game of him I remember was vs Agassi in 1999 Wimbledon final. Agassi had 3 breakpoints at 0-40 bt Sampras gunned him down with 3 aces followed by Serve and Volleys to clinch the points. Mental toughness plus confidence on his own abilities. Even Federer hasn't came as close to in mental toughness despite being having one of best volley & serve skills as we've seen in Wimbledon 2019 vs Novak Djokovic where nole saved 2 championship points to win that greatest ever final. Nole is closer to Sampras when it comes to mental toughness
The unique things about Pete's serve is it is a mix of platform serve and pinpint serve. When we he stands and even after tossing it look like platform serve, just after hitting his feet positioned like a pinpoint serve. Also, he uses the elbow very effective to hit on the top of the ball.
What made his serve even better was that he would use it to serve and volley. Coupled with a single handed back hand and an ability to slam dunk shots out of the air, he is perhaps one of the most epic tennis players to ever pick up a racquet
I miss pistol Pete so much on the tour. I was nit just one of the best players ever. He also was kind, humble and down to earth. Besides his serve also his running forehand was a killer shot.
I would say he had the best serve of all time. Not the fastest, but by far the best thanks to it being unreadable, always careying incredible kick even when "flat" and the consistency, especially in key moments. Lethal. Absolutely lethal.
Truly remarkable server. He was so consistent I watched the radar and all his second serves were hitting the same speed 178kmph, which was as fast as most people’s first (at the time- 1998 aus Open) His average first serve speed varied between 185 - 205 kmph
He is the best server of all time especially with the equipment that they had back in the 90s, if he played in his prime with the strings and equipment that the modern day professionals have to day, he would have won at least 3 more grand slams, and he literally had to play against one of the greatest returners of all time, and made it look easy!
He might just be the best. Not many players have that iconic of a serve, and Pete probably has the most well known serve in the last few decades. Plus, being able to dominate with a serve WITHOUT being able to hit straight down as 2m+ players do, shows great control and technique
Sampras may not be the greatest player, but he is definitely the best server in history with no close second. Speed, power, accuracy, along with unreal success rate under pressure moment's. He won some matches with his serve alone. One break was all he needed.
Pete is probably the greatest server of all time. Serving over 130 hitting spots with ease. Also Sampras day courts played faster with courts changing and balls changing allowed people to get into rallies more often.
In Sampras’ mind, there is no such thing as a 2nd serve. He treated each serve the same and no matter the score. How many times has he hit aces to win the game being down 0-40?!? Countless times!
Late career Sampras used to warm up for wimbledon by playing a little basketball, hitting 5 forehands, then hitting quarters placed on the corners of the service box before calling it a day.
@@EmperorsNewWardrobe Federer looked more elegant when playing, but Sampras had the best second serve of all times, which was really another first serve. It's amusing to watch Agassi's coach shake his head in disbelief when Sampras hits a super fast ace down the line on second serve against Agassi on a very important point. In pressure moments, Sampras didn't get nervous at all, just more focused, and he seemed to break the fighting spirit of his opponents with his tremendous confidence.
@@AA-le9ls eh? What you just said sounds like an argument for Sampras’ serve being better than Federer’s, not the other way round as you initially said
Sampras was an amazing player. Had he played with this current generation with the best coaches and fitness programs he would have won atleast 10 more grand slams. I feel his overall game was better than a lot of the top players - my top 5 greats post 1990- Fed, Nadal, Djokovic, Sampras and Agassi.
Part of? Pete Sampras is the best server of all time! You could argue his first serve being the best, but you can’t argue his second serve definitely being the best
Also, Pete was a tremendous "clutch" server. At 0-40, triple break down, and he'd hit 3 service winners in a row, and back to deuce. That's cold blooded.
Technically the best serve I've ever seen. He was also hitting with a monster spin with a 85 square inches racket. I'd be curious to know what he would have achieved with a modern racket
He also has one of the best backhands in the business! Oh and forehand and one of the best all court players. He also won 14 grand slams and he did it in 10 years. If anyone here doubts anything I just said as far as his serve, backhand and forehand go look at 1996 match against Boris Becker what is 2000 against Boris Becker or 2002 against Andre Agassi see these matches on RUclips let me know what you think
Incredible!! 😮I love how you state obvious things as your opinions. One of the best? The only possible discussion is: is Pete Sampras serve THE best in history? Given his height it must be. All the Ivanisevices and Karlovices or Isners of the world are considered best servers because of their height..
He is THE best server ever!! He may not have been as fast as some but he could hit any serve at anytime. He also did it a the biggest moments. His biggest moments are bigger rhan anyone else who is considered to have the greatest serves
He is #1 server not just top 5 😝 That second serve alone is basically another first serve… can’t say the same for guys like Fed, Roddick, Philippousis etc. 😅
Who would you include in your Hall of Servers? 🏆
Isner, Karlovic, Sampras, Federer, Ivanisevic
Kyrgios, Federer, Sampras, Isner, Karlovic
Federer, Becker, Roddick, Tanner, Mcenroe, Edberg,
With giant servebots
Isner, Ivanisevic, Sampras, Karlovic, Roddick
Without servebots
Pancho Gonzalez, Sampras, Ivanisevic, Roddick, Krygios
My only objection with Krygios being when he has made it to the biggest pressure moments (USO QF, Wimbledon F) his serve hasn't fully delivered, and that's where I would consider a swap with say Becker or Federer (2009 W final with Roddick where the serve won him the final and the slam)
Other great servers of the past that no one remembers now: Krajicek Wimbledon 1996), Michael Stitch, Roscoe Tanner.
And Agassi rated Wayne Arthur's as having the best serve (technique, disguise) he ever faced after Sampras.
Very early on in Sampras’ career and just beginning to get recognized as a phenom, I remember him stating in an interview that he believed he has to get to the net to win Wimbledon, apparently an ultimate objective at the time. I believe that this was a key idea in his mind that made his serve the weapon that it was, his weight and momentum were perfectly synchronized in the serve so he can win at the net.
There are athletes in sports whose mechanics are just poetry in motion. Pete's one of them.
Best personality too love calm down people like him ❤
He was very moody actually no personality whatsoever
@@MAH-tu1xz nicest guy
@@MAH-tu1xz moody is synonymous with "no personality" now?
And he was known to be calm on the courts, not moody.
His mental toughness was also a major part of his game.
A double fault never phased him. He would invariably follow with an ace.
Pistol Pete: The most stylish and fluid server I’ve ever seen 👌
I think Federer has taken that title.
@@wozmac771nah, just go and see Pete serving once more
@@wozmac771More like a tie. Fed and Sampras are equal in fluidity, and both had the same trophy pose. But in terms of who had the better serve, Sampras takes it by a mile.
@@tolendoi123 I do believe the Sampras serve is the most difficult to return, he was using a ton of weight behind it. Federer has been using lighter rackets, bad for a heavy serve, but still has the same speed and angles. That's why I feel Federer was better. Btw, the Sampras pose is a bit more difficult to master, he uses all of his body. Federer, I think took that and made it work for his bad back.
Best server I've ever seen, perfect kinematic chain, superb confidence in his 2nd serve. Pete remains my idol despite the big 3!
Pete may not have the most power serve (don’t forget he played with smaller racket head and older technology compared to big three) but routinely well placed 120 mph first serve and a second serve often in 120mph as well, perfect for his serve and volley game. His ground strokes however doesn’t compare to the big three in consistency, especially his forehand.
@@henryangus6934 true, but to be fair his FH was inconsistent because it was designed to end points as quick as possible. Pete has thalassemia so a low margin shot on his FH side made sense. All things - racquet size and natural gut strings - considered, it was quite a decent stroke.
@@henryangus6934also Sampras put a load of spin on his first serve which is highly unusual. That slows it down.
@@henryangus6934 the courts were faster and the balls smaller, Djokovic and Nadal would be having a hard time adjusting into a flatter shorter swing with less topspin.
@@Thereallevanballs were of the same size. I could be wrong
They used to call him as 'The Guy who didn't had second serve'.
Top 5? Pete is alone in the top 1! Best serve of all time. A beast.
His 2nd serves were incredible 👏🏻
Patrick likes to make himself smart with some obvious opinions. Next one;
Rafa is one of the best lefties in history.
you got that right
Yeah Patrick is really putting himself out there by proclaiming Pete at top 5 - wow! The fact is that Pete could serve aces against top players while throwing up from exhaustion between serves. It was a lethal combination of effortless speed and accuracy. On many occasions, he'd start by serving aces and un-returnables to win the first game outright. Maybe the best server ever.
@@scachan331 you know what they say - your serve is only as good as your *second serve*.
I totally agree with you, loved him, his serve and volley
Retired too early.👍👍👍
I was waking up in the middle of the night to see his matches with Agassi or Safin..loved his style of play
Pete is *everyone's* list of top 5 servers of all time. 14 slams and 6 years ending number 1, largely built off that absolutely incredible serve. And it wasn't just the technique, speed and precision, it was the ability to deliver his best serves under pressure for over a decade in the biggest stages.
And he made it look easy!
I mean he moved well before the back injury, had a great net and transition game and a massive forehand, a good slice and constructed points well in addition to the serve. He was more than just his serve. One of the finest grass and hard court players ever.
@@mitchaelhollingsworth1698 yes agreed, but remove the serve and would be have the same success, would he beat Agassi and Becker as many times as he did? His serve is what made his mind bulletproof. By contrast take away Federer's serve or Novak's backhand and they'd still win slams.
@@loganthewolverine2030 that's just like saying taking away Roger's movement or Novak's agility, would they be as successful?
@@manutd1968Agility and movement aren't the shots. Give those to Pete and still take away his serve, Pete wouldn't be winning much slams. However, Nole and Roger would still be in contention of winning slams. I have seen Nole snd Roger winning slams despite the low quality of their backhand and forehand respectively by virtue of their other traits. I can't say the same about Serve-less Pete
Not just that He is the best server of all time,His serve is arguably the most asthetic shot in the history of the game
Boris Becker Took The Serve To A New Level And Established "Power Tennis" With His Overall Game.
@@M.EngelhARTAnd then Pete came along and upped the ante.
Pete’s timing on volleys and jumping overheads were just unreal! His athletic ability was just from outer space
He’s my all time favorite!
Sampras serving was one of the most beautiful sights in tennis.🤗
complete player during his prime . not just about serves , he had powerful groundstroke especially his forehanf when he was on the run .
Sampras had the best serve of all time in my opinion. It wasn't the fastest, nor did he serve the most aces. But he could produce the unreturnable serve when he needed it most. If I had a dollar for every time his opponent was ahead 30-40 in the game, only for Sampras to hit three unreturnable serves in a row and close out the game. Soul crushing
Yes absolutely. One instance of game of him I remember was vs Agassi in 1999 Wimbledon final. Agassi had 3 breakpoints at 0-40 bt Sampras gunned him down with 3 aces followed by Serve and Volleys to clinch the points. Mental toughness plus confidence on his own abilities. Even Federer hasn't came as close to in mental toughness despite being having one of best volley & serve skills as we've seen in Wimbledon 2019 vs Novak Djokovic where nole saved 2 championship points to win that greatest ever final. Nole is closer to Sampras when it comes to mental toughness
Pete had the smoothest serve mechanics and clutchest serve on the tour.
The unique things about Pete's serve is it is a mix of platform serve and pinpint serve. When we he stands and even after tossing it look like platform serve, just after hitting his feet positioned like a pinpoint serve. Also, he uses the elbow very effective to hit on the top of the ball.
Nobody's forgetting one of the greatest ever. Pete's been almost everyone's favorite player. His was/is the best serve ever.
What made his serve even better was that he would use it to serve and volley. Coupled with a single handed back hand and an ability to slam dunk shots out of the air, he is perhaps one of the most epic tennis players to ever pick up a racquet
absolutely remember Pete. best of all time in my opinion.
I miss pistol Pete so much on the tour. I was nit just one of the best players ever. He also was kind, humble and down to earth.
Besides his serve also his running forehand was a killer shot.
Pistol Pete in tennis. Pistol Pete in basketball. Both were a joy to watch
Saw Pete live at centre court 1996. Serve was machine like, 1st and second serve. He even hit a second serve ace.
Pete was and still is to me the best server ever. His accuracy and pace on his second serve is unmatched in my opinion.
I would say he had the best serve of all time. Not the fastest, but by far the best thanks to it being unreadable, always careying incredible kick even when "flat" and the consistency, especially in key moments. Lethal. Absolutely lethal.
Just started watching his matches last week and was amazed at the way he played.
(I played in the 60's in school.
My T hero was Laver).
Pete Sampras had the best second Serve of all time n one of the best Server in history of the game !!
Best ever athlete in tennis . So quick to the net , guy was like a rubber band
Truly remarkable server. He was so consistent I watched the radar and all his second serves were hitting the same speed 178kmph, which was as fast as most people’s first (at the time- 1998 aus Open) His average first serve speed varied between 185 - 205 kmph
He is the best server of all time especially with the equipment that they had back in the 90s, if he played in his prime with the strings and equipment that the modern day professionals have to day, he would have won at least 3 more grand slams, and he literally had to play against one of the greatest returners of all time, and made it look easy!
Beautiful, elegant player
Pete was the last of the great American tennis players! 😢
Boris Becker said in an interview that Sampras' serve was the greatest in history!!!
He might just be the best. Not many players have that iconic of a serve, and Pete probably has the most well known serve in the last few decades. Plus, being able to dominate with a serve WITHOUT being able to hit straight down as 2m+ players do, shows great control and technique
Sampras may not be the greatest player, but he is definitely the best server in history with no close second. Speed, power, accuracy, along with unreal success rate under pressure moment's. He won some matches with his serve alone. One break was all he needed.
He is still in contention of being the 3td greatest ever.
The Best technique ever. A beautiful movement
He absolutely modernized the service game. Strong second serves are just expected in today’s game now to be a complete pro player.
Yeah his ability to hit shots on the run with power was very impressive
Pete is probably the greatest server of all time. Serving over 130 hitting spots with ease. Also Sampras day courts played faster with courts changing and balls changing allowed people to get into rallies more often.
Of course I remember it. I saw him at Roland Garros 97. He was serving missiles!
The thing that always struck me about his serve was how much more coil he got versus other players.
Hi Patrick, what are the key steps to having an awesome kick serve?
Great serve and great forehand!!!
My all time favorite
You know you have a great second serve when youtube has videos of your second serve aces!
Pete has the best trophy pose!
keep searching
@@BeatsByDezea I did
In Sampras’ mind, there is no such thing as a 2nd serve. He treated each serve the same and no matter the score.
How many times has he hit aces to win the game being down 0-40?!? Countless times!
Late career Sampras used to warm up for wimbledon by playing a little basketball, hitting 5 forehands, then hitting quarters placed on the corners of the service box before calling it a day.
Pistol pete, best ever. GOAT
Although I’m speaking as a huge Federer fan, whenever you want to sniff out Federer bias, simply ask who had the better serve out of him and Sampras
Federer’s serve is top 5 all time, but Pete’s is THE BEST of all time.
Federer was better than Sampras on everything, even serving.
@@AA-le9ls and what did Federer do with his serve that Sampras couldn't?
@@EmperorsNewWardrobe Federer looked more elegant when playing, but Sampras had the best second serve of all times, which was really another first serve. It's amusing to watch Agassi's coach shake his head in disbelief when Sampras hits a super fast ace down the line on second serve against Agassi on a very important point. In pressure moments, Sampras didn't get nervous at all, just more focused, and he seemed to break the fighting spirit of his opponents with his tremendous confidence.
@@AA-le9ls eh? What you just said sounds like an argument for Sampras’ serve being better than Federer’s, not the other way round as you initially said
I would go a step farther and say Pete’s serve was the second most effective weapon in the history of sports only behind Kareem’s Sky Hook
Best serve I’ve ever seen
Virtually unstoppable as I remembered him.
Sampras was an amazing player. Had he played with this current generation with the best coaches and fitness programs he would have won atleast 10 more grand slams. I feel his overall game was better than a lot of the top players - my top 5 greats post 1990- Fed, Nadal, Djokovic, Sampras and Agassi.
Pete Sampras was also a highly effective serve and volley tennis player!
I would love to see a match between Prime Pete and Prime Novak. Unstoppable force vs immovable object.
I think with the type of tennis balls they used in Pete's era,he would have an advantage over Novak had they played in that era.
@@relevantbrother8964Pete eould win hands down. On today's court, even Tsinga would thrash Pete
Part of? Pete Sampras is the best server of all time! You could argue his first serve being the best, but you can’t argue his second serve definitely being the best
Pete Sampras reign for six years, and his service made a lot of diference !!!
Even Roger is among the top 5 servers. Pete is the greatest server
It's almost not even an opinion. The second serve itself is possibly the greatest ever
Also, Pete was a tremendous "clutch" server. At 0-40, triple break down, and he'd hit 3 service winners in a row, and back to deuce.
That's cold blooded.
Technically the best serve I've ever seen. He was also hitting with a monster spin with a 85 square inches racket. I'd be curious to know what he would have achieved with a modern racket
He also has one of the best backhands in the business! Oh and forehand and one of the best all court players. He also won 14 grand slams and he did it in 10 years. If anyone here doubts anything I just said as far as his serve, backhand and forehand go look at 1996 match against Boris Becker what is 2000 against Boris Becker or 2002 against Andre Agassi see these matches on RUclips let me know what you think
But how did you conclude that the tomb was temporary?It doesn't seem evident.
Boris Becker Took The Serve To A New Level And Established "Power Tennis" With His Overall Game.
Incredible!! 😮I love how you state obvious things as your opinions. One of the best? The only possible discussion is: is Pete Sampras serve THE best in history? Given his height it must be. All the Ivanisevices and Karlovices or Isners of the world are considered best servers because of their height..
If Federer had Sampras' serve, he'd have at least 3 more grand slams. Sampras first!
What about Goran ivanisevic serve?
good point man...Goran was real 2nd serve king...
He is THE best server ever!! He may not have been as fast as some but he could hit any serve at anytime. He also did it a the biggest moments. His biggest moments are bigger rhan anyone else who is considered to have the greatest serves
Absolutely Sir
Pete's serve is still the best. 6 foot 1 and so accurate and fast.
Sampras, my favorite player.
Pete sanpras is GOATin my opinion
Sampras for me de most ever player serve and the most ever player DRIVE forehand
He’s probably the best server ever.
Pete & Roger 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
So what is his weaknesses so far?
Thanks for talking in meters rather than in feet and inches
He is the best server of all times especially that second serve which is also his 1st serve
What’s debatable is his first serve. One of the best. What is not debatable is his second serve. His second was hands down the greatest of all time.
Number one in my opinion... I'd rather have no one on the line than pistol Pete when the title is on the line!
He was the GOAT
I miss the serve & volley era, Sampras, Edberg, Becker, McEnroe, Rafter all former number one rushing to the net...
Top 5. Top 1. His serve was something else
When he had to win a game, he served to win...
Why is Pete using a Head racquet in that 3rd image??? That blows my mind!
Agassi, Chang, and Courier all use Babolat in the senior tour matches I've seen so Sampras with Head isn't that crazy
My favorite player. And for me the best server ever.
Greatest ever server
I never liked Pete Sampras....but he has the BEST and MOST EFFECTIVE serve there has ever been
Sampras with head ❤
GOAT
Sampras IS the greatest server of all time.
Sampras may have been surpassed when it comes to GS but hes still my favorite player! and for me best serve of all time.
Can’t agree more.
Pete King of tennis
He is #1 server not just top 5 😝 That second serve alone is basically another first serve… can’t say the same for guys like Fed, Roddick, Philippousis etc. 😅
His kick serve toss was not the same as the toss for his other serves. He rarely used his kick serve, preferring a traditional topspin serve.
Best server of all time. Period 😑.
You misses the biggest reason. He made big first serves when at the most important times….clutch city.
Sampras form is in the logo of the USTA...not bad!