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Nadal can surpass Federer - Sampras

Pete Sampras insists Roger Federer can win more Grand Slam titles © Getty Images

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Pete Sampras believes world No. 1 Rafael Nadal is capable of surpassing Roger Federer's record of 16 grand slam titles, providing he takes care of himself.

Federer's sixth title at Wimbledon last year surpassed Sampras' previous record of 14, and the former world No. 1, who still holds the record for weeks spent at the top of the world rankings, thinks Nadal is capable of setting the bar even higher.

"If he's smart with his schedule and the fact that he has so many at such a young age, he could very well do it," Sampras said. "The only question with Rafa is physically how much his body can handle the pounding with how hard he works for every point. You just watch him play, the kid is relentless."

Nadal's US Open victory sealed a career Grand Slam, something Sampras, with seven Wimbledon titles, five US Open crowns and two Australian Open victories, never achieved.

Already on nine slams at just 24, Nadal has some way to go to reach Federer's record of 16 grand slams, but with Nadal winning 14 of his 21 meetings against Federer, and with an Olympic gold medal and a Davis Cup trophy to his name, Sampras believes the Spaniard has nothing left to prove.

"It's a huge goal, it's a lot of majors, it's a lot of work," Sampras said. "Quite honestly, I don't think he really needs to. He's won all the majors, he's won the Olympics; he's dominated his main rival in Roger."

Despite Federer's recent slip to No. 3 in the world for the first time since November 2003, Sampras has backed him to win another grand slam, insisting the Swiss' game had not deteriorated; rather his rivals have finally reached his level.

"I don't see any decline," Sampras said. "I just think guys are getting a little better, and he's lost some close matches here, and it's going to happen.

"He's 29, and the next few years are sort of a challenge, but I think Roger is up to the task. He can win more majors. He's done everything in the game, and you get to a point in your life where things slow down a little bit, and you're not quite as fresh as you were when you were 22."

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