Andy Murray begins his attack on Wimbledon on Tuesday insisting Pete Sampras is the best grasscourt player of all time.
Scot hails Pistol Pete as all-time Wimbledon ace
Andy Murray begins his attack on Wimbledon on Tuesday insisting Pete Sampras and not rival Roger Federer is the best grasscourt player of all time.
Federer remains on track for a record-breaking 15th grand slam title after breezing through the first round but the Swiss ace is not the best ever on grass, according to the Scot.
Murray, who is third on Centre Court against American Robert Kendrick on Tuesday, told
ZOO: "His (Federer's) record speaks for itself and, for me, he has to be the best all-round tennis player ever.
"I think Pete Sampras is the best grass-court player there's ever been, though. You can't really argue with seven Wimbledon singles titles. Of course, Roger does have time to beat that."
Murray, who will carry the expectations of a nation into his clash with Kendrick, has set his sights on overtaking Federer in the world rankings and does not believe he is far away.
"At the French Open, Federer was down by two sets and four-three, advantage down against (Tommy) Haas and, if he had lost that match, I would have gone to world number two," said the 22-year-old Scot.
"So it is not like I am a long way behind them. If I can get over the first hurdle of winning the grand slam ... that is the only difference in the rankings between me, Roger and Rafa (Nadal).
"In the other tournaments, I have been competing with them. In the slams, they have been more consistent and won more.
"That is where I need to improve my results and win one. If I can do that, then there is no reason why I cannot be world number one - but it is a lot easier said than done.
"It is a very difficult thing to do to win a grand slam."
