The rival Pete Sampras once claimed was a better returner than Andre Agassi

Pete Sampras claimed Lleyton Hewitt was a better returner than Andre Agassi

Sampras lost 6-7(4-7), 1-6, 1-6 to Australian ace Lleyton Hewitt, and sang his praises in his post-match press conference.

When asked if he felt he was nearly as sharp as his opponent, the runner-up said: “Well, the reason I wasn’t quite that sharp is because of the way he was returning, the way he was passing.

“You know, every time I made a second serve, he made me play. I was hitting low volleys. It’s hard to do that three sets, let alone I just… the harder I served, the more I put into it, the better he returned.

“He’s got the best return in the game, the best wheels in the game. He possesses now a much better serve. He’s a great player. You’ll see him contending here for the next ten years.”

When asked if he thought Hewitt was a better returner than Agassi at that point, Sampras simply responded: “Yeah.”

And when asked why, he replied: “Because he’s quicker. Maybe doesn’t have quite the power, but he doesn’t miss.

“You know, he’s very tough to ace. He’s got the hands and the feet, it’s phenomenal. Really pretty impressive stuff.”

Pete Sampras named Lleyton Hewitt and Michael Chang as the quickest players he’d faced

Sampras’ praise of Hewitt was not limited to that interaction, with the American having also been asked if he had ever played anyone who covers the court as fast as the Australian.

He said: “You know, I put him and [Michael] Chang in the same league. Those are the two quickest guys I’ve played. But Lleyton I think possesses, you know, a bit better game.”

While Sampras ended his career with a positive head-to-head record against Agassi, he couldn’t do the same with Hewitt.

They met nine times in total on the ATP Tour, with the Australian star claiming five wins and losing the other four.