Win or lose Federer is already the greatest, says Sampras

ROGER Federer is already the greatest, according to the legend he hopes to surpass at Wimbledon on Sunday.

LEGENDS LUNCH: Roger Federer and Pete Sampras have become close friends - the Swiss could overtake Pistol Pete's number of Slam wins if he wins at Wimbledon tennis on Sunday

Federer and Pete Sampras are deadlocked at 14 Grand Slam wins each and a victory over Andy Roddick would move the Swiss into a league of his own.

But Pistol Pete, who had his unbeaten Wimbledon record ended by a youthful Federer eight years ago, believes his one-time rival turned friend is already the best of the best.

"Roger is the greatest ever," he said.

"What he's done over the past five years has never been done and it will probably never happen again.

"And if there's anyone that deserves it, it's Roger."

Federer has already been watched by two tennis legends this week - Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver both cheering him to a straightforward semi-final win over Tommy Haas.

Australian Laver is still viewed by many as the best of all-time.

He won a Grand Slam-all four major titles in one season-in both 1962 and 1969, the last man to do it.

He finished his career with 11 major titles but was banned from the Slams for five years after turning professional in 1963.

But Sampras still believes Federer's achievements stand alone - with or lose this weekend.

"I'm a huge Rod Laver fan and he had a few years in there where he didn't have an opportunity to win the big tournaments," he added.

"But you can't compare the eras. Today the competition is much more fierce than in Rod's time. That's why Roger is the best ever.

"He just is a great, great player that is a credit to the sport and is a positive influence for young kids.

"And his career is not over yet. I'm sure he's going to go on and win a lot more."

ALL SMILES: Roger Federer has been in peerless form during his march through the rounds at Wimbledon this year (Getty Images)

But amazingly, 12 months ago Federer left Wimbledon with major question marks hanging over his career, having lost his world number one status.

In the space of just a few short weeks he had been humbled by Rafael Nadal on the clay courts of Roland Garros - then the only major title missing from his collection.

The Spaniard then ended Federer's unbeaten run on SW19's manicured lawns, depriving him of a sixth consecutive title that would have relegated Borg from the record books.

Critics - who had been previously absent from his career - started to emerge and question Federer's motivation.

Some openly doubted whether he'd ever win a Grand Slam again.

Federer admits he was down in the days after his defeat to Nadal in an epic Wimbledon final.

And he points to his doubles success at the Beijing Olympics, alongside Stanislas Wawrinka, for giving him hope again.

A few weeks later he beat Andy Murray in the US Open final, while his win at the French Open last month secured a complete set of major titles and a place in the world's most select tennis club - whose male membership totals just six.

Now there's no sign of him tiring of life at the top.

"I don't have any worries about motivation. I love this game and I want to stick around for a long time," said Federer, whose wife Mirka is expecting their first child later in the summer.

"I want our child to see me play. I want to play in the 2012 Olympics because the tennis tournament is at Wimbledon. That's something I want to be part of.

"My motivation won't change a lot."

 * Leading life assurance and pensions company AEGON is lead partner of British Tennis and is backing the sport at all levels, from grassroots to world class tennis events. For further information visit www.lta.org.uk