The difference of great players is at a certain point in a match they raise their level of play and maintain it. Lesser players play great for a set, but then less.
Meaning of the quote
Great players know how to keep playing at their best throughout a match. They can increase their performance level and then sustain it. Weaker players might play really well for a short time, but then their performance drops off.
About Pete Sampras
Pete Sampras was a legendary American tennis player who dominated the sport in the 1990s, winning 14 major singles titles, including 7 Wimbledon Championships and 5 US Open titles. He was ranked world No. 1 for a record 286 weeks, including 6 consecutive year-end No. 1 rankings from 1993 to 1998.
More quotes from Pete Sampras
In tennis, you can make a couple of mistakes and still win. Not in golf. I played three rounds in that Tahoe event, and I was drained. Mentally, not physically.
American tennis player
When you retire you want to get as far away as possible from the game for a couple of years.
American tennis player
It is nice to walk out on a court to have it packed.
American tennis player
Where I fall down is my short game. I don’t practice enough, and when I have to take a half swing from 50 yards out, that’s trouble.
American tennis player
There’s always one shot that I can rely on when I’m not hitting the ball that well, is my serve.
American tennis player
If Davis Cup was a little bit less or once every two years, I would be more inclined to play. But the way it is now, it is too much tennis for me.
American tennis player
The difference of great players is at a certain point in a match they raise their level of play and maintain it. Lesser players play great for a set, but then less.
American tennis player
I am going to hold serve the majority of the time. It is nice to have a little time to return serve.
American tennis player
For so long people have just taken what I do for granted. It is not easy to do year-in, year-out, to win Grand Slams and be No. 1.
American tennis player
Tennis is seen all around the world; if I am home or anywhere in the country, United States, people will stare.
American tennis player
People know me. I’m not going to produce any cartwheels out there. I’m not going to belong on Comedy Central. I’ll always be a tennis player, not a celebrity.
American tennis player
You kind of live and die by the serve.
American tennis player
Golfers are forever working on mechanics. My tennis swing hasn’t changed in 10 years.
American tennis player
I don’t know how I do it, I really don’t.
American tennis player
I let my racket do the talking. That’s what I am all about, really. I just go out and win tennis matches.
American tennis player