Pete Sampras still believes Roger Federer will break his record number of grand slam titles in the 'next couple of years' and hopes to be there when it happens.
Federer has accrued 13 major titles, one short of the 14 won by Sampras, who is in London this week playing at the Tour of Champions' BlackRock Masters.
The Swiss master was expected to at least equal the record this year, but endured a disappointing season, adding just one more grand slam at the US Open and losing the Wimbledon final - and with it the world No.1 ranking - to Rafael Nadal.
Sampras, however, has tipped him to come back stronger in 2009.
"There's a lot left in him," the American said of Federer.
"I think he'd like to get back to No.1 and he's looking forward to breaking my record soon. He can win as many Wimbledons as he wants - he's got the game."
"Roger's probably going to break it over the next couple of years."
"I've been pretty accepting that he'll break it."
"He's a credit to the game, he's a friend and there's nothing I can do about it apart from sit back and watch him do it and respect it."
Asked if he will be present, Sampras replied: "I'd like to, out of respect to him and his record. And if it's Wimbledon there's a good chance I'll be there."
Five years Federer's junior and already with five grand slam titles, Nadal is the only other current player who could threaten Sampras' record.
But Sampras has questioned how well the Spaniard's body can cope with the pressures of top-level tennis.
"It will be interesting to see what happens with Nadal next year," he said.
"The amount of work he has to do to stay on top and stay healthy - I think that's where Roger has a bit of an advantage because he it takes a lot less energy for Roger to stay on top than Nadal."
"Rafa's strung so tight and the guy is an absolute animal."
"He puts so much effort into each point that eventually something will break. There's a certain grind that he goes through, unlike Roger who is a lot more fluid and wins matches a lot easier."
"But when you're the best player in the world and people are gunning for you year after year, that's when it takes its toll and it'll be interesting to see how he handles that."