it , '' Sampras told the Guardian newspaper . `` I 'm obviously happy for Roger . If there 's anyone that deserves it , it 's Roger . He 's come so close -LRB- previously -RRB- , '' Sampras said of the new champion and world number two , who lost the last three consecutive French Open finals to Spain 's Rafael Nadal . Federer spoke exclusively to CNN after his win and said he was relieved to have bounced back after relinquishing the world number one slot and the Australian and Wimbledon titles to Nadal in 2008 . `` It 's been a fantastic day - to get the elusive French title in the end was unbelievable . I always believed I was good enough to get it - but holding the trophy , after all I 've been through was just unbelievable . I 'm so proud right now you ca n't believe it . `` For me there was never a question whether I was going to retire . I worked extremely hard in the off season . Losing semifinals and finals all of a sudden was n't good enough for people anymore . But this
LONDON , England -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Former world number one , Pete Sampras , has described recently crowned French Open champion Roger Federer as the best player in history . Roger Federer after equalling Pete Sampras 's record of winning 14 men 's singles titles . The 37-year-old American , nicknamed ` Pistol Pete ' for his bullet-like serves , won a record 14 grand slam men 's singles titles over a 15-year career , though never captured the trophy at Roland Garros . In beating Sweden 's Robin Soderling 6-1 , 7-6 , 6-4 to take the French title on Sunday , Federer equaled Sampras 's record and became only the sixth man in history to win each of the four majors . Debate : Is Federer the greatest player ever ? The feat marks the 27-year-old Swiss out as the finest player to ever grace the game according to Sampras : `` What he 's done over the past five years has never , ever been done -- and probably will never , ever happen again . `` Regardless if he won there or not , he goes down as the greatest ever . This just confirms