FEDERER - SAMPRAS

World number one Roger Federer has revealed that he visited Pete Sampras in Los Angeles recently and practised with the seven-time Wimbledon champion.

Sampras retired in 2002 but Federer admitted: "Surprisingly he was very good, but not good enough to beat me!"

Swiss star Federer, who won his 10th Grand Slam at the Australian Open, is closing in on Sampras' record of 14.

Federer beat the American in five sets in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2001, the only occasion the pair met.

Federer is on a winning streak of 41 matches and has won the last three Grand Slam events, prompting Sampras to say in January that he expected the Swiss player to surpass his record.

Federer, 25, said it had been his idea to visit Sampras at his LA home.

"I had the idea of seeing how good he plays because he was one of my favourite players when I was growing up," he said.

"Beating him in his backyard in Wimbledon was so special to me, so I wanted to try to beat him in his house.

"It was very enjoyable to actually hit with him. He was playing very well."

Comparisons are often drawn between the two Wimbledon legends and Federer said the pair could meet in an exhibition match at some stage in the future.

"It would be kind of cool to maybe play an exhibition against him but we'll see," said Federer.

Sampras, 35, announced earlier this year that he would play in a seniors series this year