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By AJ Cadman

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

The two kings of tennis held court Sunday at the Los Angeles Tennis Center for the 2001 Mercedes Benz Cup final. Their royal feud played out like 30 before, with both giving it their all.

“Pete brings out the best in my game,” said Andre Agassi, who defeated archrival Pete Sampras 6-4, 6-2. “You wake up differently when you play him and know that you need to be at your best.”

The sentiments on the other side of the net are nearly identical.

“When we face each other, the preparation, warm-up, anticipation and energy that the crowd feels is something we also strongly feel,” said Sampras.

Sampras strides onto the court like a knight from Camelot. The owner of an all-time best 13 Grand Slam titles, he finds his armor now slightly scratched from injuries that don’t heal as quickly at the age of 30.

Meanwhile, Agassi is arguably the hottest player on the tour. His credentials stack up comparably to that of Sampras with 49 career singles titles after this weekend. Most recently, he notched the Australian Open in January for his seventh Grand Slam title.

With Agassi expecting his first child in December and Sampras receiving news Sunday that he became an uncle, both of the game’s brightest stars relish the opportunity to go head-to-head in battle at the latter stages of their careers.

“He will always be known as the rival that defined my career,” said Sampras. “(Muhammad) Ali had Frazier and (Agassi) is that person to me.”

The respect Agassi holds for his friend is just as heartfelt.

“The ability to play Pete in a big match is something I strive on,” he said. “There’s a greater sense of satisfaction to rise above and win.”

In 1999, the two racket wizards met in the championship of this tournament, with Sampras emerging victorious, as he would in the Wimbledon final as well, and spoiling a nearly flawless season for the eventual year-end No. 1 ranked Agassi.

However, Agassi dished Sampras a serving of defeat in March at Indian Wells with a straight sets win at the Masters Series event. And with a spoonful of the same on Sunday, Agassi inched closer to a .500 record against the hometown favorite.

The only question for the two of them now is the significance of finishing ahead of the other in the rivalry.

“Maybe I’ll just quit now,” joked Sampras, alluding to the haunting word of retirement.

For both of the game’s most recognizable ambassadors, they’re not likely to step down from their thrones any time soon.