Twelve months ago, a tearful Pete Sampras became the most successful player in men's tennis by claiming the Wimbledon singles crown for a seventh time.

A year on, and you could see the waterworks again - but this time Sampras was walking off centre court a beaten man and his opponent leaking tears of joy.

He had just lost his fourth round match in five sets to Roger Federer, a teenager making his debut on the game's most famous stage.

This was indeed a watershed for Sampras, although he pledged to grace the grass of his beloved SW19 again.

It was not supposed to happen this way for the previously all-conquering American who was unbeaten in this imposing arena since 4 July, Independence Day, five years ago to Richard Krajicek.

Sampras had hinted this could be his last Wimbledon, and he was a warm favourite to win in style.

But his defeat by the inspired 19-year-old Federer ended the dream, the top seed's first Wimbledon defeat in a match which had gone to five sets.

Sampras later insisted he would be back, but acknowledged: "It's more difficult as the years go by to keep on winning here."

Even if Sampras stayed away, the record books and videos will pay homage to one of the greatest ever grasscourt players.

His four-set victory over Pat Rafter in the year 2000 eclipsed Roy Emerson's record of 12 Grand Slams.

And his reaction then tells you how much he hurt in 2001 as he trudged off court while Federer shed tears of delight and blew a kiss to the crowd.

"It means so much to me," Sampras had said after his seventh Wimbledon win, which came despite him being dogged by a tendonitis injury.

A notoriously unemotional man, Sampras' teak-tough veneer finally cracked after that triumph.

Ice-cool Swede Bjorn Borg did boast five successive Wimbledon titles and six French Opens before his premature retirement at the age of 25.

Rod Laver remains the only player to win the Grand Slam twice, as an amateur in 1962 and again as a professional in 1969, and 30s legends Don Budge and Fred Perry boasted a stack of Grand Slam titles.

But Sampras dominated the sport throughout the 1990s, and was nearly invincible in south-west London.

Two Australian titles, three US Opens and seven at Wimbledon, only the clay of Roland Garros continues to thwart Sampras.

They call him Pistol Pete, but the signs he may not be firing quite the same were there to be seen.

Brave Brit Barry Cowan taking him to five sets earlier in the 2001 tournament was merely a warning shot to Sampras.

Young gun Federer killed off his chances, and ended a remarkable Wimbledon reign.