Sampras is returning to competition but not on the ATP Tour

The 14-time Grand Slam winner said: "I just think Roger's got all the tools, he's got the demeanour. He really has the whole package to do it."

Sampras, 34, who spent an unsurpassed 286 weeks at the top of the rankings, said: "Records are made to be broken.

"I'm pretty confident that he's well on his way to not only breaking the No. 1 ranking, but this Grand Slam record."

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Sampras, who retired in 2002 after winning the US Open, was speaking ahead of his return to action in the World TeamTennis competition.

He will play seven matches for Newport Beach in the event which sees teams playing sets of singles and doubles in a comparatively relaxed atmosphere.

Sampras admitted: "At the end of last year, I was getting a little bit restless, maybe a little bored trying to figure out what was next for me.

"I kind of opened myself up to playing this year, just to give me a little bit of a structure and focus in my day. I'll want to do well and win."

He added: "It's not the cut-throat tennis that I used to be a part of. But I'm a competitive person, especially on the tennis court."