In His Prime,

IN HIS PRIME, Pete Sampras owned Wimbledon. In the 1990s, he won six men’s championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. And in 2001, Sampras was on a quest for his fifth straight title.

The 29-year-old American quickly advanced through the early rounds and came into the quarterfinals on a roll with 31 consecutive Wimbledon victories and 56 wins in his past 57 matches.

But in the quarters, Sampras squared off against 19-year-old Swiss upstart Roger Federer. Federer, the former Wimbledon Junior champion, refused to be awed. He established his presence, taking the first set 7–6. Sampras, the 13-time Grand Slam winner, evened the match with a 7–5 win in set two. The teenager bounced back to claim set three 6–4. And the battle between youth and age narrowed once again with a 7–6 Sampras victory in the fourth set to set up a decisive fifth.

Playing much like his former idol, Federer served confidently, returned consistently, and approached the net at every opportunity. His poise and ease forced his older opponent into a series of uncharacteristic errors.

With the score knotted 4–4, the seven-time Wimbledon champion held two break points, but Federer erased one with a volley and another with a sizzling forehand. Serving in the final game, Sampras misplayed two volleys. His young opponent finally cracked a return winner and fell to his knees after taking the match.

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POINT Pete Sampras had an incredible run at Wimbledon. Few players achieve back-to-back Grand Slam titles. Still fewer three-peat. Four, five, or six in a row becomes rarer. Only Martina Navratilova (1982–1987) and W. C. Renshaw (1881–1886) won six Wimbledon singles titles in succession. Sampras tried for five, giving the match all he had.

It’s impossible for an athlete to stay on top forever. Bodies age, injuries nag, and skills diminish. Younger players continually replace older ones. But there is something that lasts forever: God’s Word. The Bible stands tall age after age, generation after generation.

GOAL! Name some veteran athletes who retired or were replaced by younger ones. Thank God that his Word cannot be replaced. It’s always fresh, always new . . . and always the best.