Also See Sampras quits with peace in his heart Pistol Pete: A photo-feature

Tributes and tears filled Arthur Ashe Stadium as Pete Sampras took an emotional final bow at the U.S. Open on Monday.

Movie stars, politicians, past champions, Sampras's family and friends along with thousands of ordinary tennis fans filled centre court to honour the man widely considered the best to swing a racket.

Bringing his career full-circle, Sampras walked on court to say goodbye on the same stage where he captured the first and last of his record 14 Grand Slam titles, with a spine-tingling win over rival and friend Andre Agassi last year.

"I think, what an unbelievable ending last year, after everyone had written him off for probably two years, he is just so tough and just proved everyone wrong," said former U.S. Open women's champion Lindsay Davenport.

"I think he's been the greatest men's tennis player in the last, I don't know how many years. His record's been amazing.

"All his results and all his Grand Slam titles can speak volumes for what a consistent, great player he was," added Davenport.

For the fans in the upper reaches of the cavernous bowl, the tributes came mostly in the form of home-made, heartfelt messages scribbled on bed sheets and cardboard; "Pete thanks for the Memories", "Pete Number One Forever".

A prolonged standing ovation left a fidgeting Sampras, his wife and many of his fans in tears.

"Pete's accomplishments speak for themselves," said Agassi, who will be hoping to take the first step to his eighth Grand Slam title with an opening-round win over Spain's Alex Corretja on Tuesday.

"I can confidently say, beyond a shadow of any doubt, Pete is the best I ever played. There is no question that I ever played anyone better."

SAMPRAS LEGACY

Six times Grand Slam winner Boris Becker, four times winner Jim Courier, four times U.S. Open champion John McEnroe and others who stood across the net from Sampras offered a different perspective on the American's dominance and contribution to the sport.

"I think his legacy will be how much he won, how many Grand Slams he won," said fellow American Todd Martin. "As a player, I think his legacy will be his serve and his athleticism.

"I think, Pete knew when to play, when to play better, how to play better, more than anybody I've ever met.

"I think that's a skill and a talent that was too often veiled by the accolades that he got for his physical talents.

"But you know, at four-all deuce, he knew what to do and he did it time after time after time.

"Boy, it would be nice to walk in those shoes once in a while," said Martin.

Sampras's legacy will include much more than records and endless statistics.

A determined, relentless competitor, he is mentioned more than any other player of his generation as the role model and inspiration for the current crop of youngsters making their mark on the tennis scene, including American hope Andy Roddick and Wimbledon champion Roger Federer of Switzerland.

"I loved watching him," said Mardy Fish, another promising American talent.

"He would always get that one break in a set. You rarely saw Pete get a second break in a set.

"He just had so much confidence on his service games to hold serve that he knew all he needed was one break.

"Especially at Wimbledon, all he needed was one break and he's pretty much won the set every time."