Sports

BEST OF THE BEST

Roger Federer is coming off rare back-to-back losses, and acknowledged last week that he’d been suffering from mononucleosis.

What better way for the greatest player in the world to get back on track than by playing arguably the best player in history, Pete Sampras, tonight in the packed Garden?

“There’s such a huge excitement around this event that Pete’s come back and he’s ready to play,” said Federer, adding that making his Garden debut was a goal of his. “I admire him still today for what he’s achieved. I hope I’m healthy and ready and fit to go and (beat) Pete.”

The NetsJets Showdown is their latest in a series of exhibition matches, and their first meeting on U.S. soil. And while Sampras retired with a record 14 Grand Slam titles, Federer – who has a dozen – lost a chance to close the gap when he lost to Novak Djokovic in January’s Australian Open semis.

Then he proceeded to get upset by Andy Murray in the first round of the Dubai Tennis Championships, his first first-round exit since 2004. Apparently he’d been diagnosed with mono last month, but should be healthy enough to take on his idol in front of 19,000 at the Garden.

“I honestly don’t feel like I need to prove anything,” Federer said. “It’s not like I feel anxious to go back on the court so I can forget the Australian Open. I think I still did well under the circumstances, (not) having a warm-up match, being sick before, (not) playing a good match.

“But I don’t feel bad about it, because I still think I did well and it’s important to look forward. The bigger picture is looking forward to a very, very tough schedule ahead. That’s what the mindset is.”

That schedule will include chasing Sampras’ record, with the latter saying Federer might get his mark at the U.S. Open – and he’s OK with that.

“Yes, I see it happening if not this year, next year. He’s two away, so he could do it by the Open,” Sampras said. “Sure, I’d love my record to stay forever, but records are made to be broken; and if there’s someone I’d like to see break this record it’s someone like Roger. He’s a great guy, great for the game. I’ve got a lot of respect for what he’s all about.”

The two became friends during their Asian exhibition tour, with Sampras adding the publicly-reserved Federer is actually an imp, and that he’s tired of media portraying his new buddy as bland.

“It’s hard to be this jokester, prankster, charismatic sort and be the best player in the world,” Sampras said. “He’s not brash, not abrasive, he lets his racquet do his talking. I don’t think that’s a negative; if anything that’s positive. So to hear someone say he’s boring is . . . I’m so tired of hearing that (garbage) it’s nauseating.”

brian.lewis@nypost.com