Samprasfanz

In case you missed it, this was posted on Pete’s Facebook status on
December 16:

“If you had 30 minutes with Pete what would you want to know about his tennis?”

Do visit Pete’s Facebook page and add your comments. http://www.facebook.com/petesampras

Dubbed as “The Faceoff”, Pete Sampras and rising tennis star Milos Raonic put on an exhibition match at the Air Canada Centre.

In the presscon prior to the match, Sampras said, ““I just hope I can be competitive. He (Raonic) obviously has a huge serve

“I’m not as agile as I used to be and hopefully Milos remembers that I was his idol.” Sampras joked, “That I could be his father.”

The exhibition matched showed both players holding serve through before Raonic prevailed 7-6 (7-4), 6-1, ending it with an ace.

“He was a big inspiration to me,” said Raonic, “especially seeing how he was able to dictate and impose his own game with that (serve). The fear it puts in opponents’ eyes, knowing you’re able to close out a set with your serve just puts a lot more pressure on them.”

Sampras said, “Playing Milos is a whole different game. He’s got a big serve and a big game. It’s like night and day. Playing Courier and Agassi, we’re older … For me to come up here and compete is not easy.”

“I think he’s got a great game (for today’s tennis). Everyone playing today … pretty much stays back. It’s pretty one-dimensional,” said Sampras. “I want so badly to see some serve-and-volley tennis. It’s heartbreaking to see everyone stay back. To see some variety and see guys come in and impose their will. As a fan of tennis, I miss it. It’s unfortunate the art of serve and volley has gone.”

Raonic, named as the Newcomer of the Year in the 2011 ATP World Tour Awards, has risen in the tennis rankings from 156th to 31st in the world rankings in 2011.

“It’s up to Milos,” said Sampras. “When you have a serve like he has, he’ll be tough to beat. What Milos needs is experience. He’s only 20. Very young. Let’s be patient. It takes time to be a champion. Let’s not get carried away. All the tools are there, but … don’t expect him to win Wimbledon next year. It’s going to take some time. He can do it. He’s got a great future.”

“It’s nice to be back in the sport (but) I’m enjoying it on my terms,” he said. “I don’t need to grind like I used to. It’s Milos’ turn for the sleepless nights and all the stress.”

Pete Sampras is in China for the Chengdu Open.

The matches are played in a round robin format. Match results thus far:

Oct 27 – El Aynaoui (MAR) def. Sampras (USA) 6-4, 7-6(2
Oct 28 – Sampras (USA) def. Ferreira (RSA) 6-3, 6-2
Oct 29 – Sampras (USA) def. Safin (RUS) 6-1, 6-7(6), 10-8

The finals will be decided between Younes El Aynaoui and Carlos Moya, both of whom are undefeated in their respective group.

The third & fourth place will be between Sampras vs Enqvist.

Whilst in China, Pete and the other players visited the Panda Zoo.

Pete & Safin with Panda bear

Visit the GALLERY for more pictures.

SEATTLE, WA (Oct. 13, 2011) – Pete Sampras continued his winning ways on the 2011 Champions Series by defeating Michael Chang 8-4 to capture the Washington Trust Bank Champions Cup presented by Propel Insurance, at the Key Arena Thursday night in Seattle, Washington. It was his fourth victory in five appearances so far this season, as Sampras increased his lead in the Champions Series points standings. He now leads Chang by 600 points with seven of 12 events completed.

“I got it going tonight, and my game is really starting to feel good,” said the 14-time Grand Slam Champ. “These are all great matchups that we play here on this tour, and we’re all really excited that we can still sell out these arenas that we play in. But I’m here to win, and I like where I stand right now.”

Sampras advanced to the final with a 6-4 semifinal triumph over John McEnroe, who was making his first appearance of the 2011 Champions Series. “It was really nice coming back up here to Seattle tonight, and I loved getting back out there onto the court to compete,” said McEnroe.

Chang – who spent a number of years living in the Seattle area during his ATP Tour days – was playing in front of some of his old friends from the Pacific Northwest. He advanced with a 6-4 semifinal triumph over Jim Courier, who now sits in third place and holds just a 100-point margin over fourth place Andre Agassi. Only the top 3 finishers at the end of the 2011 Champions Series will share the one million dollar bonus pool.

The Champions Series moves to the Staples Center in Los Angeles Friday night for the HSBC Tennis Cup, followed by the CTCA Championships in Las Vegas Saturday night.

TONIGHT’S SCORES
Semifinal 1: Chang def. Courier, 6-4
Semifinal 2: Sampras def. McEnroe, 6-4
Final: Sampras def. Chang, 8-4

SURPRISE, AZ (Oct. 8, 2011) – Pete Sampras outlasted Jim Courier 8-7 (4) in the championship match of the CTCA Championships Saturday night in Surprise, Arizona.

It was his third victory of the 2011 Champions Series, as Sampras increased his lead in the overall Champions Series points rankings with the victory. Sampras now leads Courier by 300 points at the midway point of the 2011 Champions Series, with six of the 12 events completed.

“It’s frustrating to come that close and not win,” said Courier, who reached his fourth championship match of the 2011 Series, but has yet to win.

“Pete’s serve was the difference once again tonight. After I was able to break his serve, I liked my chances. But in the end, his mental toughness is one of his greatest strengths and he was able to regain the momentum, and hold on for the win.”

Sampras advanced to the final with a 6-3 semifinal triumph over Michael Chang, while Courier got by Mats Wilander 6-3 in the night’s first semifinal.

For the victory, Sampras earned 400 points in the official 2011 Champions Series rankings, and remains on top with 1,300 points. Courier moved into second place alone by earning 200 points, and now has a total of 1,000. Chang sits in third with 900, and Andre Agassi is in fourth with 800 after six events.

The top 3 finishers at the end of the 2011 Champions Series will share a one million dollar bonus pool.

The Champions Series resumes next Thursday night with the Washington Trust Bank Champions Cup in Seattle, followed by the HSBC Tennis Cup Friday night in Los Angeles, and the CTCA Championships in Las Vegas one week from tonight.

Tickets and unique interactive VIP fan experiences for the 2011 Champions Series are on sale to the general public and start at $35. Tickets are available at venue box offices, all Ticketmaster locations, 202-397-SEAT or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

The 2011 Champions Series is a competitive tennis circuit featuring legendary tennis icons and world-renowned champions. The 12-city tour of one-night tournaments is being played in major U.S. arenas from September 22 – October 22.

TONIGHT’S SCORES
Semifinal 1: Courier def. Wilander, 6-3
Semifinal 2: Sampras def. Chang, 6-3
Final: Sampras def. Courier, 8-7 (4)

Marat Safin defeated Pete Sampras 6-3, 6-4 in an exhibition match held in Beijing, China on September 30. The Beijing tournament is part of the events to inaugurate the new courts in the Chinese capital.

Marat Safin goofing around with Pete in the press photo

Afterwards, Pete Sampras and Zhuang Shuai beat Marat Safin and Peng Shuai 6-3/6-4 in a mixed double performance match.

Visit the gallery for more pictures from Beijing.