Samprasfanz

[Oct. 10, 2002 OSSIAN SHINE, Reuters] He is mulling over retirement and has promised a decision next month, but right now Pete Sampras is keeping himself in tip-top shape while pondering one last assault on Wimbledon. The American is only too aware that last month’s glorious run to the U.S. Open title would serve as a perfect epitaph, but the man who has won more grand slam crowns than anyone else in history still has some scores to settle. According to coach and friend Paul Annacone, the 31-year-old still hankers for a French Open crown and would love to leave Wimbledon on a high. “I’m sure that in his mind he thinks that if he can stay focused like he did at the U.S. Open, he can win Roland Garros,” … Read entire article »

[October 9, 2002] CNNSI.com: Do you see Sampras hanging up his racket now? He’s said he would play another year, but what does he have left to prove? Wertheim: It goes both ways. There would be something poetic in Pete going out on top. But he said that he would make a decision in December of 2003, and if can still bring it like this, still be on top of his game, why not play a few more Slams? I think he’ll cut back his schedule, not play the Houstons and San Joses. But if can home in on the Slams, throw in a couple matches here and there, some Davis Cup, why not give it another year? CNNSI.com: How does this victory help Sampras’ case as the best player … Read entire article »

[WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2002 By Matthew Cronin tennisreporters.net] Says French, Wimbledon could motivate return Paul Annacone played golf with his student, Pete Sampras, last Friday in LA and Sampras’ coach said that the 14-time Grand Slam champion still isn’t sure whether he will continue playing next year. But did say that Sampras is keeping himself in shape just in case he decides to head Down Under in January. He added that Sampras does have enough desire to make another run at another major title. “He’s still hitting the gym and track and practicing a little,” Annacone told tennisreporters.net. “He knows that he can’t go cold turkey for three months if he’s going to have a chance at another major.” Sampras is apparently thinking that it will be tough to top … Read entire article »

[October 4, 2002] VILLANOVA, Pennsylvania (AP) – Facing each other for the first time since last month’s U.S. Open final, Andre Agassi beat Pete Sampras 6-5 (5-2), 6-4 Thursday night in a charity exhibition. The 31-year-old Sampras was playing a day after he said he would not compete in ATP tournaments the rest of the year. He said he will decide in the next month whether to retire. He and his wife, actress Bridgette Wilson, are expecting their first child. “I’ve been through a lot the last couple of years,” Sampras said. “Playing Andre in the final … it’s the perfect ending. On the other hand, it’s become fun again. It’s fun competing against Andre and these young guys, and I love to play.” Sampras beat Agassi for the U.S. … Read entire article »

Moscow, Oct 4: Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov says if Pete Sampras decides to retire he will have nothing but respect for a player he regards as the “greatest ever“. Kafelnikov, who has hinted at possible retirement himself if Russia beat France in the Davis Cup final, said: “I really envy him in the good sense of the word.“ “If he has a chance to walk away from tennis at the height of his career after winning the U.S. national championship in his own country — one of the most important tournaments there is, then yes, I can only take my hat off to him and say `you are the greatest ever to play the game and deserve all the praise for what you have done`.“ Sampras, winner of a record 14 … Read entire article »

By DOUG LESMERISES,Delawareonline.com, 10/04/2002 VILLANOVA — If Thursday night was the end of Pete Sampras’ tennis career, he went out in the same city where it all began. Twelve years ago in a midnight match in a nearly empty Spectrum, 18-year-old Sampras beat Andre Agassi, another teenage hotshot, for the first time, launching the greatest career in the history of men’s tennis. Thursday night in front of a packed house at The Pavilion on Villanova’s campus, 31-year-old Sampras lost to Agassi, another old pro, possibly for the last time, perhaps ending the greatest career in the history of men’s tennis. Sampras is seriously considering retirement, having announced earlier in the week that he’d withdrawn from all the remaining ATP tournaments this season. Thursday he said he’d make a final decision … Read entire article »