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Sampras leaves his return on hold [Feb 25, 2003]

PETE SAMPRAS has decided that he cannot yet face the demands of competitive tennis, raising further doubts as to the 31-year-old’s commitment to a return at all. Even his family do not quite know what to make of his reluctance to step back into a world that he once owned. The 14-time grand-slam champion was scheduled to play in the Franklin Templeton Classic in Scottsdale, Arizona, next week, the event for which his older brother, Gus, is tournament director. Sampras, who has not played since taking the US Open in such glorious style against Andre Agassi in the first week of September, was also scheduled to have played in San Jose two weeks ago but withdrew. The official reason is that Sampras is “insufficiently prepared” to rejoin the tour. He … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Sampras returns to IMG

Sampras has returned to IMG for marketing and management as his tennis career winds down and he starts to look at new business and personal opportunities. Bob Kain, IMG North America president and COO, will oversee the newly-formed “Team Sampras,” which will be involved in everything from marketing, to academies, to special events. Commented Sampras: “As I begin to transition to a non-tennis-playing career, IMG is the place I want to be. Bob and I have always had a great relationship, and it’s time for me to capitalize on IMG’s expertise and experience at this important point in my life.” Whilst no set date was given for Sampras’ retirement, Kain indicated that IMG would certainly be involved in planning some type of “farewell” tour at the appropriate time. IMG’s other notable tennis clients include … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Sampras withdraws from Arizona event, ponders future [Feb 21, 2003]

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, Feb 21 (Reuters) – Fourteen-time grand slam champion Pete Sampras has pulled out of next month’s Franklin Templeton Classic and is still considering whether he will return to the sport at all. “I talked to Pete this morning and he’s still trying to figure out whether it makes sense to continue,” his brother Gus, the tournament director of Scottsdale, told Reuters on Friday. “He said he doesn’t want to retire right now and maybe have to come out of retirement later. He’s just not sure.” Sampras has been replaced in the draw by world number one Lleyton Hewitt, who has been given a wild card for the March 3-9 event. The withdrawal marks the second time Sampras has delayed his comeback. Last week, he pulled out of a … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Sampras out of San Jose, raises questions [Feb 6, 2003]

As Siebel Open tournament director Bill Rapp said on Tuesday, Pete Sampras’ decision to pull out of the Siebel Open was “90 percent surprising and 10 percent predictable.” Surprising in that Rapp signed a contract with Sampras before last year’s US Open, is a friend of Sampras’ coach, Paul Annacone and as of Monday morning, Sampras was still planning on chatting up reporters on a teleconference this week. Predictable in that it’s tough to count on someone who hasn’t played since winning his fifth US Open last September, has a 2-month-old son and with 14 Slam titles, has few reasons to return, other than to avenge his horrific Wimbledon defeat last year and save some face at Roland Garros. “We signed a contract with Pete 10 days before the US Open and I’m … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Sampras not ready to return yet, says brother [Feb 5, 2003]

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5 (Reuters) – U.S. Open champion Pete Sampras pulled out of next week’s tournament in San Jose because he is still not ready to return to the circuit, his brother said on Wednesday. Gus Sampras, the tournament director of the ATP’s Scottsdale, Arizona event, where Pete is next scheduled to play, said that while the former world number one had not pulled out of the event yet, he was not quite mentally ready to begin playing matches again . “He’s still searching for reasons to come back,” Gus Sampras told Reuters by telephone from Los Angeles. “At the end of the day, playing well at the French Open or trying to win Wimbledon again might not be enough to get him back. “But I haven’t got the … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Sampras withdraws from Siebel Open [Feb 4, 2003]

The Associated Press Pete Sampras withdrew from the Siebel Open on Tuesday, further delaying his return to tennis after a long absence. Sampras, who has not competed since winning the U.S. Open in September, said he is not prepared to play a tournament. He and his wife, actress Bridgette Wilson, became first-time parents in November. The Siebel Open begins Feb. 10 in San Jose, Calif. Australian Open winner Andre Agassi is entered, along with Michael Chang, who will begin his farewell tour in this tournament, and James Blake. “Unfortunately, I will be postponing my return to the competitive arena and am withdrawing,” Sampras said in a statement released by his agent. “Although I have made significant progress in recent weeks, I am not fully prepared to compete at the highest … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011