Samprasfanz

By HOWARD FENDRICH, AP Sports WriterJanuary 29, 2007 Pete Sampras will play tournament tennis for the first time since 2002, competing on a tour for players over 30, The Associated Press has learned. Sampras’ Outback Champions Series debut, which will come May 2-6 at Boston University’s Agganis Arena, is to be announced formally Tuesday. The 35-year-old Sampras will appear in at least one other event on the tour in 2007. “This is kind of my first dive into the waters, so to speak, to see how I feel and play a match I really want to win,” Sampras, owner of a record 14 Grand Slam singles titles, said in a telephone interview with the AP. “I still love the sport — I practice two, three times a week — but I don’t miss the … Read entire article »

By HOWARD FENDRICH, APJanuary 17, 2007 As a tennis history buff, Pete Sampras can’t wait to walk around the sport’s Hall of Fame when he goes there for the first time this summer. He’s especially looking forward to seeing his own plaque. Sampras was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Wednesday, joined in the 2007 class by Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Sven Davidson and Russ Adams. “It’s kind of icing on the cake for having a good career,” Sampras said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “It’s an honor to be included with (Rod) Laver and the older generation, (John) McEnroe and (Jimmy) Connors. All those guys.” Sampras has never visited the Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., but he’ll get a chance when he’s there for the July 14 induction … Read entire article »