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Sampras one to savor

By Brian, Ettkin July 19, 2007 — This is how it always should’ve been: Pete Sampras as most popular guy in the room, every seat taken because everyone’s come to see him. All those years he was brandishing a tennis racket as masterfully as a Jedi Knight swings his light saber, Sampras should’ve been a magnet for tennis fans, an irresistible attraction. He had all the pull Wednesday night, people who’d never set foot in Schenectady’s Central Park, much less attended a World TeamTennis match here, trying to score Buzz tickets that were all accounted for. Pete Sampras should be nearly as iconic a sports figure as Tiger Woods. But he’s not, in part because he was stolid Tim Duncan when people wished he had a little ill-tempered Rasheed Wallace in … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Video Link to Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Video link to the induction ceremony – WCSN.com Tweet … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Charity wins, thanks to Sampras and Laver

By: Mike Szostak, Providence Journal July 16, 2007 NEWPORT – A broken string and two Hall of Fame autographs netted the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation $55,000 yesterday. Pete Sampras, inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, returned yesterday morning to play a singles exhibition against Todd Martin in the opening match of the Hall of Fame Classic. When he broke a string on the only racket he had, someone handed him a Rod Laver wood racket, and he won a few points with it before using a more up-to-date model. Sampras later signed his racket and Laver, who was on hand for the event, autographed his, and the bidding began. The two racquets sold for $55,000. A Hall of Fame official could not provide information on the winning bidder. Sampras defeated Martin, … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Sampras makes appearance in New City

By Harold Gutmann, The Journal News July 16, 2007 NEW CITY – He might have just been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, but yesterday Pete Sampras could have passed for a USTA player just trying to finish a match. The rain came down on the clay courts of Dellwood Country Club, but Sampras continued his exhibition match with Justin Gimelstob, even as spectators fled the stands to find shelter. “A Hall of Famer playing in the rain!” shouted Gimelstob, as the remaining crowd voiced its approval. The downpour eventually became too much, and play was stopped after Gimelstob won the first set 6-1 and Sampras was leading the second set 4-1. While the match was brief – 45 minutes, including a 10-minute stoppage for an earlier shower – more than $100,000 … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Sampras lauded with Tennis Hall of Fame honour

NEWPORT, United States (AFP) – American legend Pete Sampras, who captured a record 14 Grand Slam singles titles, was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame here on Saturday. The 35-year-old American headlined the class of 2007 which also featured Spain’s Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, a three-time winner at the French Open and Sven Davidson, the first Swedish player to win a Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in 1957. Photographer Russ Adams, who covered the sport for 50 years, was also inducted. Considered one of the greatest players in the men’s game, Sampras won a record 14 Grand Slams, including seven at Wimbledon. The youngest winner in the history of the US Open at 19 in 1990, the Californian also won five titles at Flushing Meadows and two more at the Australian … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Youtube: Hall of Fame Interview

Video from jsnapple. Tweet … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011