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[Dec 3, 2007] Sampras on Sampras

Excerpts from the tennis channel interview on Dec 3, 2007 How did Pete prepared for the Asian exhibitions? “I definitely stepped it up. I hit every other day for two weeks with Sam Querrey, and we were playing a lot of sets. Sam hits a very big ball and has a big serve and I wanted to play at that pace so I could find my range and find my game while getting my body used to serving-and-volleying and the change of directions and explosive movements you need for that. I stretched a lot more before and after I played and warmed up with jogging and stretching. It was as close as I have been to back in the day [during my career] when I used to prepare and focus so hard. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Pete Sampras: Federer can take my records

December 17, 2007 – Sugar-coated, empty compliments from one celebrity to another might be the way things are done in nearby Hollywood, but there was no doubting that this was Mr Sincere talking tennis from his mansion in Beverly Hills. Such were the affectionate words from Pete Sampras that you would not be that surprised if he was a fully paid-up member of the Roger Federer Appreciation Society, right down to owning a cowbell or two. From Beverly Hills to Basle, the admiration between tennis champions was obvious. Federer is collecting grand slam titles the way Maria Sharapova collects postage stamps – with enthusiasm. And so there is every chance that, in the 2008 season, Federer will equal Sampras’ record of 14 slam titles. Possibly even break it. But don’t expect … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Sampras still serves a treat

Dispatches Martin after sluggish startBy Melissa Isaacson, Chicago Tribune December 2, 2007 – Todd Martin did not particularly care for the “exhibition” part. Playing Pete Sampras before a crowd of more than 4,000 Saturday night at the UIC Pavilion in the FedEx Shootout Chicago, the former Northwestern star knew he would get all he could handle. Sampras, 36, arrived in Chicago fresh off an exhibition victory over Roger Federer in the third of three matches in China, a 7-6, 6-4 win that prompted the world’s No. 1-ranked player to say Sampras would be in the top five if he were still playing. Having flown into Chicago during Saturday’s nasty weather, Sampras was less than sharp at the outset, but he regained form in time to beat Martin 2-6, 6-2 and 10-2 in a … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011