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Sampras has no regrets about his early retirement

Legend still dabbles in tennis, including tonight’s exhibition match against Haas at HP Pavilion February 18, 2008 SAN JOSE — Pete Sampras won his record 14th Grand Slam title at the 2002 U.S. Open, then walked away from the sport he dominated for more than a decade. Six years later, the man whose record is being pushed by Roger Federer has no regrets. Sampras, 36, doesn’t believe he left too soon, doesn’t believe he had anything else to prove. “I was done,” said Sampras, who will play Tommy Haas tonight (7 o’clock) in an exhibition at HP Pavilion on Day 1 of the SAP Open. “The last sort of fuel in the tank was that last run at the U.S. Open.” Sampras raised eyebrows in November when he won the third of a three-match exhibition … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Sampras shows no mercy in beating Haas in exhibition

February 19, 2008 SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) – Pete Sampras hit back-to-back aces to close out the second game of the second set and draw a plea from Tommy Haas. “Show some mercy, Pete” Haas yelled across the court. Sampras began to hand his racket over to a ball boy before taking it back. Just as he did so often during his brilliant career, Sampras closed out the match with ease, beating Haas 6-4, 6-2 in an exhibition at the SAP Open on Monday night. “When I get in that arena, I still want to play great,” Sampras said. It was Sampras’ second straight exhibition win against an active tour player, following November’s straight-set victory over Roger Federer. Yet it’s still not enough to bring Sampras back to the tour after retiring more than … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Sampras keeps his hand in game – by playing No. 1

February 10, 2008 Pete Sampras said he has no plan for a comeback and doesn’t regret retiring. But six years after he stepped away from competing at tennis’ highest level, he sure does enjoy picking up a racket and playing exhibitions against select competition. “It’s more fun. Maybe less stressful,” Sampras said recently. “But at the same time, every time I step out on the court, I want to win.” Aside from playing World Team Tennis events the past two summers and a spell on the senior circuit, Sampras played three exhibitions against Roger Federer in November and will face the No. 1-ranked player in another exhibition at New York’s Madison Square Garden on March 10. It’s last decade’s top player vs. this decade’s, the grand slam record holder vs. the guy who’s chasing … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011

Haas Replaces Safin in Sampras Exhibition

February 13, 2008 Another player has withdrawn from the SAP Open. Marat Safin’s representative told tournament director Bill Rapp on Tuesday that he won’t participate in next week’s event in San Jose, meaning Pete Sampras needs another opponent for Monday’s exhibition. It’ll be Germany’s Tommy Haas, who also will be playing in the tournament’s singles field. Safin pulled out because of a stress fracture in his right leg, which forced him from Russia’s Davis Cup competition against Serbia over the weekend. He also has stomach flu. “Initially, (the injury) was a toe, but the real issue is a stress fracture,” Rapp said. “Allon (Khakshouri, Safin’s agent) said he was really depressed he couldn’t play in the Davis Cup, but he really wanted to play Pete Sampras. When Safin says something, you know he means … Read entire article »

Filed under: Archives 2003 to 2011