Samprasfanz

Sept 21, 2007

PETE SAMPRAS did something that has become a rarity it seems in pro sports — he left the game not with a whimper, but with a bang, winning the ’02 U.S. Open over, fittingly, ANDRE AGASSI. It was Sampras’ fifth U.S. Open title and record 14th grand slam win, a mark he knows will soon be surpassed by ROGER FEDERER. Sampras, now enjoying retirement and being able to spend time with his wife, BRIDGETTE, and two sons, CHRISTIAN and RYAN, has picked up a racquet again and is currently second in the Outback Champions Series points standings. Ahead of the series’ stop in Charlotte next week, Sampras took a few moments to speak with Staff Writer Jeremy Caslin about his return to the game.

Favorite musician or band: Pearl Jam
Favorite movie: “Gladiator”
Favorite sport other than tennis: Golf or basketball
Golf handicap: 4
Most admired athlete: Michael Jordan
Favorite vacation spot: I have a home in Palm Desert (CA)
Ultimate foursome for a doubles match: PANCHO GONZALES, ROD LAVER and LEW HOAD

Q: Long before getting married and becoming a father of two young children, you described yourself as a “world-class sleeper.” Have you been able to maintain those 11-hour shut-eye sessions with two little ones around?

Sampras: No, those days are gone. Those days are over. I don’t need as much sleep, I’m not as neurotic when it comes to my sleep. And now that I’m not as active, I don’t need to sleep as much. My kids are up at 6:00, 6:30 or 7:00[am], and ready to play, so I’m up. Actually, your body just gets used it. It’s nice getting up early.

Q: When you’re off the court, away from tennis, what else is keeping you occupied or driven right now?

Sampras: I’m playing a little tennis again, which is fun, it keeps me driven. I spend quite a bit of time in the gym, getting in shape, and I just feel a lot better about myself when I’m in shape. Play golf, spend time with my kids, my wife, do a lot of family outings. I play in a basketball game twice a week, a poker game once a week. So I have a pretty full schedule for a retired guy at 36.

Q: You walked away from tennis when you were still obviously very competitive, retiring after your win at the ’02 U.S. Open. Any regrets about leaving at that point?

Sampras: No. No regrets. I was ready. I tried to give it a shot to see if I’d want to play again. It took about 7-8 months for me to get to the point where I was done and I was moving on. I wanted to give myself every chance to play, but it wasn’t in my heart anymore and that’s when it was time for me to call it a career.

Q: What led you to come back and compete in the Champions Series, and what do you think of it so far?

Sampras: I didn’t do anything for about three years as far as tennis. I didn’t watch it, play it, read about it, and after the third year of retirement I was getting a little bit restless and kind of opened myself up to playing a few exhibitions. I enjoyed playing, getting back in shape. JIM [COURIER] called me about playing a few of his events. I played one in Athens and one in Boston and it was a lot of fun. It was good to be home and think of something to prepare for and get in shape and go out and compete against some of the old guys. It’s been fun, it’s not quite as stressful as it used to be but I think we all want to play well and compete and put on a good show for the fans.

Q: Jim Courier said there is definitely room for the Series to expand, including internationally. Could you see yourself playing more events and even going overseas?

Sampras: That might be a stretch for me at this stage to go overseas. I played one in Athens, that was a unique deal. It kind of depends on the situation. If it was the right situation I would consider it, but I’m not looking to go. If it happens, it happens.

Q: Do you think we could potentially see an Agassi-Sampras match at some point in the Champions Series?

Sampras: I think that would be fantastic. I know Jim would love that and I would be thrilled to go out and play against him. It would bring a lot of attention to the tour. For he and I to be on the court again would be pretty fun. I think he’s not quite ready, he just retired a year ago, so he’s decompressing, he’s enjoying himself. He needs time to just get away from the sport. Maybe there will be a time in the next year or two where we could go out and play. It’s still a great matchup.

Q: Roger Federer is now just two shy of your record of 14 grand slam titles. Do you think he is being pushed as much as you were, in terms of the depth of competition he faces to win those events?

Sampras: I think he’s getting pushed a little bit more recently. Overall there are a lot of really good players, but I don’t see as many great players. [RAFAEL] NADAL and [NOVAK] DJOKOVIC are great players, and that’s really it. I don’t see any more than that. But the guy ranked [No.] 50 today is better than the guy ranked 50 when I played. So, a little thinner at top, a little deeper across the board. He’s just so much better than everyone, the timing of everything has worked out great. He’s obviously going to break my record, but guys are getting a little bit closer. He still has that extra gear, that extra belief that he feels he’s just better than everyone.

Q: You’re scheduled to play Federer in November in an exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur. If you play well enough, is there any chance it could whet your appetite for a return to Wimbledon or the U.S. Open in ’08?

Sampras: No. No chance.

Q: For all the huge serving that we see in men’s tennis today, there seem to be few true serve-and-volleyers, the way you and JOHN MCENROE and PATRICK RAFTER were. Do you ever watch ANDY RODDICK or another big server play and shout at the TV, “Come in! Come in!”?

Sampras: I’d say yes, but also realistically it takes a certain amount of practice at a young age to be able to serve and volley. There are certain different movements and a feel at the net you have to develop over time. It doesn’t happen overnight. Andy has tried to come in, but he’s just not comfortable up there. It’s unfortunate that the serve and volley game is extinct, you look at everyone, they pretty much play the same, hitting the ball really hard from the back of the court. Guys aren’t looking to come in. I like the contrast, I like to see a serve and volleyer. It’s sad to see that it’s pretty much gone.

Q: Do you think it would help Roddick to play some doubles?

Sampras: Absolutely. Even though he’s not going to be a natural at [serve and volleying], just to practice it. To work on it, and to have that confidence when you get into a big situation against Roger that you’re going to get to the net and feel that you want to be there, not that you have to be there. I think playing doubles and working 20 minutes a day, just getting comfortable… I think he’s so against it, or so uncomfortable up there that he doesn’t want to practice it, but if he wants to get to that next level, you just need to add a little bit to your game each year