Samprasfanz

Relaxed Sampras: Cool, calm and inducted
Former Palos Verdes prodigy set to enter Hall of Fame.

By Phil Collin, Daily Breeze

July 13, 2007 -Ah, retirement. Kicking back, watching the kids surprise each day, tripping back to the East Coast to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Pete Sampras, once a mere child tennis prodigy from The Hill, has treated his days away from the game the way he once took on the world shortly after turning pro in 1988: He’s aced it.

Saturday in Newport, R.I., Sampras will join Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Sven Davidson and Russ Adams in ceremonies certain to test the famous stoic resolve that Sampras displayed while compiling a record 14 Grand Slam titles.

“It hasn’t hit me quite yet,” Sampras said. “I’m sure (it will) when I land there and see the Hall of Fame and see the whole display of the history there.

“It’s an emotional time. You kind of live your life, taking care of your kids. This gives me a time to stop everything and look back and appreciate what I was able to do.

“You can kind of lose sight of your identity at times, but this gives me a chance to be appreciated, and I’m looking forward to being officially inducted. It’s a great honor