Samprasfanz

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, Feb 21 (Reuters) – Fourteen-time grand slam champion Pete Sampras has pulled out of next month’s Franklin Templeton Classic and is still considering whether he will return to the sport at all.

“I talked to Pete this morning and he’s still trying to figure out whether it makes sense to continue,” his brother Gus, the tournament director of Scottsdale, told Reuters on Friday.

“He said he doesn’t want to retire right now and maybe have to come out of retirement later. He’s just not sure.”

Sampras has been replaced in the draw by world number one Lleyton Hewitt, who has been given a wild card for the March 3-9 event.

The withdrawal marks the second time Sampras has delayed his comeback.

Last week, he pulled out of a San Jose Open, saying he was insufficiently prepared to rejoin the tour.

“He’s practicing and conditioning, but he doesn’t feel like his game is at the level he wants it to be to compete,” Gus Sampras said.

“He feels like he needs to practice more, but where that’s going to lead, I don’t know.”

Sampras is next scheduled to play in the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells starting from March 10.

Gus Sampras said he would like to see his younger brother play on.

“It was double whammy for me,” Gus said.

“I’m disappointed because our event lost a great player, but I’m also upset as I believe he has the potential to do great things again. But he has to decide that himself.”

Sampras hasn’t played a tournament since winning the U.S. Open in September and was contemplating retirement in the autumn.

His wife, actress Bridgette Wilson, gave birth to the couple’s first son, Christian, in December.

Hewitt hasn’t played a regular tournament since being upset in the fourth round of the Australian Open by Younes El Aynaoui.

World number two Andre Agassi is also scheudled to play Scottsdale.

by: Matthew Cronin
02/21/03 20:44 ET