Samprasfanz

[October 9, 2002] CNNSI.com: Do you see Sampras hanging up his racket now? He’s said he would play another year, but what does he have left to prove?

Wertheim: It goes both ways. There would be something poetic in Pete going out on top. But he said that he would make a decision in December of 2003, and if can still bring it like this, still be on top of his game, why not play a few more Slams? I think he’ll cut back his schedule, not play the Houstons and San Joses. But if can home in on the Slams, throw in a couple matches here and there, some Davis Cup, why not give it another year?

CNNSI.com: How does this victory help Sampras’ case as the best player in history?

Wertheim: He’s the all-time great. This seals it. Twelve years of sustained excellence with bookend U.S. Open titles, coming back from that kind of a slump …

CNNSI.com: What about the naysayers who point to his failures at the French Open?

Wertheim: Twelve years between hard-court Slams is pretty impressive. More than the 14 total Slams and the six years at No. 1, this sort of run — with 12 years in between Grand Slam titles — should do it.