Posted on: September 07th, 2002
Sampras an easy target in the twilight of career
- petepageSource: Hal Bock, AP
So there was Greg Rusedski, armed with a resume that does not include any Grand Slam victories, passing judgment at the U.S. Open on Pete Sampras, the man who has won more majors than any player in history.
Rusedski decided that Sampras was a step too slow -- no, make that a step-and-a-half too slow. Sampras' returns left something to be desired. His movement is not the same. His fitness is not the same. Why it's a wonder poor old Pete doesn't arrive for matches in a wheelchair.
So how come this shell of a man was able to beat Rusedski in five sets at the Open?
``Too much respect,'' Rusedski decided. ``I gave him a little bit too much respect.''
It is a quality in short supply around tennis these days as Sampras weaves his way through the latter part of a Hall of Fame career, ducking the barbs of players who think they know more about his game than he does.
Rusedski said out loud what others whisper. This is not the same Sampras, not the guy who won 13 Grand Slams and was No. 1 in the world for six straight years. It's time for Pistol Pete to pull the trigger on his career and put the rackets away. After all, he hasn't won a Slam in more than two years now.
But, with a 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory Saturday over Sjeng Schalken, Sampras advanced to Sunday's finals, where he'll meet the winner of the late match between defending champion Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi.
Still, people who've never won one -- and probably won't -- choose to sit in judgment.
Sampras, a sensible fellow and a realist, knows he's not the player he once was. He also knows he remains better than many of those on the tour. And what's more, he still enjoys playing this demanding sport.
He offered his own analysis of his game, which might be the most meaningful of all. He said his style is the same as it always was.
``I take my chances,'' Sampras said. ``The difference is everyone's a little bit better. I'm not winning on my off days. I'm losing the matches that five years ago I used to find a way to win. Now, when I don't play well, I'm struggling to win those matches. Guys are getting much more powerful rackets, and it's made it a little bit more difficult.
``I'm always looking to come in, always looking to serve big and make something happen.''
And when Sampras takes an objective look at himself, he believes he can still compete with the other top players.
``The game's still there,'' he said. ``I feel that when I practice. I feel it when I play. Week in, week out, yeah, it's tougher to be anywhere near as dominant as I once was. But I've let that go. Being No. 1 is over. But I still feel like I've got it out there.''
And what about Rusedski's crack that he's a step-and-a-half slower?
Sampras, who rarely engages in repartee, had a ready reply.
``Against him,'' he said, ``I don't really need to be a step-and-a-half quicker.''
So he presses on. And he hardly has to apologize for that. He has earned the right to stick around if that's what he wants to do.
Whom is he hurting by continuing to play? Tennis is not a team sport. Wins and losses are individual affairs. And certainly Sampras remains a crowd favorite, urged by many to reach for one more sunrise before the sunset.
``I'm not being told not to play,'' he said. ``I'm going to play as long as I'm enjoying it, as long as I'm in contention or feel like I can still do it.
``It happens in all sports with all athletes. They get older. They're not as dominant. Everyone thinks they're an expert in what I should be doing and how I should leave. I can't listen to all that stuff. Just believe in yourself and go out there and play and keep it simple.''
Martina Navratilova is the latest example of a player who retired perhaps a tad too soon. She walked away from tennis eight years ago, then got the itch last summer at Wimbledon and began playing again. At 45, she remains a competitor and played mixed and women's doubles at the Open, winning matches in both draws
There are other examples. Navratilova rattled them off.
``We say, `Wow, look at this basketball player. He's 38 years old and can still run.' Well, that's Michael Jordan. A 37-year-old hockey player, beating everybody up. That's Mario Lemieux.''
Then there is this 31-year-old tennis player still playing the game, despite advice he didn't ask for and doesn't really need.
That's Pete Sampras.
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