Posted on: January 06th, 2003
Fast Chat: Pete Sampras [Jan 6, 2003]
- petepageOn winning the U.S. Open and his future plans
NEWSWEEK
Jan. 6 issue — As the tennis star eyes the future, he spoke with Susannah Meadows about his legendary career.
What was it like to win the U.S. Open this year after everyone had counted you out?
It was the most rewarding feeling I’ve ever had. One thing I’ve never really had to do is have a comeback. I think I always knew I could win. A lot of people don’t see the guts and the heart that I know has always been there. I guess I had the last laugh.
Are you the best to ever play the game?
That is hard to answer [ laughs ]. Put it this way, I feel like I would match up against anyone ever and feel pretty good about it.
Was it difficult not getting the adulation that other athletes got at the top of their sport?
Sure, there were moments I didn’t feel as appreciated—from basically 2 to 10 [Grand Slam victories]. But on my 12th or 13th I think that’s where it kind of exploded.
What was it like to go from No. 1 to not No. 1?
It was great. Staying No. 1, tennis has to be your life. I did that for many years. After five or six years of it, I had just had enough, and I let go of it.
What will you miss about the game?
I’ll miss the competition. I’ll miss playing in the finals of the majors. I’ll miss that excitement. I’ll miss actually playing the sport, just hitting the ball. Other than that, I probably won’t miss much.
Source: Newsweek
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