Posted on: April 11th, 2006
Sampras' visit serves up a Slam dunk
- petepage[April 10, 2006 Dale Robertson] River Oaks showcase goes so well, star might return soon
River Oaks' decision to bring in Pete Sampras for a single-match exhibition paid off across the board and possibly laid the groundwork for a bigger role for the 14-time Grand Slam champion next April.
Assuming Sampras continues to play exhibition tennis — and he says he intends to — the club hopes to get him into the River Oaks International main draw in 2007. It wouldn't have been possible this year because Sampras — who lost to Robby Ginepri 6-2, 7-6 (10) — wasn't in good enough shape after 3 1/2 years away from the game.
Once he got past a sluggish, nervous start, he delivered the occasionally brilliant shot in the second set, including one of his famous leaping overhead smashes plus a reflex half-volley winner.
After the latter, Ginepri turned to the crowd and said, "Fourteen Slams — that's how he did it."
Friday, Sampras played a round of golf with tournament chairman Bill Hurt and Christopher Sarofim, Downey Bridgewater and Titus Harris III, whose businesses sponsor the International. He shot an 81 and charmed his partners for 18 holes.
"Great guy, great event, great time," Hurt said about Sampras.
The star was presented with the Ernie Langston Trophy, usually given to the player in the tournament who exhibits the best sportsmanship but occasionally presented for "lifetime achievement."
Had the Langston award not gone to Sampras, either of the finalists would have been deserving. Runner-up Juan Monaco played nine grueling, occasionally frustrating sets of tennis over the final three days of the tournament and never once lost his temper. Champion Victor Hanescu couldn't have been nicer, either, although on one point in Sunday's nearly three-hour marathon it looked like he briefly contemplated banging his racket on the ground.
Afterward, Hanescu thanked the fans, River Oaks and his hosts, David and Diane Modesett, saying the experience of coming to Houston for the first time was "very special" and he hoped to return.
Of course, a $50,000 check tends to make a guy sentimental.
David Modesett takes over as tournament chairmen next year.
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