Posted on: January 22nd, 2007
ESPN2 Phone Interview with Pete Sampras
- petepageESPN2 Phone Interview with Pete Sampras about his induction to the Hall of Fame. Here are highlights of the interview -
PS: With your everyday life, you're kind of busy with the family and other things. This will give me a time to reflect and appreciate my career, what I was able to do for a long period of time. I'm looking forward to the weekend, somewhat kind of an emotional time, because you kind of look back at your career and you kind of miss it. At the same time, you're happy you're retired. So it gives you time to, you know, look at life and be appreciated from the people there and being inducted is a good honor for me. And I feel like I worked hard to get in there. I’m looking forward to checking it out.
Chris Fowler: You expect that it will be an emotional time? As you walk through the gates of Newport and walk through the grass courts. You weren't known for showing your emotions on the court when you played. Do you think you'll get choked up there?
PS: Well, you know, I tend to at certain moments, watching other athletes get into the Hall of Fame, it's a time of reflection, time of appreciation, having my wife and two kids there and my family there and all my in-laws there, so it's definitely just a celebration and an appreciation that I don't think I really took a lot during my career. I was so focused and expected to win majors that you kind of take it for -- you really take it for granted. Now, you kind of can appreciate it more. I have two kids myself. And having my folks there. I think it will be emotional.
It's a time of celebration and kind of see what I did for all of those years, and the appreciation which is something that always feels good. So it could be. It might not be. But we'll see what happens.
CF: Federer's chasing his tenth grand slam title here that would put him within four of you. Some might root hard against him wanting you to hold on to the record. What do you say when you watch Roger play on TV and chase your record down?
PS: Well, I'm impressed with his game. I'm impressed with the way he handles himself on and off the court. He really is what a sportsman is to me. I'm a fan of his. I don't believe in rooting against people. I really believe in my heart that he's going to win way more than 14. I think the way he's going, and the fact that he doesn't really have players really pushing him. I think he can win close to 17, 18 majors. He's going to slide by me and hit Nicklaus soon. He's such a great player. And the fact that there's not two or three guys pushing him. But they're getting better and closer. But I still see him with that extra gear against these guys that he'll just continue to get better. As everyone else is getting better, he's getting better. So he's the best athlete out there.
He can do a lot of different things. His temperament is great [to stay] on top of the game. He doesn't get too high or too low. He really has a pretty good grasp on what he's doing out there. He handles himself well. And I'm just very impressed on his domination such as any sport, but the way he's dominating, it's unbelievable. So I, you know, see him making it important.
Patrick McEnroe: I'm not asking you to say who would win or lose. Let me set it up for you. Pete Sampras in his prime, Roger Federer in his prime, Wimbledon Centre Court, Championship match. Give me a little insight into how that might play out.
PS: Well, you know, there are times, you know, Roger feels unbeatable right now. And my prime at the Wimbledon, I felt unbeatable. Like the way I played against Andre in '99 was probably the best tennis I could put together. If I played like that against Roger, I'd have to like my chances. But he proposes different things than Andre has. He serves a little bigger. He might move a little better. His backhand might be more vulnerable than Andre's. I'd bring in the heat and try to come in on his serve. Really attack him and take his time away.
It's unfortunate that we see Wimbledon today where everyone is staying back. You know, I miss the serve and volley tennis. And I would try to put as much tennis on Roger if I could, and if he could pass and return great for a few straight sets, it's too good. But I felt that I was very, very tough to break on grass when I was serving well and moving well. And the fact that Roger stays back on grass, it gives me a few chances to kind of crack at it. And just kind of move into the net and try to put some pressure on him. But he, you know, I can't talk too much on how I'd do. He beat me the one time we had played there. But it is hard to say. You know, there are some guys
that feel unbeatable on that surface.
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