Posted on: May 05th, 2007
Sampras is still dazzling in return to the court
- petepageMay 4, 2007
BY MIKE SZOSTAK, Providence Journal
BOSTON - Pete Sampras is back, and the way he hit the ball last night, it's like he never left.
Crushing serves for aces, slicing backhand approaches and volleying crisp winners, the 14-time Grand Slam singles champion played his first competitive match in nearly five years, and he was good. He defeated Petr Korda, 6-1, 6-2, in the feature match of the Champions Cup Boston, the second stop on Hall of Famer Jim Courier's Outback Champions Series.
John McEnroe, the best 48-year-old tennis player in the world, many believe, beat local favorite Tim Mayotte, 6-1, 7-5, in the first match at the striking Agganis Arena. Mayotte, who grew up in Springfield, trained with Boston pro Bill Drake while on the pro tour in the 1980s and now teaches tennis in New York, was a last-minute substitute for the injured Mats Wilander.
Sampras' last appearance in a singles tournament of any consequence was at the 2002 U.S. Open. Who can forget his emotional victory over Andre Agassi in the final and his dramatic climb through the stands to hug his wife?
Mayotte, McEnroe, and Korda are convinced that Sampras could return to the tour and make a serious run on grass at Wimbledon.
"He could win Queens," said Mayotte, 48. "I practiced with him today and got half a point in 20 minutes. I predicted he would play Wimbledon one more time, and I still predict he will. He'd have to train. He's not going to win seven five-setters without training. I think it would be great for the game."
McEnroe said that Sampras is the best player he ever saw, especially on grass, but he wonders what would motivate Sampras to return for another shot at Wimbledon.
"I could see it, but I don't know. I wouldn't bet on it. The guy won seven. Why bother? He could go out and win two out of three. I don't know about five-setters."
Having said that, McEnroe added that he couldn't name five players on the ATP tour today who could beat Sampras on grass.
"The guy's the master on grass. Roger (Federer) would say he'll play him, but he'll be concerned," McEnroe said. "The reality is your body breaks down. I don't know how fit he is. I could see him get to the quarterfinals and then lose because he was tired or strained something. I told him if he went there and lost in the first few rounds, it wouldn't take away from his place in history."
Korda echoed that sentiment. "If he served the way he served tonight, not many guys on the tour (could return). They swing at the serve. They don't block the serve. On grass he could beat many guys in the draw, badly," the Czech said.
But after dispatching Korda, Sampras, 35, killed all the Wimbledon speculation.
"I'm not going to play Wimbledon again. I'm curious how I'd do, especially with all the guys staying back. I always licked my chops when I saw baseliners," he said.
But a return, even for one tournament, would mean altering the lifestyle he has come to enjoy with his wife and two children in Los Angeles.
"A lot of things come into play. It's a lot of work. It's a daily grind. I wouldn't play Wimbledon just to play. I'd play to win. There's got to be a reason to come back, and there isn't a reason. To come back for one event is crazy," he said.
Sampras played six exhibitions and World Team Tennis last year, but it was a match against Courier, his contemporary, that sparked his interest in the seniors tour.
"It got my juices going. There's a little more at stake. Coming out today felt good - it felt exciting," he said.
Sampras told McEnroe that he didn't pick up a racquet for three years after winning the Open.
"Last summer, the first couple of balls he hit were absolute screamers. He was missing, but he wanted people to know he could still hit with pace," Mac said.
"When I picked up a racquet a year ago, the serve was still there," Sampras said. "I can still serve big up the middle. I can still do some things."
Like hustle to the net for a backhand half-volley and execute a perfect drop shot for a winner, earning a huge ovation.
Sampras will return tonight against Mayotte and then face McEnroe Saturday night.
"I'm ready for him, and I want him to know that. John, I'm coming after you," he joked with the crowd.
Said McEnroe: I'm not afraid. If I feel good, I'll go out against anyone."
Source: Providence Journal
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