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News on Sampras

Posted on: September 24th, 2007

One-on-One with Pete Sampras

- petepage

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Now that you are playing Champions Cup and Legends of Tennis events, have you lost a match?

"I haven't lost yet. Todd Martin was a point a away from beating me in Boston. Also I had a super tiebreaker in Athens against Todd. It's very competitive (on the Champions Cup tour). We all take it seriously. We all want to play well. It might not be as cutthroat as it used to be 10 years ago (on the ATP Tour), but it's really competitive. The real tour is still a little more intense dog-eat-dog world."

Is a match against Courier a pretty good test for you?

"Jim still hits the ball really well. He has a big first serve anad cracks the forehand. He has been playing more than I have. We both have taken advantage of the new technology. He hits ball with pretty good pace. It should be a pretty good surface for both of us. I will try to get in (to the net) a little and see what I can do."

What was your most memorable match?

"It was my last U.S. Open (2002). I went through two years trying to find the confidence to win an event. To win that last Open and to win against Andre (Agassi) ... that last match felt great."

What's your feeling about possibly losing the record to Roger Federer?

"I am more respectful than disappointed. Records are made to be broken. I knew Roger was going to threaten to do it, and now he's doing it. He's not only a great player but an ambassador for the sport. I feel respectful and respect him more than disappointment. I feel good aobut the 14 (Grand Slam titles) I have. I take my hat off to him."

How would you compare the pressure when you were going for the record to the pressure on Federer?

"I was older when I went for the record. He's younger and has a number of years. I was not as dominant as Roger is now. Roger's 26, and nothing is going to stop him ... he should win the Australian."

How would Federer fare against some of the players of your time, such as a total serve-and-volleyer like Patrick Rafter?

"Today all players play the same. There are no serve-and-volleyers. He is just better at that phase (baseline rallies) of the game. I think Rafter would have worried him. His (Rafter's) high serve to the backhand. I think Roger obviously is the better player, but I think we would have seen something different from what we're seeing today. I think Rafter would have challenged Roger in a different way but I think Roger would figure it out."

Did Federer come along at a time when there were no other great players?

"I think they have narrowed the gap, gotten closer to Roger. I still feel he has the extra gear and is better than everyone. But (Novak) Djokovic and (Rafael) Nadel should get better and could threaten him in the next couple of years. He (Federer) came along when a lot of major champions were retiring, but he just got better and he pushed guys to get better. Andy (Roddick) had his best match and still can't beat him. That's tough for Andy to swallow. He (Federer) made his move at the right time, but now it looks a little more competitive."

I know you are going to play Federer in some exhibitions. How will you play him?

"I am going to try to get to the net ... try to take some of his time away. I'm going into the match cold turkey and Roger is in the prime of his career. I should be able to hold my own and be competitive. I think he feels comfortable back there (on the baseline). At Wimbledon against me (Federer's fourth-round victory in 2001 in their only meeting), he served and volleyed but I don't think he was that comfortable."

Has Federer's health and lack of injuries helped him in his pursuit of the record?

"He's fit and you look at some of his matches and you see Roger in a tough five-setter and he looks tired out. He wins matches with ease and and can have a longer career since he's not pushed. He's winning matches easier. It would take its toll later in the event if he had to play long matches. Nadal physically can push so hard for so many times. I think his body breaks down. He (Nadal) is such a grinder it's hard on his body; he's strong but it's taking a lot out of him."

How has the racket technology changed the game?

"The racket technology is incredible. It's giving guys ranked 50th a chance to hit the ball well. The strings keep the ball on the court and the racket enables players to hit so hard. They hit winners from behind the baseline with so much pace. You didn't see that in my time."

Source: Charleston.net

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