Posted on: October 20th, 2009
We are world's best athletes - Pete Sampras
- petepageOct 17, 2009
SURE to spark intense debate, Pete Sampras claims tennis players are the finest athletes in the whole wide world.
Gearing up for an exhibition match with old sparring partner Andre Agassi next week in Macau, Sampras's contentious assertion will no doubt stir the emotions of rival sports enthusiasts across the globe.
Among others, elite boxers, gymnasts, cross-country skiers, surf lifesavers, triathletes, basketballers, handballers, cyclists, squash and soccer players and AFL footballers - in no particular order - could all argue they'd be the most supreme athletes on the planet. Sampras, though, says tennis stars ace the lot.
"People don't talk about it. I mean, in tennis, these athletes are incredible,'' the legendary American told ATP World Tour Uncovered.
"What these guys do on the run ... the guys that aren't maybe playing well and they come back - they're down two sets to love and they have the resolve to come back and can go on and on.
"You look at the NBA and you look at some of these guys and they're doing all these things and I think 'that's the best athlete'.
"But (then) I think tennis players are the best athletes, in my opinion.
"I'm not being biased. I know what it takes, I know hand-eye coordination. In an individual sport, you can't hide.''
The vexing question of which sport boasts the greatest athletes is, of course, one which will never be truly answered, and probably best saved for backyard barbecues.
But Sampras's qualified opinion is certainly worthy of consideration.
This is the very man whose clutch serve, breathtaking backhand and unrivalled work ethic delivered him 14 grand slam titles, a record six successive year-end No.1 rankings and $US43 million in prize money during a career statistically inferior only to the mighty Roger Federer.
There was little luck involved, even if Sampras says so himself.
"It was huge,'' Sampras said of his crowning achievement, the half-dozen straight years at the pinnacle of his sport.
"I did it for five years and it was a close race at the end of the sixth year; (Marcelo) Rios was pushing me and I remember I was over in Europe and I played like seven straight weeks to get it.
"And I wanted it. (Jimmy) Connors had five; I wanted six.
"And to be consistent in any sport is tough to do, and six years in a row is a lot of work, some stress involved and a great achievement.
"To dominate for the six years was not easy ... I sacrificed and worked hard and won some tennis matches along the way, but it wasn't easy.''
Hence why even Sampras marvels at the remarkable Federer, who surpassed the American's grand slam tally with a 15th major crown this year - at just 27.
Sampras was 31 when he won his 14th and last slam at the 2002 US Open, yet is not the slightest bit surprised the Swiss superstar has already established a new benchmark.
"I accepted that he was going to break this record a few years ago,'' Sampras said, in a rare interview with the humble champion.
"I mean, he was winning them with ease and was obviously a great player and he was just dominating the sport.
"So I knew it was just a matter of time. If not at Wimbledon, then the US Open or (at) the majors next year.
"He was going to do it eventually. So I'm not bitter by any means.
"If anything, I'm amazed by what this guy's been able to do.''
Retired now for seven years and happily married for 10 with actress Bridgette Wilson, Sampras admits filling the tennis void has its ups and downs.
"I'm still trying to figure it out - retirement's a work in progress,'' he said.
"I've got two kids - six and three - which is a lot of work and I'm enjoying life; playing golf, having some fun, playing poker and basketball and having some fun with that.
"Life's good. I couldn't complain. I wanted to be the centre on the tennis court. Other than that, I was pretty content just being sort of put to the side.''
He satisfies his craving for the game these days sometimes on the seniors circuit but mostly playing exhibitions.
"Still playing okay,'' Sampras said.
Damn right he is; the Washington-born, LA-based Sampras even upstaged Federer in one match of their exhibition series last year in Asia.
"Still playing well and hitting the serve like I used to be able to do and still hitting a few volleys,'' he said.
"What is does for me, when I'm home, it keeps me focused. It keeps me sharp, it keeps me in shape. That's what I'm looking for.
"It's not like I need to play tennis matches in front of people.
"I'm not going to come out of retirement and I'm not going to beat some of these young kids. I'm not too worried about it.''
Dining on strawberries and cream, rather than taming his rivals and enthralling royalty on The All England Club's Centre Court, is more difficult for Sampras.
"I miss Wimbledon,'' he said.
"I miss the majors. I miss the buzz of winning, playing in front of a lot of people.
"I don't miss the stress, the pressure, the travelling. I don't miss those days.
"But I miss being active. I miss the focus. But those days are over and now it's off to some other things.
"I miss it. I miss it a few weeks of the year but, other than that, I'm pretty content."
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