Interview with Pete by the USTA
February 4, 2002
Q: Talk about your decision to come back…to play Davis Cup.
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, it’s something I thought about last year. There’s definitely been certain times of the year that over the past couple of years I’ve had a hard time getting going and playing some of the events on the tour, whereas Davis Cup, it means something….you’re playing for your country, you’re playing for your teammates and I need to feel inspired out there….that’s why I decided to play. It’s a very unique event that we’re all pretty happy about the team we have here this year, just more motivation and playing with a little more passion, which I’m looking forward to and having a good week. It’s a rare time to have all the guys on the same team. Tennis is such an individual sport that everyone’s going separate directions, where here, you’re having dinners together and lunches and it’s a pretty fun week. All those things combined, I just think it’s a good point in my career to start playing some more Davis Cup. It’s not about your ranking. It’s not about the majors. It’s something that means more to me than that.
Q: Because of what happened on September 11th, does playing for your country take on a whole new meaning now?
PETE SAMPRAS: Um, I think all of us are affected in a lot of ways. It’s not the reason I’m playing Davis Cup. America is historically, up until 9/11, weren’t at times, the most patriotic people. If there’s anything good about 9/11, it’s that we’re all on the same team and we’re all about being from the best country in the world. We’re staying strong together and that’s good to see. Hopefully, we’ll get the crowd involved this weekend and feel that energy, but we’re all affected in a lot different ways. It feels good to represent your country, which is what I’m doing this week.
Q: In that sense, do you see a lot of patriotism from the fans?
PETE SAMPRAS: I think so. Um, we’ll see what happens this weekend, but I hear it’s a pretty good turnout. I think every fan sitting out there is gonna obviously think about what happened on 9/11. Anytime you have anything to do with the country, if it’s the Ryder Cup or Davis Cup, it brings a certain feeling to the fans. It’s not watching a Grand Slam. Everybody is here to play for the U.S. I think the fans will support that and feel that and something we’re all looking forward seeing that energy.
Q: (Inaudible)
PETE SAMPRAS: Sure, it’s a long road. This week is not going to be a cakewalk, but I think we have a pretty good team to possibly go all the way. There’s a lot of tennis yet to be played and it’s been seven years. Alot of great teams, a lot of great players that can obviously win this whole event this weekend and that’s the beginning of our goal and that’s to win the whole Cup.
Q: Talk about the makeup of the Slovak team now that Domink Hrbaty will not be playing….does this change things?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I think it changes, it changes the mental outlook. You know, I came in here expecting to play Kucera who’s always played me well and I’m not sure who they have on the team now, but if it’s someone I’ve never seen play it’s always a little bit tricky. And I’ve played Kroslak before in the past so I’m a little bit familiar with his game, but you know, it’s definitely a blow to the team….to their team. Kucera and Hrbaty have alot of experience, but I don’t know what happened to their team, but in any case, we have to go out and play our games and get the job done, you know, with myself and Andy and the rest of the guys, I think we’ll be tough to beat.
Q: (Inaudible)…….did you like what you saw in Australia?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I liked how I felt. I wasn’t happy with the result. I mean everytime I go out there, I expect to win and I put so much pressure on myself to do well at the majors. That was disappointing, but I feel like I’m in great shape and I’ve played a couple tough matches and I felt like I recovered pretty well. I’m playing fine. I lost a close match to Safin who played a really good match and beat me and that’s what sits with you. You need a few breaks to kinda get through a Slam and that was one match where I felt I needed a few breaks to go my way….and that didn’t happen, but it would have been nice to have won there and done a little bit better, but hoping good things will happen this year and I can get back on that Grand Slam winner’s circle.
Q: Does the playing surface here make a difference?
PERE SAMPRAS: Compared to? Yeah, well it’s up to us on how we want the court. The court takes a few days to adjust a little bit with the balance, you know. Even playing on hard court at home, the ball bounces up a little bit higher here, bounces a touch lower. It just takes a couple days to kinda get used to the feel of the cushion and see what it’s like out there. It’s not a big deal….it just takes time to get used to it.
Q: You mentioned in your teleconference that you were surprised that Oklahoma City was selected to host the Davis Cup. Can you elaborate on that?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, there has never been men’s tennis here, I don’t think. Having been around here for a couple of days, I think people are pumped up about the Cup and that ticket sales are going well. Anytime you come to a city that the fans and the media support it, you just look forward to being here. We’re having a good time and we’re going to go out to a few different steakhouses….we hear it’s pretty good here. It’ just when you got that support, which we think we’ll have this weekend, I’ll be happy if it’s here everytime….which it might not be.
Q: What does Patrick bring to the table?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, Pat…just a good energy, a personality that can mold lots of types of players. He’s someone who’s a friend of mine that I respect as a commentator. He knows the game. He knows my game very well. He’s been seeing me play for the past 7-8 years….just a nice easy-going personality that knows each player in their own different way and that’s my definition of a good captain, someone who is able to see the situation and be able to adjust to it…..and I think Patrick does a good job of doing that.
Q: (Inaudible)
PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, I would say so. I mean, I’m to the point where I’ve played quite a bit of Davis Cup over the years, but I think I’m at a stage where it’s something I could use to my advantage and it does mean something when you’re playing for your country and your teammates…. you know you go out there and dig a little deeper and you push a little harder and you win at some other events because there’s a sense of urgency when you play Davis Cup. It’s a Grand Slam type of preparation. We’re here about 4 or 5 days getting ready so there’s a certain amount of tension in the air, which you don’t feel every week, at least I don’t…. so it’s a point in my career that can benefit my year, benefit my year at other tournaments. For Pat, who was very affected with 9/11, being in New York City at the time, I mean I’m sure that it hit home for him much more than some other people so I think the combination of all that stuff.
Q: Can you talk about some of the guys on the team?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, you have Todd Martin who has been a Davis Cup hero over the years, has always committed himself to the Davis Cup. James Blake, who’s a very talented young guy, who’s played some Davis Cup and I think he’s someone who’s gonna get better and better as the more experience he gets. And obviously Andy, with the potential and the game he has, you know he’s going to be on Davis Cup for many years so we have a mix of some older guys and some younger guys that are young and eager. And we kind of use that to our advantage having, you know, the younger guys getting the older guys more motivated in practice….and Todd and I trying to hold our own out there.
Q: (Inaudible)
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, not yet. You know, we’ve just been hitting a little bit with James and Mardy and they’re hitting the ball well and I’m just trying to find my bearings right now. It’s kin of a question on who’s playing doubles here and I don’t know how all that works out, but it’s just a good group of guys, a good mix. Everyone gets along and makes it a fun week.
Back to Archives - 2002 | News