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January 2000 - New Season Begins
First, a look back...
The SamprasFanz have been eagerly awaiting the return of Pete Sampras to
the courts. Everyone recalled the last match they had seen Pete -- the ATP
Tour World Championship in Hannover. It was only his second tournament since
coming back from a 3 month layoff due to a back injury that forced him to
withdraw from the US Open. Despite some rustiness in the the early rounds,
Pete showed the heart, the mind and the game of a true champion when he
defeated Andre Agassi mightily in the finals in straight sets 6-1, 7-5,
6-4.
Now onto the new season...
Pete's first tournament of the year was the Colonial Classic at Kooyong,
Australia. This was his tune up event to the first Grand Slam of the year
2000 - The Australian Open. Check below for the round-up of the Pete's activities
and news articles.
| Date |
Details |
| Jan 12, 2000 |
Opening day for the Colonial Classic. Pete def. Richard Krajicek
6-4, 3-6, 7-6(7-5) |
| Jan 13, 2000 |
Pete loses to Mark Philippoussis 6-7, 6-7 |
| Jan 14, 2000 |
Pete def. Vince Spadea 6-3, 6-1 who replaced Thomas Enqvist when
the latter pulled out.
Draw for the Australian Open released. |
| Jan 16, 2000 |
King of the Courts |
| Jan 17, 2000 |
Australian Open begins
R1: Pete
def. Wayne Arthurs 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 |
| Jan 19, 2000 |
R2: Pete def. M. Tillstrom 6-3, 7-6, 6-1 |
| Jan 21, 2000 |
R3: Pete def. Wayne Black 6-7 (9-11),
3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3
R3 Presscon
|
| Jan 23, 2000 |
R4: Pete def. Slava Dosedel 6-1, 6-2,
3-6, 6-1
R4 Presscon |
| Jan 25, 2000 |
QF: Pete def. Chris Woodruff 7-5, 6-3, 6-3
QF Presscon
Pete's Interview on CBS 60 Minutes II
|
| Jan 27, 2000 |
SF: Pete loses to Andre 4-6,6-3,7-6,6-7,1-6
SF Presscon |
| Jan 28, 2000 |
Hip injury forces Pete Sampras to pull
out of Davis Cup
Presscon
|
| Jan 29, 2000 |
McEnroe unhappy with Sampras' Davis
Cup absence |
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February 2000 - The Davis Cup Saga
by: Caryn Sweeney, Samprasfanz
February was a slow month
for Pete news, as he spent the duration of the month recovering from the
hip flexor injury sustained during his thrilling five set semifinal match
again Andre Agassi at the Australian Open.
What news there was consisted of the aftermath of Pete's withdrawal from
the inaugural Davis Cup Tie held in Harare, Zimbabwe. United States Davis
Cup Team Captain John McEnroe took out his frustrations with Pete's injury
in the media, and caused a bit of a stir. The United States Team eventually
won the tie with a heroic effort from Chris Woodruff.
Off-court, Pete picked up an ESPY award for Tennis Player of the Decade.
In his acceptance speech, Pete paid tribute to the many people who have
contributed to his tennis career, including his agent Jeff Schwartz, for
"showing him the money."
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March 2000 - Pete Returns to the courts
by Alison DeFrank, Samprasfanz
Early on in March, we found
out that Pete accepted a wild card slot to the Franklin Templeton Tennis
Classic in Scottsdale, AZ which was from March 6-12. This was the first
American tournament he participated in after his injury and loss in the
Australian Open. After winning his first match of the tournament against
Rusedski, he pulled out on March 10, due to a strained ligament in his back.
Indian Wells was next up for Pete. After winning his first three matches
against Medevedev, Ferreira, and Black (respectively), he lost in the quarter-finals
to Thomas Enqvist. The Ericsson Open started towards the end of the month,
and Pete came out strong, winning his first four matches, and then he headed
off to the finals against Kuerten. You have read April to find the rest
out!
| Date |
Details |
| Mar 1, 2000 |
Pete guests at the Craig Kilbourn show (CBS) |
| Mar 5, 2000 |
Pete hosts his golf charity event |
| Mar 6, 2000 |
Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic starts in Scottsdale, AZ |
| Mar 7, 2000 |
R1: def. Greg RUSEDSKI (GBR) 6-3, 6-4
An interview with Pete in Golf Digest |
| Mar 10, 2000 |
Pete withdraws from tournament with strained back ligament |
| Mar 12, 2000 |
Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic ends, Lleyton Hewitt def. Tim
Henman 6-4, 7-6(7) |
| Mar 13, 2000 |
Indian Wells begins |
| Mar 14, 2000 |
R1: def. Andrei Medvedev 6-4, 6-3 |
| Mar 15, 2000 |
R2: def. Wayne Ferreira 3-6, 7-6(7-4), 7-6(7-5) |
| Mar 16, 2000 |
R3: def. Byron Black 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
| Mar 17, 2000 |
QF: loses to Thomas Enqvist 3-6, 6-3, 3-6 |
| Mar 19, 2000 |
Indian Wells ends, Alex Corretja def. Thomas Enqvist 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 |
| Mar 23, 2000 |
Ericsson Open begins. Pete gets a bye for the 1st round |
| Mar 25, 2000 |
R2: def. Carlos Moya 6-1, 6-4 |
| Mar 26, 2000 |
R3: def. Andreas Vinciguerra 5-7, 7-6,
6-4 |
| Mar 28, 2000 |
R4: def. Greg Rusedski 6-3, 6-3 |
| Mar 30, 2000 |
QF: def. Nicholas Lapentti 6-4, 7-6
; Presscon |
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April 2000 - Glory and Injury
By: Bernie Lin & Laura Ross, Samprasfanz
After defeating Hewitt
and Kuerten to win the Ericsson Open, Sampras was ready to help the United
States advance to the Semi-Final rounds of the Davis Cup by playing against
the Czech Republic. The event was held at the Great Western Forum in Los
Angeles and tickets were completely sold out due to Pete and Andre playing
on the same team. Pete lost his first match badly, mainly because Jiri Novak
played the game of his life, but as usual, Pete came back in the reverse
single match and destroyed his other Czech opponent, Slava Dosedel and clinching
the 3-2 win for the US over the Czech Republic!
Unfortunately, Pete injured his quad during the match against Slava and
was out for 6 weeks during the important clay season in Europe.
For more information, please see the articles below.
| Date |
Details |
| Apr 1, 2000 |
Pete Sampras defeats Lleyton Hewitt
6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the Ericsson Semi-Finals; Presscon |
| Apr 2, 2000 |
Pete Sampras defeats Gustavo Kuerten
6-1, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (8) in the Ericsson Final to WIN!
Presscon, Courtside
Coverage |
| Apr 7, 2000 |
First day of Davis Cup Quarterfinals,
US vs. Czech Republic: Pete lost to Jiri Novak, 6/7 6/3 6/2. |
| Apr 9, 2000 |
Final day and reverse singles of Davis
Cup. Pete defeats Slava Dosedel handily, 6/4 6/4 7/6
***Pete injured his quad during the match and was out for 6 weeks.
(for more, see press conference in May) |
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May 2000 - Pete's quest on Clay
by Caryn Sweeney, Samprasfanz
May turned out to be another
difficult month for Pete, tennis-wise. The beginning of the month saw Pete
recovering from a quadriceps injury sustained during the USA Davis Cup Team's
narrow defeat of the Czech Republic in April.
In the middle of May, Pete played at the Tennis Master's Series-Hamburg,
after being unable to play Rome. In the first round of Hamburg, Pete ousted
compatriot and Davis Cup hero Chris Woodruff, 6-4 7-6 (7-5). The following
day, Pete's comeback was halted by France's Arnaud diPasquale, 6-4, 6-4.
The next week saw Pete playing World Team Cup in Dusseldorf, where Pete
once again tried to get in some match play on the "terre battue."
He was beaten by Dominick Hrbaty of Slovakia, 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, and Tommy Haas
of Germany, 7-5, 6-2.
Rounding out the month was a first-round meeting with Mark "the Scud"
Philippoussis of Australia. After a bit of a slump, Philippoussis was unseeded,
and Pete was clearly unhappy to draw such a dangerous player early on. The
match was hard-fought by both men, with Philippoussis emerging victorious
in a nerve-wracking fifth set. Final score: 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 8-6.
Lest you think this entire month was all doom and gloom for Pete, it was
later revealed that Pete assuaged his disappointment in losing at Roland
Garros by proposing to his girlfriend of eight months, actress Bridgette
Wilson.
| Date |
Details |
| May 3, 2000 |
Pete holds a conference call with
the press to discuss his French Open preparations |
| May 4, 2000 |
Pete withdraws from the Italian Open
with a quad injury |
| May 8, 2000 |
Pete's path to Roland Garros, from
Sportsline |
| May 15, 2000 |
Start of the Tennis Master Series-Hamburg. Pete is seeded no. 1 |
| May 16, 2000 |
Pete wins in first round of Hamburg,
defeating Woodruff 6-4, 7-6(7-5) |
| May 17, 2000 |
Pete loses in second round of Hamburg, to diPasquale 4-6,4-6. |
| May 20, 2000 |
French Tennis Magazine interview with
Pete
|
| May 21, 2000 |
Start of the World Team Cup in Dusseldorf.
Pete is defeated by Hrbaty at the WTC
in Dusseldorf 6-0, 4-6, 4-6 |
| May 23, 2000 |
Pete is defeated by Haas at the WTC in Dusseldorf 5-7, 2-6 |
| May 25, 2000 |
Pete defeats Magnus Norman 6-3, 6-4 |
| May 26, 2000 |
French open draw. Pete will face Mark Philippoussis in the first
round. |
| May 29, 2000 |
Mark Philippoussis hands Pete a difficult
defeat in the first round of Roland Garros 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(4), 4-6,
8-6.
Nike airs new advert starring Pete and Andre Agassi. |
| May 30, 2000 |
Aftermath of the French open; Pete is hailed "King
of the Court" and "Still
One of the Best" |
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June 2000 - The Grass Courts await the King
By: Sally Turkovich, Samprasfanz
For the first weeks or
so, June is always a particularly bad month for Pete since the first few
days are in the thick of the second week of the French Open. But with his
first round loss this year to Mark Philippousis, Pete had time for another
one of his passions, L.A. Lakers games. And though Pete was gone from Paris,
but not forgotten, USA Network aired a special piece about Pete during their
coverage. Next, to get geared up for winning his seventh Wimbledon title,
Pete entered the Stella Artois tourney in England. With Pete's loss to Lleyton
Hewitt in the finals, Wimbledon was sure to be a tough fortnight. Fortunately,
when the Wimbledon seeding was announced, Pete was seeded 1st for the 7th
time. The next day, Pete announced his engagement to Bridgette Wilson, and
many female hearts broke all across the world. Until his second round match
all was well, when suddenly, Pete lost much of his mobility due to acute
tendinitis in his shin. Using his serve, he was able to ace his way to victories
in the next few rounds. However, Pete fans and critics wondered if his serve
would be enough to win him his recordbreaking 13th grand slam title.
| Date |
Details |
| Jun 1, 2000 |
Northwest Airlines inflight magazine features Pete on the cover |
| Jun 4, 2000 |
Pete sighted at the LA Lakers game |
| Jun 8, 2000 |
USA Network airs short feature on Pete
and the French open quest |
| Jun 12, 2000 |
Stella Artois Tournament starts, Pete has a 1st round bye |
| Jun 13, 2000 |
R2: def. Arvind Parmar 6-7(8-10),6-4,6-3 |
| Jun 15, 2000 |
R3: def. Michael Llodra 6-1,7-6(7-2) |
| Jun 16, 2000 |
QF: def. Bob Bryan 6-4,6-4 |
| Jun 17, 2000 |
SF: def. Davide Sanguinetti 7-5,6-3 |
| Jun 18, 2000 |
F: loses to Lleyton Hewitt 6-4,6-4 |
| Jun 19, 2000 |
Wimbledon seedings announced. Pete is seeded #1 for the 7th time. |
| Jun 20, 2000 |
Wimbledon draw made. Pete announces
engagement to Bridgette Wilson |
| Jun 24, 2000 |
Pete slips during practice and Fanz get anxious. |
| Jun 25, 2000 |
Interview with Jim Courier and
"Eve of Wimbledon" article
|
| Jun 26, 2000 |
Opening day of Wimbledon
R1: Pete def. Jiri Vanek 6-4, 6-4, 6-2;
Presscon |
| Jun 28, 2000 |
R2: Pete def. Karol Kucera 7-6, 3-6,
6-3, 6-4 and injures his foot during the match |
| Jun 30, 2000 |
Third round match postponed due to bad weather, gives Pete another
day to rest. |
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July 2000 - Triumph through pain
By: Sally Turkovich, Samprasfanz
The start of each July,
for the past ten years, is a stressful time for Samprasfanz. Wimbledon is
drawing to a close, Pete tries to win another title, and we fans try to
stay sane and upbeat. With an injury hampering Pete, the second week of
this year's Wimbledon was exceedingly tense. Tendinitis in his left leg,
that had flared up during his second round match with Karol Kucera, threatened
to put an end to Pete's quest for the illustrious #13. But, showing the
true qualities that have made him what he is, Pete played through his pain
and won what he calls "the toughest title" of his career. He has
finally eclipsed the record that he had shared with Roy Emerson for a year.
Now, he has it all to himself.
Soon after his win at Wimbledon, Sampras was forced to deal with another
issue: Davis Cup, a duty that has become more and more of a chore over the
past 7 months. With his injury, Pete would be forced to pull out of the
Semi-final Davis Cup match against Spain in Santander. Without Sampras,
and Agassi (who was injured in a car accident), the squad went on to lose
5-0.
Because Pete was advised by doctors to rest and let is injury heal, playing
in the L.A. tournament, which he won in 1999 by defeating Agassi, was out
of the question. However, Pete is expected to be fully recovered and able
to play at the Super 9 event in Cincinnati this August, which Sampras also
won in 1999 by defeating Agassi in the semifinals and Pat Rafter in the
finals.
| Date |
Details |
| Jul 1, 2000 |
R3: Pete def. American Justin Gimelstob
2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 |
| Jul 3, 2000 |
R4: Pete def. Swedish Jonas Bjorkman
6-3, 6-2, 7-5 |
| Jul 5, 2000 |
QF: Pete def. American upstart Jan-Michael
Gambill
6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the Semifinals |
| Jul 7, 2000 |
SF: Pete def. Belarusian qualifier
Vladimir Voltchkov 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 |
| Jul 8, 2000 |
Pete's accupuncture treatment |
| Jul 9, 2000 |
F: Pete wins his record setting 13th
Grand Slam, and record tying 7th Wimbledon; defeating Australian Pat
Rafter in four sets 6-7(12), 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-2; More
Articles and Interview |
| Jul 10, 2000 |
Pete returns to the U.S. to do various
public appearances, including an interview on the Today Show with
Katie Couric, and the unveiling of his new Wheaties Box in New York
City |
| Jul 11, 2000 |
Pete's interview on the New York Times
Pete appears on the CBS Charlie Rose show. |
| Jul 12, 2000 |
Pete announces his withdrawal from the Davis Cup team to recover
from his injury. |
| Jul 13, 2000 |
Laker's John Black brings home Wimbledon
trophy for Pete |
| Jul 14, 2000 |
Pete is featured on the Wall St. Journal
NBC announces it posted highest ratings since the 1995 men's final
(when Pete defeated Boris Becker) for Wimbledon during Pete's historical
match. |
| Jul 17, 2000 |
USTA runs congratulatory ad in the New
York Times for Pete's 13th Grand Slam. |
| Jul 18, 2000 |
Repeat of Pete on the Martin Short show is aired |
| Jul 23, 2000 |
Spain completed a 5-0 whitewash against the U.S. to cruise into
their first Davis Cup final since 1967.
Pete's Charity Golf Tournament is reported on the show Topspin. |
| Jul 29, 2000 |
ESPN Classic re-airs the tape of Pete's first Grand slam win, defeating
Agassi in the final of the 1990 US Open.
Pete is featured on the talk show More than a Game. |
| Jul 30, 2000 |
Pete is interviewed at the Toronto
Master Series |
| Jul 31, 2000 |
Toronto Master Series began with Pete as the 2nd seed. |
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August 2000 - Pete takes to the Hard courts
By: Sally Turkovich, Samprasfanz
Pete takes to the Hard
courts to defend his titles from the 1999 summer season
After a whirlwind of media attention, interviews and appearances in the
month of July, Pete Sampras got back to what it was that got him all that
attention: playing tennis. As the second seed in the Toronto Masters Series
in Canada, Sampras battled his way into the quarterfinal round where he
met young Marat Safin. Losing in the third set tiebreaker 8-10, Sampras
had to go another year without winning Toronto. Trying to defend his title
in Cincinnati, Sampras survived the first two rounds, but eventually suffering
a quick loss to Tim Henman.
Regardless of the dismal tournament showings previous to the start of the
U.S. Open, Pete was heavily favored as he defeated both Martin Damm and
Justin Gimelstob in straight sets. His serve popping and his volleys stinging,
Pete looked well prepared to win his 14th Grand Slam. (See September
for the conclusion of the US Open.)
| Date |
Details |
| Aug 1, 2000 |
Cool world for Pete after Wimbledon
win
Tennis Master Series-Canada continues
R1: def. Michael Llodra 5/7 6/2 7/6
(7/4) |
| Aug 2, 2000 |
R2: def. Karin Alami 7-6(7-3), 6-2 |
| Aug 3, 2000 |
R3: def. Sargis Sargsian 6-1, 6-2 |
| Aug 4, 2000 |
QF: Pete loses to Marat Safin 6-4,
3-6, 7-6(10-8) |
| Aug 7, 2000 |
Tennis Master Series -Cincinnati starts
Pete swings with the Cincinnati
Reds <see offcourt section> |
| Aug 8, 2000 |
R1: def. Mariano Zabaleta 6-4, 6-2
|
| Aug 9, 2000 |
R2: def. Taylor Dent 7-6, 7-6 |
| Aug 10, 2000 |
R3: loses to Tim Henman 3-6, 4-6 |
| Aug 24, 2000 |
Autograph signing at Macy's New York |
| Aug 28, 2000 |
US Open starts
R1: def. Martin Damm 7-6(3), 7-5, 6-4
|
| Aug 30, 2000 |
R2: def. Justin Gimelstob 6-3, 6-1,
6-3 |
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September 2000 - US Open Continues
By: Sally Turkovich, Samprasfanz
U.S. Open Continues as
Pete Sampras looks for his 5th Open title
A quarterfinal matchup with past nemesis Richard Krajicek proved to be
a battle, after losing the first set because of one lost service game, Sampras
posted an amazing comeback to win the second set tiebreaker and the momentum
of the match swung to his corner. Sampras won the next two sets 6-4, 6-2
to await Lleyton Hewitt in the Semifinals. A straight sets victory over
the young Australian pitted Sampras against strong Russian Marat Safin.
Sampras never had a chance to get in the match as Safin took the title match
in straight sets.
Though Pete had dearly wanted to win another Open, he seemed happy just
to be able to be in the finals again, to be in the same place he stood only
ten years earlier when he won his first Grand Slam.
Pete marries Bridgette Wilson
On September 30, several months after announcing his engagement to Bridgette
Wilson, Sampras weds at his house in Benedict Canyon, California. He had
said for months that he was ready to start a new chapter in his life, and
now that new chapter has begun. Now all Samprasfanz can do is sit and wait,
enjoying the precious matches that remain in Sampras' always amazing, emotional
and awe-inspiring career.
| Date |
Details |
| Sept 2, 2000 |
US Open continues
R3: Def. Agustin Calleri 7-6, 7-6, 6-3 |
| Sept 4, 2000 |
R4: Def. Lee Hyung Taik 7-6, 6-2,
6-4 |
| Sept 6, 2000 |
QF: Def. Pichard Krajicek 4-6, 7-6,
6-4, 6-2
Read the exclusive ROOTERS
report |
| Sept 9, 2000 |
SF: Def. Lleyton Hewitt 7-6, 6-4,
7-6 |
| Sept 10, 2000 |
F: Loses to Marat Safin 6-4, 6-3,
6-3 |
| Sept 11, 2000 |
Post US Open articles |
| Sept 13, 2000 |
Pete first to qualify for season finale
at Lisbon |
| Sept 30, 2000 |
Pete weds Bridgette Wilson <offcourt> |
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October 2000 - Pete's New Chapter in Life
By: Bernie Lin & Laura Ross, Samprasfanz
After the marriage to
Bridgette Wilson, Pete pulled out of all the tournaments he previously planned
to play in for the rest of the year. He first pulled out of the Vienna Tourney,
then followed on by pulling out of Lyon, Stuttgart, and Paris tournaments.
During this month, Pete made a few appearances such as the Giorgio Armani
exhibition in New York City and the launch party of The Street.
Near the end of the month, Pete received the honor of being GQ Man of the
Year in the individual athlete category. He would make a strong appearance
at the Year End Masters Cup (formerly known as the ATP World Championships)
in Lisbon. It seems that the Pete after marriage is a happy and relaxed
Pete. A new chapter of his life has truly begun, and we Samprasfanz are
very delighted to see the smooth transition that Pete has gone through.
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November 2000 - Pete back on court
After
almost 2 months absence, Pete returned to the tour for the season ender
Tennis Masters Cup where the top eight players of the world were set to
compete in Lisbon, Portugal. Although he has been keeping himself fit while
away from the tour, his rustiness showed in his first match against Lleyton
Hewitt wherein he lost 5-7, 0-6. However, Pete quickly rebounded back in
his second round match against Alex Corretja to set up a showdown with Marat
Safin, Pete's conqueror at the US Open finals. (See December for the rest
of the action)
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December 2000 - Season Finale
By: Alison de frank, Samprasfanz
In the beginning of December,
the Tennis Masters Cup was being concluded. On Dec 1st, Sampras played Safin,
beating him with 6-3, 6-2. This sent him into the semi finals to play Kuerten.
Kuerten defeated Sampras at 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 and went on to win the tournament
and seize the no. 1 ranking.
Pete was up for the GQ Most Gorgeous Athlete award and he won! He was also
up for the CNNSI Sportsman of the Year award, but unfortunately, this went
to Tiger Woods. The rest of the month was quite slow, as Pete was busy preparing
for his next tournament, the Colonial Classic, starting January 10, 2001.
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