September 13, 1996
Sampras refuses to comment on allegations of anemia
U.S. Open champion Pete Sampras refuses to say anything about a newspaper report that his recurring physical problems during matches have been caused by anemia.
"I hadn't heard about the story, but I've got nothing to say publicly about it," he said Wednesday from his home in Tampa.
His personal trainer, Todd Snyder, said the report by Tom Tebbutt in Tuesday's Globe and Mail, was based on "speculation in the tennis community".
"The report is just that -- speculative," Snyder said. "I'm not at liberty to say anything about this. This is Pete's business."
Anemia is a medical condition in which a person experiences a reduction of red blood cells (hemoglobin) in the blood stream and is characterized by a general weakness or fatigue.
Sampras also played down talk that he will soon undergo an extensive physical examination. Both his coach, Paul Annacone, and Snyder have said an examination is likely.
"I might do that someday, way down the road, but I'm fine," Sampras told the Tampa Tribune. He said any physical problems he has pose no threat to his career.
Sampras, ranked No. 1 by the ATP Tour, defeated Michael Chang in the U.S. Open final last Sunday to win his eighth Grand Slam title, 72 hours after he nearly collapsed on court during a quarter-final win over Alex Corretja. Sampras became ill and vomited during the fifth-set tiebreaker.
After the final, Annacone said Sampras was considering a major physical. Snyder sounded certain about it, calling it a "precautionary" measure.