July 13th, 2000
Needle cure for Sampras
New Malden: Pete Sampras won his record seventh Wimbledon singles title
on Sunday (July 9th) with a little help from a Chinese acupuncturist
from New Malden, it emerged this week.
Shortly before midnight on the eve of his third round match against Jonas Gimelstob, a worried world champion drove to New Malden High Street to be treated for tendinitis by Dr Yujuan Sun.
She had been recommended by ex-Wimbledon champion, Pat Cash, who was first treated by her seven years ago.
And Sampras was so impressed with Dr Sun's skills with the needle that he went back five times during the vital last week of Wimbledon.
Sometimes the champion tennis player visited the acupuncturist late at night and once she even opened her clinic on Sunday especially for him.
The first time Dr Sun, 38, saw Sampras, she said: "He looked pale and worried and walked with a limp."
But so effective were Dr Sun's needles against Sampras' tendinitis in his left leg that when his match was delayed the next morning he came back for more treatment.
Thanks to the ancient Chinese art, Sampras was able to battle on to face Pat Rafter in the final, watched by his nervous acupuncturist.
She said: "During the final I just watched his left leg, his running wasn't as good as the other guy's and I said 'maybe he is still in pain'. I was so nervous my hands are still sore today."
But she needn't have worried as Sampras fired down serves at more than 130 mph and peppered Rafter with bullet returns to win his record triumph.
And afterwards he reportedly said: "I like to think the acupuncture has helped."