French tennis
December, 1998
Pete Sampras Interview
Interview: Yannick Cochennec
English Translation: Csilla Kiss

* Once again, thanks to Ms. Csilla Kiss for this article and translation!
An article from the October Issue of French Tennis Magazine (This was translated by Ms. Csilla Kiss and I decided to include her comments on some of the issues.)

It was exactly ten years ago that in Detroit you defeated a player, Tim Mayotte, ranked in the top 10. How do you remember that Pete Sampras today?

Pete Sampras: I was 17 years old, turning pro and it raised many questions for me. I was searching for my place at that time, I could say, but didn't know where it was. I was always shy, with a reserved natutre. When I started, for example I remember that I wasn't really at ease in the locker room.

And very fortunately, there was a visit to Lendl with whom I was training for awhile. That opened my eyes. It showed me how much one has to work to become a great player. Before that I wasn't conscious of that.
But in my case everything happened too fast. I had the chance of playing only few "sattelite" tournaments. I only had to play two or three challengers. Within six months I was already in the top 100.

The rivalry with Chang, Agassi and Courier also helped a lot at that point. They had their results before me and I didn't know why, I couldn't have the same success as them. They pushed me.
Then there was 1990 when everyhting "clicked" by a miracle: Philadelphia, the US Open. The dream has started.

When you look at those 10 years, what is your dominant feeling? Did you fulfil your dreams?

PS: It's hard to believe that all this happened. I never thought I could win so many Grand Slam titles, or stay #1 for such a long time. 10 years ago, like I said, I had doubts. I asked myself if I had the talent to become a good player, if I had the heart and the mind to go far.

Fortunately, some important matches I lost, like the US Open final against Edberg in 1992, directed me towards the place I have in this sport. These times I discovered my character. I realized that simply playing finals isn't enough, doesn't satisfy me. I wanted more.
After that I became a different player. If you want to see the difference between the player I was at 17 and what I'm today, that's it. 10 years ago I was content to be where I was. Now I'm not content unless I'm the best.

The season isn't over yet, and there's still one goal to achieve: to be #1 in the world for the 6th consecutive time. Do you think that it was one of the most difficult seasons for you, especially in terms of motivation?

PS: In a way, yes. The first six months of the season were very difficult. I started the year in Australia, but I knew I wasn't ready.
In fact, I needed a break. I played the Davis Cup final where I injured myself and didn't have the opportunity to prepare well. I wouldn't say it was a mistake to play in Australia, but it showed me that sometimes it's necessary to get away from the game, to have periods of rest during the year, especially as one is getting older.

When you are physically and mentally tired, you realize that you don't have a breathing space. The level of the competition is too high to expect politeness. [Guess, he means, "kindness" from other players to give you a break.]
This year, there were highs and lows. In some sense, Wimbledon saved my season. Later, when I look back to 1998, I think that I'll still have good memories, thanks to Wimbledon and maybe because I will stay #1 in the world.

If tomorrow you found yourself in a similar situation to that in which you were before the Australian Open, would you this time decide to not play?

PS: Honestly, I don't want to find myself in a similar situation. That's why, among others, I decided not to play DC in 1998, because I don't want to be still on court in the first week weekend of December.

But this year the "Masters" will be very late in the season. In 1997 it was played two weeks earlier. Your break will be very short again.

PS: I'm not happy about it. [The word by word translation would read "It grieves me", but I doubt he said that... ;-)] I always thought that the season should end at least two months before the end of the year. I really have the impression that I'll find myself in the same boat as in 1997 with the exception that this time I hope I won't hurt myself during my vacation. Last year I spent my time receiving various treatments, I couldn't do anything, I was really annoyed.

But I'm sure that at one point in my career I'll decide to these two months of holiday and not go to Australia. Or maybe after the USO I'll decide to do the minimum, so that I'd be really fresh for the AO. I was thinking about it a lot this year, turning these things over in myself.
Now, with the exception of being #1, which is truly special in 1998, I'm only interested in the Grand Slams. And I want to be in a good form every time I play. It's impossible if one is on the road for 11 months a year.

Actually, the players have to end their career very early. Lendl and Connors were among those few who continued playing after they reached 30. I'm 27 and I'd like to be able to play for a long time. I don't yet want to think about my retirement.

During last spring, in Key Byscane, especially when you lost to Wayne Ferreira, you appeared absent. You weren't the same player. What were your feelings during that time?

PS: Not too good. (Smile) I lacked the energy and the desire. I always had bad days, but for the first time, they lasted for a more or less long period. I lost my #1 ranking, it was a time difficult to live through.
It was even more frustrating than I couldn't defend it, because I didn't have the means to do that. And I know if you play well, there's no reason why I shouldn't be #1.

You lost prematurely at Roland Garros, you didn't play well at the Queen's, and suddenly, maybe by magic, you recaptured [his form, I guess] to win your 5th Wimbledon. What's your secret?

PS: A player's form is like a switch. On and off. I don't really like this idea of "come and go", but that's how the first half of my season looked like. I played really bad at the Queen's, no doubt about that.
But I think I am one of those who are really capable of lighting the fire, because I really wanted. I have this reserve in me, this "spare wheel" I can use when I have to.

Wimbledon is a special moment of the year for me. I have the impression that the place inspires me. Even though I didn't have the results I would've liked, I knew that in a given moment I would come back. Wimbledon offered such an opportunity.

When did you find the trigger? Was there one match more improtant that the others?

PS: The last two were very-very hard emotionally. Playing Henman in front of his people was a real test. [The French used the word "epreuve", which means proof, test and trial -- quite a good one, it was all three.] He's got a lot of talents, especially on that surface.

Agaisnt Goran in the Final I was struggling. ["souffret" -- suffering in fact.] I didn't feel very much at ease during that match. I never liked playing him on grass. I don't know why you suddenly laugh at me.

Regarding your lack of form, were you a little bit surprised that you again won Wimbledon?

PS: (Smile) No. I expected it of myself. In fact, I expect myself to win the tournaments I play and be able to find my form. With the exception of RG I'm always the favourite, in Australia, at Wimbledon, and the USO. On paper I should win.
I have some kind of edge which permits me to always be in a position of being able to win. It's like if I told myself every time: "You must be able to do it." It's nothing pretentious on my part, it's like this.

Winning Wimbledon was a kind of relief for you?

PS: Relief, yes, but it's better than that. It was a real accomplishment. Winning 5 Wimbledons like Borg, I never had dreamed that I could be on that level. I was really in a state of shock. When I was young, I remember watching Borg winning it 5 consecutive times. For me, it was another planet.
To equal it, it really touched me deep. Usually, when I win a major title, I soon start concentrating on the next goal. But then [after winning Wimbledon] I was thinking a lot about what I achieved.

Tell us about these magic days which follow a Grand Slam victory.

PS: One flies. (Laughter) There's no better feeling than that. You wake up every morning and you are happy. With time I "developed". Today I try to savour these moments for the longest possible time. During my earliest GS victories I don't feel I culd really appreciate them. I returned to the court to work too soon. Nowadays I understand better what it means and get the maximum out of it. It's a happy feeling which can last for several months.

Happiness which wasn't changed by this defeat at the USO against Patrick Rafter when you were injured?

PS: I don't know why, but I never felt I could do my things during the last USO. For some reason which I don't know, the court was faster than usually. There was a lot of wind. But things went on normally till that injury. That's a shame, because I played well against Rafter and I was in a good position to win that match and the tournament. Then this happened and it was a disappointment very hard to get over.

You lost the previous match you played against Rafter, in the Final in Cincinnati. it finished on a very disputable ace, called a fault by the line judge, but overruled by the chair umpire. You rarely seem to be so upset...

PS: I don't usually lose my calm, especially with an umpire. But there, it was stronger than me, because the ball was clearly out. I always had problems with that umpire this year, since my QF match against Kucera in Australia. These are the things the players don't forget. (Smile) But altogether, I have a hold on myself. Everything is in the look [eyes?]. (Laughter) I manage to keep my anger inside.

At the USO you had the chance of equalling Roy Emerson's record, winner of 12 GS titles in a moment, when the attention of all Americans was caught by the "homerun" record of baseball player Mark McGwire. Didn't you think that if you had managed to establish that record your performance would've been overshadowed by the moment of baseball?

PS: I never played tennis to be the object of some kind of attention. I didn't manage to make it at that point, but i'll have other occassions. And if I make it, I know that it'll be talked about.

In the US, doubtless not as much as the celebration of McGwire's record, but it doesn't disturb me, because in America baseball is a major sport which is unfortunatelyt not the case with tennis. McGwire's record was a historic moment in the US, incomparable with anything else.

But internationally you'll be always more popular than McGwire. Do you feel a particular pride to be one of the most celebrated athletes in the world? Is it important for you?

PS: No. I never attached a particular importance to be recognized all over the place. I was always more sensitive of the judgement of my peers, what great champions like Becker, McEnroe, Laver could say about me. That's what touches me most. Like I said, I'm rather shy. I appreciate a certain discretion, and I don't want the glory of having my name on the pages of newspapers all over the world.

Roy Emerson's record is at your door, but one has to say that you already established a phenomenal record by playing 13 GS finals and losing only two.

PS: Yes, it's unbelievable. I don't know why, I always have a kind of inner peace when I play these big matches. Generally, I'm nervous the night, or an hour or two before the match, but when I arrive at the court, I feel good, as if I had experienced these situations million times.
When I played Pioline in the Final of the USO or Wimlbedon, I very quickly sensed his nervousness, the excitement. The same when I played Moya in Australia last year. For me, it's already a great advantage when the fianl starts.

One of your two defeats mattered a lot, you mentioned it earlier: the one against Stefan Edberg at the USO in 1992. Would you say that this match was one of the most important in your career despite the fact you lost it?

PS: Absulutely. That day, I had the feeling that I gave him the match. I didn't know how it felt to lose a GS final and I thought I could digest it fast. But it stayed with me for months. Nobody remembers the losers. Six months later one only remembers the winners.
That day I learnt how bad losing is and how I hate it. That failure transformed me, made me more cruel [I wonder what word he used which was translated into "mechant"], tougher. I lost that final, but in a way I won something more important in exchange, which changed my career.

This was a time when your father seemed to have some doubts about you...

PS: In my entourage, everyone had doubts. My father asked if i had the heart and spirit to bring the best out of myself, to become what I could become: a champion. He had the impression that I was satisfied with simply being #6 in the world, and having a few million dollars on my bank account. I think, I surprised him. I equally surprised myself.

I changed from someone who doesn't care into someone who takes everything, especially GS defeats to the heart. In those moments I become easily irritable and it's not good to come near me. I feel completely miserable and unbearable for a few weeks, like after the last US Open.

A miserable Pete Sampras. How does that look like?

PS: Not too good. (Laughter) I may be at home with my fiance [before anyone gets too excited: the French "fiancee"does indeed translate into "fiance", however we don't know what translated into "fiancee" in the first place, he could simply say "girlfriend" which received this translation for lack of a better term :-) ], play golf, doesn't matter I don't feel like doing anything. Fortunately, time does it's job and I find a goal which keeps me going, like this automne the goal to stay #1 in the world.

You talk about your father, but a person who was very important in your childhood, your first coach, Pete Fisher is now in prison. What was his message during your early years?

PS: Grand Slam, Grand Slam, Grand Slam, that's what he never ceased to repeat during those years. He gave me direction and goals, but it was up to me to know if I'd really like to do all that. For him, I had the talent to do that, but he also questioned my motivation

Did you keep in touch with him despite his imprisonment?

PS: He wrote me and I replied by mail. Since he's in prison, his phone calls are limited. That's all very sad for me. In his letter he told me that it was a guard who let him know that I won Wimbledon. After that I understood that he has to pass several stages, the first of them very restrictive. He's a bit cut off from everything.

What did you say in your letter?

PS: I tried to be light, amusing. I told him what I do, how I spent my season. It's hard to talk about this. but I don't want him to let go. I encouraged him, like a friend. That's all I can do from where I am.

Roland Garros is far away in the calendar, but let's talk a little bit if you'd like...

PS: (Laughter) Oh no, not yet!

Would you say that this tournament became an obsession of yours?

PS: I wouldn't call it obsession. This is a word describing what Lendl did trying to win Wimbledon, changing the racket and planning his schedule so that he'd focus on one single goal.
Me, I never did that for RG. I'm not extreme, that's a question of personality. I know what I need to do to succeed in Paris. I need to be in shape, ready physically and I need a favourable weather. I will continue to believe in it, even if it's difficult.

When it's raining, like during your defeat this year against Raymond Delgado, you seem to change as if you suddenly became an average player...

PS: Yes, that's true, I become very negative in these occassions. It's as if everyhting turned against me. I don't know why, but this Suzanne Lenglen court is indeed slower than the Central Court. When the weather is humid and cool, it becomes a real trial for me. Agaisnt Delgado, my attitude wasn't ideal. I accepted a kind of fatality, but I can't afford to react this way.
Even though I was semifinalist in 1996, I don't think I showed at RG everything I'm capable of. Maybe I should rent an apartment in Paris, walk in the streets, rest for two months to change my Karma (Laughter).

Yarnick Noah recently said that to win RG you only have to do one thing: play your game. Do you agree?

PS: Yes, tha's what I learnt during this time. I know now that I can use my serve better and come in when I can. If I lose, I lose, but I have to have the satisfaction of being able to say that I played my game. That wasn't always the case.
Noah won RG because he could move fantastically on clay. Me, on this surface, I sometimes feel I have rollerskates on my feet, but I know I'll never win in paris by staying back.

Can you imagine working with a clay specialist before RG?

PS: (Smile) No, I really know what I have to do. When players do that, it always makes me sad. [I swear, it's a correct translation! I even asked my father and he's a professor of French. I wonder what Pete means though... sad seeing that people try to change their games?] I have the means, it's simply thatI have to use them better.

How are you going to prepare for RG in 1999?

PS: I haven't really thought about it, but in any case, I won't go to Asia in the spring. I'll probably play Monte Carlo, Rome, and maybe Dusseldorf. [No! Bad karma...] This year I went to Paris a week earlier and that was doubtless a mistake. I had the feeling I was too consumed with it, and felt too much the pressure of the tournament.

You said the Davis Cup wasn't part of your schedule in 1998. How did you receive the criticism following your decision?

PS: In 1995 I won the DC in Moscow on clay. That was one of the most wonderful weeks in my career. Great effort, great matches. but in the US nobody, or almost nobody cared. In France, a DC victory means something. In a way the players become heros.
In America, our victory passed completely unnoticed. And this hurt me, considering what I did for the team that week. I don't want a parade on the 5th Avenue, just a bit of recognition. And last year I injured myself. So I decided to take a break.

But when you saw the US losing to Italy in the SF, didn't you feel some sadness?

PS: Yes, of course. It shouldn't have happened, that's obvious. That's my opinion, but I think that there should be less DC matches. Considering my goals, four weeks a year are a lot. I used to talk about the success of the Ryder Cup in golf. Every other year, that's a fantastic event.
But I react as a player from a country where it's not a big thing to play DC. In Europe, and especially in France, it's completely different. Believe me, it's hard not to play, but one has to understand me.

And if tomorrow John McEnroe were sitting in the captain's chair, wouldn't you feel more like playing for your country?

PS: That would doubtless create a certain publicity, but it's not a reason to change my attitude. If he had been the captain in 1998, I would've told him the same as I told Tom Gullikson: no, I'm not going to play.

What's your decision for 1999?

PS: I don't know yet. When one is criticized, one feels an obligation to play. But now, I really don't know. The first tie is played against England and I don't know if I'll feel like going to Europe after key Biscayne, especially since Monte Carlo is very close in the calendar and I really want to give myself every chance to succeed on clay in 1999.
But I already know that in case of a victory the team will go to either Australia or Zimbabwe and at that time of the year such a loing journey seems to be out of question for me.

What do you think about the problems with Andre Agassi during the SF against Italy? The American Federation didn't want to hold the encounter anywhere else than in Milwakuee so that he could play and, at the same time, participate in his charity gala in Las Vegas.

PS: In that case, I think there was some misinformation. One either plays DC or he doesn't. But one can't play a match in the DC and, at the same time, participate in a charity gala equally seriously. If I had been in the team, I wouldn't have accepted it. One has to choose. I didn't find it very attractive.

Do you nevertheless agree with emphasizing certain problems of your federation?

PS: Yes, for example I don't understand why, with all the money they get thanks to the USO, they don't do a better job of promoting the game. In the US, one certainly has to worry. What will happen when I, Agassi, Chang, Courier retire? It really worries me to see how tennis suffers already in the US.
The media always says that there are now players who can win GS titles, but tomorrow? In five or six years the situation may become serious.

You don't see any young talents coming?

PS: There're Gambill, Gimmelstob, but that's all. If I'm severe, I say no, I don't see anyone capable of winning Wimbledon or the USO.

You're now trying to finish the year as #1 for the 6th consecutive time. You compared your quest to that of Michael Jordan, who was able to win for his team for the 6th time and remain the best player in the world. And you expressed your desire to meet him...

PS: Finishing the year as #1 in the world, for the 6th time, that would really mean a lot to me. Being the best for six years, that's something, isn't it? Jordan is still the best at 35. He managed to stay on top and I'd very much like to talk to him about it. How he stayed there, how he did it, physically.

He knew Larry Bird and Magic Johnson besides the new generation, but the time hasn't changed his desire to prove that he's always #1. I very much hope to meet him at the end of this year. Paul Annacone is talking to his manager, and it should be done. We could play golf, have dinner together.

Is he your model?

PS: Yes, one could say that. He's an exceptional athlete, the essence of perfection.

Like you?

PS: (Laughter)