1999 ATP World Championship / Hannover, Germany (Draw Ceremony)
An interview with Pete Sampras
QUESTION: Your back's back?
PETE SAMPRAS: Yep.
QUESTION: Pete, the first and obvious question is how are you physically?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, knock on wood, my back feels fine. I did a test after Paris, another MRI, and there was no more damage than there already was, and it feels good. It feels --- I've been practicing for the past couple days pretty hard and I haven't had any ailments. So --- but it's always a little bit different when you go out and play; you push a little bit harder. I certainly hope I can get through my first match and get through the week.
QUESTION: An interesting group with you and Andre in the first group.
PETE SAMPRAS: It is interesting. There's no question our history is what makes the match very intriguing. He's had a great year and is probably the hottest player coming into the tournament. But I feel like I'm hitting the ball well. I hope I can find my form this week, but he's certainly is a slight favorite.
I feel like I'm going to be tough to beat. It's hard to say if I'll be at that level that I was during the summer, but hopefully I can find that.
QUESTION: Obviously only having played the one match since before the US Open since Cincinnati, how tough is it to come back and be match tough right away?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, really it's hard to be match-tough, and you can practice as hard as you want and practice well, but when you go out with a little bit of nerves it's a little bit different. So you really got to just go out and play and hopefully get through my first match and work my way into the tournament.
So I feel, you know, that's kind of where I'm at. You can't expect to be at the level that I was during the summer, but I'm here because I'm looking at the big picture; I'm looking at next year's Australian, seeing how my back holds up. It's a true test to see where I'm at physically.
If I can win here, that would be a bonus. That would be a huge bonus. It's nice to play again; it's nice to be out in competition.
QUESTION: Although we know why you played. Do you think in hindsight, you probably shouldn't have played in Paris; it was a little bit too soon?
PETE SAMPRAS: It might have been a little bit too soon. I feel that surface, that Teraflex surface, historically has always given me back problems over the years. You know, I didn't feel my back at all until I started playing and two hours on that surface doing a lot of running, my back wasn't ready. But it wasn't a disk problem; it was more muscle and more fatigue.
So I did an early test to tell my mind that it was okay to start hitting again. But, you know, I think it was a good move, you know, it was a good move to play. It was a tough trip, coming back and forth so quickly. But I felt like it was the right decision.
I certainly hope it's the right decision coming here. I think it will be. I think the surface, even though it's harder, might be a little bit easier on my back. So I hope that's the case.
QUESTION: Did they put your mind at rest very quickly after that, in Paris?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I did an MRI as soon as I got back just to see where my disk was. It's pretty much the same as it was after the US Open. It's just overprotection of my back, the muscles around my spine weren't quite ready for it to go that hard.
So, you know, it's good mentally to feel like I can play freely and that's half the battle right there...
QUESTION: Is it strange to be coming into a situation where you're not vying for the No. 1? Or is it, in a way, to use your phrase many years ago, "A monkey off your back"?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, they asked me before the difference between this year and last year, I'm completely and totally relaxed. And if you remember this time last year I was obviously trying to break the record. It was a much more stressful time.
Yeah, but it's interesting how I wasn't in control of my last four months; it was my health. And if I would have done well at the Open and had a good fall, I could be here doing it for seven straight years.
In that way, it's disappointing, but I'm through that now and I've accepted that. I have to let my ranking go, not only for this year but the next couple of years with the new system in place. My days of being No. 1 --- I don't want to say are going to be over --- but it's going to be a little bit more difficult to do it.
So --- but it's definitely night and day compared to last year.
QUESTION: You came here because you feel like you have to play the couple of matches before the end of the season. Did you have the temptation of staying home on holidays?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, sure. That was a temptation. But I'm already looking forward, mentally, for next year in Australia, and I feel like if I didn't play here and didn't play in Australia which is a Slam and a tough situation, I just needed to see how my back is.
And I, obviously, miss playing. I enjoy playing against the best players in the world. But I'm already starting to get ready. I feel like I've had my time off after the US Open, that was my off-season. Now it's time to play well here and as soon as I get home get into training and start getting ready for Australia.
QUESTION: You were talking in the summer about how your priorities have changed in terms of the game. Have you fixed a schedule for next year? Does it include Zimbabwe? Does it include the Olympics?
PETE SAMPRAS: It does not include the Olympics, but the Davis Cup is something that I will be a part of. I'm going to get through this week and decide on Zimbabwe. It looks pretty good that I might make that trip.
So, yeah, priorities probably have changed. I want to be part of Davis Cup and obviously play the Slams and play enough tournaments to give myself the best chance to do well at the majors. With the new ranking system and the fact that I've been No. 1 for so long, it's hard to say if that's going to be a priority as it used to be.
But as competitive as I am, I can still do it. You win Wimbledon and something else and a couple Super Nines, you can do it. But it gives my margin of error a little bit less.
QUESTION: They're totally different psychological approaches of being No. 1 in the race this year. There are certain times of the year when you wouldn't expect certain things... (Inaudible.)
PETE SAMPRAS: I'm sorry?
QUESTION: The race is different. For instance, whoever wins the Australian will probably be No. 1 in the race again in January.
PETE SAMPRAS: No, no --- yeah, will be No. 1.
QUESTION: But that doesn't really mean anything?
PETE SAMPRAS: Doesn't mean anything. It's December and I think that's ---
QUESTION: Whereas in the other system, you have the constant No. 1 week by week.
PETE SAMPRAS: Uh-huh.
QUESTION: So the pressure won't build up.
PETE SAMPRAS: No. Well, but you can't rely on that. You can't rely on having a good last three months.
Looking at my schedule and what my goals are, you know, I'm not sure if I'm playing all the tournaments, all the Super 9s. Those count, when you don't play those, I'm just like, "Okay, I'm going to swallow that and hopefully do well in the majors to gain points."
This system is good. It simplifies it. It's not so confusing to have a different No. 1 every week which I don't think is great for the game, everyone starts at zero and just play the year and who ever has the most is No. 1.
QUESTION: (Inaudible.)
PETE SAMPRAS: I'm going to play Australia and after that, I don't know. (Laughter.) Wimbledon, the French and the Open. There's four I'm for sure going to play. If I wasn't going to play here, I was thinking about maybe playing maybe Adelaide or something. But the fact that I'm playing here and if the back holds up, I won't play Adelaide, I'll play in Melbourne, the exhibition there and then Australia. But I'll most likely go to Zimbabwe.
After that I'm going to play Palm Springs, Lipton and play some on the clay. I'm just trying to figure it out, you know, I'm not playing many tournaments, I'm only playing 16, 17 events. So... Hopefully it will work out.
QUESTION: You were mentioning goals. There are two records now that have since to be broken. Also, there's the goal of being the sixth man now to win all four.
PETE SAMPRAS: Absolutely. Those two things stand out more than anything in my tennis right now, and I'm going to do whatever I can next year to --- if it happens in Australia, if it doesn't, I'll have a chance at the French. So it's --- you know, it's a challenge. There's no question that's what I need at this point in my career, playing more Davis Cup and being part of a so-called dynasty with Andre and Todd and Jim. You might not see that in America for many years. So, you know, definitely this year's been a cross road with my career and looking towards the next three, four years to see what I want to be a part of.
QUESTION: Would you prefer not to be in the same group as Andre? Do you not matchup?
PETE SAMPRAS: I don't think I'd want to play him first up tomorrow, I don't know what the schedule is. But everyone that's in this event and everyone in my group has had a great year, but he's certainly probably playing the best out of anyone right now and is probably the slight favorite.
But, you know, I just want to get through my matches unhurt, and, you know, if I can win here, have a good run this week, then it's a bonus. But I'm hitting the ball fine. It's just a matter of going out there in the heat of competition and playing the tennis I can play.
QUESTION: Sorry if I repeat myself. What has happened since Bercy?
PETE SAMPRAS: I went home straight away and got another MRI done. And the back isn't any worse; it's just my back wasn't quite ready for the pounding and the muscles that are on my spine are overprotecting my disk and I basically had a muscle spasm. I took about a week off, and slowly kind of --- I got back into hitting again, and it feels good. I mean there's no question I'm hitting and practicing freely without any pain, and --- but when you do the test, just mentally it helps to know that I haven't made it any worse.
QUESTION: Did you think before Bercy you were taking a risk or were you clear in your mind?
PETE SAMPRAS: I was clear in my mind. I wasn't feeling my back at all. Practicing in Bercy, I was fine.
Like I said, when you play, you push a little bit harder. Playing a tough match, I haven't played a match like that in three months. And, you know, that surface always gave me some back problems, even though it's soft, it's very grippy. And from the second set on to the end of the match, my whole left side locked up. But it was, fortunately, it was muscular; it wasn't anything to do with my disk, which is always a good sign.
QUESTION: The pain wasn't anything like it was in New York?
PETE SAMPRAS: No, no.
QUESTION: After this experience, how stressful is it to come here and not know exactly what your back is going to do?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, that's why I'm here, to see where my back is. It's not the only reason. I want to play, I miss playing. But I feel this is a true test to see if I'm able to go out against the best players in the world and not only play well but obviously make sure the back is in good shape looking forward to next year.
QUESTION: What was it like being the number --- the No. 1 at the end of the year has been your possession. What was it like that day that Andre registered --- or the other guys lost to make sure that he would be No. 1?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I mean, after the Open, I kind of accepted the fact that the run was over, and that was pretty much it. I just had to deal with it.
But in so many ways, not playing the Open was disappointing. Not only, most important because of the record, being part of the Open, then you add on the No. 1, it's not as much a priority, but that's when it kind of sunk in that it wasn't going to happen. And, you know, not playing at all in the fall was just like, "Let it go."
So it was unfortunate because it wasn't in my control. It was my back. But it's part of athletics. It's part of sports that you're going to have your highs and lows. But, you know, I'll be ready next year. There's no question I'll be threatening.
QUESTION: Before you got up, you said here last year that six years... (Inaudible.) Were you subconsciously pitching in for the seven or pitching in for the end of the century?
PETE SAMPRAS: Last year was the year to do it. That was pretty much how I looked at it. I was going to try to do it again this year. Winning Wimbledon and having a good summer, I felt like I was in good contention and I could do it. You know, one bad move in New York and that was pretty much over.
So it's --- it's the way it goes. I mean, it's disappointing, but, you know, you move on and you look forward to next year.
QUESTION: Would it be a present end to a tennis century if it was you versus Andre on Sunday?
PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah.
QUESTION: You'd settle for that, wouldn't you?
PETE SAMPRAS: Oh, sure. For anyone. For him, it's always a little extra special.
QUESTION: You got the loudest cheers when you came in today. That's for sure. Do you think tennis needs American superstars?
PETE SAMPRAS: Absolutely. In America?
QUESTION: Just in general.
PETE SAMPRAS: Absolutely.
QUESTION: If you took you and Andre out of the picture this year in terms of the runs you had, do you think it would have had as exciting an appeal to people in America?
PETE SAMPRAS: In this event?
QUESTION: General.
PETE SAMPRAS: Oh, yeah. Tennis needs ---
QUESTION: American superstars?
PETE SAMPRAS: Absolutely.
QUESTION: How do you think the Tour can help gestate that? How does it help create that?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, it's not really the Tour; it's the players.
QUESTION: Do you think there's another generation around the corner? Are there other American superstars that are out there? Do you think it's cyclical?
PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, it is. Unfortunately in America after we're done, it's a little bit thin. As much as --- not to show any disrespect to Gimelstob and Gamble, they're good players but it's hard to say if they'll be in the top of the game. Knowing the American media and the people, either you're No. 1 or you are not.
Because this is a --- will be over in the next three or four years. Once it's over, there's not much to look forward to in America with the American players. When American players aren't doing well in tennis, the popularity will go down and so that's the way I look at it.
QUESTION: You don't think there are superstars out there like Rafter who can carry in America?
PETE SAMPRAS: To carry it, I don't know about carrying it. But certainly it helps that, you know, that he's a popular guy and a nice guy. But, you know, you need Americans, you know, hometown heros, to kind of push this game to a new height.
QUESTION: In the past, say, ten years, how would you say that the Tour has improved? Just look back ten years ago.
PETE SAMPRAS: How has it improved?
QUESTION: Yes.
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, everyone's making more money. (Laughing.) It's certainly much more global now, you have tournaments in India and Shang-Hai. I mean, I'd like to see this game more popular in the states, where I'm from. As much as I love playing Germany, to have The Masters or the ATP Finals back in the States, that's something I'd like to see.
That's my personal feeling. But the Tour's done a good job. The game is very popular all over the world, and I'm not giving you a good answer.
QUESTION: That's all right.
PETE SAMPRAS: There isn't one.
QUESTION: Do you think it's improved?
PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, I mean --- you tell me. Has it improved in the States?
QUESTION: I'm trying to find out.
PETE SAMPRAS: You're trying to find out. Yeah, I mean, I think it has.
QUESTION: Would it have made a difference if you and Andre hadn't had a rivalry?
PETE SAMPRAS: You're right. If Andre and I had a more consistent rivalry, then this game would be very popular in the States. After the Open in '95, I believe it was, when he went away for a while, that hurt the game because what sells the game in the US is a rivalry.
QUESTION: You were doing all that night ---
PETE SAMPRAS: That was as good as it was ever going to be. An American rivalry sells sports. He and I with our different personalties and games and everything, it was a great clash. People that didn't follow tennis would follow that match, and that's what you need to try to do in tennis in the US. If you would be 1, 2 in the world and playing the Finals in the majors, over the past three years, this game would be huge.
I mean it's still doing well. But it's really the sport that sells; it's the matches that sell. It's not necessarily --- the personalties help. But when you have two yanks playing the Finals in Wimbledon like we did this year, everyone in America saw that match. I mean that's really --- it's not the Tour, it's not the ATP, it's the matches and who's playing the Finals in the biggest tournaments in the world.
QUESTION: Do you think the Tour has gone far enough with the improvements it's making next year?
PETE SAMPRAS: I think to simplify the ranking system is good. People will understand a little bit better how it works. The way it is now, it's a little bit confusing. Trying to get a Super 9, get pretty much nine Grand Slams, nine of the same fields, get the best players playing in the same tournaments is a step in the right direction.
But, you know, you look at what sells this game; it's the majors. I've always been one to harp on it and I always will. It's Wimbledon that people know. You know, and, you know, the Tour is certainly making efforts to get tournaments to that level, but it's, you know, those Slams will always stand out a little bit more than the rest.
QUESTION: Do you think tennis is a cable TV sport --- than the Slams --- even when you look at Super 9s.
PETE SAMPRAS: I think that's going to change. That's hopefully going to change next year, they'll get those Super 9s on CBS and NBC. That's what tennis needs, to get on major networks. It's only on three of them: The French, Wimbledon and the Open.
To get some others on CBS, people will say, "Wow, it's on national TV, it must be important." I know the Tour's doing that. Cincinnati and Palm Springs and Lipton are all on Fox and CBS. So that's good.
QUESTION: You've been a proponent of shortening the season. How would you shorten it under the current, you know ---
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, you can't now. I mean with the Championships this time of the year, then you have Davis Cup final in December, there goes your off-season. That's one thing I'd like to --- the older I've gotten, I can say that now. The young guys want to play every week. But it certainly would be good for the game to have a couple of weeks off for everybody.
QUESTION: You just don't think it's possible anymore?
PETE SAMPRAS: No. Not while I'm playing.
QUESTION: Speaking of off-season, what's leading into the Australian?
PETE SAMPRAS: Right now I'm playing an exhibition most likely right before Australian.
QUESTION: In December, are you going to take some holidays or practice hard?
PETE SAMPRAS: Take a little bit of time off here, then I'm going to start getting ready in mid-December.
QUESTION: What do you have to gain by playing this event? I mean, you know, you go from, what, five to three maybe? I was just wondering.
PETE SAMPRAS: I could gain that I missed playing and I enjoy playing. Like I said before, to see how my back is in a way. To play in front of 15,000 people is a rush, especially here in this atmosphere. So I'm not looking at ranking; I'm not looking at the money. I'm looking at enjoying playing. I miss playing. I haven't played in four months, so I'm looking forward to playing against the best players in the world.
QUESTION: Do you feel you have an obligation to get back to the Tour?
PETE SAMPRAS: No, not an obligation. The Tour knows I'm going to do what I'm going to do. If my back wasn't ready to play here, I'm not going to be here. But I don't see it as an obligation. I look at it as I want to be here because I want to play.
QUESTION: Getting close to the Davis Cup final... (Inaudible)
PETE SAMPRAS: I have no idea. I don't know anything about it. I mean --- I know you guys are in it, you mean clay?
QUESTION Yeah.
PETE SAMPRAS: I don't know. Should be a good one.
QUESTION: How do you think Lleyton handled the circumstances?
PETE SAMPRAS: Pretty well. He handled himself very well in Boston. He's a tough kid and certainly loves the big moment. And he'll certainly have his fair share of moments with the crowd there, especially playing France. I went through that. But he's, you know, will be an experience he'll never forget.
QUESTION: Two years ago, did you expect Andre Agassi to come back so strong? If you remember maybe two years ago?
PETE SAMPRAS: Two years ago he wasn't playing, so --- or not playing that well. But I think we all know that he's got as much talent as anyone in the game, and ---
QUESTION: I mean, after he was so bad. Did you expect him to come back so strong again?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I'm surprised but I'm not that surprised. I've played against the best players in the world and I know his capabilities. It's a matter of putting his effort into the game.
Obviously, he's done that for the past year. The question is will he be able to sustain it for many, many years. And, you know, it certainly is good for the game and good for me, personally, to go out and play him because it's fun. There's no question that he's --- when he's playing well, he's very tough to beat.
QUESTION: Are you looking forward to the tournament?
PETE SAMPRAS: I'm looking forward to it, I'm here and ready to go.
QUESTION: Are you fit for playing tomorrow or Wednesday?
PETE SAMPRAS: Any day I'm ready.
QUESTION: Are you looking forward to the game against Andre Agassi? Is it a different match for you?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, it's unique. You know, we've had a history together that I have against him more than anyone in the field, and he's playing the best out of anyone right now, probably is a slight favorite coming in.
But I feel like I'm --- hopefully will, by the time I play him, be in good shape and be playing well. But I'm looking forward to it. There's no question that he's brought out the best in me in the past.
QUESTION: You won the World Championships four times. Do you want to win it for the fifth time now?
PETE SAMPRAS: That's why I'm here. It's hard to say how my form is going to be this week, not playing many matches, see how my back holds up. But once I get through that, there's no reason why I can't win here.
QUESTION: Do you think about Nicolas Kiefer, he's in Germany, he wants to win; this is his home. The crowd?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, he's coming in with nothing to lose, really. On the other hand, he's expected to do well and from the people, the media, it's not easy for a young guy for the first time being here to handle. But he handles it very well. He's a mature young guy, he's got a good head on his shoulders. He'll be around this event for many years.
QUESTION: Do you think Sampras-Kiefer will be a good match in the semifinals?
PETE SAMPRAS: Well, there would be a lot of great matches, if things would happen --- the way you guys wanted it. But you can't plan on these things happening. It's --- too many good players to sit two guys playing the Semis. I'm hopefully going to get through my group and those tough matches.
QUESTION: Was there any doubt ever after the US Open of just calling the year off after all the injuries and everything else?
PETE SAMPRAS: I was mulling it over after the Open to try to figure out what the rest of the year was in store, and what I wanted to play. I was hoping that if my back was good, I could play something, and it's obviously good enough now that I can play here, I feel.
QUESTION: What pushed you along, motivated you? Because I mean you're No. 1, you've done it all.
PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, looking forward to next year, see how my back's going to hold up this week. I obviously miss playing the game, but I'm already mentally starting to get ready for next year.
QUESTION: I hate to use it, but is this like a warmup for next year?
PETE SAMPRAS: It's not necessarily a warmup. It's more not playing here of not playing here, that would have given me pretty much four months of not playing at all going into a Slam. You know, I didn't like the way that looked. So I felt like my back was good enough to play here, I was going to try to do it. And to see where I'm at, you know, physically. Also from a tennis standpoint, starting to get some matches under my belt.
QUESTION: Was there, you say four months, that's quite a period of time for you. And from the old days, you prefer to play rather than frame. Is that still pretty much the same?
PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, pretty much the same. I look at next year, I'm not going to have four months off, obviously, but, you know, it was nice in some ways to do some other things and spend some time with my family in LA. It was fine.
You know, it was some tough --- there were some tough moments over the course of those months but I'm back to playing and I'm glad I'm back.
QUESTION: Coming back to LA, you spent a lot of time there. But it's almost like you're home again. Has that given you a different feeling about life in general and also the game?
PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah. If anything, having so much time off has given me some time to reflect on not only my career to this point but to the next three or four years and see what I want to be a part of and did some thinking about my goals, playing more Davis Cup.
It, you know, that being said, it gave me kind of a normal life, which was something I haven't really had in a number of years. And, it was good. It was good to be in the same house for more than three weeks, you know. So it was good.
QUESTION: When actually was the last time that you lived if existence like that?
PETE SAMPRAS: Since I was a teenager, since I was 16.
QUESTION: From what you've said, people --- well, is he going to Australia, is he going to Australia, it seems you are going to go now?
PETE SAMPRAS: I'm going, 100 percent.
QUESTION: Can ask you a few questions about the Internet? What do you think about the Internet?
PETE SAMPRAS: I'm not on the Internet.
QUESTION: You're not on the Internet. But you have a page, your own page.
PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah.
QUESTION: It's for the ATP.Com page.
PETE SAMPRAS: Do I have it? I don't own a computer.
QUESTION: You don't have a computer?
PETE SAMPRAS: I don't have a computer. I'm anticomputer. I like to read books, you know, that's much better for you than a computer. You know, read books and go to art museums, you know, get the history and the culture of each city.
QUESTION: A lot of books and museums are... (Inaudible)
PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, but it's like watching TV, the Internet. It's like --- it's mind-numbing stuff.
QUESTION: Have you ever visited a chat room?
PETE SAMPRAS: Never entered a chat room.
QUESTION: Do you want to?
PETE SAMPRAS: I don't want to talk to anyone. I just want to be by myself for the rest of my life. Use the word.