January 30, 2012
Match for a Cure exhibition: American presence lacking
Djokovic, Nadal, Federer in class all their own
By Mark Ambrogi
Pete Sampras was captivated by watching the Australian Open marathon final Sunday morning.
And, as Sampras allows, he used to play at pretty high level, too.
Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal in a five-set thriller that lasted nearly six hours.
"Seeing Roger (Federer), Nadal and Djokovic play (in Australia), those guys are so much better than anyone, it's incredible," said Sampras, who played Todd Martin in a Match for a Cure exhibition at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. "These guys are far superior to any American playing. (Andy) Roddick is getting to the point in his career where it's tough to get back at the top of the game."
Sunday night, Sampras, second all-time with 14 Grand Slam singles titles, showed he can still make shots and his serve is still a big weapon.
Both had their moments, but Martin was a little more vocal in joking with the crowd.
Sampras won 7-5, 6-4 in front of an estimated crowd of 3,200.
Martin told the crowd taking part in the event was special because his father died of a leukemia.
"On a lighter note, I want to thank Pete for letting me win nine games," he said.
Sampras said it was nice to beat Martin.
"He's such a nice guy, but deep down, trust me, he's very competitive," Sampras said.
While Sampras and Martin represent a far stronger era of American tennis, Sampras said U.S. players Mardy Fish, Sam Querrey and John Isner have potential to break though and win a major title.
"But the American fans and American media expect Wimbledon winners and we expect guys to get to No. 1, and when it doesn't happen people start complaining," Sampras said.
Sampras, 40, said it is unusual to have a group of players to arrive on the scene together like he and fellow Americans Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Michael Chang.
"What happened in the 1990s was very rare to have four of us dominate the way we did," Sampras said. "It's not going to happen every 10 years. It might take a couple of decades until that happens again. We're (U.S. tennis) in good shape, but not where we want to be."
Sampras said he was motivated by playing his fellow U.S. rivals.
"We all pushed each other and fed off one another," said Sampras, adding they all grew up playing one another in junior tennis.
Martin, 41, also was part of that strong American contingent.
Although he didn't have any Grand Slam titles like the others, he was ranked as high as No. 4 on the ATP Tour.
Martin lost in the 1994 Australian Open final to Sampras and to Agassi in the 1999 U.S. Open championship.
"He was a touch behind, not quite as dominant," Sampras said. "He was a great player and a smart player."
Sampras won three titles in Indianapolis' hard court tournament, which moved to Atlanta after the 2009 event.
"It was great event, supported by media and fans and a great little stadium," Sampras said. "It's unfortunate that it's gone."
Sampras said he wants to play well in exhibitions but naturally does not approach them with the same single-minded focus he did on the tour.
"People want to see good tennis, but at the same token they want to see you relax and have fun," Sampras said.
Sampras has competed in several Match for a Cure exhibitions while this was Martin's first.
The foundation supports seriously ill children and their families, bone marrow drives and research and development for a cure of leukemia and all forms of cancer.
Bill Przybysz, a 46-year-old former touring pro, started the foundation, after surviving a battle with leukemia with a bone marrow transplant.
Martin and Przybysz played a short match with Martin winning 3-2. Martin played the final game with a wood racket.