December 06, 2006
Sampras eager to return to his former day job
By Brian Murphy
During his competitive tennis career, Pete Sampras found satisfaction in being an athlete: the energy expended, the sweat dispensed, the physical nature of it.
In retirement, Sampras found lots of things he enjoys --- golf, poker, quality time with his two young sons --- but nothing that gives him the same satisfaction as a day of hard work.
"Every man needs to work," Sampras told the Idaho Statesman during a telephone interview last week. "I'm not much of a business coat-and-tie guy, not much of a computer-and-phone guy. I'm an athlete."
The 35-year-old Sampras, who holds the record for most Grand Slam titles with 14, will return to the court Friday at Qwest Arena in Downtown Boise as the headliner of the St. Luke's-Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Services (SLIERS) Tennis Shootout.
Sampras faces American pro Robby Ginepri in the second of three exhibitions between the two this year. Since his retirement after the 2002 U.S. Open, Sampras has played very few public, competitive events.
He lives in Beverly Hills, Calif., with his wife, actress Bridgette Wilson, and their two sons, Christian (4) and Ryan (1).
The opportunity to play several exhibitions sounded perfect to Sampras, who played plenty of golf and poker, but felt as if he needed more physical pursuits.
"I felt like I needed just a little more than doing recreational activities," he said. "It's given me some structure, some focus, a little bit of what I used to have. I miss working."
It's typical Sampras, who exuded a business-like approach during a playing career that included 64 singles titles. Sampras' quiet approach made him a perfect rival for Andre Agassi,who participated in a similar exhibition event last December in Boise. The American rivals dominated the sport for much of the 1990s and their dueling personalities made for excellent theater.
"That's what made it great. It was natural. Andre was more abrasive, more of a showman. I was a lot more conservative. It was one of those rivalries that was born to happen," said Sampras, who first played against Agassi when he was 7.
Even as a teen, Sampras exhibited extraordinary ability --- and little of the arrogance that sometimes accompanies great talent.
"Just a shy, introverted kid who had this incredible talent," said Boise State tennis coach Greg Patton, who coached Sampras on the U.S. Junior Davis Cup Team in the mid-1980s. "He'd do things on the court that were way ahead of his years, and his athleticism was just incredible."
With Sampras, considered by many as the greatest tennis player ever, and Agassi, one of the game's most dominant personalities, now out of competitive tennis --- and both raising young children --- the sport has declined in popularity in America. Younger Americans such as Andy Roddick, James Blake and Ginepri have not had the success of the previous generation.
"The slams will still have big sellouts at the stadium. But in order to be transcendent, they still need an American presence. Fans don't know (Rafael) Nadal from (Richard) Ljubicic. In order to get those football guys, those basketball guys and baseball guys, they need an American presence," Sampras said.
That's why few outside tennis circles have noticed the dominance of Swiss star Roger Federer. Federer, who has nine Grand Slam championships, is threatening to overtake Sampras' record for major titles --- but lacks a true foil.
John McEnroe had Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors. Sampras had Agassi. Federer has Nadal, occasionally, and little else.
"No one is really pushing him consistently. He's going to break all the records in tennis. He could win as many as 16, 17 majors. He could stay No. 1 as long as he wants. Clearly, he's the best player," Sampras said.
Sampras regrets that their careers did not overlap, but he knows how he would take on Federer: by rushing the net as he did against the other great baseliners, including Agassi.
But would he win?
"It's hard to say. When I was on my best, I felt like I was unbeatable. It's hard to say who was better in his prime," said Sampras, who finished ranked No. 1 from 1993 through 1998.
Sampras said the idea of returning to competitive tennis has "crossed my mind," especially during Wimbledon season. Sampras captured the grass-court championship a record-tying seven times and he thinks his serve-and-volley game could still be very effective against today's pros, who prefer to stay near the baseline.
For now, he's content with getting back to work. Sampras said he rarely saw his father, who worked two jobs during his childhood. Though he loves the time he spends with them, he doesn't want his sons to get the wrong idea about work.
"I hope my sons don't think it's normal," he said of his retired status. "I'll teach them right."