May 7, 2007
No Wimbledon for Sampras
Despite Champions win, he sees 'no reason' to return
BOSTON (Ticker) --- Pete Sampras sees no reason to put his reputation on the line again at Wimbledon.
Sampras returned to competitive action this weekend for the first time since his retirement five years ago, defeating Todd Martin, 6-3, 5-7, 11-9, in Sunday's thrilling final in the Champions Cup.
No less an authority than John McEnroe thinks Sampras --- now 35 --- would still be the real deal on grass. But the 14-time Grand Slam champion will not be tempted into a return to the All England Club, where he won seven singles titles.
"I wouldn't play Wimbledon just to play --- I would play to win," Sampras said. "There needs to be a reason to come back and there really isn't a reason for me to come back."
Sampras was impressive in the indoor final, although the 36-year-old Martin gave him a run for his money in an event on the Champions Series, a circuit for former top players at least 30 years old.
Sampras had just turned 31 when he retired after winning the 2002 U.S. Open, the last of his 64 career titles.
Due to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in July, Sampras did not pick up a racket for nearly three years before starting to play again to improve his fitness.
Some of those who turned out to watch his return may have feared he would be a shadow of his former self. But his serve had lost very little of its bite and his forehand appeared just as fierce as when he dominated tennis.
McEnroe, who lost in straight sets to Sampras on Saturday, remains a big fan of "Pistol Pete."
Never one to mince words, McEnroe believes Sampras -- on the right surface -- could still play with the world's best, including top-ranked Roger Federer.
"The guy is a master on grass," said McEnroe, "Roger would say he'd play him, but he'd be concerned."