April 28, 2007
After Time Away, Sampras Eager For His Return To Court
By Joey Johnston
TAMPA --- There was nothing left. Pete Sampras knew it. In the months following the 2002 U.S. Open --- and his stunning championship match win against Andre Agassi that erased two seasons of late-career disappointment --- Sampras was ready to walk away.
And in truth, he disappeared from tennis with an all-out sprint to a normal family life.
What more was there to prove?
He had a record 14 Grand Slam singles championships, along with more than $43 million in career earnings.
He had a final act that was part-John Elway, part-Ted Williams, part-Ray Bourque --- a perfect finish.
He was living the life --- retired in California with his wife and two children, sleeping late, playing some golf, hanging out.
"How much golf can you have and how many mornings can you have with really nothing to do?" Sampras said. "When you give up that competitive life --- cold turkey --- the break is really nice for a while. You can rest your body and rest your mind. As time goes on, though, you have too many days when you don't feel fulfilled."
"When it comes down to it, I believe a man has to work."
Even when that work is play.
Sampras, still unsure where this latest phase will lead, isn't making a complete comeback, but he's back in the game. Tonight, Sampras will participate in the fourth annual Mercedes-Benz Classic at the St. Pete Times Forum, competing in a best-of-three exhibition against his boyhood buddy and longtime rival, Jim Courier.
Next week, Sampras, 35, will head to Boston for an Outback Champions Series event on the fledgling 30-and-over tour originated by Courier's company, InsideOut Sports & Entertainment.
"Pete is one of the greatest champions our sport has ever seen," Courier said. "It will be wonderful to see him engaged and energized in a match. People will respond to him. He gave the sport some unbelievable moments."
The 1990 U.S. Open title --- beating Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and Agassi in succession --- at age 19. Then four more trophies at Flushing Meadow.
Seven Wimbledon championships in eight years.
Two titles at the Australian Open.
Serving on a pair of U.S. teams that won the Davis Cup.
The first man to register a season with 1,000 aces.
Does that Pete Sampras still exist?
"Having not competed for five years, I don't know what to expect," Sampras said. "One thing I can still do pretty good is hold serve. The serve-and-volley is still there. The movement is pretty good. I'm using a bigger racket and that helps with power."
"I'm certainly not expecting miracles out there. As you get older, you're not quite as sharp, you don't practice quite as hard. But we all have a lot of pride. I want to play somewhat at the level where I was. Throughout the whole thing, I just really want to enjoy it."
Sampras once was a prisoner to his ATP Tour schedule, chasing computer points, satisfying sponsors, working through the yearlong grind. Now he will pick and choose.
"Getting tennis back in will add some balance to my life," Sampras said. "Tennis gives me a focus, something I can control, something I'm accustomed to."
"I love my family and cherish the moments I spend with them. But I think getting back into things at this level, this will give me a sense of accomplishment, something to work toward, and hopefully it will make me an even better dad. There just comes a time when you have to get your hands dirty again."
Sampras doesn't miss the week-to-week rhythm of his tennis heyday.
But he does miss Wimbledon's Centre Court, the U.S. Open, the relationships with players such as Courier and Agassi.
Tonight represents a rekindling of those memories --- particularly because the event is held in Tampa, where Sampras lived for six years during his ascension to the No. 1 ranking.
"I always had a great time in Tampa because people treated me so well and I got such great training at Saddlebrook," Sampras said. "Those were the days when I was going so hard, and coming home to Tampa was always a great feeling."
"I do miss those days in a way. I miss the arena. I really miss those four weeks of the year [Wimbledon and U.S. Open]. But I don't necessarily miss the limelight and all the attention. I'm definitely in a new phase of my life, but I'm grateful to have a chance to compete again and see what I can do."
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Fourth Annual Mercedes-Benz Classic tennis exhibition
WHERE: St. Pete Times Forum
WHEN: Tonight
SCHEDULE: Celebrity doubles (Jon Lovitz/Chris Evert vs. Donal Logue/Nicole Vaidisova), 6:30 p.m.; Mixed doubles (Rennae Stubbs/Jim Courier vs. Pete Sampras/Vaidisova), 7:15 p.m.; Men's best-of-three match (Sampras vs. Courier), 8:20 p.m.
TICKETS: $96.75, $56.75, $31.75 and $21.75 (not including service charges), available at the St. Pete Times box office or Ticketmaster outlets (813-287-8844 or 727-898-2100). Group discounts are available by calling (813) 301-6900.
MORE INFORMATION: Call (813) 301-2500 or log onto