April 3, 2007
Sampras to return to court next month in Champions Series
NEW YORK (TICKER) -- Hall of Famer Pete Sampras will return to the tennis court next month when he plays in the Outback Champions Series, a circuit of former stars.
Sampras, who won a record 14 Grand Slam titles, has not taken the court since winning the 2002 U.S. Open in his farewell to competitive tennis. He was inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in January.
Sampras will make his return in Champions Cup Boston, the second tournament of the series at Agganis Arena from May 2-6. He will join stars such as John McEnroe and Jim Courier.
In his first match May 3, Sampras will face former Australian Open champion Petr Korda. Two nights later, he will take on McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam champion.
Others scheduled to compete are Todd Martin, Mats Wilander, Pat Cash and Jimmy Arias. A year ago, Martin won the event, which uses a round-robin format with the winners of two groups meeting for the title.
"With Pete joining the Outback Champions Series, the already competitive level of play gets even tougher," said Courier, the co-founder of the Outback Champions Series. "I am looking forward to the challenge Pete will present for all of us."
Sampras turns 36 this summer. Following his 64th career title at the 2002 U.S. Open, he retired to spend more time with his family.