November 30, 2008
Sampras Beats Hrbaty in Exhibition Match in Bratislava
Legendary US tennis player Pete Sampras showed in his exhibition match within the first annual of Tennis Classic in Bratislava on Saturday that he can still offer a lot, even though he has been inactive for six years.
The viewers in Bratislava saw the former world number one beat Hrbaty 6:3, 7:5.
On the superfast taraflex surface Sampras was feeling comfortable, confirming that he really deserves his nickname 'Pistol Pete'. In the first set he managed to fire several aces, as well as a fine array of textbook volleys.
Hrbaty, who also likes this type of surface, pleased his fans with long exchanges from the basic line.
Sampras has always had the reputation of a player who protects his privacy, and avoids scandals. "I have always tried to be an ordinary person. I used to be introvert who didn't show his emotions, and I have remained such also after the end of my active career. I have two sons who have talent for sports, but it's hard to say whether any of them will follow my lead."
Although Sampras doesn't have the title from Roland Garros, he says he wouldn't exchange it for any of the other grand slam triumphs. "I'm satisfied with what I have accomplished," said the winner of 64 ATP tournaments.
December 1, 2008
Sampras rolls back the years in Bratislava
With the ATP tour going into hibernation for a month it's the turn of the veterans to take center stage and Pete Sampras is playing an exhibition in Bratislava to warm up for next week's BlackRock masters in London.
Sampras opened his account on Sunday with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Slovakia's Domnik Hrbaty. Despite having had six years out of the game, the former Wimbledon champion has shown he can still mix it with the best in the business especially indoors as he demonstrated by beating Tommy Haas in straight sets earlier in the year.
Hrbaty is also well past his peak, having reached the top 10 and made masters series finals in an illustrious career but the Slovak is still on the tour competing regularly, albeit currently languishing down in the 200s.
On a super-fast taraflex court, Sampras showed why he was once known as "Pistol Pete," firing aces at will and keeping Hrbaty guessing with crisp volleys into the corners. The Slovak also likes to play an attacking net game and he matched Sampras in set two, giving his home fans something to cheer about with a string of stunning passing shots. However, Sampras broke at 5-5 to end the deadlock.
Sampras plays Radek Stepanek on Monday.
Sampras now appears far more relaxed in public and in front of the press than he did during his competitive playing days, but he admitted after the match with Hrbaty that he still shies away from the spotlight. "I have always tried to be an ordinary person," he explained. "I used to be introvert who didn't show his emotions, and I have remained such also after the end of my active career."