Samprasfanz

HONG KONG (AP)—Even though the stakes may not be as high as in their epic clashes of the past, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras aren’t planning to put on a friendly exhibition.

The two American icons, who staged one of tennis’ greatest rivalries, will play each other Sunday in the southern Chinese gambling enclave Macau.

“It’s going to be competitive tennis—obviously not quite as cutthroat as it once was—but I still feel we can both play quite well,” Sampras said Thursday.

“As much as it’s an exhibition, there’s still a lot of pride. Our egos are pretty big. Once the first point starts, I’m going to want to beat him.”

“Whenever I stepped out against Andre when we were playing, it was like a heavyweight fight. That’s one thing I miss.”

Both have been brushing up on their game in recent months, ensuring their will not be too much rust for Sunday’s showdown.

Sampras, 38, played on the ATP seniors tour last year and Agassi made a one-time appearance at a seniors event in Arizona earlier this month, where he won two matches before losing to fellow American Todd Martin in straight sets in the final.

Agassi, 39, has been playing consistently in recent months and Sampras said he’s been practicing against juniors in Los Angeles.

The former world No. 1s have 22 Grand Slam titles between them—eight for Agassi and 14 for Sampras. Agassi is one of six men in history to win all four majors and won Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996. Sampras won what was a record 14 Grand Slams, a mark recently broken by Roger Federer. They played 34 times over a 13-year span, including five major finals.

Even with the passing of years since their memorable clashes of the 1990s and early 2000s, Sunday’s match is likely to see Sampras again relying on his famously accurate and powerful serve, while Agassi’s strength will be his returns and counter-punching groundstrokes.

“I believe having two styles that are so opposite, having two personalities that are so opposite really lent for a great rivalry,” Agassi said.

Sampras recalled their last professional match—his four-set victory over Agassi in the 2002 U.S. Open final. The seven-time Wimbledon champion went into the match struggling with his form, ranked No. 14.

“I felt great. I felt a little vindication. People wrote me off. And I just sort of believed in myself at a time when everyone lost faith in me,” he said.

Sampras added it was fitting to end his career against the same opponent and on the same stage where he claimed his first major victory. A skinny 19-year-old Sampras beat the neon-clad tennis rebel Agassi in straight sets in the 1990 U.S. Open final.

Oct 17, 2009

SURE to spark intense debate, Pete Sampras claims tennis players are the finest athletes in the whole wide world.

Gearing up for an exhibition match with old sparring partner Andre Agassi next week in Macau, Sampras’s contentious assertion will no doubt stir the emotions of rival sports enthusiasts across the globe.

Among others, elite boxers, gymnasts, cross-country skiers, surf lifesavers, triathletes, basketballers, handballers, cyclists, squash and soccer players and AFL footballers – in no particular order – could all argue they’d be the most supreme athletes on the planet. Sampras, though, says tennis stars ace the lot.

“People don’t talk about it. I mean, in tennis, these athletes are incredible,” the legendary American told ATP World Tour Uncovered.

“What these guys do on the run … the guys that aren’t maybe playing well and they come back – they’re down two sets to love and they have the resolve to come back and can go on and on.

“You look at the NBA and you look at some of these guys and they’re doing all these things and I think ‘that’s the best athlete’.

“But (then) I think tennis players are the best athletes, in my opinion.

“I’m not being biased. I know what it takes, I know hand-eye coordination. In an individual sport, you can’t hide.”

The vexing question of which sport boasts the greatest athletes is, of course, one which will never be truly answered, and probably best saved for backyard barbecues.

But Sampras’s qualified opinion is certainly worthy of consideration.

This is the very man whose clutch serve, breathtaking backhand and unrivalled work ethic delivered him 14 grand slam titles, a record six successive year-end No.1 rankings and $US43 million in prize money during a career statistically inferior only to the mighty Roger Federer.

There was little luck involved, even if Sampras says so himself.

“It was huge,” Sampras said of his crowning achievement, the half-dozen straight years at the pinnacle of his sport.

“I did it for five years and it was a close race at the end of the sixth year

Dallas, TX (September 9, 2009) – One of the greatest tennis players of all time, “Pistol Pete” Sampras and American legend Todd Martin will headline the Tennis Classic on Friday, November 6th at 7:00PM at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas.

The always entertaining Murphy Jensen will host the event. In addition to the Sampras and Martin men’s singles match, the Tennis Classic will also feature local players in The Lone Star Challenge: Pete Sampras and Team Dallas versus Todd Martin and Team Austin. Each team will consist of girls and boys 18 and under teams, Mixed 8.0 teams and club pro teams competing in tie-break shootouts. A portion of the proceeds from the exhibition will benefit the Children of Fallen Soldiers, a non-profit and non-partisan organization that finances the college education for children of soldiers from Ft. Hood killed in the line of duty.

“We are very excited to have Pete and Todd join the Tennis Classic and this celebration of tennis in Dallas,” says Tim Stallard, President of Prolink Sports and Entertainment. “This will be an amazing night of world-class tennis and family entertainment. I know that Pete and Todd are excited to come to Dallas and provide tennis fans with the best in men’s tennis.”

Pete Sampras captured his final grand slam title with his dramatic US Open victory over longtime rival Andre Agassi in 2002. His resume boasts 14 grand slam titles, including seven Wimbledon titles. He was ranked World No. 1 for six consecutive years from 1993-1998. In July of 2007, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I.

Todd Martin was a finalist at the 1999 U.S. Open and the 1994 Australian Open. In 1994, he reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Grand Slam Cup. Every year from 1994 to 2002 Martin played Davis Cup for the United States. He was inducted into the ITA Men’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in May of 2007.

Tickets go on sale at noon on Saturday, September 12th. Tickets can be purchased on line through tickets.com or 866-337-1312. Ticket prices are $28.50, $48.50, and $78.50.

Proceeds to benefit United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta

Atlanta, GA (July 29, 2009) – One of the greatest tennis players of all time, “Pistol Pete” Sampras, and American legend Todd Martin will headline the LIVE UNITED Tennis Classic on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 4 p.m. at the Atlanta Athletic Club located at 1930 Bobby Jones Drive, Johns Creek, Ga.

WSB-TV anchor Monica Pearson will serve as the classic’s honorary chair, and Murphy Jensen, host of Tennis channel’s Open Access, will serve as host of the event. In addition to the Sampras and Martin men’s singles match, the LIVE UNITED Tennis Classic will also feature local players in an innovative tiebreak shootout format. The format highlights the skills of area juniors, wheelchair athletes and local college players. All proceeds from the event will go to benefit United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.

“We are very excited to have Pete and Todd join the LIVE UNITED Tennis Classic and this celebration of tennis in Atlanta,” says Matt Olson, director of USTA Atlanta. “This will be an amazing day of world class tennis and family entertainment. I know that Pete and Todd are excited to come to Atlanta and provide fans with the best in men’s tennis.”

Pete Sampras captured his final grand slam title with his dramatic US Open victory over longtime rival Andre Agassi in 2002. His resume boasts 14 grand slam titles, including seven Wimbledon titles. He was ranked World No. 1 for six consecutive years from 1993 to 1998. In July 2007, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I.

Todd Martin was a finalist at the 1999 U.S. Open and the 1994 Australian Open. In 1994, he reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Grand Slam Cup. Every year from 1994 to 2002, Martin played Davis Cup for the United States. He was inducted into the ITA Men’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in May of 2007.

“I look forward to returning to Atlanta to be part of the inaugural LIVE UNITED Tennis Classic. It is an honor to help support an event that in turn helps so many in Atlanta through United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta programs. I know Todd and I both look forward to a great match at the Atlanta Athletic Club,” said Sampras.

Pre-sale tickets are available on Saturday, August 1. Please contact your local tennis club or USTA Atlanta for a presale code. Tickets are available to the public beginning Sunday, August 9 online through http://www.etix.com or by calling 800.514.etix (3849). Ticket prices are $28.50, $38.50 and $48.50.