Pete is switching coaches again. Jose Higueras will be Pete's new coach now.

The Yahoo story: http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news/ap/200202...pras-coach.html

From CNN/SI: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/ne...mpras_coach_ap/

Higueras, he of the great clay court game, is the new coach of Sampras, master of the serve and volley game? Does this strike anybody else as being a bit odd?

Well the Agassi-Gilbert pairing seemed odd to many folks as well. Agassi smashes the fuzz off the ball and Gilbert was a major junk baller. So you never know. Plus, seeing as the French Open is the only Slam that has eluded Sampras, who better to help him in that quest.

no, not really. As far as tennis coaches are concerned, I don't think one necessarily has to be able to do in order to teach. From what I remember of Higueras's interviews back in the days when he coached #1 Jim Courier, Higueras is a very astute observer of the game. The guy definitely knew tactics and strategies and how to pick apart the opponent. Obviously, a coach isn't going to tinker with Sampras's backhand or rework his serve at this stage in his career. I would think shrewdness is what Sampras is looking for in a coach, and Higueras fits the bill. Another important Sampras criterion is personality. Pete needs an easygoing "simpatico" rapport with his coach, and I think Higueras's laid-back personality would jibe well. I was very impressed with the reinvigorated, fitter Pete Sampras we saw in Australia. With his renewed fitness and savvy new coach, I'm hoping for great things for my fave player in 2002.

About a year ago, or maybe 6 or 7 months ago, we suggested that Sampras start practicing on clay to get his game back in order. He's being out-rallied these days. Practicing on clay would drastically improve his game off the ground. Higueras is an excellent choice of coaches if Pete is attempting to get this aspect of his overall game in order.

Actually tinkering with the backhand wouldn't be such a bad idea in my opinion. Watching Sampras the last few years, it looks like he's pulling off the ball on that side.