I'm sure Pete is hurting from yesterday's loss in Davis Cup. I know I feel lousy about it. Until this loss, I've been steadfast in my belief Pete is still the best out there. I haven't been watching Sampras too closely so what do you guys think it is? Confidence? Is he past his prime? Is his serve less potent? I've always felt his desire was great, finding a way to win. Maybe it's that wife of his!

tc, sadly in my opinion its probably a little of everything you have mentioned. For sure his age is catching up to him, as he is what 32 now? He is far from old. Still alot of tennis left in him if he wants, and that may be the key, if he wants.

And now Yevgeny Kafelnikov is chiming in with his opinion. "I think Pete should think about quitting. His loss (to Corretja on Friday) should tell him something and I think it is a disrespect to himself to keep playing."

Hey Yevgeny-SHUT UP!!! Did Pete recommend YOU retire when, after becoming number one in the world, you promptly went out and lost your first match in SIX CONSECUTIVE FREAKIN' TOURNAMENTS!!!

Pete certainly is not the player he once was and most undoubtedly never will be. But I think as the all time Grand Slam champion, Pete Sampras gets to decide when he wants to retire, not some underachieving moron who gives new definition to the term "half hearted effort"!

[ April 08, 2002: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]

GeorgeVF, I absolutely agree. I've always believed that athletes should retire whenever they want, whether some think it's too soon (Barry Sanders, Tara Lipinski, Bjorn Borg) or too late (I'd rather not name names). They also have the right to come out of retirement whenever they want and as often as they want (again, no names, but I'll drop the cryptic initials of "M" and "J"). After all, I don't live their lives, you don't live their lives, nor do Tom, Dick, & Harry down the street live their lives. Nobody dictates to me what job I should work, what career I should choose, nor how long I should do it. For some sports fans to presume they have the right to dictate that for athletes is just absurd to me.

Anyway, back to Sampras & Kafelnikov. If it had come from someone else, Pete might feel hurt, pissed off, or offended. But coming from Kafelnikov?!?! OMG, I hope Petey got a good knee-slapping guffaw out of it, because I sure as hell did.

Patrick McEnroe stood up for Pete in the media after that Yevgeny comment. Not as pointedly as George_Vikingfan, but Pat said all the right things, basically that it was incredibly disrespectful of Kafelnikov to pop off like that.

As much as I hear ya and agree that Yevgeny was out of line, I will admit to agreeing with him. I think Pete should save some face and hang up the racquet. That loss to Corretja had to wound his pride, which is still enormous. He can't even finish the sentence "Lleyton Hewitt is clearly number one now." (No joke -- he really couldn't!)

I think alot of people think that it's time for Pete to call it a career. Yevgeny just said it out loud. Pete hasn't won in almost two years. Although that sounds a lot like Gabriela Sabatini from 92-94, and I pulled for her to make it all the way back, so perhaps I'm being hypocritical. Still, I read an article once that said "Sabatini is no Sampras," and in this instance I'll agree. I think the magnitude of Pete's career would be better served if he quit when it was time rather than simply fading away.

xoxo,
G4G

Pete's done. He's had a fantastic career but obviously it's over. The sooner he recognizes that the better he'll be. He's the greatest tennis player of our generation; go out with dignity.

Z

Just to clarify my position, G4G, I think it's perfectly OK to wish that an athlete would retire, like what you expressed in your post. What gets under my skin, however, are people who bashed MJ, making harsh personal attacks about the guy's ego, because he chose to come out retirement a second time. Hey, the guy was feeling restless, missed the excitement, and loves the game. By coming back, he revived the Wizards franchise, sold out the MCI arena, and boosted interest in the NBA. How is that a bad thing? And why do some people get so bothered by it?

I myself have posted that I wished Petey would retire. Specifically, after the U.S. Open, when he put together great matches against Rafter and Safin, and a magnificent match against Agassi, but was totally gassed in the final, I thought it was time for Pete to retire. If Pete is no longer capable of of winning a grand slam, then I think it's time for him to retire (geez, I'm starting to wonder if he's even capable of winning a tournament nowadays). That said, I fully support his decision to continue playing for as long as he wants. Mind you, my head sinks with every loss, but I'll always be a Sampras fan no matter what.

Wasn't Connors "done" when he made his run to the Open semifinals in '91? And people will be talking about that feat for many years to come. The point is that, while I agree Sampras can't compete the way he did, its up to him to decide to retire. If he's willing to persevere and try to work out whats wrong, whats the harm? Lendl played well into his 30's, so wht can't Pete. It can't all be about wins and losses. Otherwise, start telling Hingis and Kournikova to retire.

Part of being an aging tennis star is having to deal with retirement questions. They did it to Evert, Navratilova, Graf, and Connors. They're doing it now to Agassi, Seles, and Sampras. It comes with the territory.

I don't know that there's any harm in Pete staying around as long as he wants, and I would never presume to tell him whether or not to continue playing. Nonetheless, my personal thought on the matter is that it's better to retire at or near the top (Evert, Graf, Navratilova) than to fade away (Connors, McEnroe).

Of course, I also think someone should kick Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario into retirement. She'll probably be around forever. Like Cher or cockroaches in a nuclear holocaust...

[ April 08, 2002: Message edited by: Gaga4Gaby ]

I agree with you George (and I loved your comment to Yevgeny). Let Pete retire when HE's ready. And I hope he continues. It is no shame that he is no longer at the top of his game, but can still finish in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event.

He definitely still draws a crowd when he plays!!!
(Edited for spelling)

[ April 08, 2002: Message edited by: CowboysHskrFan ]

GeorgeVF, I'm sticking by my boy no matter what. I liked Sampras when I saw him win in Philadelphia way back in 1990, and by his 1990 U.S. Open semi against McEnroe, it had blossomed to true love. It's just that these really bad losses are getting harder and harder to take (imagine how he feels!), and they're getting more and more frequent.

Let's remember that Chris Evert was "all washed up", having lost to Martina a crazy number of times in a row, but came back at 30-something to win the French in 1985 and '86. Jimmy Connors was also "all washed up", constantly asked by fans and the media when he was going to retire, and then went on to win the U.S. Open in 1982 and '83. So I haven't given up hope. It just keeps gnawing at me that Sampras is facing much stronger and more plentiful competition now than Chris and Jimmy did then.

After seeing Pete at the Australian, in better condition than he's been in years, I've had a change of heart and once again believe he's still capable of winning another grand slam. Mind you, it'll be awfully tough, but if anybody's up to the task, it's Pete.

BoSoxRudy raises a good analogy re my old favorite, Chris Evert. Not only did she win those late career French titles, but she was a finalist at the Australian in '88 or '89 with Graf and was not rolled over. As she said in her farewell Sports Illustrated article, I may have played two or three years past my prime, but was that too much to ask? Re Pete, he has earned a long farewell. As Jim Courier aptly said, Kafelnikov's career is a blip on the radar and he should keep his mouth shut.

Always one of the most reasonable and balanced tennis journalists, the sage Jon Werthem offers his opinion on Sampras's retirement:

[quote]Still, let's show a little respect and not push this guy into retirement. First, Sampras knows what's up. He's too rational not to. And rest assured he's more embarrassed than anyone. Maybe he can play his way out of this slump; maybe the sun has set. But let's let him figure it out on his own. The larger point is that when you've won 13 Grand Slams (and have honored the sport along the way), there are certain entitlements. Far as I'm concerned, tennis ought to emulate golf and give the true champions Jack Nicklaus-esque exemptions. If Sampras' pride isn't too frayed and he wants to play until he's too weak to flick sweat off his brow, I say let him.

---

Of course, losing to Corretja on grass in Davis Cup is a terrible loss for Sampras, no doubt. Is it one more nail in his tennis career coffin? Yes. But, his performance at the US Open was unbelievable and demonstrated that the skills are still there. It also showed just how deep the field is in men's tennis and that no one wins easily or effortlessly...Let Pete play it out until he knows he just can't do it. Graf won the French and then got to the Wimbledon final before retiring; that's the all time perfect demonstration of how to retire! All superstars should take note of her exit. Personally, I believe that Seles will retire in the same manner, brushing nearly against the top before stepping gracefully away. Jordan should never have come back. Sampras isn't finished but the school day is almost over...And I definitely think it's his mental state that's frayed the most...

[ April 08, 2002: Message edited by: Bryan ]

[ April 08, 2002: Message edited by: Bryan ]

Sampras is not done, I don't believe. However, if he has an early-round exit at Wimbledon, I think he'll go after the US Open. And yes, Kournikova SHOULD retire. She's just embarassing.

Why is it that folks here seem to think that if you don't win a tournament you should retire???!!!

How many of us would give our left nut to simply qualify for a tour tournament? Would YOU retire, simply because you didn't get to the final?!! GET REAL!!!!!!

Samprazzzzzzzzzzzz should not to retire. I'd love to see Samprazzzzzzzzzz lose to journeymen in the first round of every tournament.

It's a blast to see Samprazzzzzzzzz turn into an ugly loser!!!!!!

Seriously, Samprazzzzzzzz ain't done yet. Ya, he looks toast and over-the-hill, but Samprazzzzzzzzz is the type of player who'd retire in style. Samprazzzzzzz will win another slam; Wimbledon most likely. I sure hope I'm wrong, though.

Ah, hello cowboyhskersfan? Tennis much? We're not talking about us here, we're talking about the all time most Grand Slam titles guy! His name is Pete Sampras, have you heard of him? He was #1 for 6 yrs str8, scored titles in 10 or 11 years in a row, won a gazillion Wimbys! When a guy like this goes two years without a tournament victory, you definitely discuss retirement. In fact, the writing is basically on the wall. He'll be done by the end of the year. He's not a journeyman, content to play tons of matches and make the money (see Kafelnikov), he's one of the top players of all time, he's definitely not pleased when he's not winning finals, and often not even getting to the final.

[ April 08, 2002: Message edited by: Bryan ]

I'm not a Sampras fan. I don't like him. I don't know why, he just rubs me the wrong way. I refuse to call him the best of all time.

Having said that, I think that everyone calling for him to retire is a bit premature. When he loses to a qualifier in the first round of Wimbledon, then maybe then we can start talking about it. But I mean he did get to the finals of the US Open for the past two years. Even in a slump that's gotta count for something.

Having said that, I also feel like Sampras is the ATP equivlanet of Norma Desmond, waving to a parade that has long since passed him by.

"Great stars have great pride."

and of course,

"I am big! It's the courts that got small."

But good for him for continuing. He can still play a top level match.

Lev,

I feel exactly the same way about Sampras. I remember reading an article in the NYTimes Magazine a number of years ago that presented him as another foul-mouthed dumb jock which definitely contrasts with his image in the tennis media. Of course, I'm still bitter that he's surpassed Borg's accomplishments at Wimbledon. At least he didn't win five in a row.

Having made a convincing case for Sampras's retirement already, I will say he's definitely not my favorite player. He strikes me as Mr. Huge Ego and has to be one of the most boring top players ever. Long matches have always worn him out and that expression he gets when he's tired (or not) is annoying. And in recent years, have you noticed how he's tried to be more animated and enthused? It looks...uncomfortable. His forehand, like Graf's, is still a wonder and a potent weapon. His serve and focus breaks down in big games though and often in big tiebreaks - he'll have to conquer this if he's to win another big final...And he must be a relatively simple guy, he married an actress after all.

Continuing to compete past one's prime has NEVER tarnished the reputation of an athlete in retrospect.

Willie Mays? Still considered one of the greatest players of all time.

John Elway? People called for him to retire after winning his first Super Bowl.

To me it's most inspiring to watch an athlete compete when he's NOT guaranteed a victory. While I don't begrudge the notion of someone going out "on top" I can't help but feel cheated - as if there were thrills left in that old body that he or she didn't care enough to test.

Please note - athletes no longer able to compete because of injury are exempt from the rest of this message. As is any boxer. They should all retire anyway.

I think Sampras is finished as a TOP player--...ie., I would pick Hewitt or an "on" Safin or Agassi over him on any surface. But I think calling him finished because of losing a few matches is premature--Sampras is still capable of playing great tennis occasionally. I don't care for him, I doubt he'll win another slam, but he's really not that much worse than Kafelnikov. Kafelnikov's higher ranking is in part a function of playing more tournaments; he has plenty of embarrassing losses in his own portfolio. YK is such a jerk...I'd almost cheer for Sampras to crush him in Davis Cup after those remarks.

Graf did retire on a high note, but Graf was playing in pain for so much of the latter half of her career. It's up to Sampras whether he wants to retire. Michael Chang, now--there's a guy who really should retire.

Add me to the list of people who are not Sampras fans. I've always thought he went out of his way to feign illness or injury in tough matches so if he lost the other person didn't get full credit and if he won he got too much credit. I always found him ungracious, and I always felt he seemed to display subpar intellect and insight in interviews. A Sports Illustrated piece about six years ago portrayed him as incredibly crass and vulgar; he spoke abot his then-girlfriend in such a demeaning, sexual manner that I felt sorry for her. Worst of all, I've always found his style of play incredibly dull; it truly matched his personality, and neither held any interest for me. I salute him for his accomplishments. I think he's the best grass-court player of all time. I look forward to his retirement.

Wow, Munson Man ... I guess everyone's entitled to his opinion. A telling indicator of a player's graciousness (or lack of) is how they conduct themselves after not just any ol' loss, but a truly devastating one. For Sampras, I imagine the loss to Federer at W last year has to be one of the most painful of his career. Please read this transcript of the Sampras post-match interview and tell me what is so horribly ungracious about it -- everything he says seems quite the opposite to me. I'm wondering what you're thinking of, because I've always found Sampras to give his opponents plenty of credit for their victories. As far as Sampras's excuses go, how long did it take the tennis world to learn of his anemia condition? Sampras took great pains to keep that from the public. Do you really think the vomiting on court against Corretja was an act? Same with breaking down on court and crying about his sick coach and friend in his Oz Open semi vs. Courier? Sorry, but I'm nowhere near that cynical.

That said, I know that Pete is (or used to be, anyway, can't imagine he still is) incredibly arrogant in private. When he ruled the tennis world, he had nothing but disdain for his opponents. In that NYT Magazine article, Agassi went on and on about Pete's strengths and amazing game. When asked what he liked about Agassi's game, Sampras responded, "I like the way he travels (referring to AA's private jet)." I can understand how such an attitude could really turn people off. But hey, he didn't just talk the talk - 13 Grand Slams (a record that will be extremely difficult to break) and six consecutive seasons finishing at #1 (a record that I'm convinced will **never** be broken) prove that he could walk the walk. Maybe you almost have to have that kind of attitude to drive yourself to that level of success. I'm not making excuses for the guy; just offering a different perspective.

To some degree, I think you can be judged by the company you keep. Funny how nice people always seem to have the nicest friends. Pete's best friends in tennis are Paul Annacone (who seems to be very well liked), Todd Martin (often mentioned as being the nicest guy on the ATP Tour), and the late (and widely beloved) Tim Gullickson. No, I don't know Sampras personally, but somehow I can't imagine him to be this evil ass**** either.

Finally, IIRC, Pete was furious about that article and how he was portrayed in it. He vowed after that to keep the media at arm's length and not open up like that again. Professional sports are filled with plenty of nice guys (e.g., Nomar Garciaparra) who feel like the media done 'em wrong. Just from my slight insider's view into the Boston Red Sox, I see just how different the media's portrayal can often be from reality.

Pete has had some pretty crass things to say about his women. Report is that he saw his future wife in some bad teen movie and had his agent/manager find out if she'd date him. He did come off as an a-hole in the NYT Magazine. On court I don't recall any no-class moments at all. He has been a great champion. Michael Chang retire? He gets retired in every 2d or 3d round every week! I have no admiration for Chang - he's a born-again Christian who has had some nasty things to say about anyone who isn't.

My indelible image of Pete Sampras, regarding his personality, is him sitting on the court with a tennis ball lodged up his shorts jokingly asking a ball-boy to retrieve it.

Twisted sense of humor? I thought it was rather light. But the ball-boy must have been mortified. I hope he at least apologized to the kid.

Still Sampras is THE most sensual tennis player of any age to look at IMHO. (Andy Roddick being his only overall competition.)

And if he ever has problems with his balls and needs assisstance I don't think there would be a shortage of takers on this site...me included

BTW Hope he plays as long as he likes.

[ April 11, 2002: Message edited by: sportinlife ]

[quote]Pete has had some pretty crass things to say about his women. Report is that he saw his future wife in some bad teen movie and had his agent/manager find out if she'd date him.

---

Like all these criticisms about Pete's lack of graciousness toward his opponents, I don't really know where all this talk of his "crass" or "demeaning" attitude about women comes from. As for contacting Bridget through his agent/manager, welcome to the world of the sports superstar. Getting introductions through agents and managers is standard operating procedure ("Have your peeps call my peeps").

If you're criticizing Sampras for the way he got to know his wife, puh-leeeze! If all I had to do was make a quick call to my agent to get a date with Tino Martinez [you can fill in your own fave sports hunk here], I'd be all over that like white on rice. And you're trying to tell me you wouldn't??? Uh huh, sure pal.

A) I don't think it would have been too difficult for him to get her phone number and make the call himself.

When he was asked about his then-current girlfriend (not his wife), Sampras stated 'she'll never leave me, not when I bring home checks like these.'

Is he the worst athlete about women? No but it's an easy road for the athletes to go down.

Do you really think his agent literally asked her out? My guess is that Pete's agent called to get her number - something she guards quite tightly, with all the stalkers and psychos out there. Once it was determined that it really was Pete Sampras who was interested (as opposed to, say, a Ted Bundy in-training), I'm sure the two of them handled it like most normal adults do. Besides, all the pro ballplayers you see dating actresses/models? They all made contact through their agents. That's just's how it's done - it's a different world. I don't see why it's cause for disdain ... envy sure, but disdain??? PS: I can't imagine she was all that offended by the initial contact. She did end up marrying the guy, after all. And if she wasn't bothered, why are you???

re: Sampras's comments about the checks he brings home ... sounds like a joke, pal. If you don't think it's funny, well, to each his own. But a flopped joke is hardly proof that he's an ass**** toward women. When I initially asked for quotes/articles of Sampras's boorish behavior toward women, I was cringing a bit, expecting that I'd hear something horrible my boy said that would drop him an esteem notch or two. "Not with the checks I bring home"??? The only thing that remarks proves is that Pete Sampras should forget about doing stand-up and stick to his day job.

[ April 11, 2002: Message edited by: BoSoxRudy ]