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While in my heart I would love to see my favourite player of all time avenge his 2001 Wimbledon defeat to Federer, I have a feeling he will get his ass kicked. I totally agree with him about the lack of serve and volleyers in tennis now, the game has just become a mindless bashathon from the baseline, with even less touch and subtlety than the 90's.

Sampras laments lack of grasscourt specialists
Wed 04 Jul, 11:23 AM


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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Five years after retiring from top-level tennis, Pete Sampras is confident he can still challenge the best over three sets on his favourite grasscourt surface.
The former world number one bemoans the dearth of serve-and-volley players in the modern game and is eager to take on Roger Federer in a series of exhibition matches later this year.
"Grass is such a unique surface, I can probably still be competitive against anyone in a two-out-of-three (sets) match," Sampras said during a World TeamTennis conference call on Tuesday.
"I can still hold serve and I am volleying pretty well. Grass is definitely a surface that is a bit of an advantage (considering) the guys staying back like they are today, you know.
"I would like to play a set with one of these guys and see," added the 35-year-old, who retired after winning the 2002 U.S. Open final against fellow American Andre Agassi in his last professional match.
"Certainly a hard court would be a little bit different. But on grass, when I was playing, when I saw guys stay back, that's when I started licking my chops."
Sampras, who won 14 grand slam titles and more than $43 million (21.5 million pounds) in prize money during his 15-year career, regrets the disappearance of genuine serve-and-volley players from Wimbledon.
STAYING BACK
"It is sad for me to see everyone staying back, to see that sort of game being extended," the seven-times Wimbledon champion said. "There is not one serve-and-volleyer playing.
"I felt grasscourt tennis is the attacking guy, the serve-and-volley guy. In my generation, that's what everyone did."
Sampras, an unabashed fan of Federer who is bidding to win his fifth successive Wimbledon title, is looking forward to locking horns with the Swiss in Asia later this year.
The two men are scheduled to compete in a series of exhibition matches, starting in Malaysia in October.
"People are going to be interested in the outcome," Sampras said. "I don't think I am going to win any of these matches but if I can push him to a few (tie) breakers, I would feel ecstatic."
Sampras, who will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 14, acquitted himself well in a practice match with Federer in Los Angeles earlier this year.
"I was serving quite well and holding serve pretty handily," the American added. "If there is anything Roger doesn't like to see it is someone coming in and serving and volleying, someone putting pressure on him.
"I think my game matched up reasonably well against his."

 

[Jeff-DSA]

If he wins, the Hollywood movie ten years from now is a lock.

 

[seanoff]

it would be an interesting match both at their peak, but now OH NO. If Federer takes it seriously, NO CONTEST.

The Australian players of yore, amongst them the only guy ever to win a grand slam, he won two (Rod Laver), think Federer is probably the best ever. They think his touch is superb and his power more than adequate.

 

[My Arms Your Hearse]

:lol :lol

Sad when senility hits this young.

 

[Operations]

:lol :lol

Sad when senility hits this young.

My thoughts exactly :lol

 

[Nerevar]

misleading thread title?

"I don't think I am going to win any of these matches but if I can push him to a few (tie) breakers, I would feel ecstatic."

It doesn't sound to me like he's "challenging" Federer at all.

 

[«þ»]

...is looking forward to locking horns with the Swiss in Asia later this year. The two men are scheduled to compete in a series of exhibition matches, starting in Malaysia in October.

Doesn't really sound like a challenge.

 

[Solo]

<3 Pete

My favorite player ever. He'd lose now, but I still think he wouldn't end up looking too bad.

 

[woodchuck]

After Federer breaks all of Sampras's records, Sampras can always say he has the hotter wife/gf.

 

[Ash_69]

After Federer breaks all of Sampras's records, Sampras can always say he has the hotter wife/gf.

I'ma need proof on that.

I never really saw Sampras play as I wasn't into tennis when he was at his peak, only caught the odd game but i'd love to see this happen. Didn't McEnroe play Sampras just a few months ago and lose 6-4 6-2? I'm sure I heard him say that on the Wimbeldon coverage. Though looking at that score, Sampras would be in for a major ass whooping against Federer.

 

[RiskyChris]

Wow, he can't be serious? It'd be a complete shut out, I mean Roddick is at the top of his game.

Wait, this thread is about Federer? Haha, Petey should take him down just fine.

 

[CajoleJuice]

I'ma need proof on that.

Watch Billy Madison. She's the teacher.

I always loved Sampras.

...which is probably why I always find myself rooting against Federer.

 

[tracky_dacks]

She's also Sonia Blade in the first Mortal Kombat movie IIRC.

 

[GSG Flash]

Watch Billy Madison. She's the teacher.

I always loved Sampras.

...which is probably why I always find myself rooting against Federer.

She's also Sonya from the first Mortal Kombat movie.

I hope they show this on TV, I expect Sampras to lose, but he's still only 35, not old, so I think he can still be competitive like he says he can be.

edit: damn you tracky

 

[CajoleJuice]

She's also Arnie's daughter in Last Action Hero.

 

[Kifimbo]

Just an update. There will be an exhibition in November in...Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Tickets go on sale this week for an exhibition match in November between top-ranked Roger Federer and tennis great Pete Sampras.


The Nov. 22 match pits Sampras, the former world No. 1 and 14-time Grand Slam winner who retired in 2002, against Federer, who has 12 Grand Slam titles including last weekend's U.S. Open.


The night match will be played in the 12,000-seat Malawati Stadium at Kuala Lumpur on a medium speed indoor carpet.


"Roger is a true class act. He is obviously a great player but his manners on and off the court set him apart just as much," Sampras said in a statement released by organizers.


Federer and Sampras have played only once before in an ATP match, when Federer won a five-set duel 7-6 (7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5 in the round of 16 at Wimbledon in 2001.


"He is a true gentleman of the sport of tennis and I am very much looking forward to playing him in Kuala Lumpur. I have been preparing for the match very seriously and I will definitely be up to the task by then," Sampras said.


Federer said he and seven-time Wimbledon champion Sampras practiced together earlier this year at Sampras' home in Los Angeles.


"Although I will not get into who won the practice tiebreakers and sets we played, I will say that the tennis was of very high quality," he said.


The Federer-Sampras match is part of the events comprising the Malaysia Independence Tennis Festival. Another event is a challenge match between world No. 2 and three-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal on Nov. 20 against Wimbledon semifinalist Richard Gasquet of France.