Anger as Sampras breaks date

Pete Sampras has postponed his comeback by withdrawing from next week's Siebel Open in San Jose, angering the tournament's organisers and leading to fresh speculation that the 31-year-old former world No1 may be about to end his playing career.

According to the tournament director Bill Rapp, Sampras committed himself to the tournament before winning the US Open in August last year. But he has not played since and has announced that he still does not feel ready to resume playing.

"I won't say I'm not disappointed, because I am," said Rapp. "We signed a contract with Pete 10 days before the US Open and I'm the type of person who honours contracts, but maybe that's just me."

Sampras, who became a father for the first time in November, has been sending mixed messages about his retirement since winning his 14th grand slam title at Flushing Meadow. His next scheduled event is the Franklin Templeton Classic in Scottsdale, Arizona, next month. Another last-minute withdrawal there, where his elder brother Gus is tournament director, would be even more embarrassing.