Sampras to Miss Wimbledon
Pete Sampras has pulled out of this year's French Open and Wimbledon. Sampras, who has 14 grand slam titles to his name, has not played since beating Andre Agassi in the final of the US Open in September, and speculation is growing that he might have played his last game. But...
Pete Sampras has pulled out of this year's French Open and Wimbledon.
Sampras, who has 14 grand slam titles to his name, has not played since beating Andre Agassi in the final of the US Open in September, and speculation is growing that he might have played his last game.
But Sampras, who has pulled out of every tournament he has entered this season, claims he is not thinking of retirement just yet.
"I'm not 100% going to close the door," he told the Los Angeles Times.
"But I know what it takes to be competitive - the training and preparation and the seven-day-a-week dedication - and I'm just not there right now.
"It will be tough sitting at home and watching Wimbledon on television but I know what it will take to be the best.
"I don't play just to play. I set the bar high and I want to be the best. Right now I just don't have it."
It had been rumoured that Sampras, 31, would make a final appearance at Wimbledon, a tournament he has won seven times, before retiring.
Sampras has won 64 ATP titles, has a 762-222 record and earned more than $43.2m in his career.
Sampras, who has 14 grand slam titles to his name, has not played since beating Andre Agassi in the final of the US Open in September, and speculation is growing that he might have played his last game.
But Sampras, who has pulled out of every tournament he has entered this season, claims he is not thinking of retirement just yet.
"I'm not 100% going to close the door," he told the Los Angeles Times.
"But I know what it takes to be competitive - the training and preparation and the seven-day-a-week dedication - and I'm just not there right now.
"It will be tough sitting at home and watching Wimbledon on television but I know what it will take to be the best.
"I don't play just to play. I set the bar high and I want to be the best. Right now I just don't have it."
It had been rumoured that Sampras, 31, would make a final appearance at Wimbledon, a tournament he has won seven times, before retiring.
Sampras has won 64 ATP titles, has a 762-222 record and earned more than $43.2m in his career.
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