Sampras says he'll decide at end of 2003 whether to quit
August 19, 2002
COMMACK, N.Y. (AP) -- Pete Sampras will assess his career at the end of 2003. Until then, don't talk to him about retirement.
``At the end of next year, I'll see where it's all at and then make a decision. That doesn't mean I'm going to stop or continue,'' the owner of a record 13 Grand Slam singles titles said Monday.
``I deserve to make my own decision as to when I leave the sport.''
He'll tune up for the U.S. Open, which starts Aug. 26, at the TD Waterhouse Cup, where he was a finalist last year. He also reached the final of the Open in 2001, losing to Lleyton Hewitt.
Sampras drew a first-round bye here and plays his first match Tuesday against Paul-Henri Mathieu of France, who won his opener against Guillermo Coria of Argentina 6-1, 7-6 (4).
Sampras lost in the first round of the French Open and the second round of Wimbledon this year.
``The day's of dominating and being No. 1 are over. I have to get my confidence back and you need to win matches for that to happen,'' Sampras said. ``My goal is to win another major and I believe I can in this year's U.S. Open, even though I haven't shown much this year.''
August 19, 2002
COMMACK, N.Y. (AP) -- Pete Sampras will assess his career at the end of 2003. Until then, don't talk to him about retirement.
``At the end of next year, I'll see where it's all at and then make a decision. That doesn't mean I'm going to stop or continue,'' the owner of a record 13 Grand Slam singles titles said Monday.
``I deserve to make my own decision as to when I leave the sport.''
He'll tune up for the U.S. Open, which starts Aug. 26, at the TD Waterhouse Cup, where he was a finalist last year. He also reached the final of the Open in 2001, losing to Lleyton Hewitt.
Sampras drew a first-round bye here and plays his first match Tuesday against Paul-Henri Mathieu of France, who won his opener against Guillermo Coria of Argentina 6-1, 7-6 (4).
Sampras lost in the first round of the French Open and the second round of Wimbledon this year.
``The day's of dominating and being No. 1 are over. I have to get my confidence back and you need to win matches for that to happen,'' Sampras said. ``My goal is to win another major and I believe I can in this year's U.S. Open, even though I haven't shown much this year.''
