Wouldn't it be nice if Sampras came out of retirement?

[kiki]

Originally Posted by BobbyOne

I doubt that Gonzalez played his best tennis at 40 even though he had spectacular wins against Laver, Rosewall, Newcombe, Roche and Ashe at 40 to 42. He just was such a genius that he could save much of his prime level into that old age.

No player ever was at his best at 40. In Pancho's time the prime of the top players was from about 25-30, more recently from 22 to 29.

Rosewall was greater ( and that is a lot) at 40 than Pancho himself.Tilden,Connors,Kramer,Bromwich,Sedgman,Ash e,Agassi,Gimeno and Laver are the other guys that, for a while could play as well as in their peak once they got over 35 or 36.

[TMF]

No way a 40+ years old can compete against the modern pro. Sampras can compete on the senior tour. Unless if he was playing in the 60s when it wasn't that competitive, then it's doable since Pancho can still compete despite well past his prime.

[Paul Murphy]

Could be very sad if he did.
He went out a winner - best to stay that way.
Remember what happened to Borg.

[ATP100]

No, he gave enough to the game.

[Tagg]

no

he achieved what he set out to achieve and had nothing left to prove to himself

he has said this himself many times

wimbledon offered him a wildcard in 2007, and he rightly refused

there is still the seniors tour, as well as other invitational tournaments and exhibitions

that being said, sampras still has the serve. check out his matches at blackrock championships versus mcenroe

still lethal

[hisrob777]

It would be just like when Michael Jordan came out of retirement and played for the Wizards. Except Sampras would have no younger teammates to rely on. He would win some matches sure. But his legacy would be altered a bit.

[woodrow1029]

Originally Posted by Lawn Tennis

Yeah, I know he's not capable of competing for #1 or taking slams, but neither is 99% of the tour. I think it would be great to see him playing again. Conservatively he would be top 75 and top 25 is not out of the question. I think the ATP should encourage these legends to come out of retirement by offering a shortened schedule to those 40+.

No way he would ever be top 75 now.

Originally Posted by Bobby Jr

He would get his arse handed to him at this age. Seriously, even with that serve he'd be much slower than he was and the current court conditions have turned half the years into effectively French Open scenarios from Sampras' perspective.

Exactly

Originally Posted by BTURNER

It usually turns out sad and depressing when champs come out of retirement.

Because they can't compete

Originally Posted by BobbyOne

Maybe even Top 10. A comeback would be fine.

LOL

A few years ago Sampras was able to match "GOAT" Federer in some serious exhibitions, and that after a five years pause...

Federer is not used to meet a first class serve and volleyer.

Right, because Federer was really playing his top level tennis in those matches, and not keeping it close for the entertainment.