A current player says Pete still has it...

Fee

Legend
Fee - I want you to get a photo with you and Justin and Pete in 2007.....

That would be awesome, I would definitely die happy. I'm going to visit JG at some point next year so I'll see if I can invent some reason to mosey up Sunset Blvd towards Beverly Hills and... ;)
 
I really see no reason why Sampras should not come back on the tour full time next year starting with grass season and continue full time until the end of the year. Federer is very close to embarassing all of Sampras' records so Sampras has absolutely nothing to loose and at least he shoud do whatever it takes to defend his legacy. And Sampras should come back not just for his own sake but to increase the interest in tennis and to gain more respect for his fans. Imagine how big the TV ratings would have been if Sampras would have met Federer in Wimbledon or US Open. It would have been Rocky Balboa played out in real life and I think if some non tennis fan would have heard that on TV then he or she would have tuned in to check it out and therefore TV ratings for this tennis event would have been the highest of this decade.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
Fee, you should know by now that his wants have absolutely nothing to do with what he actually does. He and Davenport will be competing by the French, or else.
 

The Gorilla

Banned
forget ocky balboa,if george foreman could win the wba heavyweight world title at 45,imagine what sampras can do with that new racquet.
he definitly won't be playing queens if it's a round robin tourny,but hye can play that german one,halle.
 

tennismike33

Semi-Pro
We are trying to debate an issue that is a non-issue. Pete aruguably is one of the top 1-5, depending on where/age group you fall into of all time. IMHO I feel that I have seen the top 5 greatest tennis players of all time play. In no particular order mind you, Rod Laver, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, John McEnroe and Borg/Edberg/Pancho Gozales or a host of others that you can put in there.

I would love to sneak into Pete's backyard and just gawk at him practicing. The amount of things you could learn from watching this. Pete dominated 2 generations of tennis players and only played FED once and lost in 5 sets. Put this subject ot rest, Pete isn't coming back, BUT he would be able to compete on the ATP, top 10, maybe not, top 5 probably not, but as many of you have said, it would pretty to watch him hit that charge to the net jump overhead, just one more time!!!!!
 

dpfrazier

Rookie
I'm watching a replay of a WTT Smash Hits event held some time after the US Open this year. (Thanks, Tennis Channel!)

Pete is putting the hurt on Roddick. Serves, volleys, groundies from both sides. And this is no exhibition now, despite what it started out to be!

Andy just had two break points on Pete. First one, a serve-volley winner. The second (on a 3-3 game tiebreak), a trademark Sampras ace up the middle.

Pete just finished it off 3 and 3. He doesn't look like he's lost much, if anything, since 2002.

FYI, it looks like Pete was using an Ncode 6.1 95 (or at least something that's painted like one ;)) and had some different strings, according to one of the announcers. Probably poly or a poly/gut hybrid.
 

Mick

Legend
I would like to see Pete come back as well, but in a real tournament he would get crushed, so what is the point?? In addition, if he loses badly to a no-name, it would not be good as it would take away from his mystique.

The other thing is, there would probably be too much hype about him only coming out of retirement because he would want to take out Fed to "secure his own greatness".

It's a no win for Pete.


But then again it is such a shame to have high caliber tennis skills and not use them at all.
 

EliteNinja

Semi-Pro
I'd love to see a Sampras-Agassi exhibition/charity event.

I think that would raise a LOT of money for whatever charity they choose.
 

West Coast Ace

G.O.A.T.
Also, Sampras is his good friend and practise partner so do we really think he's going to say...
AndrewD, thanks for bringing some sanity to this thread. The Sampras jock sniffing was getting out of hand.

And I'd add to what you said: JG is a UCLA grad. Who coaches the women's tennis team at UCLA? Stella Sampras.

Superman1, did Stallone undergo drug testing before/during the Rocky VI filming? I'll answer that for you: no! Highly likely Sly used all kinds of chems that would get him a 2 yr or lifetime ban from the ATP. If not 'roids, probably HGH and probably huge doses of caffeine.

And gang, it's not about the physical as much as the mental and emotional. Totally different mindset between playing Exhibitions and Tournaments. And emotionally, no way Sampras risks getting embarrassed - his ego is way too big for that.
 

Bjorn99

Hall of Fame
Anyways the bottom line is that the guy can still play and it would be great to have him out there again. Three years of rest is PHENOMENAL for him. Probably the best thing ever. I think Nadal and Federer would make him suffer quite a bit, but he would probably make everyone else suffer as well. But Pete never liked being anything other than number one. Stay tuned.

And yes it is telemeres. And a certain scientist discovered how to prevent them from dividing. He is in private consultation. His fee, seven figures. Pete should look into it. He would stomp everyone for decades.
 

ShooterMcMarco

Hall of Fame
I wish they would show more of his exhibitions and WTT matches. I only saw his first match and the exhibition against ginepri on clay.
 

thejackal

Hall of Fame
Certain elite have mastered the issue of ageing. 35 is a young pup. Except for the fact that we need population reduction not addition, everyone would be living to three or four hundred, the technology is there, and certain lucky elites are enjoying it. Google on teleperes. That is what controls the cell and its ageing.

A guy I trained with for a while, Chris Chelios, is 44 and playing in the NHl, and is possibly one of the top twenty defencemen. Hockey, is a sport where you could get killed. Tennis is more rigorous in terms of stamina, but hockey can deal a cruel hand. So 35, again, is relatively young.

But if you all look at that picture of the old Greek hitting his serve, he has put on a quick fifteen pounds, and THAT is the killer. And it all seems to be around the tube, which can severely limit his agility. I think Sampras can do things and beat a lot of people, but Federer would make him look like what he is, the FORMER number one. But since I never liked Pete personally, but liked his game. I would love to see him have the guts to come out to Wimbledon. But I don't think he is man enough to do it.

BTW, Justin Gimelstob is a breath of fresh air in a culture of plastic void. Good on him. For having the guts to speak out on some issues.

Gordie Howe played pro hockey with his SONS. Now that's aging well. Chelios was a great player, but i think the game is past him
 

ATXtennisaddict

Hall of Fame
p1_sampras_1222.jpg


Not used to seeing him without his PS 85. and what's the deal with those socks??
 

SB

Rookie
...
A guy I trained with for a while, Chris Chelios, is 44 and playing in the NHl, and is possibly one of the top twenty defencemen....

It is amazing that Cheli is still playing at 44, but he isn't anywhere close to being a top 20 defenseman.
 

Fee

Legend
And I'd add to what you said: JG is a UCLA grad. Who coaches the women's tennis team at UCLA? Stella Sampras.

He's not a UCLA grad, he was only there for about 18 months. He will eventually return to finish his degree.

I worry when Justin Gimelstob becomes the voice of reason...

If you knew him as well as I do, you wouldn't worry. He is a very reasonable guy, don't let his on court intensity/theatrics throw you.
 
Babolat, yeah, I would guess by the stencil. Could be VS team with a Hurricane or something?

The old thin double line logo -- it's a great look. It would be even cooler if he used a big old VS stencil on that baton rouge.

Another vote here against the low socks. It's like his golf buds shamed him into that. Or maybe his wife's tired of the sock tan at the calf.

Me, I just want some more Bjorn99.
Yeah, Gimel, anti-aging, Mac is a freak of nature. Pete's still great. But, can we please get a little more Bjorn99 up in here?

Mille grazie.
 
Last edited:

skraggle

Professional
I'm watching a replay of a WTT Smash Hits event held some time after the US Open this year. (Thanks, Tennis Channel!)

Pete is putting the hurt on Roddick. Serves, volleys, groundies from both sides. And this is no exhibition now, despite what it started out to be!

Andy just had two break points on Pete. First one, a serve-volley winner. The second (on a 3-3 game tiebreak), a trademark Sampras ace up the middle.

Pete just finished it off 3 and 3. He doesn't look like he's lost much, if anything, since 2002.

FYI, it looks like Pete was using an Ncode 6.1 95 (or at least something that's painted like one ;)) and had some different strings, according to one of the announcers. Probably poly or a poly/gut hybrid.

I was there in the first row, and Pete looked great. Chewing gum and smacking winners. To my eye, he was playing a 6.1 95 like you thought. But to be honest, Andy was just there for show and didn't really give full effort. After the match I heard him complaining to BJK that Pete went all out when it was supposed to be just for fun. (Also there was a painfully thin Kournikova. It was sad watching this little skeleton trying to compete.)

Pete was one of the very best, but I saw him get beat soundly in singles by a qualifier-level guy in a televised WTT event earlier in the year...
 

mi_suga(r)?

New User
i believe Pete still has everything to win anyone, everyone...
...whatever You ask for in prayer, BELIEVE that You have received it; and it will be yours...
MARK 11:24
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't ever let somebody tell You You can't do something...You got a dream, You gotta protect it... if You want something, go get it. Period.-
-Chris Gardner, in The Pursuite Of Happiness(in theaters this Christmas).
 
Last edited:

mi_suga(r)?

New User
Pete-
- Greek via Latin, "stone, rock."

"...And I say unto thee,
That thou are Peter,
and upon this rock
I will build my church."-Matthew 16:18
 

superman1

Legend
But to be honest, Andy was just there for show and didn't really give full effort. After the match I heard him complaining to BJK that Pete went all out when it was supposed to be just for fun.

Wow, that's a pretty bad excuse. Sampras was smacking gum the entire match and Roddick was looking dead serious the entire time, so of the two I'd say it was Roddick who took it more seriously. Sampras was schooling him with both his 1st and 2nd serve, and he was hitting clean winners off of Roddick's 2nd serve. Roddick was vaulting his entire body trying to return serve, and he was sprinting at full speed for drop volleys. Certainly didn't seem like he was playing at half level. It did seem like he was playing badly, and that's because he was allowed no rhythm. It was mostly a serving contest and Sampras won it.

Sampras still has the best 1st/2nd serve combo in the world, and that alone automatically places him in the top 50. His forehand is also beautiful, so bump him up to the top 30. His backhand and volleys are also looking quite good. His movement and fitness need work. Agassi the Punisher would beat him today because of that.
 
Last edited:

alwaysatnet

Semi-Pro
It's Pete's world and if he wants to come back he should,despite what the paranoid,haters among us would have you think(The dreaded Gimelstob-Stella Sampras connection,you know).On a limited basis,on the right surface,at his choosing Pete could still do a LOT of damage with what is still the world's best serve and volley game.If he misses the charge of competition he should do it.He has nothing to prove and his place among the greatest ever is very secure.
 

mi_suga(r)?

New User
It's Pete's world and if he wants to come back he should,despite what the paranoid,haters among us would have you think(The dreaded Gimelstob-Stella Sampras connection,you know).On a limited basis,on the right surface,at his choosing Pete could still do a LOT of damage with what is still the world's best serve and volley game.If he misses the charge of competition he should do it.He has nothing to prove and his place among the greatest ever is very secure.
----------------------------

"...Some, like P.S.(Pete Sampras)... hide their killer instinct and unshakeable self-esteem behind gentelmenexteriors...."(by N. Shekar)
----------------------------
To me Pete still the ONE no -matter-what. Pete can do a lot , I mean a LOT. His "serve and volley game"!....- "attire" just wish to have in my tennis bag...
 

caesar66

Professional
pete's probably my favorite player of all time right behind rafter, but he'd get smoked by pretty much everyone in the top 100. He got it pretty well handed to him in WTT by jan michael gambill who hasnt really even come back on tour in years earlier last year. Exhibitions are great, and its great to see him actually playing tennis, but I think he belongs in the seniors tour having fun, not in the atp getting trod upon. Does anyone really think he could stand a full season of tennis? heck even a two week grand slam could be tough on him, i cant imagine him grinding out a five setter against the nineteen and twenty year olds that he'd be playing against, or even the older pros that are still competitive. I'd rather him sit on the pedestal that he's created for himself with his career than watch him crumble in a coming out of retirement attempt.
 

alwaysatnet

Semi-Pro
Caesar66- I have to agree with your sentiment.And yet...and yet if he played Wimbledon or the US Open he could do very well. Don't judge Pete by how he played his few matches for WTT.He was out of shape and clearly didn't take it real seriously.To play Wimbledon would be a serious commitment for him and I don't expect him to come back but athletes unretiring are pretty common now.He could be a very dangerous guy at Wimbledon and could take out a lot of guys with his serve and volleys to back it up.Of course there is still this guy named Federer to contend with but it's all up to Pete.
 

mi_suga(r)?

New User
pete's probably my favorite player of all time right behind rafter, but he'd get smoked by pretty much everyone in the top 100. He got it pretty well handed to him in WTT by jan michael gambill who hasnt really even come back on tour in years earlier last year. Exhibitions are great, and its great to see him actually playing tennis, but I think he belongs in the seniors tour having fun, not in the atp getting trod upon. Does anyone really think he could stand a full season of tennis? heck even a two week grand slam could be tough on him, i cant imagine him grinding out a five setter against the nineteen and twenty year olds that he'd be playing against, or even the older pros that are still competitive. I'd rather him sit on the pedestal that he's created for himself with his career than watch him crumble in a coming out of retirement attempt.

...i do. I do really think PETE CAN WIN anyone, everyone;
"...no ifs, no buts, no maybes..."-Barnes; just watch the "Jams For Charity"(believe that was the title?!) on TENNIS CHANNEL, when he took over Tood Martin, and u will find all the answers for all your Q's.
-.-.-.-.-.
"...it's all up to Pete."
-alwaysatnet(THANK YOU! i couldn't say it better.....)
-.-.-.-.-.
...But first he was stripped and then he was stabbed
By faceless men, well , f.....s
He still stands

And he still gives his love, he just gives it away
The love he receives is the love that is saved
And sometimes is seen a strange spot in the sky
A human being that was given to fly...

* PEARL JAM "Given To Fly"
* (heard that he likes that group)
________________________________________________________________

PETE BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! WE BELIEVE IN YOU!!!!!
 

West Coast Ace

G.O.A.T.
He's not a UCLA grad, he was only there for about 18 months. He will eventually return to finish his degree.



If you knew him as well as I do, you wouldn't worry. He is a very reasonable guy, don't let his on court intensity/theatrics throw you.
Didn't graduate - gee, shoot me for that egregious error.

I hadn't even thought of Justin's oncourt stuff - I just think he's a So Cal, USTA cheerleader on this subject because he come from a very biased place.

And I don't begrudge people who live in areas not served by the Tours for going to exo's - or because they fund good causes - but don't come back to these boards and talk nonsense about the validity of the results.

Sampras is retired - move on...
 

alwaysatnet

Semi-Pro
Spoken like a grump and true crank. Speculation is 98% of what keeps this board going. It's nobodys fault if Pete Sampras happens to be much beloved...by most people.
 

Fee

Legend
Didn't graduate - gee, shoot me for that egregious error.

Do you need a nap or something? Some of your posts seem grumpier than I would expect from you today. Shoot me for giving you the correct information, that was all I was trying to do.

I hadn't even thought of Justin's oncourt stuff - I just think he's a So Cal, USTA cheerleader on this subject because he come from a very biased place.

My comment about Justin's on court behavior was a response to someone else, but I don't think he would describe himself as a 'So Cal, USTA cheerleader' (whatever that means). Yes, he has a friendship with Pete, and yes he's been working out with him, but if you think he was put up to writing that column by someone else, I think you are sadly mistaken. :)
 

superstition

Hall of Fame
Actually that thought crossed my mind a bit about the women when Navratilova at 47 won a first round match at Wimbledon 6-0, 6-1 and beat top 30 player Panova at Eastbourne. Men typicaly dont have that pathetic competition level the women do though and I would hope the current men dont either.
Martina had an 86-1 record one year in the 80s and holds the record for Wimbledon victories. If you think it's "pathetic" that she could stomp a clay court baseliner playing on grass for the first time ever... Hingis happened to beat that girl recently 6-1 6-3, and that was on hard court. Men's tennis and women's tennis have players who are not at the top of the game. That doesn't make either sport "pathetic".

Martina Navratilova also won every mixed slam title except the French (which she would have won if her partner hadn't become seriously injured shortly before they were to close out the match) in her 40s. I think her singles wins are hardly an example of a "pathetic" women's game. I'd like to see you play Henin-Hardenne.
 

superstition

Hall of Fame
Sampras could definitely come back and do pretty well, if.... he would adopt a really punishing training schedule. I don't think he has much incentive to do that. And, since the grass court season has shrunk continually, the balls are heavy, and Wimbledon is on rye, it's not an environment that suits his style of play.
 

West Coast Ace

G.O.A.T.
Do you need a nap or something? Some of your posts seem grumpier than I would expect from you today. Shoot me for giving you the correct information, that was all I was trying to do.



My comment about Justin's on court behavior was a response to someone else, but I don't think he would describe himself as a 'So Cal, USTA cheerleader' (whatever that means). Yes, he has a friendship with Pete, and yes he's been working out with him, but if you think he was put up to writing that column by someone else, I think you are sadly mistaken. :)
It was just a minor error - didn't need to be pointed out - unless it made you feel superior to know more 'Justin Gimelstob Trivia' than I.

By cheerleader I just meant someone with a bias - and with your admission of a friendship you affirm that.

I'm never grumpy - have a great life. But I will point out BS when I see it - and on these boards there's enough to keep a golf course green.
 

Fee

Legend
No Ace, I don't need or want to feel superior to anyone, but giving someone a college degree that they havent earned is not a minor error in my book.

Yes, Justin has a friendship with Pete, but I was more drawn to your 'USTA' comment I suppose. I guess I focused on that organization as a seperate entity and that is why your comment kind of threw me.
 

alwaysatnet

Semi-Pro
Amen to that brother. Some people are blinded by their prejudices and become willfully ignorant.Without mentioning any names(initials are WAC,which he seems to be)this guy actually posted the opinion that Pete would be just an average ladder player without his serve! Everything he says,therefore,must be taken lightly or disregarded altoghether.
 
Last edited:

alwaysatnet

Semi-Pro
His hairy torso is a sign of virility and power.It's what helps make him an Alpha Tennis Player and causes lesser tennis foes to cower and give up hope before most matches even start.Only an equally hairy opponent,like Agassi,could challenge him,though ultimately,unsuccessfully.All hail the Alpha Tennis Champion!
 
Top