Just announced! Sampras-Safin exhibition in February!
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3225040
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3225040
Sampras to warm up against Safin in Feb before taking on Federer in March
- Thread starter scotus
- Start date
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Awesome!! Only just a few days ago, no one had been confirmed to play against Sampras in the exhibition at the SAP Open because the guy they had lined up to play him fell through at the last minute. Do you know who that guy was?
It was Novak Djokovic!!!!! Can you imagine? I would have LOVED to have seen that because I think Sampras can beat him on an indoor hardcourt like the SAP Open. Can you imagine a retired 36-year old, out of shape Sampras beating a 20-year old Djokovic that had just won a Grand Slam???
Too bad that fell through, but I guess Safin wouldn't be too bad, either.I am really excited about this match, too. And yes, Sampras-Djokovic match would have been great as well. And I agree with you--Sampras could give Djoko more than he can handle on this fast surface, especially now that Sampras has been training hard for his Madison Square Garden event against Federer in March.
stormholloway
Legend
Sampras would have to serve his lights out to be Djokovic the way he's playing.
MEAC_ALLAMERICAN
Legend
Awesome!! Only just a few days ago, no one had been confirmed to play against Sampras in the exhibition at the SAP Open because the guy they had lined up to play him fell through at the last minute. Do you know who that guy was?
It was Novak Djokovic!!!!! Can you imagine? I would have LOVED to have seen that because I think Sampras can beat him on an indoor hardcourt like the SAP Open. Can you imagine a retired 36-year old, out of shape Sampras beating a 20-year old Djokovic that had just won a Grand Slam???
You honestly beleive Sampras would beat Djokovic if they had played in San Jose?
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
No worries. Sampras took care of Federer on a fast indoor court so I don't see why he couldn't also put the beat down on Joker.
BTW, Sampras serves even bigger than Tsonga.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Yes, I do. 100% of the crowd would be behind Sampras. Sampras also serves even bigger than Tsonga and volleys much better, too.You honestly beleive Sampras would beat Djokovic if they had played in San Jose?
Vermillion
Banned
"you cannot be joking?"
This should be a fun match
This should be a fun match
stormholloway
Legend
To be Djokovic is what I said. Beating him would be much easier.
I don't think Sampras could beat Djokovic now. Most likely he would be able to in the 90's but now it would be tough. He would have to like one guy said "serve his lights out" and he would have to go to the net in almost every point to have a chance because Djokovic would dominate from the baseline.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Fee,
The contract with Djokovic to play Sampras was already negotiated and ready to be signed and then he pulled out when Serbia drew Russia for the Davis Cup and he decided to stay in Europe instead. He must have agreed to play Rotterdam after he withdrew from SAP Open. You can confirm this will Bill Rapp, if you'd like.
BTW, I should add that only the match against Sampras would have been an "exhibition" but he would have, of course, also entered the main draw for the SAP Open afterwards.
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MEAC_ALLAMERICAN
Legend
Okay. :neutral:
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
They'd be foolish if they didn't.
ericsson
Hall of Fame
Don't forget his improved backhand!!! he's ripping it now
what 5 inches can do or is it the alu combi
stormholloway
Legend
Sampras is no slouch from the baseline. It's the most overlooked aspect about him, but Djokovic plays amazing defense. Sampras would get impatient and hit an error.
In his prime Sampras would walk all over him.
In his prime Sampras would walk all over him.
JamaicanYoute
Rookie
Well, in most of the matches Sampras plays it seems like he's "serving his lights out" because it's just that good. I'm not saying it wouldn't be tough but I'm pretty sure he'd beat him. And if Sampras plays anywhere near to his best he'd crush him. Also, I don't know why people think Sampras is such a slouch from the baseline. If Sampras could hang with Agassi from the baseline then I think it's fair to say he's a pretty decent baseliner.
On top of the fact that he's been training for the March Exo with Federer, so he's in even better shape - it's going to be indoors, which would suit his game even better.
Safin is always in a bad mood. It's really pathetic how some people let their minds alter the way they play when they have amazing talent/abilities.
If anyone really thinks otherwise they should stop playing/watching tennis.
I know that there seems to be a valid reason for Novak pulling out, but part of me can't help but wonder if it's because he just won the Aussie. I mean, what would it say if the 2008 Australian Open Winner just lost to some "5 year retired, 36 year old man"?
L
laurie
Guest
Sampras has always said many times in his career that he loves to play baseliners - his phrase is "licking my chops when I see guys staying back" And Sampras has an incredible record against nearly all baseliners he played. So a prime Sampras would have enjoyed playing the Joker.
But I stress a prime Sampras, his baseline game is nowhere as good now as it was in 1994 for instance - which is 14 years ago!
But I stress a prime Sampras, his baseline game is nowhere as good now as it was in 1994 for instance - which is 14 years ago!
Fee
Legend
As noted earlier in this thread, Novak's decision to stay in Rotterdam and play in Europe instead was made before the AO even began. Entries for San Jose and Rotterdam were due on Monday, January 7th. He chose Rotterdam.
JamaicanYoute
Rookie
TennisLover17
Semi-Pro
i can't wait for this match. i got tickets and everything. It's always great when thee Sap Open comes to San Jose each year. I've gone in previous years and have gotten the privilage to see John Mcenroe play doubles (I sat VIP seat). Last year I saw the semis between roddick and murray, with murray winning in 3
Sampras is also warming up for his next exhibition with Federer, by playing Todd Martin a few days beforehand, on March 6th, in Jacksonville.
Sampras played Martin in all 3 of his finals that he reached on Jim Courier's Senior tour last year, in Boston, Athens (Greece) and Charlotte (on clay).
Pete never lost a match in all 3 events.
Sampras played Martin in all 3 of his finals that he reached on Jim Courier's Senior tour last year, in Boston, Athens (Greece) and Charlotte (on clay).
Pete never lost a match in all 3 events.
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