Guess who's giving Roger Federer sleepless nights? (Hint: its not Rafael Nadal)
I have been listening to the ESPN talk –shows and there is an interesting rumour doing the rounds; a story which could be music to the ears of all tennis fans. With out increasing the suspense quotient any more, I give it to you. ‘THE GREAT PETE SAMPRAS MIGHT MAKE A COMEBACK SOON’. Please note, that there is a ‘might’ attached and this is a conjecture being made on the back of certain new development.
The developments started with Sampras’ recent debut on the Seniors tour, where he ended up winning the tournament as well. So what was the big deal about it? Aren’t veterans supposed to be on the Seniors tour? Aren’t Marcelo Rios, Boris Becker and Jim Courier playing as well?
It is a big deal when the man in question pledged (on retiring) never to play competitively again – a promise which he has lived up to since quitting the ATP tour in 2002 (apart from a few charity appearances). So what prompted a return to competitive action again? The answer many feel is that, he has grown out of his ‘away from tennis’ thing, misses it greatly and is testing the waters on the easier Seniors tour before returning on the ATP tour.
Sampras beat Andy Roddick in an exhibition event last year. This victory over a top-5 player is what experts feel, gives him the confidence that he can match and beat the best once again. What’s more he has 3 exhibitions lined up against Roger Federer in November (check out his personal website for more information). That seems to be the most telling clue that a comeback is in the offing.
It’s unlikely however, that he will play the full tour. He will conserve his energy; probably playing a reduced schedule on grass and other important events in North America. The one tournament, I’ am certain about though is Wimbledon. It’s an event which he can still call his very own, in spite of Federer having won it the last four years.
For those of you, who have seen the latest Rocky Balboa movie, Sampras is attempting to do a Rocky 6 on the tennis courts. And if you found the ‘reel life’ comeback of the former champion (Rocky) exciting, wait till our ‘real life’ hero returns to action.
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The developments started with Sampras’ recent debut on the Seniors tour, where he ended up winning the tournament as well. So what was the big deal about it? Aren’t veterans supposed to be on the Seniors tour? Aren’t Marcelo Rios, Boris Becker and Jim Courier playing as well?
It is a big deal when the man in question pledged (on retiring) never to play competitively again – a promise which he has lived up to since quitting the ATP tour in 2002 (apart from a few charity appearances). So what prompted a return to competitive action again? The answer many feel is that, he has grown out of his ‘away from tennis’ thing, misses it greatly and is testing the waters on the easier Seniors tour before returning on the ATP tour.
Sampras beat Andy Roddick in an exhibition event last year. This victory over a top-5 player is what experts feel, gives him the confidence that he can match and beat the best once again. What’s more he has 3 exhibitions lined up against Roger Federer in November (check out his personal website for more information). That seems to be the most telling clue that a comeback is in the offing.
It’s unlikely however, that he will play the full tour. He will conserve his energy; probably playing a reduced schedule on grass and other important events in North America. The one tournament, I’ am certain about though is Wimbledon. It’s an event which he can still call his very own, in spite of Federer having won it the last four years.
For those of you, who have seen the latest Rocky Balboa movie, Sampras is attempting to do a Rocky 6 on the tennis courts. And if you found the ‘reel life’ comeback of the former champion (Rocky) exciting, wait till our ‘real life’ hero returns to action.
5 comments:
agar aisa hua toh mein wimbledon jaa raha hun. i cheer for pete sampras.
Deepak, I shall be there with you. :)
And I cheer for Federer.
theek hai dost. pehle french open mein dekhte hai ki federer kya kamaal dikhaata hai.
Why wait for Wimbledon? Go see the exhibitions in November itself.And its in Asia by the way.
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