Pete Sampras – who drags his 42-year-old bones up to the line in London next month to play an exhibition match against Andre Agassi – believes Roger Federer, who is 33 in August, could play for another three or four years – and might even win another major, probably at Wimbledon. Federer, who eclipsed Samprass 14 slam titles before stalling at 17 at Wimbledon two years ago, has slipped to No8 in the world after a year in which he won only one minor tournament. But the American thinks the Swiss is far from finished. Sampras, who retired at 32 after winning the 2002 US Open against his great rival Agassi – probably the most perfect exit in the history of the sport -said of Federer, Hes done everything in the game. He could walk away tomorrow feeling great about it. Im in awe of it. I dont know how he maintains the level. Hes got a true love of the sport, doesnt mind the travel, doesnt mind the lifestyle. He seems to enjoy it. Im amazed he finds the motivation to play the outside events, although obviously the majors are his main motivation. I found myself getting tired when I hit about 30, 31 – hes still enjoying it.He could play another three or four years. Sampras said of his own decision to walk away, I won the Open and, for the next four or five months, I was thinking I might want to play. I practised and got ready for the Australian Open, and the French. But, once Wimbledon came and went that year, thats when truly knew I was gone. I didnt want to do the work. It was a process. Mine was a lot more emotional than physical. I could still play, but emotionally I was spent. However, Sampras reckoned Federer would not play on if he slipped too far down the rankings. If Roger feels that he cant compete at the highest level, I dont see him playing just to play. Hell play for the majors and maybe to be No 1. Those days could be over, and Im not sure he has to do it or wants to do it. I think if he cant win majors and cant be competitive, then hell step aside. But I dont see that happening. I think hell be competitive, still be involved in the mix. Well see how the year unfolds. But things do get tougher as you get older, to keep up the pace, and hes been out there a few years. Hes a special player, and hell be able to figure it out. Sampras described Federers level at the Australian Open, where he cruised to the semi-finals before losing in straight sets to world No 1 Rafael Nadal, as, quite good. He added: He struggled a little bit at times, although Rafas just a rock. But I do see Roger building from that. I think hes going to have a good year. Obviously the French and Wimbledon are his next main goals, and I do think he can win another major. Everything needs to fall into place and he needs to play well, but he can do it. Thats why hes playing. I dont think hes playing for anything else but to win some more majors, and Wimbledon is the most likely. Sampras plays Agassi, while Pat Cash plays Ivan Lendl, in the Financial Times-sponsored World Tennis Day Showdown at Earls Court on 3 March, the same day as similar events in Hong Kong and New York, part of an ITF initiative to spread the game.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Feb 2014 17:00:30 +0000
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