US OPEN

August 25, 2003

Pete Sampras

RANDY WALKER: Welcome, everybody. Pete is going to start with a statement and then we'll go to the question and answer session. Pete.

PETE SAMPRAS: First of all, I want to thank everyone for coming here. I really, really appreciate it. I think you know why we're here, is to announce my retirement. It's been quite a process this past year. I know that the process is now over. So I am a hundred percent retired. It brings back a lot of memories, coming back here to the site, being back in New York. I'm looking forward to tonight. You know, I knew once Wimbledon came and went that it was time for me to stop. And I know that it's time. And I'm content and I'm at peace with it. It's time to, you know, call it a career. Couldn't happen at a better place than here in New York where everything happened for me at 19, and it ended for me last year here. Anyone has any questions (laughter), you guys can ask.

PETE SAMPRAS: It's hard to say. That slam record was something that was really important to me. I worked hard, I focused on it. Once I did it, I felt like it could have been time to stop then. But I wanted to win one more. It was a tough year and a half. To win last year felt great. But that 12 was definitely a number that I had on my mind. It felt nice to break it at Wimbledon.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I'm not retiring because I'm married or, you know, I have a son. I'm retiring because I have nothing to prove to myself. I've always had challenges ahead of me, either staying No. 1 or winning majors. My biggest challenge was last year when I didn't win an event for a year and a half, and the challenge of winning one more. Once I did that, I felt, you know, I really have climbed a tall mountain. If there's something out there I wanted to achieve, I would go and do it. You know, the support of my wife and family, to go and travel, to go and focus, do everything I need to do. I'm content, I'm a hundred percent content with everything I've done.

PETE SAMPRAS: The process, like I said, before Wimbledon, when I started to do some training and practicing, I felt this was real, I was going to stop at some point. I felt like it was going to be maybe later in the year. But I feel like I was ready, I was ready to move on and retire. The USTA approached me a few weeks ago as far as coming here and being part of the ceremony. I'm flattered, you know, to be back. But I know in my heart it's time.

PETE SAMPRAS: No. All I did -- it was an emotional drive, just driving here, my last time doing that. I just went into the office. I haven't seen the court, haven't really seen anybody. Just got here a few minutes ago. I'm sure tonight will be emotional, to be back on the court, to see the fans. It's definitely coming to terms with stopping. This is something that I love to do and I've been doing since I was seven. Saying good-bye is not easy, but I know it's time in my heart (tearing up).

PETE SAMPRAS: I'm going to figure that out over the next couple years.

PETE SAMPRAS: Whatever I want really. I can watch my boy grow up, be a good husband. Really I'm going to figure that out. I'm enjoying my time, playing a lot of golf, doing a lot of things that I couldn't do for many years. That's really it. But there will come a day that I'll want to do something. I just don't know right now.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah.

PETE SAMPRAS: It was very hard. I went through this process starting last year here. After winning, two months after winning here, I felt like I wasn't sure what was next. I kept on pulling out of events through the year, always thinking I might play Wimbledon again. And once I started doing some practicing and training for Wimbledon, and my heart wasn't into it, I knew that it was time, or the time was close to just saying good-bye. And I know in my heart that I'm done, a hundred percent done, I'm not coming back, coming out of retirement. I'm at peace with it. That's great.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, playing well again. Winning here last year. Momentum, just keep it going for this year. But I realize it's a lot of work, a lot of focus. I've been going at it pretty hard for a very long time. And either I'm going to do it all the way or I'm not going to do it at all. I'm not going to play to say good-bye, I'm going to play to win. And once I felt that my heart just wasn't where it needs to be, it needs to be in your blood. And after The Open last year, I felt like slowly it was going away. And I'm at peace. I'm really a hundred percent done.

PETE SAMPRAS: I watched a little bit, but it wasn't tough. You know, first day I saw Wimbledon, I missed it, I missed the court, I missed the stadium. It's another tournament. It's a grind. It's a lot of pressure. In a lot of ways, I was glad I was home. The answer to your first question, obviously, my dad, he gave me the chance to play, which I'll always be thankful. And Tim, he took me from 6 in the world as far as going No. 1 in the world. Lost him. Paul really, for the past seven years, has been huge for my career. I mean, he has never got the credit that he deserves, and has been instrumental with everything I've done in my career as far as staying No. 1. It worked out well.

PETE SAMPRAS: You could say that. But, you know, I don't --

PETE SAMPRAS: I will never sit here and say I'm the greatest ever. I just won't. It's up -- it's not up to anyone. I've done what I've done in the game. I've won a number of majors. I think that's really, you know, kind of the answer to everything. It's hard to compare the '90s to the '60s and the '40s. I don't know if there's one best player of all time. I feel like my game will match up against anybody. I played perfect tennis in my mind at times. I really stayed No. 1 for many years, which is tough to do. I feel like when it was a big match, that I was going to come through. But to say I'm the greatest ever, I won't say that. At times I felt like when I was playing out there, I was playing, you know, pretty close to perfect tennis. But it's hard to compare.

PETE SAMPRAS: It's hard to pick one right now. I mean, last year was great. What happened here, coming through a tough year and a half, breaking the all-time record. The Wimbledons that I've won, all the Slams that I've won. Davis Cup in Moscow. I mean there's quite a bit there.

PETE SAMPRAS: Just a whole bunch of memories. My Wimbledon finals. I mean, there's a few to choose from. I mean, obviously what happened last year here, everyone kind of writing me off - felt great. Being able to stay on top for many years, to be that consistent, I think I can say I was pretty happy about that. Just the majors that I've won. I mean, those mean a lot to me. Having a great career that I'm proud of and I'm content right now. Played a lot of great players over the years. You know, the Boris Beckers, Andre Agassis. I look back on those matches as being some great tennis that I was a part of. There's quite a bit there.

PETE SAMPRAS: You know, I really didn't know at the time. I thought about it a little bit, you know, during the two weeks, but I never realistically thought I was going to win and stop. But once I did, it's a process, retirement. It's not something you wake up one day and say, "I'm retired." You need to go through all the emotions, and I did that. I went through everything I had to go through to be convinced I'm a hundred percent done. And that's where I am right now. To say I would have stopped on the final, I was not there yet. I certainly am now.

PETE SAMPRAS: I'm not sure what your question is (smiling).

PETE SAMPRAS: Right.

PETE SAMPRAS: I mean, no. The only thing that I was telling myself was I wanted to win one more major. I've always had goals, very lofty goals, over the career. But I know what it takes to be there, and I know now I'm not there. That's the formula that I had over the years, was the focus and the drive. Now it's not there anymore. So it is time to stop.

PETE SAMPRAS: If anything -- I haven't seen the match in a while (smiling). The perception was maybe that I have heart, and I wanted to win, and I was digging deep - no pun. I won it. There are times where I look a little lackadaisical, not into it. Not feeling great, physically getting tired, I was able to get through it. That was a great moment for me.

PETE SAMPRAS: Like I said, all year I had Wimbledon in the back of my mind and felt like once that event came around, you know, I might get myself going, get myself training and practicing. And once I started that process of starting to practice, after three days, I was done. I just didn't want to practice. I didn't want to train. I didn't want to do everything you have to do. I feel like I did it all. I think that's when it hit me.

PETE SAMPRAS: It was a couple months before Wimbledon. I kind of made an effort to kind of "let's do some work here." Like I said, after three days, I just felt my heart wasn't into it. You know, it wasn't in my blood anymore. That was the start of the process of it was pretty close to being over. A few months later, I just felt like "It's time, it's time to announce it and move on."

PETE SAMPRAS: I'll miss playing. I'll miss competing. I'll miss going out in finals at Wimbledon or here, in front of 20,000 people, that rush, that excitement. I'll miss the competition. Just the joy of just playing the game that I will miss.

PETE SAMPRAS: I'm open to different ideas. As of right now, I'm not doing much.

PETE SAMPRAS: You know, funny enough, I could. When you're competing against each other, you can't. When it's all said and done, I've got a lot of respect for Andre. I've never disliked Andre. He's one of the nicest guys out there, and my rival. Five, ten years down the road, I can see us having Christmas together. I don't know about Christmas, but I don't see any reasons why not (laughter).

PETE SAMPRAS: It's a disappointment, not winning in Paris. It's something I don't think about much. I'm not thinking about it, obviously, today. It's just disappointment. I would love to have won there. I feel like one year I had a chance there, but it didn't happen. You know, life goes on. It's one of those places that never really seemed to click. It's pretty disappointing. Something I don't worry about.

PETE SAMPRAS: I think playing Andre in the finals of Wimbledon, I think it was 2000, I played perfect tennis. I just remember from 3-All to the rest of the match, it's as good as I could play. I'll bottle that one up and save it. That was as good as I can play.

PETE SAMPRAS: Saddest would be playing Bastl last year at Wimbledon. That was one of the biggest low points - maybe the biggest. I was really down in the dumps after that. I think two months later winning here was the highest. Pretty much night and day there.

PETE SAMPRAS: I don't know. It's a ways away. I would go back to Wimbledon one day. If it's next year, five years from now, I don't know. Again, that court and this court really has meant a lot to me. It was hard not being there this year. But I plan on going back one day.

PETE SAMPRAS: I think we're in good shape. Roddick has taken it to a new level now, seems like. James Blake and Mardy Fish, guys are starting to catch on a little bit. To duplicate what Andre and I did, Jim and Michael, it's going to be tough. I mean, there's a lot of majors there. But I think it's in pretty good shape.

PETE SAMPRAS: Not a lot different. That's one thing I'm proud of. I didn't change much over the years. I was true to myself. I didn't sell out for any -- you know, for the press or anybody. I was true to myself. Just a little more mature. A little more wise than I was back then. But as a person, still pretty much the same.

PETE SAMPRAS: No, I don't plan on playing any senior tennis.

PETE SAMPRAS: I mean, I really wouldn't change anything. I trained hard, I worked hard, I put everything out there. I prepared as best I could. Sometimes I won, sometimes I lost. I wouldn't change a thing.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah.

PETE SAMPRAS: The serve and volley game is pretty much gone today. I do worry about it. Still have Federer and a couple guys here and there. I'm a little concerned. I think the best tennis is a serve and volleyer playing against a baseliner. You don't really see that much today.

PETE SAMPRAS: There's some racquets that are very powerful. But, you know, it's something I don't have to think about anymore (smiling).

PETE SAMPRAS: I adore this little boy, I really do. He's starting to crawl now. I'm having to work a little more. I love being home with him and taking care of him, taking care of my wife. It has changed my life. It's made me pretty complete. Looking forward to seeing him grow up and being a good role model for him. Really it's been a happy time.

PETE SAMPRAS: I've become pretty good at it.

PETE SAMPRAS: I mean, I've said a few things over the years, not a ton. You know, to sum it up in one sentence is hard to do. I just loved winning. I loved playing the game. Felt like I was pretty good at it. I mean, there's not any message. I didn't change much over the years through success. I respected my opponents, the umpires. I felt like I was pretty positive out there.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah. I mean, I'm going to say thanks, thanks for the fans and for the people that helped get me here, my family and friends. But I've always enjoyed playing New York. I just want to say thanks to them.

PETE SAMPRAS: I haven't really talked to anyone really.

PETE SAMPRAS: No. A little bit about a month ago.

PETE SAMPRAS: I wasn't yet retired. We were talking about this exhibition maybe in Vegas. I told him that I was pretty close to being done. We had kind of a private conversation about it.

PETE SAMPRAS: (Smiling).

PETE SAMPRAS: Probably. Probably over time and history, they'll appreciate me more. But I feel and have felt appreciated over the past number of years. Early on, in my mid '20s, wasn't quite there. But I feel like as I started losing, I started getting more fans.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah. At 19 I won The Open, but I wasn't sure what I wanted. I won't say I got lucky. I played two great weeks of tennis. When I lost to Edberg here in '92, I knew that's what I wanted. That loss made me change my career. It made me hate to lose. At that point it was good enough getting to the finals. I gave in in that match. Ever since that moment, I just became obsessed with being the best. It was night and day from '90 to '92. I just felt like I was a better competitor. I worked a little harder. I wanted it a little more. After that loss, it changed my career.

PETE SAMPRAS: Never. When you're young, you're not sure what you want really. You say you want to be No. 1, win a major. You're just not sure until you're kind of put in that environment. I enjoy the environment. I enjoy being the best. I could deal with the pressure. I feel like I had the game to do it. But to sit here and say I planned on winning 14 majors when I was eight years old, you're crazy. I felt like when I was getting close, seven, eight, nine, ten majors, I felt like it was a possibility, I was still pretty young. But I didn't have that goal when I was a kid.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, you know, play the great golf courses in the country (laughter). I can get into a lot of restaurants last minute. When I was traveling and playing, I didn't really do a whole lot. I was pretty much in the hotel, back to the courts, back to the hotel. It was just kind of the lifestyle. I'm a huge Pearl Jam fan, been on stage a few times, which is a huge thrill. I met a lot of great people. In this Tahoe event, I met Barkley for the first time. That was entertaining, doing some gambling with him. I met the best athletes - Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky. Those guys are legends. That's been fun meeting those guys.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, she has been my rock through the whole marriage. At a time where I was struggling, my heart wasn't into it as much, I feel like I achieved a lot and sacrificed a lot. She got blamed for it, which is absolute bullshit. It wasn't easy to deal with. But she stuck with me and we got through it together. There are times where I felt like I did want to stop over the past couple years. One thing she told me was, "You know, I want you to stop on your terms, not what the press is saying, not any of that, just on your terms." I needed to be reminded of that. I think I'm going out on my terms.

PETE SAMPRAS: I trained there and practiced. It was a good place to do some training.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I feel like I'm going back to my house. Going back on that court has always been pretty comfortable for me, having to play or speak. I'm not addressing Congress. I'm addressing fans of tennis and fans of myself. So I just want to go there and thank the people that helped me: family, friends, coaches and the fans, for being there, supporting the game, supporting myself. That's the plan.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I think the game is still very strong. The men's game, you have some young guys coming up, doing well. Having Andre still playing is great for the game. On the ladies' side, the obvious ones aren't here. To be honest with you, for the past year, I've gotten as far away from the game as possible. I don't read any, I don't watch any. To shut it out has been nice. It's been so consuming to my life for so many years. It just felt good not to pay any attention to it. As time goes on, I will follow it and be part of it in some way. I just don't know right now.

PETE SAMPRAS: Everybody.

PETE SAMPRAS: I never had a doubt, I really didn't. I wasn't doing it. I wasn't winning Slams, but I felt like I still could. That's why I kept it going. That's why I continued to play after 13 majors. How I did it last year was that I still felt like I had the game, not week in and week out like I used to, but for two weeks I felt like I could still do it. I proved it to myself, which is the most important thing to me. Once I have nothing left to prove, that's where I'm at right now, so...

PETE SAMPRAS: I don't know if it's something that interests me. If you need me to be critical, sure, maybe. It's not something I'm really considering right now, to do any commentary. Maybe down the road I could. To be a commentator you need to be a little critical at certain times - in a nice way (smiling).

PETE SAMPRAS: Davis Cup right now doesn't interest me, being coach or captain. It's very political, I hear. I don't think I really have the energy for that. The qualities as a person, I just felt like I try to be a good person, be a great tennis player. I just appreciate my folks for the way they raised me (tearing up).

PETE SAMPRAS: Thank you.

PETE SAMPRAS: You know, I honestly never really thought about how I wanted to go out; I really didn't. This all kind of happened in the past three or four weeks, coming to New York, being part of the ceremony. You know, most team sports guys play their season, they have a press conference and they're done. Tennis players, it's different. Everyone just kind of fades away. This is the way it happened. I didn't plan on it. I'm glad I'm in New York. It's a final good-bye for me. It's closure. Looking forward to a good ceremony tonight, being able to talk to you guys about it. You haven't talked to me in quite a while openly. Something I wanted to do.

PETE SAMPRAS: Would I go back there?

PETE SAMPRAS: I would go back there and have a cup of tea up top. I would love to go back to see it again. It's something I miss.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, something that I did when I was a youngster, I was more concerned about playing well than winning. I think parents and kids today are so worried about winning when they're 12, 13, 14. I wasn't worried about winning when I was young. It was more important being well and being a great pro. That's something I would emphasize to youngsters, improving, not winning everything.

PETE SAMPRAS: It's not painful; it's emotional. It's coming to terms with something that is a passion of mine that I love to do, that's been my life. To say good-bye to it, to say I'm not going to play again, not going to be out here on this court, it's emotional. It's a closed chapter, but still part of me is out there. I'm also realistic in knowing that my time is done. I've done everything I can do. I'm at peace with stopping. It's time to move on.