US OPEN

September 3, 2002

Pete Sampras

MODERATOR: Questions for Pete.

PETE SAMPRAS: I was frustrated. I had that Love-40 game there in the third. Got in the breaker, up 2-Love, had a mini break, missed a few shots. He came up with some pretty good stuff there. I was pretty frustrated, but I hung in there. I was still upset, so I still liked my position. Would have been nice to win it in straights.

PETE SAMPRAS: I hope it's a nightmare for him (laughter). He is the future of the game, especially in the US. He's got a big game, a lot of power. It's kind of an older veteran playing against the young guy. So it's a good match-up. I'm looking forward to it.

PETE SAMPRAS: No, not one match. Accumulation of years will do that. We know Andy is the future.

PETE SAMPRAS: I don't really worry about what he says.

PETE SAMPRAS: Against him, I don't really need to be a step and a half quicker.

PETE SAMPRAS: It took stamina. It's been a long three days, hanging around. I was feeling it at the end. This is the US Open. You dig deep. You do whatever you can to win. I played well. Tommy Haas a great future himself. It was a good win to get through that in four.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, it's confidence. It's being comfortable. It's getting into kind of a rhythm. I haven't really felt like I've settled into the year. This past week and a half, I feel like I have kind of got my game going. I'm comfortable playing here, the conditions. This is our Super Bowl. I'm pretty pumped, ready to go. I think the days of me dominating are over, but I still feel like I have a major in me. I'm going to give it my best shot here.

PETE SAMPRAS: Wimbledon was a fluke. It happened. It was kind of a shocking loss, but it happened. Didn't play very well. It's over. You've got to move on. You can't dwell on Wimbledon. Get ready for The Open and do the best you can.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, beating Tommy, the No. 3 seed, to beat him in four, play pretty well, I'm not really worried about what Greg says or thinks. You know, I can't waste my energy on stuff like that.

PETE SAMPRAS: I'm playing well. Served well. Any time you can serve 130 on the line, you're going to be a threat.

PETE SAMPRAS: I feel I played pretty well tonight. I feel I got my game going, played at a pretty high level. I struggled against Greg last night, but today I kind of clicked. It was a good win.

PETE SAMPRAS: No.

PETE SAMPRAS: Numbers don't really mean much. When it comes to stuff like that... I'm in the quarters against Roddick. That's my main concern.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah.

PETE SAMPRAS: Being aggressive, playing on my own terms, taking chances, coming in, using my athletic ability.

PETE SAMPRAS: It gives me some stability. Paul knows me better than anyone as a tennis player. He knows what to say, what not to say. There's a lot of comfort there. It's been kind of a sporadic year with my coaching. Paul is nice enough to help out. It's really paid off quite well for me.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, Pat has to put out the best team. If he wants to put James, I have no problem with that. For me to go over and play doubles, I don't know. I mean, not really my first choice (smiling). But I committed to the year. I don't think we're really worried about that now. We'll just see how this week goes. I don't know. I haven't really thought about it much.

PETE SAMPRAS: He's a little more well-rounded. His serve is devastating, especially the power that he gets. You know, his second serve is huge. He's got a lot of heat. He moves well, is competitive. He's got all those intangibles to be a great player.

PETE SAMPRAS: It's gotten a little better. I thought I played pretty well my first two matches. The serve and volley is there. I feel like I've got a pretty good rhythm. I feel like my game's there.