WIMBLEDON

June 24, 2002

Pete Sampras

MODERATOR: Ladies and Gentlemen, questions.

PETE SAMPRAS: The injury's fine. It didn't affect my game.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, yeah, I asked to play on Tuesday. I figured it was a longshot, which I understand. I mean, they want to keep all the halves the same. He just said, "How about playing third?" I said, "I'll take that." That's what happened. Pretty simple.

PETE SAMPRAS: Probably helped a little bit. You know, not having to play quite as early, you know, gives you a little bit more time to prepare and get ready. It wasn't a huge difference, but every little hour helps sometimes.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, it's fine. I just kind of strained a little bit of something off my rib, and it's fine. It really -- didn't feel it much today. You know, I didn't practice yesterday. A little concerned. But today I felt like I had a good warm-up. Just went out and played, and it was fine. It's not going to be an issue.

PETE SAMPRAS: Sure, it's a big concern whenever you feel anything. You know, there's always a little bit of soreness here and there. But there are things you can just play through. I was concerned two days before the tournament. You don't want to be feeling anything. You want to be feeling fresh and ready to go. Any time you feel a little thing and you can't practice, sure, it's a little unsettling. But, you know, I practiced this morning, got a little bit of a rhythm out there, and played okay today.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, I felt pretty good. I felt like I played in spurts. Martin, I thought, played really well. I thought he served well and returned quite well. Always a little bit tricky when you play a lefty on grass. Down a couple set points, a couple tense moments. I felt like I played a little bit up and down, but I think he played very well and served well. But all in all, first match is always one you just want to get through. You know, I was happy I won in straight sets.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, whenever -- you know, when you struggle a little bit, you get through it, it feels good. You'd much rather dominate. But, you know, as long as I'm still in, I still feel like I'm a big threat. It was nice to play today on the Centre Court. It felt good. It has been a pretty difficult year. Stepping on there, it was like coming home again. So I'm always pretty comfortable out there.

PETE SAMPRAS: My serving. You know, there are times today that I felt like my serving was unhittable. I didn't maintain it too long, but I felt like it was a pretty good rhythm today. I felt like there were spurts I did play at a pretty high level. But there were spurts I was playing careless, missing a little bit here and there, missing some volleys, just really not that sharp. But there were signs I was playing at a pretty high level at times. As the tournament goes on, you need to play at a high level more consistently. Today I wasn't that consistent.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, you know, looking at some stats, I didn't really serve all that well. Missed a lot of first serves. He had a lot of looks at my second serve. I paid the price a few times. But I need to serve a little better. But, yeah, I think I'll get better as the week goes on. First one is always kind of one you just want to get through. But I can serve a little bit better.

PETE SAMPRAS: No, that was a little bit more serious. This was not anywhere near in the same ballpark.

PETE SAMPRAS: You know, no disrespect to Halle, it was a great tournament. You know, the court, you know, isn't the same as it is here. A few bad bounces. Here it's very true, it's very consistent. You step out on Centre Court, it's like a mecca out there. You just feel that more here than anywhere else in the world. US Open, French Open, those are great events, but Centre Court at Wimbledon, there's something very special whenever you step out there. I feel like I kind of came back home today.

PETE SAMPRAS: Once I warmed up, had a pretty good hit up, that's when it wasn't really bothering me, that's when I felt I had some peace of mind. Yesterday was a little uncomfortable. Took some tests. It wasn't anything serious. It's just something that happened. You know. It's going to be a non-issue.

PETE SAMPRAS: A muscle kind of -- microtear off the rib that, you know, isn't serious. It's going to be a non-issue. I mean, really .

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, I felt it, sudden movement. You know, it was kind of a cold morning getting ready for the exhibition. You know, I felt it. That was it. I just stopped.

PETE SAMPRAS: It helps. It helps for your whole body. Whenever it's warm, you feel a little bit looser. Your body's all loose, the back is loose. It's nice to see it was a warm day, which helped me out.

PETE SAMPRAS: I felt like I was moving pretty well for an older guy (laughter).

PETE SAMPRAS: Yes.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, it's always an honor when you step on there first match out. For the tournament to select me felt good to open it up again. But, you know, obviously I was more concerned about other things. Playing later helped me out a little bit. It would have been nice, but I'm just happy with the win today.

PETE SAMPRAS: I'm always on medication, can't you tell (laughter)? Rogaine (laughter).

PETE SAMPRAS: I'm not on it. I'm looking for a sponsorship, you know (smiling).