ATP TOUR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

November 15, 1993

Pete Sampras

PETE SAMPRAS: I did not know going into the final that I was going to be No. 1. I didn't know that but as it turns out, I find out from the tournament direct on the court that I became No. 1. Obviously, that kind of released some of the pressure for this week. And that was my goal on the European swing and I did it.

PETE SAMPRAS: It has been a tough year, I mean as far as playing a lot, that is fine. That is my job. It has been a great year. In my mind I won the two biggest tournaments, the race between Jim and I definitely, you know, was great, great for the game and-- but kind of relieves a bit of pressure off me this week, regardless of what happens here, I am No. 1 and that is-- that was my goal.

PETE SAMPRAS: I definitely want to end this year winning here on a positive note. I have won here in 91 and it is a great paycheck, which is nice, and I don't think it takes anything away. I mean, sure, it would be great for the event if I am Jim and I played Sunday for the No. 1 ranking. As it turned out, that is not going to happen. But it is important to me.

PETE SAMPRAS: The one guy that has been giving me some trouble is Goran. He is the one guy I feel that can really serve me off the court. He is in my group. I definitely would like to get back at him. His record, I believe, is 4 and 1 around there, and he is one guy that is giving me a problem, but as far as anyone else, I don't really mind playing.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I hear times when I am playing that my-- doesn't look like my heart is into it. But I feel it is-- every time I walk out on the court, and 8 finals and winning all 8 of them, it is pretty good record.

PETE SAMPRAS: I think I am a pretty good pressure player. I think when it comes down to crunch time, I think I respond pretty well. I mean, obviously I don't win every big point, but this year I have done that pretty well.

PETE SAMPRAS: Obviously, my mind-- my biggest challenge is to win at Roland Garros. Expectations aren't really that high for me there, but I feel like I can win there. I have played pretty well there the last couple of years. I feel like I am more one level behind Bruguera and the Courier. I mean, I just feel like I need a little bit more to my game on the clay to win there.

PETE SAMPRAS: Patience, bit more consistency from the backcourt; mentally, you have got to be very strong. That is one thing those guys have that I really don't have. Just the way my personality is and the way I play, but you know, I will be there for the next ten years, so hopefully one year I will get the breaks.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yes.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yes.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, the reason for that?

PETE SAMPRAS: How do I plan to stay on top?

PETE SAMPRAS: A lot of hard work and a lot of good tennis. I mean, that is really the bottom line.

PETE SAMPRAS: I don't really have any problems staying motivated. It is one thing to be No. 1. It is another to stay on top. In order to stay on top, you have to be motivated and willing to work out everyday and not be satisfied with where I am in the rankings and just, you know, keep on enjoying it and not put too much pressure on myself. Obviously, there is a bit of pressure and I'd like to stay on top as long as I can.

PETE SAMPRAS: Staying on top?

PETE SAMPRAS: It is tough. You are even more of a target being No. 1. And it is, you know, Wilander had some personal problems and last guy to really do it was Lendl. His game is so much stronger than anyone else; that he just dominated. I don't know if that is going to happen to me. There are a lot of tough guys out there and the last guy to really dominate was Lendl and I don't know if it is going to happen again. But I could be that guy.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, does it give me more confidence? I think winning tournaments gives me more confidence than being No. 1. Winning last week in Antwerp; going in here, I feel pretty good about my tennis, but I do feel that-- I do feel pretty good about myself. I feel like to be the best in your profession -- there has only been 11 guys to do that on the ATP Tour, and it is great.

PETE SAMPRAS: It is one of my better achievements. Obviously, the Slams are, you know, both very important. I mean, when I heard I was number 1 yesterday, I mean, I was really happy, definitely ends my year on a very good note. But it doesn't compare to the way I felt after winning the Wimbledon or the Open. That, really, I felt -- lasted two, three weeks. After that I was really on cloud nine, but No. 1, that is great.

PETE SAMPRAS: Today, I mean, it really has gone out of my mind.

PETE SAMPRAS: I am trying to concentrate on Frankfurt and not be, you know, not have a let-down after a good week last week, but you know, maybe when I get home after Frankfurt I will, you know, kind of reflect on the year and just be proud of myself and the work I have done to achieve No. 1.

PETE SAMPRAS: That was a pretty about subject, the ranking system; stuff like that. I felt if I would have won a Slam, it would have looked better. If I would have won the Open against Stefan, it would have justified me being No. 1. Where as Jim won two of the Slams and I think he deserved it, and this year, in my mind, I won the two biggest ones and, you know, it is-- I feel like I deserve it.

PETE SAMPRAS: On Wednesday? I am not afraid of him, but he is one guy that has beaten me more than I have beaten him. He has got the better record. He is the one guy that can serve me off the court. I mean, he is, in my mind, the bigger server in the game, but if I could get it back; make him play some shots, like I really didn't do in Paris, you know, hopefully I can -- I will get back at him.

PETE SAMPRAS: I have had problems against lefties.

PETE SAMPRAS: That is true. Lefties are just different. They definitely have a bit of an advantage on the serve and I don't know my record on lefties, but it is probably pretty even. It would be an interesting stat for me to find out, but it is just a different way to return serve. Just a whole different type of player. I am so used to playing righties, but Leconte and I have had pretty good results; against Volkov and McEnroe and Connors a couple of times, but I mean that is probably a pretty even stat.

PETE SAMPRAS: He really has every corner of both boxes. He can serve one out wide on both sides and one up the middle. That is where it is tough. He hits it hard on the line. There are serves that are just unreturnable. And you just have to accept it and go to the next point and at times that I have played Goran, I have kind of gotten a little down on myself because I am just getting aced two, three times a game and it is a bit frustrating, but hopefully this week that will change.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, I have played a couple of more matches.

PETE SAMPRAS: With the other guys?

PETE SAMPRAS: I don't really talk about it with the other players. I talk about it with my agent and my coach.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I think -- I can just say from the American public, that the American public really don't know too much about the tour, and about how the ranking works and basically they only care about the Grand Slams, and whereas, in Europe, I think tennis is much bigger. And it is very popular. It is popular in the states, but it is not anywhere near the degree of the NBA or anything like that. It has got a long way to go. I don't really have the answer. I mean, as far as my personality, it is pretty much, you know, I try to be classical, traditional. It seems like in the past, the McEnroe and Connors era really kind of sold a lot of tickets, Nastase, people kind of liked watching controversy, watching those guys. Courier and I and Chang and Agassi, we basically just go out and it is business as usual. It is my office out there and I am not there to be a stand up comedian. And those guys definitely add a bit of flare. That is why Agassi is great for the game because he gets tennis on the front page of papers. And because, you know, he is controversial, what he is wearing, that is -- people like that. But you are not really going to get that kind of-- I am not going to really get that type of response.

PETE SAMPRAS: For myself and I really don't want it. I want to keep, my you know, private life private and I can still go out. I kind of have the best of both worlds. I can go out to a mall or a movie. I will be bothered occasionally but it wouldn't be to the degree of Agassi or Becker in Germany.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, it has been out of the limits of what tennis I really want to play. I wanted to go back to Lyon and obviously, Stockholm and Paris are 11 designations I have to play and tournaments I want to play and I wasn't really sure what to do before the week of Frankfurt - either go home or play an exhibition, and as it turned out, I didn't play that well in Stockholm. I played okay in Paris. It worked out well. I played in Antwerp, but it is mentally a bit tiring, I mean, to get up and practice everyday. I mean, I haven't had a day off in some time now. But I feel pretty good. I will have a day off and play Goran on Wednesday, so I should be all right. But it is -- I am not planning on doing this next year. I plan on maybe playing maybe three weeks at a time rather than, you know, I went five.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, it is difficult. It is like the Europeans being in the states, they don't dread the time, but it is not as convenient and, you know, the European swing I had over the summer is long, I mean, I am here for 9, 10 weeks. That is a bit tiring. And this trip, it has been pretty good. I have won a couple of matches. That makes the time go by pretty quick. I am enjoying it. Frankfurt is a great week. They treat the players great, but I am enjoying -- I am going to enjoy my time off when the year is all finished.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, that is it.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, you will probably see a lot of big serving; not a whole lot of long points. You know, it is going to be, you know, as fast as the court is playing, it is going to be; pretty much a hit and miss type of tennis. The match will probably be determined on a couple of points here and there, and it -- that is the way it always is with Goran. He is kind of a hit and miss player. If I could get his serve back and make him play some shots, we will see what happens. But he has given me some problems in the past.

PETE SAMPRAS: It was definitely talked about the Saturday before I played Pioline - was if Pioline beats me, he is in. I really was only concentrating on trying to win the event and whoever ends up being the last person, that is fine; ends up being Goran, I mean, Merry Christmas, Goran, early Christmas present.

PETE SAMPRAS: Oh really.

PETE SAMPRAS: Oh, I am sure.

PETE SAMPRAS: No. Nothing really. I am not doing anything different than I have been doing the last three years. Practice pretty hard. I think maybe my practice has been more serious. That is one thing Tim and I really worked on was rather than playing three hours, work my ass off for an hour and a half and work that time and get off the court and my quality of practice is better. That is one thing that last couple of years I have been doing much more of. And as it turned out, the harder you practice, the better off you are going to be in the match.

PETE SAMPRAS: There are times where I don't want to practice. I mean, I will take the day off and not do anything to do with tennis and that is important to have my time off, but I still feel pretty motivated. I mean, after my two Grand Slams, I was still working hard and wanted to have a good European swing and I have been playing pretty well. So in order to stay No. 1, you got to be motivated. You got to be wanting to stay there. The day you are satisfied, you are not going to go-- the only place you are going to go is down.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, the more you win, the more points you get.

PETE SAMPRAS: Everything is just happening for me; isn't it?

PETE SAMPRAS: And the aces. Maybe I will have a drink tonight, I don't know.

PETE SAMPRAS: No, no, I don't drink.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, there is always room for improvement. You can't be satisfied with my game. Just my return of serve can be a bit better; especially against lefties, and you know, the clay is definitely the-- a surface I want to play on and do well at the French Open. It is definitely going to be a big challenge for me to win Roland Garros one year, and you know, that is a major goal.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I have always been-- I mean, I threw my occasional tantrum when I was younger, throwing rackets, but that only happened when I was very young when I became 15, 16, and I have been acting the same on the court 'till today. Pretty much, pretty level, you know, type of intensity, not really losing my cool about a line call. I seem to handle it pretty well. And that is the only way I can play well. Once I lose my cool or get upset, or something flusters me, I don't play as well. And you know, I just go out there and try to win, that is -- that is about it. I mean, it makes no sense to use any extra energy questioning line calls or anything like that.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well --

PETE SAMPRAS: I wanted to-- they said it was boring so I wanted to add a little bit of excitement to the tournament.

PETE SAMPRAS: I think it is-- obviously doesn't have the prestige of the Wimbledon or U.S. Open, but it is very important to play well here and like I said, end my year on a very positive note and obviously if you win this event, you know, beating all the top guys, it is important.

PETE SAMPRAS: Sure, but there are different degrees of titles and this is up there.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I wanted-- I think it would have been nice for the event if the No. 1 came down to Jim and I on the final Sunday, but I guess we don't have to worry about that, do we?

PETE SAMPRAS: I feel a little relief. I mean, after winning in Antwerp and confirming it, I feel a bit relieved. I wanted to end the year No. 1. That was my major goal coming on this European swing and I feel a bit relieved, but on the other hand, it would have been nice for the event, but you know, that is the way it goes.

PETE SAMPRAS: To stay No. 1. To maintain my Grand Slam performance and my performance with the ATP tournaments; have a good healthy solid year like I did this year and really peak at the Grand Slams. That is where I really want to play my best tennis and this year, I did a great job of that. Next year, I am going to have to do the same thing to maintain where I am at this moment; looking forward to that. I will work just as hard and prepare like I have had in the past.

PETE SAMPRAS: I am taking this very seriously. I am not, you know, going to have a let-down after winning Antwerp and guarantee the No. 1 ranking. You just can't go into matches like that. These guys are too good and if you let up a little bit, they are going to be all over you, and I am not going to let up one bit.

PETE SAMPRAS: What is my relationship with them?

PETE SAMPRAS: I was not born but I did see them play quite a bit when I was younger. The Lavers and the Rosewalls, you know, more than the tennis ability was their attitude on the court, really classy guys, and-- you just ruined my concentration. GULLIKSON: That is why I came over here.

PETE SAMPRAS: And what was the question?

PETE SAMPRAS: I have spent a little time with Laver at the Italian Open. I spent some time with Laver, Rosewall, Emerson, you know, those guys are classy guys and that is something I try to be, is classy and those guys have it.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, I mean, that was-- those were the guys even more so than the McEnroe and Connors. Obviously I have respect those guys for their games but Rosewalls and Lavers, those were special people.

PETE SAMPRAS: To lose? I don't want to lose.

PETE SAMPRAS: I am not one of those players. I don't go out and try to lose.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I was trying to win the event. I wasn't worried, like I said, who was the last spot. Whoever is the last spot, it is great for them. I am not going to give away matches for the sake of doing well here. That is not making it.

PETE SAMPRAS: Beating Jim in the final at Wimbledon. That was a huge, huge victory for me. As far as goals were concerned as far as mentally, I mean, was close to winning some Slams the year before and I just-- I needed something else besides that 90 Open; just to prove to people that it wasn't a fluke and I do win under pressure. And I just went from there and was basically the last guy standing at the U.S. Open and that basically was there for me to grab and I took it. I was you know -- took advantage of it.

PETE SAMPRAS: Wimbledon, it stands out, I mean, as far as huge. I mean, I was more nervous for that match than any match that I have-- even more than Davis Cup matches. It was-- it would have set me back, you know, if I would have lost to Jim in the final. I would have to get back on that horse again and get ready for the Open; it would have been tough. But we just wouldn't have to worry about that.

PETE SAMPRAS: Once you get out and start playing against Jim I was fine. I guess there was much more nervous energy than I thought because the last set and a half I was very fatigued, and very tired and was having a hard time playing points because I was tired; it was a hot day, but you know, I managed to put a couple of points on the court. That was it.

PETE SAMPRAS: It was a pretty unlucky circumstance for me when I got food poisoning the night before.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, U.S. -- you know, obviously staying in the states is much more convenient. It is easier to get around. The language, stuff like that. But each time I had come to Europe, I handle it a little bit better. I am in Europe a lot. I am in Europe three and a half months of the year. That is a pretty long time. So each time I come here, I seem to enjoy it a little bit more and more, but I just have to -- I am going to be here for the next dozen years in Europe and I just have to cope with it. But I mean, being here for 6-7 weeks, that is a long time.

PETE SAMPRAS: I think I plan on playing 'till at least 30, I mean, as far as my health is concerned, see how that is, but I plan on playing as long as I am enjoying it; as long as I am playing well.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, that is a good question. You know, keep on working hard. Not being satisfied with where I am in the rankings No. 1 is great, but in order to stay there I am going to have to work just as hard. Obviously, the Grand Slams, I want to win as many as those suckers as I can, and that is really the bottom line. As far as motivation, if I lose any motivation, only place I can go is down. I can't be satisfied with the accomplishments I have achieved. I just can't be satisfied. I just have to deep on going forward, like the Michael Jordan of basketball; he wants to win another NBA championship. That is what I want to do. Just win as many U.S. Opens and Wimbledons and stay No. 1, and in order to stay there, you got to keep on working hard and playing good tennis.

PETE SAMPRAS: No.

PETE SAMPRAS: I think for certain people it might work. But for me, I have never considered using a sports psychologist.

PETE SAMPRAS: I just -- I think I am doing pretty well so far. I just -- I haven't really thought about it. No one has approached me.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, but --

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, if a person feels like he needs it and he is playing well and he is winning, I mean, more power to him, but you know, if I -- something happens to me where I might need it, if it is going to make me win tennis matches, I will do it. But I haven't come to that day.

PETE SAMPRAS: What means more?

PETE SAMPRAS: I say winning two Slams outweigh --

PETE SAMPRAS: It means a lot of things.

PETE SAMPRAS: To be No. 1?

PETE SAMPRAS: To feel good about yourself. To feel like hard work and time I have put into my tennis has paid off. Looking back at my Junior career where I started, I have come a long way and there are times when I didn't want to work hard and didn't want too do some things, you know, I did and you know, the harder you work, the luckier you get.

PETE SAMPRAS: There was definitely controversy with the ranking system, and just, you know, kind of put it out of everyone's head, you know, winning Wimbledon basically did it for me. And winning the Open, I mean, it kind of, you know, proved that the ranking system is working, but, you know, because up to that point, I really didn't feel deep down that I really deserved it, the No. 1 ranking if I didn't win a Slam after the 90 Open; if I didn't win a couple of Slams. I deserved it to a point, but I felt like you need to win a Slam, at least one, and then Jim won two last year and he really deserved to be No. 1, and winning Wimbledon, obviously, I felt like I deserve it and the U.S. Open.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, well, yeah, we are the only two guys that haven't --

PETE SAMPRAS: I believe so, yes. I am not 100%. Probably 90%.

PETE SAMPRAS: I heard about it.

PETE SAMPRAS: You want me to answer that as far as me?

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I think that I look at it as that controversy sells tickets. It makes ratings go up and Connors, McEnroe, Nastase, those guys were very controversial, what they are going to do on the court; what they are going to say if McEnroe is going to break a racket. That sells tickets, and the personalities of the guys today really aren't like that. If you look at the top guys, especially the Americans, the Courier, Agassi, myself and Chang, we really just go out there and do our business and try to win. We are not going to talk to the crowd and-- but Agassi has obviously been much more outspoken about a lot of things than the rest of us. That is good for the game. It puts tennis on the front page of the sports page. That is good for the game and it is good exposure, but as far as me -- as far as myself, I really can't, you know, change the way I am on the court for anybody or anything. My main concern is trying to win and I am just not comfortable talking to the crowd or expressing my emotions to the umpire getting upset, and you know, when people come to watch me play, they are just going to see me play and let my racket do the talking. Same thing with Courier and Chang, and that is basically the best I can answer that. But you know, I think Jim and I are -- I mean, it kind of puts me in a tough -- I really don't know what to say.

PETE SAMPRAS: I feel pretty confident about the Tour. I feel like they are promoting it really well. I think the young -- we are all real young guys at the top. We are 21, 22 years old, and we are just kind of getting into the limelight of tennis, and you know, tennis, I feel will just get bigger and bigger the older we get and the more, you know, Agassi and Courier matches we get and myself and Courier, that is great for the game. Like I said, I think Agassi is great for the game. We need someone that truly has a lot of personality on and off the court. And you know, like the Australians, they just went out there and tried to win and they didn't try to rub it into anyone's face. They were just class people and class players, and that is something I try to emulate, and it is tough for me to change.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well --

PETE SAMPRAS: When people come up to me, one thing they will comment is my attitude on the court, you know, they say, you know, it is so nice to see a nice guy winning, but on the other hand, a lot of people like watching the McEnroe and the Connors, seeing them explode, the people, you know, come to watch that, but it is kind of, like I said, pretty tough, you know, the stand I am taking --

PETE SAMPRAS: Sure.

PETE SAMPRAS: I plan on visiting Greece one year, but it is-- with my schedule, as hectic as it is, I really haven't planned a trip there yet.

PETE SAMPRAS: My mother was born and raised in Greece and all of her sisters and brothers are in the states.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah.

PETE SAMPRAS: I really can't comment on that.

PETE SAMPRAS: No.

PETE SAMPRAS: I am not saying it is not true. I am just saying I am not going to pursue this discussion.

PETE SAMPRAS: I spoke to Tom in Paris and basically told him that I am going to make a decision as far as the Indian tie probably in Australia or after.

PETE SAMPRAS: Right. We will see.

PETE SAMPRAS: Agassi is obviously banned from the first time and Courier has decided to play.

PETE SAMPRAS: No, it is not Europe. It is being away from home for two months.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I am only there for three weeks. I mean, two months -- I am really here for a long time. You know, that is, you know, it is tough. I mean, you go -- I just find it more difficult than, say, some other guys.

PETE SAMPRAS: Traveling is not fun, not fun.

PETE SAMPRAS: Flying for 10 hours on a plane; getting jet lag; getting up at four in the morning.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, that is true, but-- you always got to bring that in. But staying in hotels and it is tiring, I mean, losing your bags. You guys really don't see what really we have to go through.

PETE SAMPRAS: I was playing everyday. I don't have time to do other things. I was playing everyday and practicing, and you know, it was too cold.

PETE SAMPRAS: What is that?

PETE SAMPRAS: No. The next dozen years I will be doing enough travelling.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, anything can happen. I mean, it has happened -- I don't think that has ever happened to me that I have played two guys twice, but it might happen. I don't know. We will see how they play.

PETE SAMPRAS: I don't find it much of a mountain to climb. I won here a couple of years ago. It is definitely very important to me, but regardless of what happens here, I can look at my year and in 93 hold my head up high. It has been a great year and obviously to win here, would be a very positive note, but it is not a big mountain to climb. I enjoy my tennis and that is really it.

PETE SAMPRAS: No.

PETE SAMPRAS: Everyone in the event-- everyone has got weapons, Goran with his serve, Stefan with his serve and volley, Goran at this time is really hot. He has won a couple of tournaments, and Courier is fresh. He hasn't played in a couple of weeks, so you know, four, five guys -- Chang is going to be tough. These are the best players in the world.

PETE SAMPRAS: I go home.

PETE SAMPRAS: Go home for a little bit.