U.S. OPEN

September 4, 1993

Pete Sampras

PETE SAMPRAS: Not too much, Tommy. Just I got here about 1:00, figured I was going to play around two o'clock and just rained, and there is nothing really too much you can do. Just hung around the players' lounge and in the locker room, and just have to wait for the rain to stop. It was about 4:00, 5:00. I knew I was going to play at 7:30, which was really nice. But you know, just not too much you do. Everyone is in the same boat.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah.

PETE SAMPRAS: It is a little uncomfortable, the players lounge. There is a lot of people ask for autographs. That is a time where you want to be left alone and not be bothered. I just basically spend most of my time in the locker room hanging there with the other players, but the lounge is kind of just crawling around with people. Tough to get some privacy.

PETE SAMPRAS: Like I said, knowing I played at 7:30 I was --

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, really helped. And I thought I started off pretty well. I almost got off to an early break, but it was a good match. On my part, I thought I served pretty well for the most part. And, you know, it was a cool night. So the court was playing a bit slick, if you know what I mean, but I mean, it played pretty well on the big points and returned a little bit better as the match went on. I am pleased.

PETE SAMPRAS: I thought I served a little bit up and down. There was a streak there for about 4 service games where I couldn't buy a serve, but it is just kind of maybe trying to hit a little too hard, took a bit off of it just get it in, and playing a little higher percentage tennis but a little up and down, but I was pretty pleased about it.

PETE SAMPRAS: Let's see, this time three years ago I was basically just kind of still in the tournament and, you know, seeded 12 and ranked 12; expectations weren't really too high. As far as my tennis, I feel I am much more consistent player from the backcourt. I am not losing my concentration quite as much. I am just a different player than I was three years ago. I had 2 unbelievable walks, hopefully that will happen here.

PETE SAMPRAS: Not really off the court. On the court, you know, I walk on that center court; this is where my life basically changed at this very tournament; I have had a lot of great memories playing here. I am sure I will for the next ten years, but there is nothing really I can really point out that--

PETE SAMPRAS: No.

PETE SAMPRAS: Good question. I am not too much into the celebrities. Sorry. I don't know. I haven't really thought about it. Sorry.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, she has got a lot of power.

PETE SAMPRAS: Played him twice before and beat him both times, but I think he had made a lot of improvement in his game, obviously, surprised to beat Andre, you know. I have seen him play and I played him; good counter puncher serves. His first serve is real hard. Just a matter of me staying back with him and being patient. Obviously, serving well. But I should know what to expect because I played him before.

PETE SAMPRAS: I am not really looking that far ahead, playing Michael. Right now I'm concerned about playing Enqvist and I will worry about it when the time comes.

PETE SAMPRAS: Here?

PETE SAMPRAS: I feel like -- that thing, incident, in England was obviously blown out of proportion with the press, but I feel that the crowd really accepted the way I played, the way I act over in England. Here, obviously I have got a lot of good fans, but it hasn't really changed my life on or off the court after winning Wimbledon. It is basically the same, same ballgame.