7/3/09 12:03 PM | Johan Lindahl
Pete Sampras is reportedly torn between staying at home in LA or crossing the Atlantic to watch a possible Wimbledon final should Roger Federer go through past Tommy Haas and take a shot at becoming the all-time best in the game.
Sampras and Federer currently share the top honours on 14 Grand Slam singles titles each. But Federer could become the first man since the abolishment of the Challenge round in 1922 (the holder only played in the next year's final) to reach seven consecutive finals in SW 19if he gets past Haas.
Sampras, a seven-time champion, has not returned to the All England club since his ignominious defeat in 2002 to Swiss George Bastl. He keeps a low profile in Beverly Hills with his actress wife and appears to be debating whether to make the trip to watch his friend possibly make history.
The American hinted last year that he might just front up. But he also turned down an invitation when in London in December for a visit to the club where he once reigned.
"I’ve been going back and forth", Sampras said of his proposed trip. "Having two kids on a 12-hour flight to London isn't my idea of a fun activity. It’s a long trip, but it’s a great moment in sport. Roger’s a friend and it would be great to be there".
If Sampras does bite the bullet and fly he will be in top tennis company with Björn Borg and Rod Laver also expected to be in attendance.
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That would be nice, if he could be there. It would have been neat if they ask him to present the trophy because at this point his friend Roger or his little buddy Roddick will be the winner. I mean Roddick and Pete must be pretty close too, considering Pete let Roddick fly in his jet. Either way, he would have handed it to someone he liked.
Recordbreaks , 7/3/09 10:23 PM
Sampras should be there to complete the package with Björn Borg and Rod Laver expected to be there too! I really hope he shows up. I will be very surprised if he doesnt. After all it is not everyday that someone like Roger will be given the opportunity to break Sampras' 14 Grand Slam record. It would complete the picture, for a gesture of EPIC Proportion. It would mean soo much to Roger too! :) Pete show UP MAn! You can do it! :)
sky , 7/4/09 12:15 AM
at this point i dont think sampras should come .... he has to choose between fellow american roddick and good friend fed ...i have a feeling he will go the swiss way ....tough situation to be in ...
C'MON !
fedexfan , 7/4/09 8:08 AM
ahhhh just wait and see.....should sampras show up...am sure both fed and Arod will be more than happy to see him....
fedfans......latest article on Fed......
Roger Federer deserves more poetic tributes to his achievements than mundane painting by numbers.
But as he hoisted the Jolly Roger above Wimbledon again last night, the milestones of another Federer masterclass were enough to take the breath away from even the most avid number-crunchers.
Fed Express is through to his seventh consecutive Wimbledon final after a hardfought 7-6 7-5 6-3 win against Tommy Haas on Centre Court. That is a record.
It is his 20th Grand Slam final - also a record - and tomorrow he could overhaul Pete Sampras's high-water mark of 14 Slam titles.
And in the week we lost actress Mollie Sugden, who played blue-rinse dragon Mrs Slocombe, to the great department store in the sky, Federer provided his own stunning episode of Are You Being Served? In 17 games spread across three sets, he dropped only 10 points on his own serve.
That is not just Swiss timing, it is as close to perfection as you will get in a Grand Slam semi-final.
Federer, 27, is still young enough to raise the bar so high only Clark Kent will be able to clear it, and last night his dearest wish was that Sampras will fly in to watch his record go on the line.
If Federer makes it six Wimbledon crowns in seven years, he will also regain the No.1 spot in the rankings from Rafael Nadal.
Federer may come from Basel, but is nobody's Basel Faulty. With the possible exceptions of Michael Phelps, Sir Chris Hoy, Tiger Woods and Usain Bolt, he is the closest thing to Superman in sport.
C'MON!
Allez Federer!
malteser1 , 7/4/09 10:08 AM
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I can't remember, but, was Pete present at the court when Roger won any of his grand slams ? If not, please Pete, don't go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Emiliano55 , 7/3/09 4:34 PM