London - Pete Sampras is apparently undecided about making a
possible trip for a Roger Federer Wimbledon final after keeping his
distance form the club where he once reigned as a seven-time
champion.
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 19 if he gets past Tommy Haas in the semis.
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 Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver also expected to be in
attendance.
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NOTEBOOK: Hewitt optimistic about career after Wimbledon showing =
London (dpa) - Lleyton Hewitt's run to the Wimbledon
quarter-finals has already go the Australian excited about the summer
hardcourt season in the US.
With his ranking poised to move back towards the Top 20, the
28-year-old who now has a North American base in the Bahamas is ready
to turn his attention to the cement.
New York is where Hewitt won his first Grand Slam title in 2001.
'Obviously the US Open will be the next focus. For me, it's just
about getting my body right and being able to compete there again.
'It was disappointing that I missed it last year (due to hip
surgery). It will be nice to go back to Flushing Meadows. It's one of
my favourite tournaments. It's a special place for me to go back to.'
Hewitt is sure to be making appearances at the two summer Masters
1000 events at Cincinnati and Montreal next month.
'You're never a hundred per cent sure after a surgery how well
you're going to feel after that, how quickly it's going to be able to
come back and whether you're going to be able to compete with the
best guys in the world.
'I feel now that I'm able to do that.'
USA
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