Jul 3, 2009, 11:48 GMT
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.
**************************** 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.'
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