The End of an Era? (Pete Sampras)

Member Name: rob_writer

Product:	Pete Sampras
Date:	03/07/01 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great Player, Good career

Disadvantages: Is he done?

Sampras used to be the dominant force in world tennis, especially when it came to Wimbledon. But this year he crashed out in the fourth round to the relatively unknown Roger Federer. This was in addition to a 5 set epic in the second round against the British hopeful B.Cowan, where Sampras eventually emerged victorious with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 4-6, 6-3. He did have straight sets victories in the first and third rounds, but somehow he never looked at his best.

So it begs the question to be asked, is Sampras past it? It seems absurd that at the relatively young age of 29 we should be asking this question, but with the incredible fitness demanded by Tennis now-a-days stars are getting younger and younger, and players retiring earlier and earlier. Sampras has slipped down the rankings too, and is currently at number 6 compared to the years he spent at the top of the pile. He was top seed for Wimbledon never-the-less, so his exit in Round 4 is somewhat of an upset.

Sampras has had an immensely glorious career, having won three of the four Grandslams. He does deserve to have won all four, but the French Open has eluded him and he has only made the Semi Finals. He has won Wimbledon no more than 7 times though (93,94,95,97,98,99,00) proving his dominance on Grass, and despite being in so many finals at Wimbledon he has never lost one of them!! He has also won the Australian Open twice (94 and 97) and the US Open four times (90,93,95,96). That?s an impressive record, with (if I can count) a total of 13 Grandslam victories.

Despite all this success Sampras never really proved all that popular with the fans. While Agassi can woo and impress the crowd, Sampras is just there to play Tennis. He doesn't show any emotion on the court at all. This is just the way he plays, and each to their own, but it doesn't make him a crowd pleaser like some of the other players.

He always played very well, often demolishing his opponent in doubl
e quick time. His game
is not spectacular but consistent and strong, in keeping with his character. But has he past his best now?

Since Wimbledon started this year I wasn't confident as to the ability of Pete Sampras, he was still playing well but he seemed to lack that something. He struggled in the early rounds, and although he had two straight sets wins neither was a pushover, he had to fight in each one. The big question is this; Is it the end of Pete Sampras' dominance or can he come back next year?

As they say, all good things come to an end, and with all the new up and coming players Sampras may have just lost his place as the Wimbledon master. There's no doubt he'll be back next year, but I doubt he can regain his crown.

Sampras was openly upset about the match, and it was very close. I may be a little hasty in writing him off, and he himself will says he will be back to win next year. Personally I say that today ended the Sampras era.

Whatever you think of the guy, you can't deny the fact that he has been one of the all time greats. At his best he was unstoppable, and no matter what you think of him, at least have respect for him.

And anyway, with Sampras out Wimbledon is wide open, could this be the year for Tim?

Summary: