India | UK | US

Sampras fears US men's tennis facing long return to greatness

London - It may take until mid-century for American men to ever dominate like they did in the 1990s, the leader of that extraordinary generation, Pete Sampras, has predicted. The seven-time Wimbledon winner and holder of the all-time record 14 Grand ...
Posted : Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:06:28 GMT
By : DPA
Category : UK (Sports)
News Alerts by Email ( click here )
UK Sports News | Home
London - It may take until mid-century for American men to ever dominate like they did in the 1990s, the leader of that extraordinary generation, Pete Sampras, has predicted. The seven-time Wimbledon winner and holder of the all-time record 14 Grand Slam titles said at the BlackRock Masters in London that the glory days are done for US tennis after the explosion of talent during the last decade.

"It's going to take take maybe five, 10, 15 years for another crew of really good young Americans," said the 37-year-old, who has little faith that eighth-ranked Andy Roddick and number 10 James Blake will ever make the big step up into the elite.

"It might not happen for 40 years - it's hard to say."

Sampras dominated along with compatriots Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Michael Chang, with Sampras setting another record by holding the year-end number one ranking for six straight seasons from 1993.

Sampras says the current situation "is a tricky time. The American media and the fans expect American champions and our guys to be number one, and when you don't get that people start complaining."

The American, who beat John McEnroe in straight sets in a group match at the year-end senior event at the Royal Albert Hall, also believes that Andy Murray is fast becoming a serious rival to the top men in the game as the British youngster continues his career breakthrough.

"He's one notch below Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal," said Sampras.

Sampras has joined John McEnroe on the Murray bandwagon after Mac tipped last August in Los Angeles that the Scot would crack the world top four, his current ranking behind Nadal, Federer and Novak Djokovic.

"He's right on the edge of breaking through and winning a major," Sampras said of the US Open finalist, against Federer, and the winner of Masters titles this season in Cincinnati and Madrid.

"He's got the game, he'll do it. He's the real deal. But he's right there ready to break through and he's only 21 so he's got many years to keep it together."

Murray is currently trying to make the next big step, training for several week this month with his team at the Bollettieri academy in Florida as he tries to also add some weight to improve the power of his game.

Copyright DPA

Share/Save/Bookmark

Article : Sampras fears US men's tennis facing long return to greatness
Print this article
Email this article

Stay Updated
News gadget on your Google homepage
Subscribe to a news feed in Google Reader


Related News

Beckham out of England squad
London - David Beckham is out of the England squad for next week's friendly against Brazil, it was confirmed on Monday. The midfielder had been named in Fabio Capello's 24 for the game in Doha, on the understanding that he would pull out if his club,...

Terry on target as Chelsea beat United - Summary
London - John Terry scored the only goal as Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 on Sunday. The win lifts Chelsea five points clear at the top of the Premier League table and extends their 100-per-cent home record this season to six games. ...

Terry on target as Chelsea beat United - 2nd Update
London - John Terry scored the only goal as Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 on Sunday. The win lifts Chelsea five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, and extends their 100 per cent home record this season to six games. ...

Vennegoor of Hesselink throws Hull boss Brown a lifeline - Update
London - Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink struck an injury-time winner as Hull City beat Stoke City 2-1 on Sunday and perhaps earned a reprieve for manager Phil Brown. Matthew Etherington had given Stoke the lead, before Seyi Olofinjana levelled. ...

Vennegoor of Hesselink throws Hull boss Brown a lifeline
London - Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink struck an injury-time winner as Hull City beat Stoke City 2-1 on Sunday and perhaps earned a reprieve for manager Phil Brown. Matthew Etherington had given Stoke the lead, before Seyi Olofinjana levelled. ...

Imperious Arsenal go second; Spurs into top four - Summary
London - Arsenal moved up to second in the English Premier League on Saturday after a thumping 4-1 win at lowly Wolverhampton Wanderers. Two own goals and good finishes from Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin gave Arsenal a convincing win and lifted t...

Tottenham Hotspur move into top four; Villa hit five
London - Tottenham Hotspur climbed to fourth place in the English Premier League on Saturday after a hard-fought 2-0 win over Sunderland at White Hart Lane. Robbie Keane and Tom Huddlestone scored the goals for Spurs as they moved alongside Arsenal o...

Have your Say
Name
Email
Subject
Your Comment

Enter Verification code
 
  

 

 

More UK (Sports) News click here
Follow The Earth Times
Subscribe to RSS Follow Earth Times on TwitterNews by email
Share/Save/Bookmark

 
 



 
Subscribe to free Earthtimes
News Alerts by Email Click here
For RSS Feeds Click here
or Create your own RSS

Add to Google Toolbar
Breaking News
Press Releases

 


The Earth Times
News Category

© 2009 www.earthtimes.org, The Earth Times, All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
Earth Times accept no responsibility or liability either directly or indirectly for views or opinions expressed in articles or comments.