Pete Sampras dominated men’s tennis for several years, breaking the Grand Slam record.
The American ATP star enjoyed a legendary career in the sport, picking up more Major titles than any other male player in Open Era history.
Sampras won his first Slam in 1990, and his last 12 years later, competing at the highest level for over a decade.
He won the majority of his Major titles at Wimbledon (7) and the US Open (5), picking up two more at the Australian Open.
The 53-year-old was, however, unable to win the French Open, preventing him from completing the Career Grand Slam.
When he retired from tennis after winning his 14th Slam at the US Open in 2002, many predicted Sampras would transition into coaching.
23 years on, Sampras is yet to do so and explained the reasoning behind his decision in a 2016 interview.
Pete Sampras said ‘traveling for 20 weeks of the year’ put him off the idea of coaching on the ATP Tour
Speaking to CNN nine years ago, Sampras shared his thoughts on coaching full-time on the ATP Tour.
“I don’t want to travel and be at these events for more than a couple of days,” he said.
“I really don’t want to travel overseas and be there for a couple of weeks.
“I just don’t have it in me to put in the work.”
Sampras did, however, suggest he would be ‘open’ to coaching in a less official capacity.
“If there are some young kids who want a hit in LA, I am more open to do that,” he said.
“But as far as traveling for 20 weeks of the year, it’s just not something I want to do.
“You never know, it could change but for the time being I am happy just playing a little bit here and there.”
23 years after his retirement, Sampras has yet to venture into coaching, instead opting for a quieter life away from the ATP Tour.
Pete Sampras was told he wouldn’t be a good fit as Novak Djokovic’s coach recently
In a recent podcast, former world number eight Janko Tipsarevic shared his thoughts on Andy Murray joining Novak Djokovic’s coaching team and revealed whether Sampras would’ve been a better fit.
“I feel from every possible person on tour, this was and I’m not saying this because we were friends, this was the best possible hire Novak [Djokovic] could take,” said Tipsarevic.
“I am 100% certain of that, he is a way better hire than [Pete] Sampras or some legend like that or a top player or a Grand Slam winner.
“In Andy [Murray] you have everything in one in terms of somebody who knows the feeling of the pressure that Novak needs his coach to know, and he has been playing with the guys that Novak has still been competing against.”
Murray and Djokovic have now worked together at two ATP tournaments, the Australian Open, and the Indian Wells Masters 1000 event.
The pair are yet to pick up a title together, as the Serb most recently fell to defeat in his opening match in the Californian desert.
- Indian Wells (2R) – Novak Djokovic lost to Botic van de Zandschulp, 2-6, 6-3, 1-6
- Australian Open (SF) – Novak Djokovic lost to Alexander Zverev, 6-7 (RET)
- Australian Open (QF) – Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4
- Australian Open (4R) – Novak Djokovic beat Jiri Lehecka, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6
- Australian Open (3R) – Novak Djokovic beat Tomas Machac, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4
- Australian Open (2R) – Novak Djokovic beat Jaime Faria, 6-1, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2
- Australian Open (1R) – Novak Djokovic beat Nishesh Basavareddy, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
Djokovic’s defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp was arguably his worst of the season, as he was stunned by the Dutch Lucky Loser in three sets at Indian Wells.
Murray and Djokovic will hope to return to winning ways when the pair head to Florida for the Miami Open, which begins on March 17.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
