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For Pete's sake Sampras advances despite injury
Posted: Wednesday July 05, 2000 10:58 AM
It's a march toward history that's been impeded somewhat by tendinitis in his left shin. But Pete Sampras is still moving forward at Wimbledon. He advanced to the quarterfinals Monday with a straight-sets win over Jonas Bjorkman (6-3, 6-2, 7-5). If Sampras is able to defend his title, it'll be his 13th Grand Slam victory, an all-time record. CNNSI.com’s Phil Jones sat down with Sampras following his match with Bjorkman. Phil Jones: Pete, you just equalled your best record here, 25 wins. You've got to be proud of that record. Pete Sampras: Well, I am proud. I'm obviously very pleased with the way things went today. I got my game going. The 25 matches are really not a thought in my mind. I'm just trying to get through these matches. I'm playing well. I felt a lot better today than I did (Saturday) against Justin (Gimelstob 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2). I'm optimistic that I'll feel good as I go a little bit further. Jones: You said the other day you are probably playing around 80 per cent with your injury. Today you looked a lot more comfortable all around. Sampras: Well, mentally I felt a lot better. Against Justin, having the two days off and obviously worried about my injury. I came out and I was completely out of sorts with just everything. I didn't pick up a racket for a couple of days. Today I just felt a lot more positive. I felt like my energy was better. I knew what I have and I just need to make the best of it. And you just have little injuries here and there that you just have to play through and today I did that. Jones: Is there cynicism across the board do you think? Sampras: Well, I'm sure there are some people, players who question. But it is not really overwhelming me. I'm just trying to get ready to play and do whatever I can. If they are going to beat me, they are going to beat me. I'm not going to give it to them. Jones: You've had some good celeebrations here in the past on July the fourth. Do you celebrate here while you're in England? Because you are always here. Sampras: No. I don't really celebrate when I'm home either (smiles). Jones: If you like winning a title on July 4th, I guess you'd like to see that. Sampras: Sure, I'll take it. Jones: We wish you luck the next round and well done so far. Sampras: Thanks, Phil. Up next for Sampras is fellow-American Jan-Michael Gambill who will be playing in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
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