The latest in the ATP’s “uncovered” series features a nice interview with ex/co/forever GOAT Pete Sampras. He talks about his drive to be No. 1, his feelings on Roger Federer breaking his record and his “unbiased” opinion that tennis players are the best athletes in the world. (I agree, Pete!) Look out for the Marat Safin cameo towards the end.
I can’t get over the melancholy in Pete’s voice when he talks about his retired life. “I don’t mind being put off to the side.” Geeze, someone’s channeling Kermit the Frog! (Just substitute the word “retired” for “green.”)
If you’re in the mood for more Pete, click here to check out my piece on him from this year’s Sampras vs. Safin exo: The Unbearable Lightness of Pete: Sampras on Federer, GOAThood and the Good Life.
Tags: ATP, Federer, Safin, Sampras, tennis



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FF – Tricky you. You don’t have to put in that note “Look out for the Marat Safin cameo towards the end.”
I’ll watch Pete’s video anyway!
He looks incredible (comparing to average guys at his age or even some tennis players)
I’d guess it’s probably more a matter of urgency: For example, in my case, I’d watch the video anyway, too, but with the extra keyword “Marat”, beside Pete and Roger, I had to see the video RIGHT NOW.
It’s like “eat your veggies and you can have some Marat ice cream at the end!”
When I saw Pete up close and personal at the LA event, I was surprised by how good looking he is. On TV he looks a little heavy and balding but in person he looks tan and handsome. Which is nice, considering I was in LOVE with him when I was a kid.
great vid on pete. he still rocks and is in great shape considering he’s retired. nice to know he’s still playing part of the champions tour and doing exos. i hope he’s happy and enjoying. i can’t imagine how roger will ever retire. he loves the game more than anyone i have seen! how the hell will he walk away, seriously?!
i consider myself lucky, having discovered tennis as a kid, since i had great champions like pete and andre to watch. and now that i’m an adult, it’s so much fun to watch the era of fed and nadal. it doesn’t get any better! tennis is awesome.
p.s. why am i purple blob?
Well, it’s a cute purple blob…
Anyone who is avatar-less gets a cute blob in a party hat as a default!
My avatar is saying: What? Roger just lost the 4th set to DelPotro…
I can see that he sorely misses playing tennis, you can see it in his face and hear it on the tone of voice he is using. He will always be considered one of the best champions in the history of the sport…
I am more round than square, Oh well…
You can see how competitive Pete is — he still aches to be out there, setting records. I guess that is the edge that separates the champion from the merely great player.
Marat has a very sexy voice — the minute he started talking, I got a little chill down my spine!
If they could bottle Marat’s sexy and sell it at the store, the world would be a much better place! And we women would all be walking around with big grins on our faces.
You have got to put together one of your special tennis hunk productions for Marat’s retirement!