‘Pistol Pete’ set to make debut on senior tennis circuit

NEW YORK – Pete Sampras, who won a record 14 Grand Slam singles titles, will play his first senior tennis event in Boston next May and might compete in other Champions Series events, the tour announced Tuesday.

The 35-year-old legend will play in the Champions Cup on May 2-6, joins a one-year-old circuit for top names 30-and-over that includes John McEnroe, Michael Chang, Mats Wilander, Jim Courier and Todd Martin. “The only tournament I’m committed to is Boston,” said the seven-time Wimbledon champion.”I’m going to see how that goes.”Haven’t made any plans for anything after that.”I would like to play more.We’ll just play it by ear on that one.”Possible later venues for Sampras include Newport, Rhode Island, in August; Charlotte, North Carolina, in September; Dallas in October and Houston in November.Sampras also captured two Australian Open crowns and five US Open titles, including the 2002 championship in the final match of his career.He won 64 career ATP singles titles and was top ranked for a record 286 weeks.”I felt this year was an opportunity for me to play at a higher level, play against former greats,” Sampras said.”There’s a time and place for exhibitions but a tournament where you have real prize money, we all go out with a little more sense of urgency.”I’m looking forward to it.It’s not anything like it used to be but it’s still a little bit of what it used to be.”Nampa-AFP”The only tournament I’m committed to is Boston,” said the seven-time Wimbledon champion.”I’m going to see how that goes.”Haven’t made any plans for anything after that.”I would like to play more.We’ll just play it by ear on that one.”Possible later venues for Sampras include Newport, Rhode Island, in August; Charlotte, North Carolina, in September; Dallas in October and Houston in November.Sampras also captured two Australian Open crowns and five US Open titles, including the 2002 championship in the final match of his career.He won 64 career ATP singles titles and was top ranked for a record 286 weeks.”I felt this year was an opportunity for me to play at a higher level, play against former greats,” Sampras said.”There’s a time and place for exhibitions but a tournament where you have real prize money, we all go out with a little more sense of urgency.”I’m looking forward to it.It’s not anything like it used to be but it’s still a little bit of what it used to be.”Nampa-AFP