Sampras hires Tom Gullikson as coach

Pete Sampras has hired the twin brother of Tim Gullikson, his former coach who died of cancer in 1996, as his new coach.

Sampras has joined forces with Tom Gullikson, a former U.S Davis Cup captain, after parting with his coach of seven years Paul Annacone, whom he dismissed last month.

"Tom is a really good man and I have confidence he'll do a good job," Sampras told tennisreporters.net.

Tim Gullikson died in May 1996 from cancer aged 44.

The 30-year-old former world number one has endured a miserable season. He is ranked 10th in the world after failing to win a Grand Slam title for the first time since 1992.

"It was my decision to go another direction away from Paul," said Sampras.

"I have a lot of respect for him, we have a great relationship and he is still my friend, but I needed a change, a breath of fresh air.

"I performed inconsistently this year and want to be at the top of my game mentally and physically next year. I think that Tom can help me do that."

Annacone has been appointed managing director of USA Tennis High Performance, in charge of developing American champions of the future.

Sampras wept on court during his quarter-final win over Jim Courier at the Australian Open in 1995 after being told of Tim Gullikson's illness.

Courier offered to continue the match the following day. The pair played on and Sampras won a thriller in five sets.

Aannacone said he believed the split with Sampras would help the career of the seven times Wimbledon champion.

"Where he is in his career, it's probably time he hears a new voice, even though there's not a greater voice in tennis than mine," joked Annacone in a conference call after the USTA announced his appointment.

"There is a time when you need a new tone, a new voice. Perhaps this will reinvigorate and motivate him.

"I'll be very surprised if he doesn't have a big year next year," said Annacone who added that Sampras had looked good in their recent workouts.

"Pete and I have talked about his career and where he was, and about me and where I was," said Annacone.

"We talked about it a lot last year. Pete and I have been friends for 13 years and we're going to be friends long after he's done playing tennis.