Sampras era comes to an end

Ossian Shine

Wimbledon's Centre Court has been a home from home for Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Rod Laver and Boris Becker.

Fred Perry, Bill Tilden and John Newcombe have also taken out long leases on the patch of grass in south west London.

But for eight long years Pete Sampras 'owned' the world's most famous tennis court - and that is why Monday's forcible eviction will hit the American so hard.

Sampras was beaten not by his old rival Andre Agassi or by Goran Ivanisevic, both giants of the game. He was beaten by a Swiss teenager who still lives with his mum and dad.

When 19-year-old Roger Federer prevailed 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 it was only the third time in 10 years that Sampras had been brought to his knees at the All England Club.

In 1992 Sampras, a gangly 20-year-old, was beaten in the semifinals by Ivanisevic. The American was out-served and outhit but returned to take a trio of men's singles crowns.

In 1996 he fell to Dutch serving machine Richard Krajicek. It was a painful quarter-final defeat, but one the 24-year-old knew he could bounce back from.

SAMPRAS AURA

He proved it by winning another four straight titles - a record-equalling seven in total.

But on Monday Sampras was outplayed by Federer in the fourth round, his earliest Wimbledon exit since 1991 when he lost to fellow American Derrick Rostagno in the second round.

Without question, the aura that Sampras had at the All England Club is now gone. He is now vulnerable.

Sampras, 30 next month, still believes he can return and claim an eighth Wimbledon. "People will say I'm washed up, that I'm married and hitting 30," he said.

"But in my heart and soul I know I can come back," he said. "I've still got the tools to win Wimbledon.

"I feel like I can, without question, come back and win here. You know, if not next year, then maybe the year after it.

"I've got the game. There's no reason to feel like I can't do it anymore. I feel like I've got the goods out there."

MONUMENTAL RECORD

It may not be that simple. As Federer showed on Monday, there are a string of players who have "the goods" at Wimbledon.

Certainly McEnroe, Wimbledon champion in 1981, 1983 and 1984, believes the Sampras era is over.

"I think it is," he said when asked if Sampras's reign of dominance was finished. "His monumental record has come to an end.

"He managed to win a record 13 Grand Slams when he won at Wimbledon last year.

"So now I think it's tough for him to motivate himself for the little tournaments and do what it takes for the big ones.

"But maybe he'll say 'I'll show that McEnroe I can do it'."

The rot probably set in at the U.S. Open last year where he was given a whipping in the final by another youngster, Marat Safin of Russia.

This year Sampras enters the hardcourt season with a tattered record, no titles in the last 12 months, a second serve that is losing its effectiveness, a patchy return of serve and - as always - a shaky backhand from the baseline.

Despite his protests, the prospect of losing his status as one of the game's elite is staring Sampras straight in the face.