Former world number one Pete Sampras said he had no plans to return to professional tennis after being defeated by top-ranked Roger Federer.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former world number one Pete Sampras on Wednesday said he had no plans to return to professional tennis after being defeated by top-ranked Roger Federer in an exhibition match.
"No. That is an easy answer," the 36-year-old American said ahead of Thursday's showpiece match at the Malawati Stadium, just west of the capital Kuala Lumpur as part of a three-match exhibition tour across Asia.
They will play a one-off match here as part of Malaysia's 50th anniversary celebrations of independence from Britain.
Sampras, who fired two aces in his first service game against Federer, said he could still serve well but admitted the new generation of players play a power-packed game.
"I still feel I can serve well and impose a bit of my will. But we are seeing fewer players really serve -- most hit the ball hard and heavy -- few are really serving."
"You see more contrast in the 1990s. Now guys are just hitting the ball really hard," he said.
Federer and Sampras met just once on the ATP Tour and the Swiss showed Sampras the exit with a five-set victory in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2001.
The defeat ended Sampras' remarkable reign at the All England Club. Sampras retired from professional tennis in 2002.
In their showdown Tuesday in Seoul, the Swiss triumphed over the balding Sampras in two straight sets in just 61 minutes.
The 26-year-old Federer is expected to beat Sampras easily again, but he admitted that Sampras still has the sting.
"I know how good Pete was and people tend to forget the greats. If you look at my record and his record, he is still way ahead of me," Federer said.
"After playing Sampras yesterday, this is the Pete I remember, coming at you, attacking you."
Organisers tickets have sold out with some 12,000 fans expected to watch the game. The three-match series ends in Macau on Saturday.
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