Catching up with Pete Sampras as Roger Federer tries to break his Wimbledon record

WIMBLEDON, England – It was 15 years ago that American Pete Sampras won his last of seven Wimbledon titles, breaking Roy Emerson's Open Era Grand Slam record with his 13th overall, hoisting the trophy on Centre Court as the clock ticked past 9 o'clock in the evening.

Sampras would win one more major in his career, a fairytale finish at the U.S. Open in 2002 that gave him a 14th and final major crown. Sampras wouldn't play another match after that win over Andre Agassi, retiring from the game in 2003 and remaining a largely absent figure in the sport of tennis since.

But Sampras says he'll be watching this fortnight as Roger Federer, who beat Sampras in their lone encounter at Wimbledon in 2001, tries to break the record they share of seven Wimbledon Championships won.

USA TODAY Sports caught up with Sampras on the anniversary of that 2000 win, his only Slam victory in front of his parents, Sammy and Georgia.

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Q: Pete thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Tell people what you've been up to lately.

A: I'm playing occasionally. I'm going to go to Belgium in the middle of August for an event and then two more and that'll be it tennis-wise for the year. I try to keep myself in decent shape, but I'm enjoying my retirement, enjoying my life. I have two kids (boys age 12 and 9) and a lot of my time is spent chasing these two animals.

Q: How aware are they of your career and what you achieved? They were both born after you retired.

A: I actually brought them to a match I played with Andre Agassi last week and it was the first time Ryan (9 years old) really saw me play. He told me, 'Hey dad, you really can play.' He didn't realize that I could I could play decent tennis. (Laughs.) Obviously I'm not what I used to be, either.

Q: It's been 15 years since that last Wimbledon win for you, when you beat Pat Rafter in the final. What sticks out about that run to you?

A: It was a stressful Wimbledon because I injured my shin in the first week and I couldn't practice on my off days. I was in a dogfight with Pat, down a set and 2-4 in the second set tiebreaker. If I would have gotten down two sets to love, things could have gone completely differently.

Q: It was the first time your parents had watched you win a Wimbledon title live, wasn't it?

A: I wanted them there. (Then fiancée, now wife) Bridgette called my sisters and told them that I wanted them there. They asked not to sit in the players' box and not to see me before the match. We put them in the top of the stadium, but I just wanted them there because Wimbledon was such a big part of my career and I wanted to say thanks to them, and show them, 'This is what your son has been doing for many years and it's a special place to me.'

Q: What do you remember of those moments after the win? It was quite emotional for you.

A: Yeah, it was an emotional time and everything accumulated there. It pulls my heartstrings, Wimbledon. It all worked out in the end. I got my parents there, and I had been recently engaged. Life's never perfect, but at that moment it was pretty close for me. It was a great storybook ending. I remember thinking they were considering stopping us because of the fading light. Then all the cameras flashing with the trophy.

Q: Do you think Roger Federer can win here this year? He hasn't won a Grand Slam since 2012.

A: I do. I don't see why not. You look at Wimbledon and he's playing well and healthy and, yes, guys are better and it's tougher, but things can fall into place. There's no reason why Roger can't win Wimbledon. It's one of those places that once you get through your first couple of matches, anything can happen.

Q: Do you follow Roger and his career closely?

A: I've been watching Roger since he beat me at Wimbledon quite honestly. (Laughs.) I have been amazed with him and his career. He's done it the right way. We've become pretty friendly, actually. I like his game. I like his style. Being 33, it gets tougher. I think his body seems like he's in good shape. He has as good as chance as anyone. Yes, Novak (Djokovic) is the favorite, but I would be surprised if Roger wasn't into the finals weekend. I just think he's right there and ready to do it.

Q: We've seen Boris Becker working with Djokovic, Stefan Edberg with Federer. Do you consider a coaching role at all? You've been pretty low-key since retiring.

A: To be honest, I have no interest in coaching. Being on the road all the time isn't something that interests me… and that probably goes on for the rest of my life. I just don't think it's in me. I don't need it for me.

I think I'd like to be at Wimbledon more often as my kids get older, though. I want to show my kids where their dad did pretty well. I have kept a pretty low profile, yes. I'm not around at the majors and people ask me if I'm going to Wimbledon or going to the U.S. Open, but there's no reason to go. I'm not into commentating or going there just to be seen. I like watching it from my couch. I would rather stay home.

Q: Do you watch? I mean, are you constantly tuned into the tennis?

A: I watch what's on. I don't follow it too closely. I'll watch highlights during the majors at the start of the tournament. In the later rounds, I'll watch the whole semifinal or the final. I see what's going on with 15 ESPN channels (laughs), so I watch it from that standpoint, which makes everything so easy.

Q: Which Americans are you keeping an eye on? Any up-and-comers that have caught your attention?

A: You know, I really don't know a lot of the younger guys coming up. But I know Jack Sock's game and he's been making some noise. I like Jack; I like his attitude. He has some fight in him. Anytime you see a young kid you want to see a weapon and he has that serve and the forehand. He has to continue to work. He's onto some big things. We need more Americans to make some more noise at the majors. They need each other. When Andre, Jim (Courier) and Michael (Chang) were doing well, we were all pushing each other. Competition breeds success.

Q: A lot of the talk around Federer and Venus and Serena Williams is how they'll go out, how they'll end their careers. Were you happy with the way you retired? Is there a perfect way to say good-bye?

A: Whatever you do and how you do it, I think it's just great to go out on your own terms. You don't want to go out because you're injured. You want to go out because you're not emotionally into it anymore. Every athlete goes through it in their own way.

After the U.S. Open (in 2002), I went through eight months (without playing) and Wimbledon came and went and I didn't miss it and I didn't want to practice. Emotionally I was cooked. It was the right decision. I don't look back and think that I should have played another year or two. Once Wimbledon came and went, I knew I was going to retire.

Roger and Venus and Serena are going to figure it out for themselves. I think Roger generally likes traveling and the tour. He deserves the right to do whatever he wants. I've so enjoyed watching him. He's been a great role model for the sports world. I'm a huge fan.

Q: And your boys, are they tennis players?

A: The older one plays football, soccer and basketball. The younger one is going to those sports next year in school. They like their technology. They like their computers and their games. I try to get them outside and into the pool. It's a battle that my wife and I deal with. They're nice and respectful to adults. If they want to be in sports or computers, as long as they're into it or passionate, I'm not going to force them to play tennis. I want them to… I want them to know I worked for everything we have. We don't have a tree that grows money and I like to remind them of that. I just try to keep them grounded. They're good boys.

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