Sampras says he's not prepared to play in tourney

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Associated Press

Pete Sampras withdrew from the Siebel Open on Tuesday, further delaying his return to tennis after a long absence.

Sampras, who has not competed since winning the U.S. Open in September, said he is not prepared to play a tournament. He and his wife, actress Bridgette Wilson, became first-time parents in November.

The Siebel Open begins Feb. 10 in San Jose, Calif. Australian Open winner Andre Agassi is entered, along with Michael Chang, who will begin his farewell tour in this tournament, and James Blake.

"Unfortunately, I will be postponing my return to the competitive arena and am withdrawing," Sampras said in a statement released by his agent. "Although I have made significant progress in recent weeks, I am not fully prepared to compete at the highest level.

"It is disappointing to be unable to participate in San Jose, where I have enjoyed many successes in the past."

Siebel Open tournament chairman Barry MacKay expressed his displeasure that Sampras backed out of the event.

"Obviously, a late withdrawal such as this is extremely disappointing and will make our entire tournament staff work even harder for a successful event," MacKay said. "The 2003 Siebel Open already has an extremely strong international field of players."

Gus Sampras, the tournament director of the ATP's Scottsdale, Arizona event, where Sampras is next scheduled to play, said that while the former world number one had not pulled out of the event yet, he was not quite mentally ready to begin playing matches again .

"He's still searching for reasons to come back," Gus Sampras, Sampras' brother, said. "At the end of the day, playing well at the French Open or trying to win Wimbledon again might not be enough to get him back.

"But I haven't got the feeling that he is ready to retire tomorrow."

Gus Sampras, who spoke to his younger brother on Monday, said that he wouldn't be surprised if Pete retired, but felt that his brother would get the urge to play again once the season progresses.

"He told (me) he's just not ready now," Gus said. "He's been working out a lot off court and doing some hitting, but he hasn't been playing enough sets and doesn't feel match tough.

"It's hard to get going at the beginning of the year, especially when you haven't played in so long. But in a month or so, I'm sure hoping he'll be ready to play here."

The Scottsdale tournament begins on March 3.

Information from Reuters was used in this report