Sampras has set many records in tennis during his career, such as winning multiple titles at Wimbledon and the US Open.
However, when it comes to the most important team sport of tennis, Sampras admits that he is still quite lacking. "Growing up, the Davis Cup wasn't that important to me," Sampras wrote in his memoir, A Champion's Mind. "I don't remember watching it on TV... So I don't have any interest in this event. "Many players move into a tense fighting atmosphere relatively quickly after competing in the first few rounds of the game. But Sampras' Davis Cup debut took place at the most crucial moment — the 1991 final, on a fast indoor hard floor in Lyon, France.
"When I arrived in Lyon," Sampras wrote, "I found myself very anxious and stressed. "Maybe Sampras is used to American tennis courts. During the busy football, basketball and hockey seasons, november's tennis tournaments rarely attract much attention. In France, however, the Davis Cup is a significant event. Led by the enthusiastic Yannick Noah, the Frenchman is eager to win the trophy, a victory so close to the race since the legendary Four Musketeers lifted the championship trophy in 1932.
Sampras later admitted that although he was the best indoor tennis player in the United States at the time, it was undoubtedly a huge gamble in front of a crowd of fanatical fans, plus it was the final.
As the U.S. prepares for Friday's first singles game, Sampras began to be more nervous than usual. He also realized that France's Henri LeConte and Guy Fowler were capable of playing great tennis. Fowler beat Sampras twice in 1991, including in the Paris final in early November.
Andre Agassi defeated Fowler in four sets. Sampras will play against Le Conte. Although back surgery four months ago dropped LeConte's world rankings to 161, he is still an extremely dangerous player. Sampras wrote: "What happened was that I was paralyzed. It's that bad. It was a deer under a lamp, shaken motionless. "He started the game with a double error and never found his best form in the whole game.
Leconte was focused from the start and eventually won 6-4, 7-5, 6-4. In an article in The New York Times, he said: "I don't remember playing such a complete game, perfect from start to finish. Sampras said: "He's a player whose form has its ups and downs, but unfortunately he's been in hot form that day. ”
While Sampras wanted to play better in his next singles match, that one was also frustrating. Two days later, France took a 2-1 lead, with Fowler beating Sampras in four sets to seal the win. Sampras wrote: "Pete Sampras was a fledgling young man who was unprepared for the Davis Cup. He was not fit for the job. ”
Three years later, however, Sampras became a Davis Cup winner. While in the final in Moscow, he won two singles matches and a doubles match against Todd Martin. (Source: House of Tennis Compiler: Ai feng)
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