Tennis News Blog

Sampras predicts Federer will break record
Take it from no less an authority than Pete Sampras: Roger Federer is more dominant than he was and will break his record of 14 Grand Slam titles. Still, Sampras isn’t prepared to cede his place in history just yet. Asked how Sampras in his prime would fare against Federer, the 36-year-old American said it wasn’t a fair comparison. “For me, in my prime, I felt unbeatable,” Sampras said Friday. “In Roger’s days, he’s unbeatable. It’s really hard to put one guy over the other.

New ATP rule seeks to combat gambling (AP)
Tennis players must notify officials within 48 hours if they hear any information about gambling or match-fixing under a new ATP rule. The measure was approved during a three-day ATP board meeting during this week’s season-ending Masters Cup. “To us, nothing is more important than the integrity and honesty of the sport,” ATP president Etienne de Villiers told The Associated Press on Friday.

Federer beats Ferrer to win Masters Cup (AP)

Roger Federer was asked what advice he would offer a player getting ready to face him. “Don’t even try, pal,” the top-ranked Swiss star said. “You’re probably not going to win.” While Federer was quick to say he was joking, it is pretty accurate right now. Federer won his fourth Masters Cup title in five years Sunday, overwhelming No.

ATP seeks to combat gambling with new rule
Tennis players must notify officials within 48 hours if they hear any information about gambling or match-fixing under a new ATP rule. The measure was approved during a three-day ATP board meeting during this week’s season-ending Masters Cup. “To us, nothing is more important than the integrity and honesty of the sport,” ATP president Etienne de Villiers told The Associated Press on Friday.

Russia’s Safin out of Davis Cup final? (AP)
Russian Davis Cup team captain Shamil Tarpischev was emphatic. Marat Safin wasn’t going to suddenly appear for the Davis Cup final. There were questions whether Tarpischev, known for his craftiness, might bring in Safin at the last minute. Safin is 29-18 in the Davis Cup, and he won the decisive point in Russia’s 3-2 win over Argentina in the final in Moscow last year.

ITF finds no evidence Haas was poisoned (AP)
There is no evidence to substantiate allegations that German player Tommy Haas was poisoned before a Davis Cup match against Russia, the International Tennis Federation said Monday. Haas pulled out before his match against Mikhail Youzhny with a suspected stomach virus, and Russia won both reverse singles matches in Moscow on Sept.