Creature of habit Sampras
tries new tricks
He has switched coach not once, but twice, and now Pete Sampras is tampering with the tools of his trade for the first time in a decade as he bids to rejoin the winners' circle.
Without a title since Wimbledon 2000 and still craving the elusive claycourt French Open crown -- the only smudge on his glowing list of achievements -- Sampras is showing he will try anything to get back to winning ways.
After his 7-6, 6-2 first round victory over Mardy Fish at the $2.95 million Indian Wells Masters, Sampras nipped back on to a practice court with new coach Jose Higueras to hit a few more balls before speaking with reporters.
Sampras teamed up with Spaniard Higueras in February after just weeks with Tom Gullikson, having split from long-time coach Paul Annacone in December.
When he did hold his news conference, the 30-year-old creature of habit told how he was even tinkering with his racket in a bid to get an edge.
"Well, I'm trying something a little different, you know, to kind of deaden my racket a little bit," Sampras said.
"I've been using the same racket, same (string) tension, everything, for 10 years. Trying something a little bit different is a big deal for me.
"Now I am using some gut still and a little nylon - just to give myself a little bit more control, a little bit deader.
"The gut is very lively. And also the tension is a little looser. Usually I go 33, 34 (pounds). I'm down to 31, which is quite a bit for me."
Sampras knows he has lost the invincibility which helped him to a record 13 Grand Slam titles, but he does not miss having the top ranking.
"I still feel like going out there I still have an aura about me. Maybe not quite as dominating, but still having won a few tournaments over the years, it helps at certain moments.
"You know, being ranked number one, there are no advantages.
"You're playing guys that have nothing to lose and swing away. I dealt with that for years. That will always be the case, whoever I play. I'm the guy -- I'm expected to win most my matches.
"It's just inevitable that players do get more confident and they get better and stronger and quicker. It happens. It happens to all athletes. Week in, week out, it is tougher for me to be consistent and win titles.
"But at this point I'm just trying to peak four times a year, see if I can win a major."
