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Heir to the throne
Updated: Monday July 02, 2001 6:30 PM
LONDON -- The King is dead. Long live the King. Seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras was dethroned at Wimbledon on Monday by a Swiss player who is often the mirror image of his American idol. Were we witnessing the start of a new regal reign? Roger Federer was the epitome of calm as he defeated the reigning title-holder in a five-set epic in his debut on Centre Court. He admitted to feeling nervous at the start, even to occasionally looking over at his opponent and thinking "that's Pete Sampras -- this is unbelievable." The surreal moments, though, were greatly outweighed by hours of magic which carried the 19-year-old Swiss to a Wimbledon upset for the ages. Sampras had won the last four titles here and hadn't failed to reach at least the quarterfinals since 1991. The Swiss prince had conquered the All England Club's American royalty. A new champion will be crowned.
Federer, who isn't short on confidence, knows he has as good a shot as any of the other quarterfinalists -- but knows toppling the champ earns him no trophies or titles. " Richard Krajicek beat Pete in the quarters then won the title," he said. "I hope the same can happen to me. But I've got a lot of work left to do. I know that." Federer fell to his knees in disbelief and delight at the end of the match, waved joyously to an ecstatic crowd, before bursting into tears. The magnitude of the occasion and the achievement exposed a certain frailty after all.
So much for Swiss title hopes going up in smoke when Martina Hingis lost in the first round a week ago. Last Monday, Switzerland's flag flew at half-staff. This Monday saw the banner proudly rise again. And if it helps all the Sampras fans out there to handle the loss a little better, Federer is a thoroughly nice and level-headed chap. If it helps you a little more, Sampras says he's far from done. He'll be back next year to try again for that all-time record eighth men's singles title. The King isn't dead, then. He's merely abdicated the throne for a year. But if he never wins another Wimbledon, another Grand Slam, another title of any description, Sampras will forever be a champion not only of the courts but of human kind. The grace with which he accepted his utterly demoralizing defeat spoke volumes for the quality of the man. Sampras' attitude, the way he took the Federer body blow in his magnanimous stride, should serve as an example for athletes everywhere. As suggested by the Rudyard Kipling quote which hangs on a plaque above the players as they walk towards Centre Court, Sampras truly knows how to take triumph and disaster and treat these two impostors the same. Phil Jones is co-host of World Sport, the international sports show that airs live on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN International.
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