Bjorn Borg will sell, among other tennis memorablia, his 5 Wimbledon Trophies for financial security. Pains me immensely that his financial ventures didn’t succeed.

Meanwhile Federer and Nadal are to face each other for the first time since French Open 2005. Federer is unbeaten this year. Nadal is on a come back trial ahead of the French Open. A superb build up to a match.

Martina Hingis crashed to a 2-6, 2-6 loss against Amelie Mauresmo. Hingis’ tryst with destiny part 2 isn’t looking great. She is still new in her come back but she better start winning a few titles sooner rather than later. At least she is enjoying her self on court which is good to see. A sharp contrast to the too serious Hingis. I will write in detail on Hingis some time next week hopefully.

Meanwhile Mauresmo is one match away from reclaiming the number 1 spot. She certainly is proving the most dominant women’s player this year, already having won her first grand slam in the Australian Open in January, and not many reckon Nadia Petrova has a chance in the Doha Open final.

Pete Sampras was called the tennis kid when he went to college. All he used to do was play tennis. His focus, dedication is unmatched. He would even hide pains/minor cramps he used to suffer during a match because according to him it showed weakness to his opponent. He used to hide emotion so well that John McEnroe even complained about it.

How much time does it take Pete Sampras to get bored of life without tennis? A little more than three years. He downplays his contract to play World Team Tennis, requests not to call it a come back and says:

This is more about just getting myself a little busier and focused on something I used to be good at.

Sampras is also scheduled to play an exhibition match in Houston apart from the WTT matches. He is undecided regarding the future but we may well see him in a commentary role. Sampras says that this is completely different from playing professionally:

But to play at the level I used to play is a whole other animal. I’ve done that, and I know what it takes. Me playing a little tennis this year is something I can control; there isn’t any pressure. I can relax and have a little fun. Coming back is not something that crossed my mind.

It is unlikely that Sampras will make an ATP Tour comeback. A come back would mean a dedication, committment and high level of sacrifice. Add to that getting into top physical and game condition. Add to that putting more effort than ever before because at 34 his body isn’t getting younger.

Also, why would Sampras, who has achieved almost every thing the game has to offer (barring the French Open and I don’t think he would target that if he came back) want to return? If Sampras does make an unlikely return because of his unquenchable desire for the game, I am sure he would do it only if he thinks he can match the best. That would mean another competitive match between Sampras and Federer. A mouth watering prospect but unlikely.

I would be happy to listen to him commentate on the game. He has given so many moments of pleasure to his fans. It would be selfish to ask for more. Any match Sampras plays now (like he will at WTT) is an unexpected bonus treat.

That is what John McEnroe said after he showed an extreme level of fitness to reach the semis of the ATP doubles tournament at San Jose with Jonas Bjorkman.

I first watched McEnroe live on TV at Wimbledon last year when he partnered Fleming (once again!) and featured in Nadal pants (or whatever they are called). I was amazed at the agility, placement and most importantly fitness McEnroe displayed.

Vijay Amritraj said then on TV that McEnroe took his fitness extremely seriously. He played regularly in the US and near his house. Watching McEnroe play is a privelege in itself and I understand, if only slightly, why sports from the past era have such reverence for the man because I have seen him play live.

And if you are wondering, McEnroe did scream at the umpire in his most recent match.

Update - McEnroe has won the doubles title as CNN reports.

The Williams-Sharapova Wimbledon match last year had a large section of the tennis fans and media fuming over the growing importance of power in tennis. The drubbing Martina Hingis gave Sharapova in her best come back result yet must have made quite a few people quite happy then.

I remember the emotional Federer after winning Wimbledon last year. He did it again as he embraced Laver after winning the third consecutive grandslam. As BBC reports, he has become the first man since Sampras in 1993 to win three consecutive grand slam titles.

The clay season should be classic this year with Federer, Nadal, Coria among others battling it out. As a Federer fan, I hope this is the year in which he wins his first title at Roland Garros.

Amelie Mauresmo has had to wait for her first grand slam title as CNN reports:

Mauresmo had the second-longest wait for her first major title in the Open era, taking 32 Grand Slam tournaments to win a final — Jana Novotna won Wimbledon in 1998, in her 45th major.

What has to be seen for the future is whether she can reach the No. 1 spot again in her career. That all can wait and the sweetness of success can be enoyed for the moment though.

Marcos Baghdatis had a memorable interview after knocking out Roddick described by my friend Jono here.

Baghdatis’ interview with Courier after the match was hilarious. Courier brought up Baghdatis’ girlfriend Cammy (who is stunning), and Baghdatis refused to answer how long they had been together for. Then Courier asks if Baghdatis will watch Johannson vs. Ljubicic, and he replies saying no he’ll be sleeping. His coach will watch while he sleeps with his girlfriend. Courier’s reaction was gold!

Baghdatis had already conquered Roddick and Ivan Ljubicic. He has now conquered the master of five sets, David Nalbandian, with a 6-4 in the 5th. The Cypriot (yes that is we call people from Cyprus) has been the flavour of the tournament. Not many apart from tennis fans can lay claim to know the name Baghadatis two weeks ago.

In another match which has been reported as top notch, Henin-Hardenne defeated Sharapova to reach the women’s final. She faces Mauresmo who went through after Clijsters had to retire due to injury in the third set.

The Aussie Open has been superb with some brilliant matches despite many top stars withdrawing before the tournament.

When Federer defeated Nikolay Davyadenko in a close match, he ensured a seventh consecutived grandslam semi final. Only Ivan Lendl with 10 has managed more. Nicolas Kiefer won his marathon encounter versus Sebastian Grosjean.

Martina Hingis bowed out to Kim Clijsters Clijsters faces Mauresmo next. The Aussie Open has seen some good matches so far. Hopefully the final stages sees some more exciting stuff.

Any of Kim Clijsters and Amelie Mauresmo can take the top spot from Davenport.

To quote from tennisfans:

Here’s how it goes: Clijsters can take the top spot if she reaches the final or if Lindsay loses before then (all those ranking points to defend, I guess). If Davenport makes the title match, Kim must at least make the quarters. Davenport, can retain the top ranking by reaching the final and having Clijsters lose in the fourth round or earlier. She will also stay No. 1 if she wins the title and Clijsters doesn’t make the final. However, Mauresmo has the most difficult scenario. She must win the title and Clijsters must not advance to the semifinals, regardless of what Davenport does.

Its Pironkova this time. The Williams just can’t handle the ovas. Only difference this time is that Tszvetana Pironkova is from Bulgaria.

And she epitomises the young daring sportsperson:

I have known about Venus for a long time but when I go on court I am a professional so I should not think she was kind of my idol before. After one day I have another match so I don’t think I should celebrate.