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Pete Sampras VS MarceloRios
Mar 31, 2008 23:13
  • KEVIN0518
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It seems that Sampras hasn't decided to retire from tennis thoroughly. After competing Federer in four exhibition matches, Pete will have exhibition match with Marcelo Rios in Santiago in Chile on May 18th.

To be honest, I am not familiar with Marcelo Rios. After searching in google, I got to know that he was also a great player. It is said that he has won more ATP champions than Sampras. However, Sampras has won more Grand Slams than Rios.

What do you think of the match between Pete adn Marcelo? Who will be the winner?

Note: After coming back to tennis court, both Pete and Marcelo haven't lost in veterans' matches.

Profile of Marcelo Rios:

Marcelo Rios was born in Santiago December 26th, 1975. He was the fourth member of the family already formed by Jorge Rios, Alicia Mayorga and their first daughter, Paula.

At age nine, his mother Alicia decided to register Marcelo for tennis lessons at the Sport Frances.

He had talent, nobody argued it. The doubts were regarding his physical built, not the best to develop a succesful career. However, he was ambitious. Marcelo showed a perfect mix of creativity and rebelliousness, which allowed him to try different plays, shots worthy of a experimented player.

Rios became a tennis obsesive. He lived with a racquet in his hand and played anybody who wanted to challenge him. That's how the best Chilean tennis player of all-time grew up.

In the first months of 1988, he started training at the Club Deportivo Universidad Catolica. Two years later, he left and went on to train at the Academy of Hans Gildemesiter, a former ATP player. It was there where Marcelo met one of the men who would be responsible for his success, physical trainer Manuel Astorga.

Rios left school and registered in the Athletic Study Center, a school designed for future athletes and artists. His father, Jorge Rios, agreed but demanded results. Marcelo took the challenge. He was sure he was going to deliver.

In 1990, the Rios family travells to Florida, USA. Young Marcelo went to see Nick Bolletieri, the man who helped Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Jim Courier give their first steps in professional tennis. Bolletieri said he wouldn't bet on Marcelo. He saw the talent, but said he was too small. Years later, Bolletieri himself would become Rios' coach.

Towards 1992, Marcelo reached all the goals he had set for himself. Runner up in the Copa Milo Internacional, National Champion and Champion of a Chilean Satellite tournament. Along with countryman Gabriel Silberstein, they got to the final of the US Open doubles competition.

1993 was they year Marcelo exploded. All doubts ended then. That year, he won the Milo Cup, the US Open, the Japan Open and the Eddie Herr tournament. He was also a runner-up in the Sunshine Cup and reached the quarterfinals of the Orange Bowl. The result by the end of the year: Number one in the world in Juniors.

Mar 31, 2008 23:14
#1  
  • KEVIN0518
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  • Join Date: Mar 13, 2007
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Pete Sampras.

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