by Brian, Gillespie, Daily Beacon Staff Writer
September 9 issue, 1996
Are you looking for a role model in the sports arena, since Charles Barkley took himself out of the running with his commercials for Nike which he claimed, "I am not a role model!" How about making it professional tennis player Pete Sampras.
Sampras, a star since the early 90s, has personified the outlook of a role model. He has been in the public eye for many years and has yet to have any negative press.
In a sports world with many stars who constantly make a scene of themselves and think they don't make enough money, Sampras is a rarity. He doesn't wear flashy clothes, never makes a show of himself and quietly goes about his business.
Although his temperament frustrates some tennis fans, Sampras continually stays the same. He never gives into the spotlight and becomes a different person.
His courage throughout his career has captured many fans' imaginations. A good example of this occurred in early 1996 at the Australian Open when he fought off tears caused by the death of his coach, Tim Gullickson, and continued the match until the end.
Another example of his true grit and determination which we all would like to emulate came last week at the U.S. Open. Sampras went down two sets to one and already drained, he won the fourth set. In the fifth set, opponent Alex Corretja, a 23-year-old Spaniard, forced him to the limit.
Playing the best tennis of his life, Corretja hit every line and rarely made a mistake. Sampras refused to let down and have his serve broken, and forced a tiebreaker.
In the tiebreaker, Sampras, stripped of all his fluids and energy, became sick and vomited. Leaning on his racket, nearly the whole tiebreaker, Sampras continued to fight. On a very important point when the fans thought he was spent, he aced Corretja on a second serve.
Barely on his feet, Sampras went on to win the tiebreaker, 9-7, and prove his critics wrong. In this incredible show of courage, Pete Sampras solidified his right to be a true role model.
Rarely will people admit sports stars are role models, but the fact is, there are people who many children and even many adults look up to. And in my opinion, since this is true, Sampras would be a ideal choice for a role model.