More to come for Sampras?

Pete Sampras: More to come?

The BBC's tennis correspondent Iain Carter lauds the record-breaking achievements of Pete Sampras and looks forward to Britain's next Davis Cup task.

So more room is being made in the Pete Sampras trophy cabinet at his Los Angeles home. A replica of the famous old cup that goes to the Wimbledon's men's champion is being put on display to go with the six others he has won over the last eight years.

This one means more than most to a player with an acute interest in the history of tennis. No-one knows better his place in the folklore of the sport than Sampras.

His victory over Pat Rafter in the gathering gloom on Wimbledon's centre court last Sunday made him the most prolific winner of the greatest prizes tennis can offer.

It was his thirteenth Grand Slam crown. He has won seven Wimbledons, four US and two Australian Opens, and most ominously for the rest his appetite for glory appears as strong as ever.

He is already talking about mounting serious challenges at the next two Slams at Flushing Meadows and Melbourne Park and has vowed to return to SW19 to defend his crown and win it for a record eighth time.

And this from a man who already owns more records than any self respecting DJ!

Contrasting emotions

One of his best friends on the tour is Britain's Tim Henman, who certainly has contrasting Wimbledon emotions having fallen in the fourth round.

Henman is now busily preparing for his country's vital Davis Cup tie with Ecuador which will be held on Wimbledon's Number One Court from July 14-16.

The British number one teams up with Greg Rusedski for a match Britain must win to retain their World Group status.

Doubling up: Rusedski and Henman

Rusedski needs to put behind him the disappointment of a first round exit at Wimbledon and it will be a stern test of his character to return to the very court where he lost to Vince Spadea on the opening day of the Championships.

It is a match Britain should win, but the Ecuadorian challenge is spearheaded by Nicholas Lapentti, who lost early in the singles but reached the semi finals of the mixed doubles at Wimbledon.

It will not be easy for the home team, but with the crowd behind them they should be strong enough to secure the victory British tennis so desperately needs.