 Sampras has not played since his US Open victory |
Pete Sampras has pulled out of next month's Franklin Templeton Classic and is still considering whether he will return to the sport at all. "I talked to Pete this morning and he's still trying to figure out whether it makes sense to continue," his brother Gus, the tournament director of Scottsdale, said on Friday.
"He said he doesn't want to retire right now and maybe have to come out of retirement later. He's just not sure."
Sampras has been replaced in the draw by world number one Lleyton Hewitt, who has been given a wild card for the 3-9 March event.
The withdrawal marks the second time the fourteen-time grand slam champion has delayed his comeback.
Last week, he pulled out of a San Jose Open, saying he was insufficiently prepared to rejoin the tour.
Sampras is next scheduled to play in the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells starting from 10 March.
He has not played a tournament since winning the US Open in September and was contemplating retirement in the autumn.
His wife, actress Bridgette Wilson, gave birth to the couple's first son, Christian, in December.
Hewitt hasn't played a regular tournament since being upset in the fourth round of the Australian Open by Younes El Aynaoui.
World number two Andre Agassi is also scheduled to play Scottsdale.
MMIX
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