A rejuvenated Sampras won the 2002 US Open

Pete Sampras is stepping up his preparation for the 2003 tennis season.

The 31-year-old American is not competing at the Australian Open but has decided to target victory in the one Grand Slam event to have eluded him, the French Open.

"Yes I believe I can win. I will have no added pressure. This may very well be my final shot at it," the 14-time Grand Slam winner said on Tuesday.

"I really enjoy playing and competing," he said, while admitting that "staying motivated" will be his biggest challenge this year.

Sampras said he will "not play a lot on clay" heading into Roland Garros, which starts on 26 May, and has not yet decided which tune-up events he will compete in.

Davis Cup chance

Meanwhile, Goran Ivanisevic, another former Wimbledon champion, is plotting his comeback after a lengthy spell out.

The Croatian star, who had a shoulder operation eight months ago, will first play in the Heilbronn Open, the same German tournament which propelled him towards his only Grand Slam title in 2001.

"I am now in an almost identical situation, except that I am coming back from an injury," Ivanisevic said on Tuesday.

"I am a bit superstitious after all."

Ivanisevic has not ruled out the possibility of playing Davis Cup doubles for Croatia this season.