Is this the end of the road for two American greats?

America's Sampras looked a shadow of his former self in losing in five sets to Switzerland's George Bastl, ranked 145th in the world.

But Sampras, who has not won a tour title since 2000 and made early exits in the Australian and French Open in 2002, still believes he has a Major in him.

The 32-year-old Agassi was beaten in straight sets by unseeded Thai Paradorn Srichaphan, and with all four Grand Slam titles already under his belt, some predict he may choose to call it a day.

Should America's old guard bow out?

It isn't for anyone to decide that these great players should retire! Certainly not Andre who has won 3 tournaments this year including a record breaking Masters in Rome .
Jill Billingham, England

Andre and pete in my book are the two greatest players ever to pick up a racket. At there peaks they can easily beat anyone else in the world...period. Agassi was pretty much the first person to play very aggressively from the back of the court and sampras was one of the first players who has a "big" all round game.

I really believe that they both have a lot of tennis left in them.I think Agassi will come out firing for the US hardcourt season and Sampras will have a golden final year next year. He will win wimbledon next year for the last time and will retire I feel. Anyone who believes that these two geniuses are gone is wrong. They had a bad fortnight but will be back to win more majors.
Grant Delmege, UK

We bash these two players for a poor patch of form in the twilight of their careers but others like Tim "Never won a major" Henman can do no wrong. Give them a break!
Tomas, Namibian

We will see andre for many years to come, like he said at the French Open, 'hes not stopping his career untill his son can see him perform on centre court at Wimbeldon!' fair play to Andre Agassi!
Joanne Holder, England

With both it is the mind that is in play. Pete has the best serve ever, while Andre had perhaps the best return game ever. Somehow it seems people have caught on to Pete's serve. If that is the case, it is going to be tough for him to win Grand Slams, because his reliance on his serve to win is total - there is no backup game.

That explains why he hasn't made any dents at French open, leave alone coming close to winning. Whereas with Andre, if he is thinking straight he can beat any one as he has a complete game. Pete should focus on winning (or atleast try to) the French open without which he will remain one of the great players of all time, not one of the greatest.
Gopi B, USA

Let's not forget Sampras has reached the last TWO US Open Finals and Agassi has been a consistent Slam Quarter/Semi-finalist over that period. They both have at least one more Slam in them. Come on guys!
Mike, Liverpool, UK

Sampras won his last title in 2000. Are all those failures to score a title due to injuries? I don't think so - I don't believe Sampras is capable of winning another major. For me, his is the familiar story of a former great champion not knowing when it's time to quit. Andre, on the other hand, _is_ still playing championship-level tennis. He's historically been uneven, but always capable of a big win. Andre will win more majors before he retires.
Steve Clark, USA

They'll both be back if they have the desire to keep playing. Of the two, Aggasi is the one I would think may decide to call it a day, he, like Sampras has nothing to prove, but he seems happy with his life outside of tennis, whereas Pete dosen't want to have his last memories of Wimbledon loosing so early. After all, he almost owned Centre Court for a decade.
Ian, England

I feel sorry for those who think Sampras is to old! He has the best serve and the best volley in the game ever. Don't forget he was in the final of last year's US Open. Look at Ivanesevic, he was written off too last year. He lost in the first round at Queens and gor a wildcard for Wimbledon, AND HE WON IT!So I hope Pistol Pete returns and wins the US Open.
Andy Vercammen, Belgium

Sampras and Agassi are two of the game's greatest champions. They have certainly earned to right to decide when to hang up their rackets. But, let's face facts. They aren't getting any younger; and, as Agassi himself said after his shocking defeat, each year it becomes tougher and tougher to compete and prevail against younger players. They have given so much to the sport, it's disappointing to see them in the waning days of their careers. But we all know time stops for no one. These great tennis champions are no different.
Gillian, USA

I still believe that Pete Sampras is the best tennis player around and I don't think that people should be losing confidence in him so soon. I still think he has it in him to beat the younger players around now and can definitely win Wimbledon one more time at least!
Amy, England

I find it amazing that people will write of Agassi, the man has a better winning percentage than anyone on tour THIS season alone. With Sampras, he doesn't have the motivation anymore, but that can come back and I think Sampras will still surprise people at Wimbledon in the next two or three years.
Mike, Scotland

What does a man have to do to win the right to play all his matches on the show courts at Wimbledon? What an injustice to put the greatest Wimbledon Champion on Court Two whether it be the second round or not! As he said in his most gracious interview it seemed almost disrespectful and I agree. It was the saddest sight I have ever seen in sport to see him sat at the umpires chair after his match and I truly hope he will find it in his heart to come back next year, he still has so much to give.
Sue Warrington, England

Sampras and Agassi should not bow out, not yet. The game has not got enchanting replacement. The end is close but I hope Sampras will win one more Wimbledon title to raise the record bar a bit higher still. He is not finished.
Jide Yusuf, Nigeria

Sampras and Agassi still have one major left in them. Losing in the second round only shows how much their confidence level has fallen down especially for Sampras. These are the last superstars in the game who have been consistent down the years. No doubt, they are at crossroads but considering their amazing talent and determination, they can try for one more year before calling it a day. Tennis still needs them. It will be a shame if Sampras and Agassi consider retirement after their performances in both the French Open and Wimbledon.
Joel Bakki, USA

They have both been a credit to the sport and go down as two of the greats of tennis, which is more than can be said for the likes of Kournikova.
A. Ragsdale, UK

Pete Sampras must have been affected by his rib injury. His serve has been noticeably slower than recent years and his ace count in his defeat is lower than any match he has played at Wimbledon for over ten years. I still think he could win Wimbledon again. There are very few good grass court players. However, he would probably benefit from missing the French Open. He has no chance of winning it now and missing it would help him prepare for Wimbledon.
Simon, England

How can you say Agassi is finished? Only last month he won in Rome, winning six rounds against the top 64 players in the world. He also won in Miami against an even bigger field. He therefore still has the focus and ability to win big time.

Men's tennis is in transition with no dominant force. Do not bet against Andre winning three more slams in his career.
David, Australia

I'm surprised that Agassi was beaten. But what is shocking is the way Sampras carries himself these days. Gone is the assurance and the poise! Sampras played very tentatively, and I felt only pity for this man who is now a pale, weak shadow of his former self.
Siddhartha Shivshankar, India (USA)

It's time some younger guns came on the scene; we've been watching the same old men play for too many years - I'm glad to see some fresh faces coming up to take over!
Diana Davidson, Toronto, Canada

Agassi and Sampras can't win tournaments unless they stop sleep-walking. The old magic is gone. They need to find a new a game, and hungry hearts.
Cynthia Speidel, USA

I don't know how some people can say Andre doesn't have what it takes anymore. Didn't he win three titles this year - two of them by beating younger players Haas and Federer in best-of-five matches? Don't count him out - especially with his desire to win as strong as ever.
Tracey, USA

It would be a shame to see either call it a day, but eras do end eventually. Pete needs to think long and hard about what he wants to do. It's been a bad year and the longer he plays badly the more his legend is tarnished. Andre, however, has been playing well this year. This is a blip (albeit a big one!) but he could still win one more Major.
Saffy, England

It not that the other players have caught up - it's age that catches up and is usually a defeater of the greatest champions. We all wonder why Borg ended it at 25. Maybe he saw what these players today fail to see.
Ian, Barbados

Nowadays, with so many new players making their marks at international level it is tough for any "old" player to prove their legacy in such crucial tournaments. It is almost impossible for either of these two to come up again and win a Grand Slam.
Avadhut, USA

Agassi has always been vulnerable to the odd early loss in a Grand Slam. As for Pete, he's had a painful couple of years but has kept trying - the day I see him tank a big match I'll wish him to retire. While he believes in himself though there's no reason to quit - his world ranking, by all but a few players' standards, is very high.
Matt R, London, UK

Andre does not have it anymore to compete with the younger players. However, Pete seems to be more motivated and strong. As time goes on he will overcome the difficulties and don't be surprised if he wins another championship.
Deo Persaud, USA

Pistol Pete has still got enough fire in him to keep on going in the years ahead. Just because he has lost so early in this year's tournament does not mean that he can be written off for good.
Suresh Aboodas, England

Both of them still have it in them to carry on playing. As long as they still enjoy playing, they shouldn't bow out.
Emma, United Kingdom

No way is this the end for Agassi. He was in the French Open quarter-finals less than a month ago and has won numerous Grand Slams since turning 30. Show him the respect he deserves. He'll be a major contender at the US Open and will win at least two or three hard court titles this summer.
Eric Heare, USA

I think Pete Sampras deserves to decide when he retires and should not be pressured by the media into a decision. After his success, one defeat does not mean he isn't a tennis legend. He just had an off day.
Paul Clarke, England

Everyone shouldn't take this so seriously. Fair enough, it is the biggest upset so far, but bear in mind that the mind of an athlete is a weird thing. It can drive him to success as easily as to failure. Pete will have the strength to come out of it and claim his, rightfully deserved, triumphant exit from the game.
Marios Stavroyiannopoulos, Greece

Pete should pack up his pistols and walk off into the sunset - his gun slinging days are over.
Louise Cardy, UK

Andre Agassi must be saying "what was that?" to himself. The Thai player wiped the floor with him. Maybe he's got too many other things to concentrate in his life other than tennis.
Leonard Porter, UK

Neither of these two great players seems to have the fire they used to have. It's probably time to retire and leave tennis to the younger guys.
Lee Elwood, USA

It's too soon to be talking about retirement. Every player goes through periods when they lose their form - these defeats could be just the spur they need to start playing at their best.
Karla Arden-Finch, Mexico

I don't see how anyone can lose the hunger to play at Wimbledon - they just aren't playing as well as they used to.
Marcus Cutts, Australia

Andre Agassi is happily married to Steffi Graf and has a new child to think about. I wonder if his mind's on them, even during a match?
Laura Simey, New Zealand

It's easy to forget that Goran Ivanesevic was being talked of as being over the hill last year and look what happened to him. Don't give up Pete and Andre - we're still rooting for you!
Anne Victoria Eastwood, USA