Sampras ‘disappointed’ by remarks in Agassi’s book

Former U.S. tennis player Andre Agassi poses for media prior to a news conference to promote his biography 'Open' in Berlin, Germany. File photo: AP

Pete Sampras says he was surprised at and disappointed with remarks longtime rival Andre Agassi made about the 14-time Grand Slam champion in his recent autobiography, "Open".

Sampras said on Thursday he would like to sit down with Agassi at some point “man to man” to discuss the “shots” Agassi took at Sampras, who retired in 2003. Sampras spoke on a conference call organised by the SAP Open, where Sampras is scheduled for a Feb. 8 exhibition match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco.

Agassi -- who acknowledged taking crystal meth -- made references to Sampras being dull with a “lack of inspiration” and said the two couldn’t be any more different.