Sampras returns to scene of his prime for seniors event

"Last time I was here was a major low point, but I feel pretty good. At 37 I can still play pretty well," said Sampras, who won a seniors event in June in Brazil. "I can still serve and volley really well."

If they would let him, Sampras would even put on his whites this week for another chance to get on the court at the All England Club -- if only for practice.

"I've missed the place," said Sampras, who won three consecutive Wimbledon titles from 1993-95 before winning another four straight from 1997-2000. "I'd like to play on the court one more time. Take my kids there.

"There's no other place like it in the world."

This week, Sampras will play John McEnroe, Jeremy Bates and Cedric Pioline in Group A of round robin play, starting with McEnroe on Wednesday. Greg Rusedski, Pat Cash and Guy Forget are in Group B.

"It's still competitive. We all have a lot of pride in playing well and winning," Sampras said of the seniors tour, before noting it's not exactly the same as when he was at his peak. "It's not like I need to come here and have to win the event. I mean I'd like to, but it's not like it used to be.

"That being said, people want to see me play well. And all the guys play well."

He'll try to play better than he did in his last appearance in Britain, even if certain things rarely change.

"It's raining still," Sampras said with a smile as drizzle fell outside the Royal Albert Hall.