CBS SportsLine
Chat Transcript
August 21, 1997

CBS Sports Analyst Pat O'Brien stopped by to chat with CBS SportsLine fans on August 28, 1997.

Find out what Pat had to say in the full transcript of his chat below.

Pat O’Brien: Hi again! I just got back from a 5 mile run and I'm ready to go.

Question: Hi Pat! Do you think that anybody can give Sampras a tough match at the Open this year?

Pat O’Brien: Today, he won the first set 7-5 and leads the second 2-0 against Baur who gave him a little run for his money. But, Pete looks good. He looks sharp and he's the man to beat obviously.

Question: How does the Arthur Ashe Stadium look in person to watch a tennis match?

Pat O’Brien: The stadium is awesome! It's a great tennis facility. The players love it. I love it. You have to see it in person.

Question: Is Tennis your favorite sports to cover?

Pat O’Brien: It's certainly one of my favorites. I've done the U.S. Open for 16 years and have a heritage with all the players who've come through... McEnroe, Conners... I've made so many friends here and I love the action.

Question: Do you think a Woman's final of Martina Hingis and Monica Seles would be good for tennis in terms of a natural rivalry?

Pat O’Brien: Absolutely! And, it's a good observation, because tennis needs rivalries -- period! What people remember are Martina and Chris, Monica and Steffi, and now we move on to another. The problem with rivalries is that they have to play more than once or twice. So, we hope that this is the beginning of something big. But, at Martina's age, we have yet to see her greatest stuff.

Question: Who has been your favorite tennis player to interview throughout the years?

Pat O’Brien: I have a couple… Jimmy Conners, John McEnroe when you can get him… And, certainly Agassi, Sampras and Monica have all been a lot of fun to be around and to talk to.

Question: Do you think that Sampras will ever win the "Grand Slam" of tennis before his career is over?

Pat O’Brien: Barring injury, he's certainly has a great shot at it. Obviously, he can't win it this year. But, in this game, with age, it gets more difficult with age. He's arguably the greatest player ever. We're looking at the greatest player ever.

Question: Have John McEnroe and Mary Carillo patched things up after the comment he made about women covering men's tennis matches?

Pat O’Brien: Yes, they patched things up. They were never seriously arguing. Arguing in person and arguing through the media are two different things.

Question: Do you think that Venus Williams has the potential to be as good as Hingis?

Pat O’Brien: She's a great hard court player. She's been talked about a lot and this may or my not be her year though. She’s got a great game, but it might not be her time. It’s too early to judge her at this level.

Question: Mary Carillo seems like a nice person to work with during the U.S. Open Highlight Shows on CBS?

Pat O’Brien: She's very nice and very open. She works very, very hard and that's why she's so knowledgeable…Aside from players, Mary Carillo will be a colleague who I will miss greatly.

Question: Who was the best person you’ve ever worked with?

Pat O’Brien: I've had so many. George Raveling is somebody who I have a special relationship with… In their own way, they've all been special except maybe ONE... ha ha... figure it out.

Question: Why has Andre Agassi fallen apart this year?

Pat O’Brien: Well, the wheels are a little wobbly on the Agassi machine coming into the open. But, he played well in Indy two weeks ago and he's playing well now. He has his confidence back and when that happens on NYC nights... Watch Out!

Question: Do you think the U.S. Davis Cup matches versus Australia will be good for tennis?

Pat O’Brien: Absolutely! Davis cup play, with the right coverage, is always great when you see that U.S. flag out there and this year against the Aussies will be great! International play has become more and more interesting, but it needs to be exposed more like it was back when Arthur Ashe was captain.

Question: Do you think that Sergei Federov is causing a potential distraction to the development of Kournikova?

Pat O’Brien: Well, it's definitely the buzz around the U.S. Open, but it's nothing new. I saw them together in South Beach at the opening of the All-Star Cafe and they are definitely an item.

Question: Will you be doing more chats on SportsLine? I find your observations pertaining to the world of sports very interesting!

Pat O’Brien: Yes, I'm looking forward to it. I love being in Cyberspace. In fact, I was one of the first people to do this back in 1992. and everybody thought I was crazy. By the way, I love email… PatOBrien2@aol.com