Sampras Is Good, Downey Is Evil?

I have read the many quotes bashing poor Pete Sampras. All the man did was win Wimbledon with humility, sportsmanship and as much talent as anybody in the history of tennis, and he is criticized and described as “trudging and moping” through a match too boring to be newsworthy.

Whatever happened to the America in which a man like Pete Sampras and all he represents would be admired? Instead we lionize disrespectful, me-first, trash-talking types like John McEnroe and Dennis Rodman.

While sports and sports journalism are not the cause of all that is wrong with this country, they sure as hell are a leading indicator.

ROBERT HERR

Burbank

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Mike Downey says in his July 9 column that he won’t watch Wimbledon again. Hooray! Does this mean that we won’t be subjected to further boring, tasteless, outdated and negative drivel that is his opinion on what’s wrong with the present day sport of professional tennis?

SUZANNE G. LOWERY

Los Angeles

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Let’s carry Downey’s “wooden racket” analogy a bit further. Replace his word processor with a manual typewriter. Maybe we can get some exciting writing out of him.

CAROLYN RUSSELL

Long Beach