Spadea's Upset Adds to Seeds of Controversy

By LISA DILLMAN

June 27, 2000 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

WIMBLEDON, England —

The Great Seeding Controversy lived for another day--sprouted even--shortly after Spaniards Alex Corretja and Albert Costa left the grass behind, returning to their natural clay-court habitat.

Six-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras, no fan of clay, called the boycott “disappointing.”

Corretja and Costa joined French Open semifinalist Juan Carlos Ferrero on the sideline in protest over their failure to be seeded here, even though they are ranked in the top 16 by the Assn. of Tennis Professionals (ATP).

Ferrero withdrew over the weekend, claiming a back injury, but he was prepared to join the two others at their news conference at the All England Club, missing it because he had arrived at the airport without his passport.

The Spaniards are upset that they are required to play the four Grand Slam events and nine Masters Series tournaments, but that their rankings are not protected at Wimbledon. Wimbledon, unlike the three other Slams, does not always follow the players’ rankings.

Sampras, who had 15 aces and looked sharp in his opening 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Wimbledon newcomer Jiri Vanek of the Czech Republic on Monday, had some pointed words for the boycotters.

“No matter what the seedings are, there’s going to be someone who is unhappy,” he said. “I know Alex and Albert feel like they should have been seeded. But grass is a very unique surface that you have to make exceptions.

“You know, Alex and Albert could have just played a couple of matches and proved to the tournament they should have been seeded. But they went home, which is obviously disappointing. But this tournament will probably still go on.”

The last statement carried the slightest edge of sarcasm, drawing laughter in the interview room. Costa and Corretja have a combined 4-7 record at Wimbledon.

Sampras, who was seeded second, then was beaten by Mark Philippoussis in the first round last month in Paris, was asked how he would feel if he were not seeded at the French Open.

“That’s fine,” he said. “As long as I don’t have to play Philippoussis in the first round. I don’t care what they seed me at the French. I’ve had tough draws there. There’s no advantage of being seeded. If I didn’t get seeded at the French, I’d go out there and try to do well to prove to the event I’m worthy of being seeded.

“You really try to rise above it instead of being a little childish about it and going home.”

And with those words, the Davis Cup semifinal match featuring the United States--and Sampras--at Spain got slightly more interesting.

Later in the day, however, the Spaniards’ case grew a little stronger when 14th-seeded Greg Rusedski of Britain lost a 3-hour 56-minute first-round match to Vince Spadea, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-7 (8), 9-7.

It was Spadea’s first victory in 22 matches. The record-setting 21-match losing streak dated to October of last year.

“I look at the matches I lost and I’m still ranked, like, 60,” said Spadea, who had won only once at Wimbledon in five years.

“[Andre] Agassi, I think he was ranked even lower than that. It’s pretty crazy that I’m still getting into tournaments. It’s like I’m a nonplayer until today. I’m just like everyone else in the tennis parks. No points on the board. That’s kind of a degrading feeling.”

Rusedski was one of several players promoted by the seeding committee, pushed up to No. 14 from his ATP Entry System ranking of 21.

Another British player, Tim Henman, who has had a terrible grass-court season, was seeded eighth, up from his Entry System ranking of 14.

On the other hand, Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador, a solid clay-courter, was seeded 16th, despite his decided lack of grass-court success. He is 2-5 at Wimbledon, after joining Rusedski on the sideline. Slava Dosedel of the Czech Republic, winner of only two matches at Wimbledon in six previous attempts, defeated Lapentti, 6-3, 6-2, 0-6, 6-1.

Naturally, Sampras was hit with a bunch of questions about his recent engagement to actress Bridgette Wilson. She was on hand for his match against Vanek.

Question: You were quite romantic when you proposed?

Answer: You know me. I’m not so boring after all.

Q: Will getting married drive you on to even greater things?

A: I’m ready for the next chapter of my life to begin. I’ll always take this sport seriously and prepare. My life will change a little bit, but I’m obviously very happy and very excited with what’s happened.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Today’s Featured Matches

Schedule of matches for the show courts and others involving seeded players (seedings in parentheses):

CENTER COURT

* Corina Morariu vs. Lindsay Davenport (2).

* Conchita Martinez (4), Spain, vs. Anne Kremer, Luxembourg.

* Jan-Michael Gambill vs. Lleyton Hewitt (7), Australia.

* Taylor Dent vs. Andre Agassi (2).

COURT 1

* Yevgeny Kafelnikov (5), Russia, vs. Roger Federer, Switzerland.

* Dominique Van Roost (16), Belgium, vs. Jennifer Capriati.

* Tim Henman (8), Britain, vs. Paradorn Srichaphan, Thailand.