Sampras Loses Coach to USTA

Paul Annacone said Wednesday he was stepping down as Pete Sampras’ coach to take over USA Tennis High Performance, the U.S. Tennis Assn.’s revamped support system for the next generation of touring pros.

“I’m excited to do this and happy that I’m going to have a hand in the future of American tennis,” Annacone said.

In his new position, Annacone will run a recently restructured development program, which the USTA hopes will someday include national training centers throughout the country, including one based in the Los Angeles area.

A $112-million sports complex to be built in Carson by billionaire Galaxy owner Philip Anschutz and the Weil Academy in Ojai are being considered as possibilities for a West Coast development base, according to Annacone, although he and other USTA officials cautioned that nothing has been decided.

“The Carson city location is certainly a possibility,” said USTA Executive Director Rick Ferman. “But ... there’s a ways to go. We’re looking at this as something that’s a year or two away from being set.”

The Carson complex, which the California State University Board of Trustees voted unanimously in June to allow Anschutz to build on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills, was the only Southern California site that Ferman would confirm as a possibility for a West Coast training center, saying the USTA would also like to establish development sites in New York, where the USTA is based, and in Florida.

Annacone, 38, won the 1985 Australian Open doubles championship and was a member of the 1986 U.S. Davis Cup team.

Before taking the USTA job, Annacone said that he conferred with Sampras, with whom he had worked since 1995. Annacone guided Sampras, who has won 13 Grand Slam titles, to five of his seven Wimbledon championships.

“We mutually agreed that this was the best thing for both of us,” Annacone said. “This comes at an interesting time in Pete’s career, where it’s time for him to hear a new voice. And from my point of view, it’s a chance for me to do something a little different.”

Sampras said in a statement that Annacone’s hiring begins a new phase of tennis player development in the U.S.

“He has plenty of playing and coaching experience that will be helpful to young players and also in training coaches. His new job is a signal that the USTA is really committed to finding our most promising prospects and giving them all the support, training, advice and competition that we can to make them champions. I wish him all the best.”

Former U.S. Davis Cup team captain Tom Gullikson, the twin brother of Sampras’ late coach, Tim Gullikson, is rumored to be among the prime candidates to replace Annacone as Sampras’ coach.