Tennis great Sampras bids a final farewell at Arthur Ashe Stadium Court

On Monday night, after the first full day of play at the 2003 U.S. Open Championships, tennis legend Pete Sampras made his retirement official.

Sampras, who holds the all-time record of 14 Grand Slam titles, including five championships at Flushing Meadows, hasn't played since he captured the '02 title against arch-rival Andre Agassi.

"I wanted to stop on my terms," Sampras said after toppling old pal Agassi at Arthur Ashe Stadium Court. "That was one thing I promised myself, even though I was struggling and hearing this and that. I deserved to stop on my own terms."

"I came to this party 18 years ago with Pete," Agassi told espn.com. "And I'm sort of leaving the dance with someone else. That's not an easy feeling. There's sadness in many ways, but that can taken away quickly with an Open title."

Suspensions levied at Olympic warm-up



So much for international athletic competition fostering admiration and unity among the democratic nations of the world.

In a development as disturbing as vertically-challenged child-star Gary Coleman's late entry into the California gubernatorial recall frenzy, fists flew at an Olympic qualifier in Puerto Rico on Sunday.

During the first half of Canada's 108-72 thrashing of Mexico in San Juan, Mexico's Eduardo Najera (who plays with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks) and Canada's Peter Guarasci were involved in an ugly scuffle.

Guarasci retaliated to a Najera elbow by shoving the Mexican forward to the floor late in the second quarter. As the two players raced downcourt after a Canadian hoop, Najera delivered a flying forearm tackle, subsequently wrestling Guarasci to the fl oor. The two were finally separated after Mexican teammates were able to undo the hammer lock Najera had on his Canadian counterpart's head.

The exchange, more reminiscent of a WWF Pay-Per-View event than a legitimate basketball contest, resulted in a one-game suspension for each player.

Phenom Clarett spared eligibility, but suspended for six Ohio State contests



Ohio State University sophomore running back Maurice Clarett, who seems to have more agents than he does college credits, will miss the first six games of the upcoming college football season. According to espn.com, Clarett's eligibility was jeopardized after it was revealed that he exagerrated the value of goods stolen when his Chevy Monte Carlo was burglarized in April.

As a freshman, Clarett rushed for over 1,200 yards and led the undefeated Buckeyes to a national title win over the favored University of Miami Hurricanes.

Romanowski docked after practice feud



Oakland Raider linebacker Bill Romanowski, infamous for his tendency to expectorate on unsuspecting opponents, was at it again on Sunday. During a practice scuffle, the 16-year veteran pummeled teammate Marcus Williams, a backup tight end, leaving the second-year pro with a broken left orbital bone and severely bruised nose.

"I talked about fighting on the first day of training camp," Raiders head coach Bill Callahan said. "It's an intolerable offense.