Tennis: Brits can take my crown - Sampras

Pete Sampras has identified Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski as two of the challengers capable of ending his reign as Wimbledon champion.

But the seven-time Wimbledon winner insisted he still has the motivation to make it eight wins in nine years.

Sampras won his 13th Grand Slam title at the All England Club last year, surpassing Roy Emerson's long-standing record.

It was thought that finally overhauling Emerson might finally persuade Sampras to take it easy and loosen his grip on the Wimbledon title which he has won every year except one since 1993.

But the former world number one is adamant that he still has the desire to win yet more titles despite finding contentment in married life off court and approaching his 30th birthday in August.

"There are a number of guys, Pat Rafter, Andre Agassi, obviously the two Englishmen, Lleyton, Todd Martin, capable of winning," Sampras said.

"But I'd love to do it again. I feel a lot more relaxed coming in this year than last year so that could help and I could play a little bit better than I did last year.

"Getting married has given me more stability and obviously things are different from when you're 20 but I still have that same focus and energy that I've always had for the game. Off the court I'm certainly very happy and that can only help my tennis.

"I'm still at the same level as far as the way I can play is concerned. Week-in, week-out, it is a little tougher to be consistent as you get older but the way I'm practising and the way I played last week I'm still at the level I was last year and five years ago.

"If anything, getting older gives you more experience and I still want to practise hard and focus and once you walk through those gates at Wimbledon there is no problem getting motivated.

"Getting older on grass is good because you have that experience and being on that (Centre) court so many times has paid off."

Sampras has now lost to Hewitt two times running at Queen's Club, in Sunday's semi-final and the final 12 months ago and he feels the 20-year-old Australian will be among the men to beat when the tournament starts on Monday.

"His game is pretty much the same as last year, he's very tough to beat," Sampras said.

"I'd almost rather play him on a hard court at times. Grass is a good surface for him, it helps out his serve and he loves a target and the fact people are coming in. He moves unbelievably on this stuff."