Geneva - By his superhuman standards, 2008 was been an "off" year for Roger Federer, with only a fifth straight US Open title and the Olympic doubles gold medal added to his world-class collection of honours.

It was also the first season in half a decade that the 27-year-old Swiss failed to end the year on the top ranking spot after ceding the position to Rafael Nadal just prior to the Beijing Olympics.

While Federer's Grand Slam title count stalled on 13 as he attempts to pull level on all-time mark of 14 majors held by Pete Sampras, the calm Swiss is not in the least discouraged.

London - Wimbledon might be hoping to lure Tim Henman back onto court at a May test event to mark the completion of a three-year project to put a roof over Centre Court.

The British player who was famously done in by rain on several occasions during his career at the All England Club - never emerging past the semi-finals on four heart-breaking attempts - might be part of the public trial, British press reports said.

The unspecified competition is to fall five weeks before the start of the championships on June 22.

London, Dec.

London  - Pete Sampras didn't manage to reach the weekend final of the BlackRock Masters. But the American's first return to London in six years still provoked a wave of pleasant nostalgia for the seven-time Wimbledon winner.

Sampras fell 7-6 (10-7), 7-6 (10-5) at the penultimate hurdle at the elite senior event at the Royal Albert Hall, going down to Cedric Pioline.

But even in defeat, the 37-year-old from Los Angeles was wondering why he stayed away so long from the city where he carved his tennis reputation.

"This place brings back memories," he said of the capital, rainy for much of the winter week. "Just being here and seeing the British people... it was good to be back."

London  - Pete Sampras didn't mange to reach the weekend final of the BlackRock Masters. But the American's first return to London in six years still provoked a wave of pleasant nostalgia for the seven-time Wimbledon winner.

Sampras fell 7-6 (10-7), 7-6 (10-5) at the penultimate hurdle at the elite senior event at the Royal Albert Hall, going down to Cedric Pioline.

But even in defeat, the 37-year-old from Los Angeles was wondering why he stayed away so long from the city where he carved his tennis reputation.

"This place brings back memories," he said of the capital, rainy for much of the winter week. "Just being here and seeing the British people... it was good to be back."

London - John McEnroe may finally be ready to call time on his senior career shortly after turning 50 next February 16.

"I think common sense should prevail," said the former bad boy whose tennis has been holding various senior tours together for more than a decade. "I turn 50 in February and have a commitment to play in Rio in March. After that things are pretty open-ended."