ATHENS, May 16: Pete Sampras will play former Davis Cup teammate Jim Courier on Thursday in an exhibition match on a temporary tennis court below the Acropolis. Sampras, a 14-time Grand Slam champion who is making his first visit to his ancestral homeland, is in Greece to play in the four-day Athens Cup at the Olympic tennis venue in northern Athens.

The event is part of the Outback Champions Series, which is making its first stop outside the United States. The seniors' tour was started by Courier, a four-time Grand Slam champion.

“We're thrilled to be here,” Courier said Wednesday. “It's a beautiful facility and a beautiful city.”

The Athens Cup will also feature players such as Pat Cash, Richard Krajicek, Wayne Ferreira and Anders Jarryd. Mark Philippoussis and Mats Wilander have pulled out, however.— AP