Just for fun, I am trying something different. As the 2009 hard court season heads toward the finish line, I came up with some hypothetical matches between former U.S. Open champions.

The sport has changed enough in a short period of time to ask if tennis fans can accurately compare eras right next to one another.

Pete Sampras sent the message that if a player were talented, self-disciplined and professional, he could exceed the seven or eight majors that seemed to be the best one could hope for in a career.

“John McEnroe turns 50 tomorrow — it’s incredible how well this guy still plays,” Sampras said following the match. “I’m in awe of it actually. At 50, it’s amazing to move that well. It’s pretty incredible.” McEnroe beat Sampras last year en route to the Boston title. Todd Martin won the third-place match when Jim Courier pulled out with a bad back.

If China is so “crazy for tennis” as one ESPN writer put it, how come there were so many empty seats at the Masters Cup matches, even the final? Fans are so crazy they forgot to go to the event?…

“This is a message for Pete Sampras, Stefan Edberg, Goran Ivanisevic and all of you other guys,” McEnroe delivered in a warning. “I’m not coming to London to lose.”

“I would put it in the same league as a Grand Slam because the best eight players in the world are participating here,” Djokovic said. “I feel very happy. End up the season the way I started it, with a win in a big event. So it’s a great boost up for upcoming season.”