Slam Cup Starts

Top-ranked Pete Sampras and U.S. Open winner Patrick Rafter will be among the 16 players chasing the richest prize in tennis when the Grand Slam Cup starts today.

First prize in the $6 million event is $1.5 million, almost equal the earnings of Sampras, who leads the tour with $1,905,000 in earnings.

But when last year’s champion, Boris Becker, takes the court, it’s likely to be an emotional experience for him.

The event, which brings together the 16 players who have fared best in this year’s Grand Slam events, was the brainchild of Becker manager and friend Axel Meyer-Woelden. He died in August.