Pete Sampras today revealed he will return to London for the first time since his retirement from tennis in 2002.

The American, whose record of 14 grand slam titles remains unsurpassed in the men's game, will play at the Royal Albert Hall in December as part of the BlackRock Masters Tour.

"It's still fun for me to compete, it's still a challenge and I still want to hold up that trophy at the end," said the 36-year-old, who beat current world No1 Roger Federer in an exhibition match in Macau last November.

"Today, or 10 years from now, if I'm on the tennis court, I'll still want to play well and win."

The seven-time Wimbledon champion will take on a field of fellow former world No1's, grand slam finalists and Davis Cup winners, including John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, at the event, now in its 12th year.

"People want to see the real deal," added Sampras.

"The crowd still want to see me serve and volley the way I used to and pull off my shots.

"Tennis had been such a big focus in my life and for a while it was great to be away from the sport.

"I had two kids and it has been a lot of fun to see them grow up. But at the same time I feel like a man should work, maybe I'm a little old-fashioned.

"As times goes on, when you are playing golf, taking trips here and there and putting on a little weight you feel a bit unfulfilled as a man. I felt like I needed to work again."