Two-time Grand Slam champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov leveled the harshest criticism of Pete Sampras to date, saying Sampras should consider giving up the game.

	Are Pete Sampras' playing days numbered? At least one of his peers thinks they should be.

"I think Pete should think of quitting," Kafelnikov, speaking from Moscow on Monday after Russia secured its Davis Cup quarterfinal victory over Sweden, told the Washington Post.

It was Sampras' stunning loss to Alex Corretja on the first day of the U.S. team's Davis Cup matches with Spain that provoked Kafelnikov's remarks.

"His loss should tell him something," Kafelnikov told the Post, "and I think it is a disrespect to himself to keep playing."

Kafelnikov's comments came in the context of a larger discussion about his career, which he said could end in December if Russia wins the Davis Cup. Still, they were bold statements for the former No. 1, who is the first fellow player to openly call for Sampras, 30, to bring his career to a close.

Through a USTA spokesman, Sampras declined to comment on Kafelnikov's unsolicited advice. He was scheduled to face Spain's Tommy Robredo but ended up sitting in the stands in Houston after Andy Roddick's clinching win over Alberto Martin made Sampras's match meaningless.

However, Sampras' teammates and coaches had much to say, starting with Jim Courier.

"Kafelnikov has no business speaking about Pete," Courier told the Post. "Kafelnikov's career is a blip on the radar screen compared to Pete's -- he's a gross underachiever, as far as I'm concerned.

"If anyone's earned the right to make that call (to retire) without hearing it from the peanut gallery," Courier said, "it's Pete Sampras."

On Friday, Sampras was asked by a Spanish journalist whether the loss to Corretja indicated his career was on the wane. "Well, that's your opinion, isn't it?" Sampras snapped, adding, "Is that funny? Do you think something is funny?"