INTERVIEW - Santoro ponders last, record-breaking trick

By Chrystel Boulet-Euchin

PARIS (Reuters) - Frenchman Fabrice Santoro, once nicknamed "the magician" by Pete Sampras for his habit of mystifying bigger, stronger opponents, could perform one final, record-breaking trick before his remarkable career ends.

The Paris Masters, starting on Sunday, is likely to be the last tournament for the 36-year-old although he has not totally ruled out taking part in the Australian Open in January.

If he does compete at Melbourne Park, Santoro, who played the first of a record 67 grand slam tournaments at the 1989 French Open, would be the first player to have played grand slams over four decades.

"I don't know what I'll decide," he told Reuters in an interview. "My idea was always to finish my career at (Paris Masters venue) Bercy but at the same time, going to Melbourne would make me worthy of a Trivial Pursuit question."

For the time being, his mind is set on the Paris tournament and his last appearance before the French public.

"I want emotions, suspense, and, if possible (a final game against) a player I have sympathy for," he said.

That could be Russia's Marat Safin, ironically playing his last tournament this week in the French capital.

"That would be funny," Santoro said. "The best memory of my career remains my victory against him at the French Open when he was the world number one."