Play Sampras after business meeting, initially (7)
I believe the answer is:
compete
'play' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to competing as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'sampras after business meeting initially' is the wordplay.
'sampras' becomes 'pete' (I've seen this in another clue).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'business' becomes 'co' (short for company).
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'meeting' is 'm'.
'co'+'m'='com'
'pete' after 'com' is 'COMPETE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for compete that I've seen before include "Take part in hope of winning" , "Engage in a contest" , "Vie, contest" , "Contend, vie" , "Contend (for a prize)" .)