Pete Sampras, an American tennis player, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He turned professional in 1988 and concluded his illustrious career at the 2002 US Open. During his time on the professional circuit, Sampras amassed numerous accolades and set multiple records. He secured a total of 14 Grand Slam titles, including seven Wimbledon championships, five US Open titles, and two Australian Open victories.
Born in Washington, D.C., Pete Sampras displayed athleticism and coordination from an early age. He developed an interest in tennis during his childhood, regularly practicing with a racquet from the moment he could hold one. In the late 1970s, his family relocated to Southern California, an area that provided year-round opportunities for training and competition. The move proved pivotal, allowing Sampras to hone his tennis skills in an ideal environment. His talent soon became evident to coaches and peers alike.
Sampras was known for his classic serve-and-volley playing style, which became increasingly aggressive as his career progressed. His strategy typically involved applying constant pressure on opponents by approaching the net to finish points quickly. Known for his powerful and accurate first serve, Sampras also possessed an effective second serve that was both reliable and difficult to return, contributing to his dominance on faster surfaces like grass and hard courts. While he had an all-around game, his strength lay in his attacking play.
Throughout his career, Sampras faced a number of formidable opponents, most notably fellow American Andre Agassi. Their rivalry captivated tennis audiences throughout the 1990s and showcased contrasting playing styles—Sampras's power and precision versus Agassi's baseline mastery. Sampras also encountered intense matches against players like Patrick Rafter and Boris Becker. Notably, despite his immense success, Sampras never captured a French Open title, with the clay surface historically posing a challenge for his net-oriented game.
Pete Sampras comes from a family with Greek roots. Both of his parents are of Greek descent, and family has played an important role throughout his life. His older sister Stella is the head coach of the UCLA women's tennis team. His younger sister Marion works as a teacher in Los Angeles, while his older brother Gus has transitioned from being a tournament director at the Scottsdale ATP event to managing Pete’s business ventures as president of his management firm.
| Birth Date: | 12 Aug, 1971 |
| Age: | 48 yrs |
| Occupations: | Tennis player |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Washington, D.C. |
| residence: | Bel Air |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American tennis player |
| Spouse: | Bridgette Wilson [M. 2000] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 150 million |
