Pete Sampras

Peter "Pete" Sampras (b. August 12 1971, in Washington, DC), is a former World No. 1 tennis player from the United States. He is widely considered to be one of the best male tennis players of all time, having won a record 14 Grand Slam men's singles titles and finished the year as No. 1 for a record six consecutive years. He won the men's singles title at Wimbledon seven times, a record shared with William Renshaw. He also won the US Open five times and the Australian Open twice. However, the one major championship which eluded him during his career was the French Open.

Tennis career

Sampras was born in Washington, DC, and is the third son of Sam and Georgia Sampras, Greek immigrants from Sparta to the United States. From an early age, Sampras showed signs of outstanding athletic ability. The young Sampras discovered a tennis racquet in the basement of his home and spent hours hitting balls against the wall. In 1978, the Sampras family moved to Palos Verdes, California, and the warmer climate there allowed seven-year-old Pete to play more tennis. The Sampras family joined the Peninsula Racquet Club, where they played a great deal of tennis together. It was here that Pete's ability became apparent. At the age of 11 he had already learned the solid serve and volley tactic that would become the hallmark of his game. He was spotted by Dr. Peter Fisher, a pediatrician and a tennis enthusiast, who became his mentor for a long part of his career. He oversaw his training and arranged coaches. Fisher was later convicted on charges of child molestation, but Sampras maintained that Dr. Peter Fisher's behaviour towards him was normal and straightforward.

Sampras turned professional in 1988 at the age of 17. He won his first top-level singles title in February 1990 at Philadelphia. In August that year, he captured his first Grand Slam title at the US Open. He defeated Ivan Lendl in the quarterfinals and John McEnroe in the semifinals, to set up a final showdown with another up-and-coming American player, Andre Agassi. Sampras beat Agassi in straight sets to become the US Open's youngest-ever male singles champion at the age of 19 years and 28 days. The rivalry between Agassi and Sampras was to become the dominant rivalry in tennis in the 1990s, and Sampras would win 20 of the 34 matches they played.

1991 saw Sampras capture the first of five career titles at the year-end ATP Tour World Championships. In 1992, he finished runner-up at the US Open and played on the US team which won the Davis Cup (he would help the US win the cup again in 1995).

In April 1993, Sampras reached the World No. 1 ranking for the first time. His rise to the No. 1 spot was controversial at the time as he had not recently won any Grand Slam titles. But he justified the ranking three months later by claiming his first Wimbledon title, beating former World No. 1 Jim Courier in the final. This was swiftly followed by his second US Open title. He finished the year as the clear No. 1 and set a new ATP Tour record that year by becoming the first player to serve over 1000 aces in a season.

Sampras dominated Wimbledon for the rest of the decade following his breakthrough title in 1993. He won three consecutive titles in 1993-95. He had a surprise quarterfinal loss in 1996 to Richard Krajicek, who went on to win the title that year. Sampras then followed this by winning four consecutive titles in 1997-2000, to become the most successful male player in Wimbledon history. His win in 2000 also allowed him to break Roy Emerson's record of 12 Grand Slam men's singles titles.

Sampras' best surface was undoubtedly the fast-playing grass courts. However he was also known for his good all-round game and a strong competitive instinct. He won back-to-back US Open titles in 1995-96. He also won the Australian Open twice in 1994 and 1997. Sampras' only real weakness was on clay courts, where the slow surface tended to negate his natural attacking serve-and-volley game. His best performance at the French Open came in 1996, when he reached the semi-finals, and his failure to win that title is the one blemish on his otherwise exceptionally impressive career record.

After winning Wimbledon in 2000 Sampras did not win another title for two years. He reached the US Open final in 2000 and 2001, but losses to up-and-coming players each year (Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt, respectively) led many to speculate that Sampras would never capture another major title. However, after a disappointing summer in 2002, Sampras made an amazing comeback at the US Open. He defeated two young and upcoming tennis stars in Tommy Haas in the fourth round and Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals. He then defeated Sjeng Schalken in the semifinals to reach his third straight US Open final. This time he faced Andre Agassi, whom he had met in his very first Grand Slam final 12 years earlier. After a four-set battle between the two veterans, Sampras emerged the victor and claimed a record 14th Grand Slam title. The tournament was the last of Sampras' career. He played no tour events in the following 12 months, and officially announced his retirement in August 2003.

Sampras played the first match since his retirement on April 6, 2006 in Houston, Texas against Robby Ginepri. Ginepri won the exhibition match 6-3, 7-6.

During his career, Sampras won 64 top-level singles titles (including 14 Grand Slams and 11 ATP Masters Series titles) and two doubles titles. He was ranked the World No. 1 for 286 weeks, and was year-end No. 1 for six consecutive years from 1993 to 1998. Only Bill Tilden and Pancho Gonzales were ranked No. 1 longer. Sampras is considered to have one of the best second serves in history. He uses a classic eastern forehand grip and a similar grip for his one-handed backhand.

In 2005, TENNIS Magazine named him as the greatest tennis player, from its list of its TENNIS Magazine's 40 Greatest Players of the TENNIS Era ^*

Personal and family life

Sampras' older sister Stella is head coach at UCLA and his younger sister, Marion, is a teacher in Los Angeles. His older brother, Gus, is tournament director at Scottsdale ATP event.

On September 30, 2000, Sampras married American actress Bridgette Wilson. On November 21, 2002, son Christian Charles, was born to him and Wilson. On July 29, 2005, the couple welcomed their second son, Ryan Nikolaos.

Sampras has thalassemia minor, an inherited disease that causes anemia.

Sampras' business-like attitude to tennis and cautious handling of the press led critics to bemoan his lack of charisma, but his natural talent and work ethic meant that Sampras was always able to let his results speak for themselves.

Grand Slam singles finals

Wins (14)

Andre Agassi || 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 Jim Courier || 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 Cédric Pioline || 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 Todd Martin|| 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 Goran Ivanišević || 7-6, 7-6, 6-0 Boris Becker ||6-7, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 Andre Agassi || 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 Michael Chang ||6-1, 6-4, 7-6 Carlos Moya || 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 Cédric Pioline ||6-4, 6-2, 6-4 Goran Ivanišević || 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 Andre Agassi ||6-3, 6-4, 7-5 Patrick Rafter || 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2 Andre Agassi || 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4

'''Year

'''Championship

'''Opponent in Final

'''Score in Final

Runner-ups (4)

Stefan Edberg||6-3, 4-6, 6-7, 2-6 Andre Agassi ||6-4, 1-6, 6-7, 4-6 Marat Safin || 4-6, 3-6, 3-6 Lleyton Hewitt ||6-7, 1-6, 1-6

'''Year

'''Championship

'''Opponent in Final

'''Score in Final

Masters Series Finals

Wins (11)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final 1992 Cincinnati Ivan Lendl 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 1993 Miami MaliVai Washington 6-3, 6-2 1994 Indian Wells Petr Korda 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 1994 Miami Andre Agassi 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 1994 Rome Boris Becker 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 1995 Indian Wells Andre Agassi 7-5, 6-3, 7-5 1995 Paris Boris Becker 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 1997 Cincinnati Thomas Muster 6-3, 6-4 1997 Paris Jonas Bjorkman 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 1999 Cincinnati Patrick Rafter 7-6, 6-3 2000 Miami Gustavo Kuerten 6-1, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6

Runners-up (8)

Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final 1991 Cincinnati Guy Forget 2-6, 7-6, 6-4 1991 Paris Guy Forget 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 1995 Miami Andre Agassi 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 1995 Canada Andre Agassi 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 1996 Stuttgart Boris Becker 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 1998 Cincinnati Patrick Rafter 1-6, 7-6, 6-4 1998 Paris Greg Rusedski 6-4, 7-6, 6-3 2001 Indian Wells Andre Agassi 7-6, 7-5, 6-1

Performance timeline

Tournament	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	Career
Australian Open	-	1r	4r	-	-	SF	W	F	3r	W	QF	-	SF	4r	4r	2
French Open	-	2r	-	2r	QF	QF	QF	1r	SF	3r	2r	2r	1r	2r	1r	0
Wimbledon	-	1r	1r	2r	SF	W	W	W	QF	W	W	W	W	4r	2r	7
U.S. Open	1r	4r	W	QF	F	W	4r	W	W	4r	SF	-	F	F	W	5
Tennis Masters Cup	-	-	RR	W	SF	F	W	SF	W	W	SF	W	SF	-	-	5
Indian Wells Masters	3r	3r	2r	-	3r	3r	W	W	QF	2r	3r	2r	QF	F	SF	2
Miami Masters	-	1r	QF	2r	QF	W	W	F	SF	SF	3r	QF	W	3r	3r	3
Monte Carlo Masters	-	-	-	-	2r	-	-	2r	-	2r	3r	-	-	-	-	0
Rome Masters	-	2r	-	2r	QF	SF	W	1r	-	1r	3r	2r	-	1r	1r	1
Hamburg Masters	-	-	-	3r	-	-	-	SF	-	-	-	-	2r	1r	1r	0
Canada Masters	-	-	SF	2r	-	3r	-	F	-	-	QF	-	QF	-	3r	0
Cincinnati Masters	1r	3r	3r	F	W	SF	-	QF	QF	W	F	W	3r	2r	2r	3
Madrid Masters	-	-	SF	QF	SF	2r	SF	SF	F	3r	SF	-	-	QF	-	0
Paris Masters	-	-	3r	F	2r	QF	QF	W	2r	W	F	3r	-	-	-	2
Total Titles	0	0	4	4	5	8	10	5	8	8	4	5	2	0	1	64
Grand Slam Win-Loss	0-1	4-4	10-2	6-3	15-3	23-2	21-2	20-2	18-3	19-2	17-3	8-1	18-3	13-4	11-3	203-38
Hardcourt Win-Loss	8-7	13-10	27-8	25-7	25-5	43-6	37-3	37-6	46-4	35-5	30-10	23-5	28-7	26-10	20-8	423-101
Grass Win-Loss	0-0	2-2	6-2	5-3	7-2	7-1	11-1	12-0	4-1	8-1	8-1	12-0	11-1	6-2	2-3	101-20
Carpet Win-Loss	2-2	1-4	18-6	19-6	18-4	21-5	17-6	16-5	10-3	10-2	14-3	1-0	1-1	0-0	0-0	148-47
Clay Win-Loss	0-1	2-3	0-1	3-3	22-8	14-4	12-2	7-5	5-3	2-4	9-3	4-3	2-4	3-4	5-6	90-54
Overall Win-Loss	10-10	18-19	51-17	52-19	72-19	85-16	77-12	72-16	65-11	55-12	61-17	40-8	42-13	35-16	27-17	762-222

Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-8 (quarter finals up to finalist).

Playing style

Sampras was a serve and volleyer known for several extraordinary facets in his game, in particular:

an accurate and powerful first serve, one of the best of all time, leading to the nickname 'Pistol Pete';
a second serve nearly as powerful as his first, possibly his most dangerous weapon;
his athleticism and deceptive quickness;
his long arms meant that he could serve like a 210 cm (7 feet) man although he was only 185 cm (6 ft 1 in);
great disguise on both his first and second serve;
his forehand, and in particular his "running forehand" (a forehand hit on the run) was considered the best in the world;
his net game (Sampras' volleys were superb and he arguably possessed the best overhead in the history of the men's game. His slam dunk smash was an effective tool to demoralise his opponents);
a reliable one-handed backhand, which he frequently sliced deep to set up a net play;
his extraordinary mental game, allowing him to stay focused and play his best game at decisive moments, such as hitting second serve aces at break point down

His style changed dramatically between the early 1990s and the time he retired. Sampras excelled on hard courts. He served and volleyed on his first serve and frequently stayed back on his second serve. Towards the latter part of his career on hard courts, Sampras played a serve and volley game on both his first and second serves. On grass courts Sampras served and volleyed on both serves throughout his career. When not serving, in the early years of his career, Pete's strategy was to be aggressive from the baseline, put opponents in a defensive position and finish points at the net.

Sampras would often ace opponents with a classically smooth fluid action, which could often be maintained for five sets. In particular, he could ace opponents at the big 'pressure' or break points. Overall he had perfect disguise, very quick racquet-head speed, great back-arch, powerful leg-drive and incredible forearm/wrist pronation. Added to this was the combination of monstrous power and superb control at anywhere from 120-130 mph on 1st and 110-115 mph on 2nd serves.

In his later years, he became even more aggressive and would either employ a "chip-and-charge" strategy—just chip back the return and run up to the net, waiting for a volley or try to hit an offensive shot on the return and follow his return to the net. Sampras' aggressive strategies worked best on "fast" surfaces—like concrete and, in particular, grass—but were weaker on "slow" surfaces like clay. As a result, he dominated Wimbledon (played on grass) but never won the French Open (played on clay).

Opponents frequently played to his backhand which was deemed his weaker side. To counter this, Sampras often camped on the backhand side while rallying from the baseline and often baited opponents for his great running forehand.

Equipment

Pete Sampras exclusively used the world-famous Wilson ProStaff Original 6.0 tennis racquet throughout his career and for every Slam tournament he won. This racquet, first released in the mid-1980s was much smaller in comparison to today's racquets with a head-size of 85 square inches.

Sampras also insisted on using ProStaffs made solely at the Wilson factory on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, Grenadines. Various reasons for this have been suggested but it is generally assumed that their quality was superior to ProStaffs manufactured elsewhere (i.e. Taiwan and China). Sampras particularly liked the fact that they were the stiffest-framed and offered most control of all ProStaff models. Consequently, he got his team and Wilson to collect as many of these racquets as possible for use throughout his career.

In addition to insisting on a particular model of racquet from a specific factory, the racquets were also customized for Sampras: multiple layers of adhesive lead-tape were added to the inside of the sides of the frame and also to the handle, which increased the racquet's overall weight from its default of 357g to around 390g. The weight of men's racquets today ranges from around 300-340g. The racquet handles were also larger than average, measuring 4-5/8", and were custom shaped and fitted with Fairway Balmforth leather grips. Furthermore, they were strung with the thinnest gauge of natural gut made by Babolat, at a very high tension of 75 lb, resulting in broken strings in almost every match Sampras played. The added weight and high string-tension helped reduce what was originally a low-powered racquet further still: these customizations speak volumes about the technique and amount of power Sampras generated on his serves and groundstrokes.

Sampras refused to change his use of these racquets throughout his career and various discussions still crop up on Internet forums as to the overall specifications of the racquets and, with the St. Vincent manufacturing methods and materials used, add to the overall mystique that the St. Vincent ProStaff has attained since. They are now much sought after and have become collectors items.

Sampras also rarely changed footwear and always used various styles of the Air Oscillate tennis shoe made by Nike throughout the 1990s.

Records

Sampras won a record 14 Grand Slam titles over his career.
He finished the year as No. 1 on the ATP Rankings for a record six years. He was also the only player to finish as ATP No.1 for six consecutive years (1993-98).
He was the ATP No. 1 ranked player in the world for an record 286 weeks.
He was in the ATP world top ten for 12 years; only Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl and Andre Agassi have stayed in the ATP top ten for longer.
He finished his career with a record $43 million in career prize money.
He captured 64 ATP titles over his career, which makes him fourth in the all time list of players with most career ATP titles.
He won 11 ATP Masters Series titles, which places him second after Andre Agassi to win the most such tournaments (since 1990).
He appeared in at least one Grand Slam final for 11 consecutive years (1992-2002), winning in eight straight (1993-2000).
He and Ken Rosewall are the only men to win Grand Slam titles as a teenager, in their 20s, and in their 30s.
He won at least one title for 11 straight years (1990-2000) and 12 of 13 (except 2001).
He captured the ATP World Championship (now renamed the Tennis Masters Cup) a record five times in Germany (1991, 94, 96-97, 99). He shares this Open era record with Ivan Lendl.
He compiled a 19-9 career Davis Cup record (15-8 in singles) and member of winning teams in 1992 and 95.
He served a career-high 1,011 aces in 1993 to lead ATP circuit; also led in 1995 with 974 aces.
He won a career-high 10 titles and compiled a personal-best 29-match winning streak in 1994.
He won a career-best 85 matches in 1993 and on April 12th became the 11th player in the history of ATP rankings to reach the No. 1 spot.
He was the youngest US Open men's champion at 19 years, 28 days in 1990.
He compiled a 40-2 match record on Centre Court at Wimbledon and 63-7 overall at All England Club.
He compiled a 762-222 record during his years on the circuit, winning more than 77% of all the matches he played in 15 years.

Awards

ATP Player of the Year for six straight years from 1993-98.
ITF World Champion for six straight years from 1993-98.
US Olympic Committee "Sportsman of the Year", first tennis player to receive award in 1997.
Named GQ Magazine's Individual Athlete Award for Man of the Year in 2000.
Selected No. 1 player (of 25 players) in past 25 years in a panel of 100 current and past players, journalists and tournament directors to commemorate 25th anniversary of ATP in 1997.
Voted 48th athlete of Top 50 Greatest North American Athletes of ESPN's SportsCentury (also youngest on list).

Trivia

Sampras' greatest rival was Andre Agassi, whom Sampras said brings out the best game in him.
The Sampras-Agassi rivalry reached its height in 1995 when each man agreed to play in the Davis Cup only if the other also played. This was due to a concern that if one played while the other rested during the weeks leading up to the French Open, the one who rested would obviously have a competitive advantage heading into the season's second major.
He modeled his game after his childhood idol, Rod Laver.
He used a very demanding racket, a small 85-square-inch Wilson racket which was strung at a tight 75 pounds. The high tension would presumably make his groundstrokes less powerful, yet he had the most powerful strokes in the game. Roger Federer now uses a similar racquet, though he strings it at about 57 pounds and the racquet head size is 90-square inches.
As a junior player, he was a defensive baseliner playing with a two-handed backhand. His coach, Pete Fischer, changed him to be a serve and volleyer with a one-handed backhand with Wimbledon in mind.
He was not a particularly notable junior player; he was still adjusting his game and playing at higher age groups to train himself.
His parents had never attended any of his matches (due to nervousness watching him play) (except his 1992 GS loss to Stefan Edberg) until his Wimbledon title match in 2000. After Sampras won, he ran into the stands to hug his parents. (At the on-court interview he was asked if they had ever seen him before, and he said "Yes, they saw me lose in 1992".)
Sampras admitted to not speaking about his condition with thalassemia minor, because that would have lessened his aura of invincibility against fellow players.
Sampras had a rabbit named after him in the famous comedy series Father Ted.
He is famous for his hairy chest - causing several wolf-whistles when changing shirts during matches.

Famous matches

Some of the most famous matches Sampras played include the following:

US Open 1990 Quarter-final: defeated Ivan Lendl 6-4, 7-6, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2. Sampras ended Lendl's amazing streak of eight consecutive US Open finals.
US Open 1990 Final: defeated Andre Agassi 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Sampras' first Grand Slam tournament victory.
US Open 1992 Final: lost to Stefan Edberg 3-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. Sampras recalled that this loss hit him hard. It was the turning point of his career where he dedicated himself to be the best player.
Wimbledon quarterfinal 1993: defeated Andre Agassi 6-2, 6-2, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4 in one of only two 5 set matches this rivalry would produce (the other one being the 2000 Australian Open semis).
Wimbledon 1993 Final: defeated Jim Courier 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 in his first Wimbledon win. It was the beginning of an era where he dominated men's tennis.
Australian Open 1995 Quarter-final: defeated Jim Courier 6-7(4), 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in an unbelievable match. This match is also remarkable for the fact that Sampras broke down into tears during the start of the fifth set, when a fan shouted out for Sampras to win the match for his coach Tim Gullikson. Gullikson had earlier been diagnosed with brain cancer and died in May 1996.
Australian Open 1995 Final: lost to Andre Agassi 4-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 in what would prove to be his only loss to Agassi in a Grand Slam Final for his career. As a result of this match, Agassi became the top-ranked player on the tour.
Wimbledon 1995 Final: defeated Boris Becker 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in a clash of two of the top grass-court players of their generations.
US Open 1995 Final: defeated Andre Agassi 6-4 6-3 4-6 7-5. This was perhaps one of the highest rated tennis matches on TV in the 1990s due to the Sampras-Agassi rivalry and Agassi's marriage to Brooke Shields. It was also notable because Agassi stated that the winner would become number one; Sampras regained the top ranking and Agassi's loss hurt him mentally for several years to come.
Wimbledon 1996 Quarter-final: lost to an 'In-The-Zone' Richard Krajicek 7-5, 7-6, 6-4. Sampras' only loss at Wimbledon between 1993 and 2000 inclusive and one of only 2 straight-set losses at Wimbledon (the other being in 1990 to Christo Van Rensburg).
US Open 1996 Quarter-final: defeated Alex Corretja 7-6, 5-7, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6, after being physically ill on the court, and coming back from being match point down. Sampras vomited twice during the match and required half a gallon of intra-venous fluids after the match.
ATP World Championships 1996 Final: defeated Boris Becker 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(4), 6-7(11), 6-4 in a four-hour-long match. Sampras and Becker struggled against typical season-end fatigue on the indoor carpet in Hannover, Germany. Sampras had the match point in the fourth-set tie-break, but was unable to capitalize as Becker came back with the crowd behind him and forced Sampras to play a final set. Many thought Sampras was physically exhausted and mentally beaten, but he came back stronger than ever and won one of the most difficult matches in his career.
US Open 1997 Fourth round: lost to Petr Korda 6-7, 7-5, 7-6, 3-6, 7-6. An upset victory for Korda.
Wimbledon 1998 Final: defeated Goran Ivanišević 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in a thrilling 5-set final. Cited as being the match, along with injuries, that "ended" Ivanišević's career until the Croat's stunning comeback to win the 2001 Wimbledon Championship.
US Open 1998 Semi-final: lost to Patrick Rafter 6-7, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, a classic duel between two serve and volleyers. Sampras took the loss personally because he had been gunning for his 12th Grand Slam to make the record, and he did not shake hands with the umpire after the end of the match.
Wimbledon 1999 Final: defeated Andre Agassi 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in what Sampras called one of his best matches ever to equal Roy Emerson's record of 12 Grand Slams. Sampras grazed his elbow during the match. It was also remarkable because Agassi had regained his competitive form.
Australian Open 2000 Semi-final: lost to Andre Agassi 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-1 in an exciting match that featured brilliant shot-making from both players. The second of the only two, 5-set matches that the rivalry had.
Wimbledon 2000 Final: defeated Patrick Rafter 6-7(10), 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-2 in a 172 minute match twice interrupted by rain to claim his record-breaking 13th Grand Slam title. Afterwards, Sampras ran into the stands to hug his parents. It was only the second time his parents were on court to see him play.
US Open 2000 Final: lost to Marat Safin 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. Another signal that his dominance was fading. With a remarkable winner:unforced-error ratio, Safin "demolished" Sampras. Sampras later stated that Safin was the next dominant player in tennis.
Wimbledon 2001 Fourth round: lost to Roger Federer 7-6(7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5. The upset ended his 31-match winning streak at Wimbledon. Another sign of his gradual decline, especially the fact that it came on his best surface. Some also saw it as a harbinger of the future dominance of Federer.
US Open 2001 Quarter-final: defeated Andre Agassi, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6, a classic duel that featured a remarkable zero breaks of serve. Many people dubbed this as the best Sampras-vs-Agassi match ever.
US Open 2002 Third Round: defeated Greg Rusedski 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4. It gained headlines because Rusedski made unsportsmanlike comments about Sampras during the former's post-match press conference. Rusedski said "He's a step and a half slow coming to the net," and "he's a great player from the past. You're used to seeing Pete Sampras, 13-time Grand Slam champion. It's not the same player here." Rusedski predicted that Sampras would lose his 4th Round match to young German star Tommy Haas ^*. Sampras responded that he "didn't have to be a half-step quicker" to beat Rusedski.
US Open 2002 Final: defeated Andre Agassi 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in yet another memorable battle with his long-time rival. This was Sampras' first tournament win in over two years, since his record breaking 13th Grand Slam win at the 2000 Wimbledon. This was also the highest rated match on TV since the US Open 1995 Final. As it turned out, this was Sampras's last competitive match, his spectacular career thus ending with a stunning achievement.

Singles Career Titles (64)

1990 (4)
- Grand Slam Cup, Manchester, Philadelphia, US Open
1991 (4)
- Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Lyon, Singles Championship
1992 (5)
- Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kitzbuhel, Lyon, Philadelphia
1993 (8)
- Antwerp, Hong Kong, Key Biscayne, Lyon, Sydney Outdoor, Tokyo Outdoor, US Open, Wimbledon
1994 (10)
- Antwerp, Australian Open, Indian Wells, Key Biscayne, Osaka, Rome, Singles Championship, Sydney Outdoor, Tokyo Outdoor, Wimbledon
1995 (5)
- Indian Wells, London / Queen's Club, Paris Indoor, US Open, Wimbledon
1996 (8)
- Basel, Hong Kong, Indianapolis, Memphis, San Jose, Singles Championship, Tokyo, US Open
1997 (8)
- Australian Open, Cincinnati, Grand Slam Cup, Paris Indoor, Philadelphia, San Jose, Singles Championship, Wimbledon
1998 (4)
- Atlanta, Philadelphia, Vienna, Wimbledon
1999 (5)
- Cincinnati, London / Queen's Club, Los Angeles, Singles Championship, Wimbledon
2000 (2)
- Miami, Wimbledon
2002 (1)
- US Open

External links

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