Pete Sampras facts for kids
Sampras in 2011
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| Country (sports) |  United States |
|---|---|
| Residence | Lake Sherwood, California, US |
| Born | August 12, 1971 Washington, D.C., US |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Turned pro | 1988 |
| Retired | September 8, 2002 (last match) August 25, 2003 (official) |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Coach | Peter Fischer (1980–1989) Joe Brandi (1989–1991) Tim Gullikson (1992–1995) Vitas Gerulaitis (1994 Rome) Paul Annacone (1995–2001) Tom Gullikson (2001–2002) José Higueras (2002) Paul Annacone (2002) |
| Prize money | US$43,280,489
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| Int. Tennis HoF | 2007 (member page) |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 762–222 (77.4%) |
| Career titles | 64 (9th in the Open Era) |
| Highest ranking | No. 1 (April 12, 1993) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | W (1994, 1997) |
| French Open | SF (1996) |
| Wimbledon | W (1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) |
| US Open | W (1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2002) |
| Other tournaments | |
| Tour Finals | W (1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999) |
| Grand Slam Cup | W (1990, 1997) |
| Olympic Games | 3R (1992) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 64–70 (47.8%) |
| Career titles | 2 |
| Highest ranking | No. 27 (February 12, 1990) |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | 2R (1989) |
| French Open | 2R (1989) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (1989) |
| US Open | 1R (1988, 1989, 1990) |
| Team competitions | |
| Davis Cup | W (1992, 1995) |
Pete Sampras (born August 12, 1971) is a famous American former tennis player. Many consider him one of the greatest tennis players of all time. He was ranked as the world No. 1 for 286 weeks. This is the third-longest time for any male player. He also finished as the year-end No. 1 for six years in a row.
Sampras won 64 singles titles during his career. This includes 14 major Grand Slam titles. At the time he retired, this was a world record. He won seven Wimbledon Championships, two Australian Opens, and five US Opens. He also won five Tour Finals and was part of the winning United States Davis Cup team in 1992 and 1995.
Sampras became the youngest male US Open champion in 1990, just after his 19th birthday. He won his first Wimbledon title in 1993. He then won Wimbledon seven times in eight years. He was the top player for the rest of the 1990s. After a short dip in his performance, Sampras won his 14th and final major title at the 2002 US Open. He beat his long-time rival Andre Agassi in that final. Sampras retired from tennis at age 31.
Sampras was known for his serve-and-volley playing style. His powerful and accurate serve was one of the best ever. This earned him the nickname "Pistol Pete." In 2007, he was added to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Early Life and Tennis Beginnings
Pete Sampras was born on August 12, 1971, in Washington, D.C.. He was the third child of Sammy and Georgia Sampras. His family attended the Greek Orthodox Church. When he was three, Pete found a tennis racket and spent hours hitting balls against a wall.
In 1978, his family moved to Palos Verdes, California. The warmer weather allowed seven-year-old Pete to play tennis almost all year. His hero was Rod Laver, a tennis legend. When Pete was 11, he even got to meet and play tennis with Laver.
Pete's talent became clear at the Jack Kramer Club. As a teenager, he trained with coach Robert Lansdorp. He also worked with Dr. Peter Fischer, who helped him change his two-handed backhand to a one-handed one. This change was made to help him win at Wimbledon.
Pete Sampras's Professional Career
Starting as a Pro: 1988-1989
Sampras became a professional tennis player in 1988 when he was 16. He started the year ranked No. 893 and finished at No. 97. His first professional match was a loss in Philadelphia. However, he soon beat two top-40 players in Miami.
In 1989, Sampras improved his ranking to No. 81. He won his first Grand Slam match at the French Open. At the US Open, he surprised everyone by beating the defending champion, Mats Wilander.
First Grand Slam Win: 1990 US Open
In 1990, Sampras won his first professional singles title in Philadelphia. He beat top players like Andre Agassi and Tim Mayotte. This win moved him into the top 20 for the first time.
In September, Sampras won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open. He defeated tough opponents like Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe. In the final, he beat Andre Agassi in straight sets. At 19 years and 28 days old, he became the youngest male US Open singles champion ever. He finished 1990 ranked No. 5.
Becoming World No. 1: 1991-1993
In 1991, Sampras won his first of five career titles at the year-end Tennis Masters Cup. In 1992, he reached the quarterfinals of the French Open and the semifinals of Wimbledon. He also helped the US team win the Davis Cup.
In April 1993, Sampras became the world No. 1 for the first time. He then won his first of seven Wimbledon titles, beating Jim Courier in the final. This was followed by his second US Open title. Sampras ended 1993 as the clear No. 1 player. He also set a record by serving over 1,000 aces in one season.
Dominating the Mid-1990s: 1994-1996
Sampras won his first Australian Open title in 1994. He then defended his Wimbledon title. In 1995, Sampras and Andre Agassi battled for the No. 1 ranking. Sampras won his third straight Wimbledon title and then beat Agassi in the US Open final. He also helped the United States win the Davis Cup.
In 1996, Sampras had his best run at the French Open, reaching the semifinals. However, he lost in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, which was his only loss there between 1993 and 2000. He went on to win his fourth US Open title. Sampras ended the year by winning the ATP Tour World Championship for the third time.
Continued Success and Records: 1997-1999
In 1997, Sampras won his second Australian Open title and his fourth Wimbledon title. He held the No. 1 ranking for the entire year. He became only the second male player to hold the year-end No. 1 ranking for five years in a row.
In 1998, Sampras won Wimbledon for the fifth time. He finished the year as the top-ranked player for the sixth year in a row. This set a new record. In 1999, Sampras won Wimbledon for the sixth time. This win tied the record for most Grand Slam singles titles at 12. He lost his No. 1 ranking to Agassi later that year due to an injury.
Breaking Records and Retirement: 2000-2002
In 2000, Sampras won his seventh and final Wimbledon title. This was his 13th Grand Slam singles title, breaking the all-time record that had stood for over 30 years. He reached the US Open final but lost. This brief return to No. 1 extended his record to 286 weeks.
In 2001, Sampras's 31-match Wimbledon winning streak ended when he lost to 19-year-old Roger Federer. This was their only official match. He reached the US Open final but did not win a title that year.
At the 2002 US Open, Sampras was seeded 17th. He surprised many by reaching the final, where he faced Andre Agassi again. Sampras won the match in four sets, claiming his 14th Grand Slam singles title. This also matched Jimmy Connors' record of five US Open singles championships. Sampras did not play any more tournaments after this win. He officially announced his retirement in August 2003. He is the only man in the Open Era to win the final Grand Slam tournament he played.
Life After Professional Tennis
After retiring, Sampras played in exhibition matches. In 2007, he played in the Outback Champions Series, a tour for former ATP players. He won his first two events.
Sampras played exhibition matches against Roger Federer in 2007 and 2008. He also played against other active players like Tommy Haas. In 2009, he won two more Champions Series titles.
In 2009, Sampras was at the Wimbledon final to see Roger Federer break his record of 14 major titles. In 2010, Sampras played a doubles exhibition match with Federer, Agassi, and Rafael Nadal to raise money for Haiti earthquake relief.
In 2010, many of his trophies and memorabilia were stolen. Most of these items have since been found and returned.
Key Rivalries
Sampras vs. Agassi
The rivalry between Sampras and Andre Agassi was one of the greatest in tennis history. They had very different playing styles. Sampras was known for his powerful serve, while Agassi was famous for returning serves. Sampras won 20 of their 34 matches.
Their first Grand Slam final was the 1990 US Open, which Sampras won. They met in several other major finals, including the Australian Open and the US Open in 1995. Sampras won the US Open final that year.
In 1999, Sampras beat Agassi in the Wimbledon final. Their last official match was the 2002 US Open final, which Sampras won. This was Sampras's final career match.
Sampras vs. Becker
Sampras and Boris Becker had similar playing styles, both known for strong serves and coming to the net. Sampras won 12 of their 19 matches.
Sampras beat Becker three times at Wimbledon between 1993 and 1997, including the 1995 final. Becker once said that Sampras had "taken over the keys" to Wimbledon, meaning Sampras had become the dominant player there.
Sampras vs. Rafter
Sampras won 12 of his 16 matches against Patrick Rafter. Their matches were often intense.
In 1998, Rafter beat Sampras in the Cincinnati Masters final. Later that year, Rafter also won their semifinal match at the US Open. Their most famous match was the 2000 Wimbledon final. Sampras won this match to claim his 13th Grand Slam title, breaking the all-time record. After the match, Sampras praised Rafter as "all class."
Playing Style and Equipment
Sampras was an all-court player. This means he could play well from anywhere on the court. He often used a serve-and-volley strategy. This involved hitting a powerful serve and then rushing to the net to finish the point.
His first serve was very accurate and powerful. Many experts consider it one of the best serves ever. He was also known for hitting aces (serves that opponents cannot return) at important moments. Sampras could hit winning shots from both his forehand and backhand. He was very fast and could hit forehands while running.
Sampras used the same type of racket, the Wilson Pro Staff Original, throughout his entire professional career. He used special strings and had his rackets re-strung before every match. He also wore Nike clothing and shoes.
Personal Life
Pete Sampras's family has Greek and Polish roots. His older sister, Stella Sampras Webster, is a tennis coach at UCLA. His older brother, Gus, has worked as a tournament director.
On September 30, 2000, Sampras married American actress Bridgette Wilson. They have two sons, born in 2002 and 2005. The family lives in Lake Sherwood, California. Both Sampras and Wilson decided to focus on raising their children away from the public eye.
Sampras has a mild genetic condition called β-thalassemia minor. This can sometimes cause mild anemia.
Tennis Legacy and Achievements
During his career, Pete Sampras won 14 major singles titles. This was a record when he retired in 2002. He won 14 of his 18 major finals. He never won the French Open, but he was amazing on grass courts, winning seven Wimbledon titles. Sampras won the US Open as the youngest champion in 1990 and finished his career with his fifth US Open title.
He won five year-end championships and was the world No. 1 for 286 weeks. He also held the No. 1 ranking for a record six years in a row. Sampras won 64 top-level singles titles and was part of two winning US Davis Cup teams. Because of his many achievements, many people believe Sampras is one of the greatest tennis players ever.
Sampras is remembered for his excellent technique, powerful serve, and his skill at the serve-and-volley style. His calm playing style was a great contrast to the powerful baseline game of his biggest rival, Andre Agassi. Their matches were considered some of the greatest rivalries in sports history.
In 2005, Tennis Magazine named Sampras the greatest player from 1965-2005. In 2012, Tennis Channel ranked Sampras as the third greatest male player of all time. Sampras himself once said, "In a lot of ways, I felt like I was born to win Wimbledon."
Many players and sports writers agree on Sampras's high place in tennis history. Roy Emerson, whose record of 12 major singles titles Sampras broke, called Sampras "the greatest of all time." John McEnroe also said Sampras was the toughest opponent he ever played.
Career Statistics
Grand Slam Performance Timeline
| W | F | SF | QF | #R | RR | Q# | A | NH |
| Tournament | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | SR | W–L | Win |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | A | 1R | 4R | A | A | SF | W | F | 3R | W | QF | A | SF | 4R | 4R | 2 / 11 | 45–9 | 83.33% |
| French Open | A | 2R | A | 2R | QF | QF | QF | 1R | SF | 3R | 2R | 2R | 1R | 2R | 1R | 0 / 13 | 24–13 | 64.86% |
| Wimbledon | A | 1R | 1R | 2R | SF | W | W | W | QF | W | W | W | W | 4R | 2R | 7 / 14 | 63–7 | 90.00% |
| US Open | 1R | 4R | W | QF | F | W | 4R | W | W | 4R | SF | A | F | F | W | 5 / 14 | 71–9 | 88.75% |
| 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 | 14 / 52 | 203–38 | 84.23% |
Grand Slam Finals: 14 Wins, 4 Losses
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1990 | US Open | Hard |  Andre Agassi |
6–4, 6–3, 6–2 |
| Loss | 1992 | US Open | Hard |  Stefan Edberg |
6–3, 4–6, 6–7(5–7), 2–6 |
| Win | 1993 | Wimbledon | Grass | Jim Courier |
7–6(7–3), 7–6(8–6), 3–6, 6–3 |
| Win | 1993 | US Open (2) | Hard |  Cédric Pioline |
6–4, 6–4, 6–3 |
| Win | 1994 | Australian Open | Hard | Todd Martin |
7–6(7–4), 6–4, 6–4 |
| Win | 1994 | Wimbledon (2) | Grass |  Goran Ivanišević |
7–6(7–2), 7–6(7–5), 6–0 |
| Loss | 1995 | Australian Open | Hard | Andre Agassi |
6–4, 1–6, 6–7(6–8), 4–6 |
| Win | 1995 | Wimbledon (3) | Grass |  Boris Becker |
6–7(5–7), 6–2, 6–4, 6–2 |
| Win | 1995 | US Open (3) | Hard | Andre Agassi |
6–4, 6–3, 4–6, 7–5 |
| Win | 1996 | US Open (4) | Hard | Michael Chang |
6–1, 6–4, 7–6(7–3) |
| Win | 1997 | Australian Open (2) | Hard |  Carlos Moyá |
6–2, 6–3, 6–3 |
| Win | 1997 | Wimbledon (4) | Grass | Cédric Pioline |
6–4, 6–2, 6–4 |
| Win | 1998 | Wimbledon (5) | Grass | Goran Ivanišević |
6–7(2–7), 7–6(11–9), 6–4, 3–6, 6–2 |
| Win | 1999 | Wimbledon (6) | Grass | Andre Agassi |
6–3, 6–4, 7–5 |
| Win | 2000 | Wimbledon (7) | Grass |  Patrick Rafter |
6–7(10–12), 7–6(7–5), 6–4, 6–2 |
| Loss | 2000 | US Open | Hard |  Marat Safin |
4–6, 3–6, 3–6 |
| Loss | 2001 | US Open | Hard | Lleyton Hewitt |
6–7(4–7), 1–6, 1–6 |
| Win | 2002 | US Open (5) | Hard | Andre Agassi |
6–3, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 |
Records and Awards
Key Tennis Records
- Sampras won 8 Grand Slam finals in a row from 1995 Wimbledon to 2000 US Open. No other player has done this.
- He reached at least one Grand Slam final for 11 years in a row (1992-2002).
- He has a 90% winning record on grass courts (63 wins, 7 losses). This is the best ever.
- At the US Open, he won 5 titles, matching Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.
- He is the youngest US Open champion ever, winning in 1990.
- Sampras is one of only three men to win Grand Slam titles as a teenager, in their 20s, and in their 30s. The others are Ken Rosewall and Rafael Nadal.
- He won all seven Wimbledon finals he played.
Professional Awards
- ATP Player of the Year: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998.
- ITF World Champion: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998.
Images for kids
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Sampras in 2011
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Sampras in 1992
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Sampras at Champions Cup Boston, in 2007
