Petros "Pete" Sampras (born August 12, 1971) is a retired American tennis player and former world No. 1 regarded as one of the greatest players in tennis history. He debuted on the professional tour in 1988 and finished his career at the 2002 US Open, which he won, defeating rival Andre Agassi in the final. He was particularly esteemed for his precise serve, earning the nickname "Pistol Pete".
Sampras became the first professional to break Roy Emerson's pre-Open Era record of 12 Grand Slam singles titles and retired with 14 titles (seven Wimbledon, five US Open, two Australian Open), a record since overtaken by Roger Federer and equalled by Rafael Nadal. He also won seven elite indoor titles (five ATP World Tour Finals and two Grand Slam Cups) and still holds the ATP record of six year-end No. 1 rankings, achieved consecutively from 1993 through 1998.
Sampras' numerous accolades include a record six ATP Player of the Year awards and six ITF World Champion awards, a record as well. Together with Ken Rosewall, they are the only men to have won Grand Slam singles titles as a teenager, in their 20s, and in their 30s. In 2005, TENNIS Magazine named Sampras the greatest tennis player for the period 1965 through 2005, from its list "The 40 Greatest Players of the TENNIS Era".
1988-2003 |