Arthur Ashe
American tennis player (1943-1993)
Pete Sampras was a legendary American tennis player who dominated the sport in the 1990s, winning 14 major singles titles, including 7 Wimbledon Championships and 5 US Open titles. He was ranked world No. 1 for a record 286 weeks, including 6 consecutive year-end No. 1 rankings from 1993 to 1998.
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About the Pete Sampras
Pete Samprasis an American former world No. 1 tennis player. His professional career began in 1988 and ended at the 2002 US Open, which he won, defeating his longtime rival Andre Agassi in the final. Sampras won 14 major singles titles during his career, which was an all-time record at the time of his retirement: a then-record seven Wimbledon titles, two Australian Opens and a joint Open Era record five US Open titles. He won 64 ATP Tour-level singles titles in total. He first reached the world No. 1 ranking in 1993, and held that position for a total of 286 weeks (third all time), including an Open Era record of six consecutive year-end No. 1 rankings from 1993 to 1998. His precise and powerful serve earned him the nickname “Pistol Pete”. In 2007, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pete Sampras won 14 major singles titles during his career, which was an all-time record at the time of his retirement.
Sampras won 7 Wimbledon titles, 2 Australian Opens, and a joint Open Era record 5 US Open titles.
Pete Sampras was ranked world No. 1 for a total of 286 weeks, which is the third-highest number of weeks at the top in the history of professional tennis.
Pete Sampras held the record for the most consecutive years ending the year as the world No. 1 player, with 6 consecutive year-end No. 1 rankings from 1993 to 1998.
Pete Sampras was nicknamed ,Pistol Pete, due to his precise and powerful serve, which was a key part of his success on the tennis court.
15 Quotes by Pete Sampras
- 1.
In tennis, you can make a couple of mistakes and still win. Not in golf. I played three rounds in that Tahoe event, and I was drained. Mentally, not physically.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 2.
When you retire you want to get as far away as possible from the game for a couple of years.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 3.
It is nice to walk out on a court to have it packed.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 4.
Where I fall down is my short game. I don’t practice enough, and when I have to take a half swing from 50 yards out, that’s trouble.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 5.
There’s always one shot that I can rely on when I’m not hitting the ball that well, is my serve.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 6.
If Davis Cup was a little bit less or once every two years, I would be more inclined to play. But the way it is now, it is too much tennis for me.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 7.
The difference of great players is at a certain point in a match they raise their level of play and maintain it. Lesser players play great for a set, but then less.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 8.
I am going to hold serve the majority of the time. It is nice to have a little time to return serve.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 9.
For so long people have just taken what I do for granted. It is not easy to do year-in, year-out, to win Grand Slams and be No. 1.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 10.
Tennis is seen all around the world; if I am home or anywhere in the country, United States, people will stare.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 11.
People know me. I’m not going to produce any cartwheels out there. I’m not going to belong on Comedy Central. I’ll always be a tennis player, not a celebrity.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 12.
You kind of live and die by the serve.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 13.
Golfers are forever working on mechanics. My tennis swing hasn’t changed in 10 years.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 14.
I don’t know how I do it, I really don’t.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player
- 15.
I let my racket do the talking. That’s what I am all about, really. I just go out and win tennis matches.
Pete SamprasAmerican tennis player