Interesting Facts About Pete Sampras

Few tennis players have dominated their sport as Pete Sampras did in the 1990s. He was the top-ranked men's player in the world for six consecutive years—longer than any other player in tennis history. In 2000, Sampras broke the men's record for career victories in Grand Slam tournaments, the four most important events in tennis. His 13 Grand Slam wins included two Australian Open championships, four U.S. Open titles, and seven Wimbledon championships. Sampras added to his trophy case in 2002 with a dramatic fifth win at the U.S. Open. It was his 14th Grand Slam crown.

Sampras, a 6-foot, 1-inch (1.9 meter) right-hander, won his first U.S. Open title in 1990. At 19 years and 28 days, he was the youngest man ever to win the event. With a powerful serve that approached 130 miles (209 kilometers) per hour and kept his opponents off balance, Sampras reached the number-one ranking in 1993—the same year he won his first Wimbledon and second U.S. Open. He slammed an amazing 1,001 aces that year, an all-time record.

Pete Sampras retired as a player during a ceremony at the 2003 U.S. Open. He had won more than $43 million in prize money as a professional tennis player.

Sampras's record for Grand Slam tournament wins was relatively short lived. At the 2009 Wimbledon Championships, Switzerland's Roger Federer captured his 15th Grand Slam singles title, surpassing Sampras's mark. Sampras and his wife Bridgette Wilson were on hand to watch the historic match.

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