Last updated on March 20th, 2022
39. He Had Self-Doubt About Changing His Hand Grip
When his coach fisher advised him about changing the handgrip, he was not sure. However, this decision helped him thrive in his career as a tennis player.
40. He Idolizes Rod Laver
From the time he was seven, Pete’s idol was Rod Laver, a legendry tennis player. It was an exciting time for Pete when, at the age of 11, he met and played with him.
41. He Was Inducted Into the International Tennis Hall Of Fame In 2007
On July 25th, 2007, Pete was inducted into the Tennis Hall of fame. This was an emotional day for him. He overcame emotion when he was making a speech during this event.
42. He Retired from Tennis At The Age Of 32
Pete made an official statement about retiring at the age of 32. However, a year had passed after his final match.
Things You Do Not Know About Pete Sampras
43. His Favorite Win
His favorite win was Wimbledon in 2000, where he won his 7th record title. This was a memorable win, especially since his parents were present. The final of ’92 U.S. Open was the last time his parents saw him play in a grand slam final, in which he lost. Pete Sampras would always invite his parents every time he was in finals, however, his father would never attend because he wanted to allow Pete to do his best without the pressure of his parents watching him play on a big day.
44. He Does Not Speak To His Former Coach Fischer
Fischer had issues with the law, and Pete stood by him despite the numerous allegations. But after he was released, he made a rude statement to Pete, and they have not spoken since.
45. He Was Happy Not To Be Defending His Title
In 1991, Pete entered the U.S. Open as a defending champion. But he lost to Jim Courier. This made him feel relieved since he no longer had the pressure of defending his title and could now focus on improving his skill.
46. Pete’s Toughest Opponent
According to Pete, his most formidable opponent was Andre Agassi. The reason was that they had contrasting styles, and Agassi had an extra gear. Due to their different skills, each player had to bring their best game to the table.
47. He Is The First Player To Serve 1000 Aces In A Season
In 1993, Pete attained the world’s no.1 ranking. During this year, he won his first Wimbledon Men’s Singles Championship and a second U.S. Open title. He also set a record of serving more than a thousand aces in a season.
48. He Learned Hard Work From His Parents
His mother came to America at 25 without any money and could hardly speak English. His father had to do two jobs to sustain his family. So, his parents have influenced him to be a hard worker.
49. He Was An All-Court Player
Pete was an all-court player where he would serve and volley. The fact that he could play different fields made him one of the greatest tennis court players.
50. His Net Worth Is 150 Million
Pete Sampras’ net worth is estimated to be around 150 million.
Business and Marketing Accomplishments
51. Worked With Hingis Sports Wear
Even though he has an extensive network, Pete has never stopped working after retiring. He got endorsed as a part of Hingis sportswear, a successful project.
52. He Owns Sip Sunset Grill & Bar
Pete also opened a Bar and Grill as part of his retirement plan. The business aims to connect with the community and make extra cash.
53. Owner Of The La Vie Bistro
Most people do not know this about Pete, but he is also the owner of Le Vie Bistro. This is one of the fine places where you can enjoy quality music, drinks, and nightlife.
Pete Sampras Quotes
“I did it my way, and I have no regrets when I look back on my career that it was just a big focus for me.”
“All I cared about in tennis was winning.”
“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.”
“It’s not easy to retire at 31. In one respect I was glad I was done. But after a few years of having fun, I got a little restless. When you’re 33, 34, and you don’t have a focus, you can get kind of lost. As a man, you feel a little bit unfulfilled.”
“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.”
“When I committed to playing a little tennis in some exhibitions, it was the best thing for me. It got me in shape. It got me out of the house. It got me doing something I love to do.”
“People wrote me off, but I believed in myself. I got the confidence back, and it grew and grew. I won my first major and my last at the place that changed my life.”
“Andre Agassi was my rival in the ’90s, and I think as we got older we sort of transcended the game. He was probably the best player I ever played over my career. There’s a list of players that were tough, but Andre, certainly, he was the most unique.”
“Golfers are forever working on mechanics. My tennis swing hasn’t changed in 10 years.”
“After I went through two years of not winning an event, what kept me going was winning one more major. Once I won that last U.S. Open, I spent the next six months trying to figure out what was next. Slowly my passion for the sport just vanished. I had nothing left to prove.”
“I’ve worked hard my whole life, since I was a little kid. But now it’s a point in my life now where I can just enjoy it, but at the same time I still need to work.”
“Retirement is a work in progress. I try to figure out my day, and what I know about myself is that I need structure.”
“By putting pressure on myself to develop a great game, I had less pressure to win. These days, I tell kids that the way I grew up, it wasn’t about winning. It was about playing well, about playing the ‘right’ way. That approach helped me enjoy the game and develop mine to its maximum potential.”
“Choking is being in a position to win, and then experiencing some critical failure of nerve or spirit. That never happened to me. And I can’t help but think it was because I was never afraid to lose.”
“A champion is supposed to hate to lose, and it wasn’t like I was ever crazy about the idea. But I learned to deal with losing without having my spirit or confidence broken, which would help immensely over time, not just in the big picture but even in specific matches when I found myself in a jam. Fear of losing is a terrible thing.”
“I’ve always led a pretty simple life, with few extravagances. The money in tennis never drove me.“
“Once the fifth set comes, it’s a matter of nerves.”
Pete Sampras – quick facts and statistics
| Born | 12 August 1971, Potomac, Maryland, United States |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Pistol Pete |
| Nationality | American |
| Residence | Lake Sherwood, California, U.S. |
| Field of Work | Tennis |
| Parents | Father - Sam Sampras Mother - Georgia Sampras |
| Sibling | Sisters - Stella Sampras and Marion Sampras Brother - Gus Sampras |
| Wife | Bridgette Wilson (m. 2000) |
| Children | Christian Charles Sampras, Ryan Nikolaos Sampras |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Highest ranking | No. 1 (April 12, 1993) |
| Turned Pro | 1988 |
| Retired | September 8, 2002 (last match) August 25, 2003 (official) |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Prize Money | US$43,280,489 |
| 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) |
| Net Worth | $150 million |
| Sponsors | Sergio Tacchini, Dannon, Pizza Hut, Wilson, Nike |
| Table last updated | March 18, 2022 |