Pete Sampras

Sampras began learning tennis at the age of seven. He was discovered by trainer Pete Fischer, who subsequently imparted the knowledge to him. In 1988 he became a professional player. One of his sponsors was the former world-class player Ivan Lendl. In the same year he was already among the top hundred best tennis players in the world. In 1990, Pete Sampras experienced his first major success on the tennis circuit. The nineteen-year-old won the US Open tournament as seed number 19, making him the youngest winner of this Grand Slam tournament to date. In 1992 he played his way up to number three in the world rankings. The following year, 1993, he left the pitch as winner for the first time in the traditional London Wimbledon tournament, which is considered the unofficial world championship.

During this time he won the US Open again and a total of six other tournaments. He ended the tennis year with 83 match victories and was almost able to repeat the success of Ivan Lendl in 1985, who recorded 84 victories at the time. His track record includes a total of 14 Grand Slam tournament victories: seven victories at Wimbledon in the years 1993 to 1995 and 1997 to 2000, four victories at the US Open in 1990, 1993, 1995 and 1996 and two victories at the Australian Open in 1994 and 1997 as well as the five-time title of ATP World Champion in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1999 and the two-time victory of the Davis Cup with the American team in 1992 and 1995. Further decided He was number one in the ATP world rankings for a total of six tennis seasons in a row.

The 14 Grand Slam victories represent an unprecedented record in men's tennis. However, Sampras was still missing a victorious finish at the French Open from his long list of successes. He earned the name "Pistol Pete" because of his hard serve. In the world rankings for doubles players, Sampras reached 27th place as his highest placement. Compared to 66 titles as a singles player, he only achieved two career titles in doubles. His other playing qualities included an excellent serve-and-volley game with a lot of pressure. In addition, his baseline shots were feared, which he also executed powerfully and with a high level of confidence. At the traditional tournament in Wimbledon, England in 2002, the tennis star had to be content with an early exit against the unknown Swiss player Georg Bastl.

His chances of winning before the start of the tournament were only 60 percent. In the same year, Sampras changed his previous coach Tom Gullikson. Since the beginning of 2002, Sampras has been coached by former world-class player José Higueras. After Pete Sampras won his 14th Grand Slam title by winning the US Open in 2002, he officially announced his retirement from active professional sports on August 26, 2003 at the US Open stadium in New York. Meanwhile, Pete Sampras was looking forward to the birth of his child in November 2003. He lives with his wife in Orlando, California.