Pete Sampras
Pete Sampras
Petros "Pete" Samprasis 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"...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth12 August 1971
CityPotomac, MD
CountryUnited States of America
I am going to hold serve the majority of the time. It is nice to have a little time to return serve.
When you retire you want to get as far away as possible from the game for a couple of years.
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.
Tennis is seen all around the world; if I am home or anywhere in the country, United States, people will stare.
In tennis, you can make a couple of mistakes and still win.
I didn't have a big fat Greek wedding, but I have a lot of fat Greek friends.
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.
Golfers are forever working on mechanics. My tennis swing hasn't changed in 10 years.
There's always one shot that I can rely on when I'm not hitting the ball that well, is my serve.
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.
It's not my place to tell you whom to vote for, to take any political stand, to tell you what religion to believe in. I'm an athlete. I can influence certain things, but when I see other athletes and celebrities telling you whom to vote for, I actually get a bit offended.
I've been into golf, trying to get into the gym to stay somewhat fit. I've got two boys now, they're active kids.
I don't look at myself as a historical icon, but the reality of it is, yeah, I am playing for history now.
I can't just wake up and watch TV and do nothing. I need a day off working out, seeing the wife, play a little golf, see my kids.