PETE SAMPRAS-

THE LEGEND OF TENNIS

After winning a record number of 14 grand slams, Pete Sampras is arguably the greatest tennis player of all time. Having held the world number 1 ranking for 6 consecutive years, he dominated the tennis arena for most of the 1990s. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2007.
Born in Washington D.C on the 12^th of August 1971, Sampras is of Greek parentage. He started playing tennis at the age of seven, idolising Rod Laver. Showing promise as a junior, he was coached by Peter Fisher, who was responsible for making changes in his style of play. During his childhood, he competed alongside players such as Andre Agassi, Michael Chang and Jim Courier. This would set the scene for the development of legendary rivalries between these players in the 1990s.


Grand Slam titles:


1990- US Open                                             1996 - US Open
1993- Wimbledon                                          1997 - Australien Open
1993- US Open                                             1997 - Wimbledon
1994-Australien Open                                   1998 - Wimbledon
1994- Wimbledon                                          1999- Wimbledon
1995- Wimbledon                                           2000 - Wimbledon
1995-US Open                                               2002 - US Open                    

Achievements

• Sampras has won 14 Grand Slam titles, second only to Federer's 16.
• Sampras is the first male player to win more than 12 Grand Slams, surpassing the old record of 12 Grand Slams by Roy Emerson.
• Only Sampras (2000–02), Federer (2004–09), Lendl (1982–89) and McEnroe (1979–81) have appeared in 3 or more consecutive US Open finals.
• Only Sampras (1997–2000), Becker (1988–91), Federer (2003–09), McEnroe (1980–84) and Borg (1976–81) have appeared in 4 or more consecutive Wimbledon Finals.