Pete Sampras

Pete Sampras was born on August 12, 1971, in Washington, D.C., United States. He grew up in a family that supported his interest in tennis, and by the age of seven, he had already shown a keen interest in the sport. This interest would eventually lead him to a highly successful career in professional tennis. His natural talent and hard work paved the way for one of the most successful tennis careers in history.

On September 9, 1990, Pete Sampras won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open by defeating Andre Agassi in the final. At the age of 19, Sampras became the youngest-ever US Open men's singles champion at the time. This victory marked the beginning of an illustrious career in which Sampras would go on to win a total of 14 Grand Slam singles titles, a record that stood until 2009.

On July 5, 1993, Pete Sampras won his first Wimbledon title by defeating Jim Courier in the final, marking a significant milestone in his career. This victory was the first of seven Wimbledon singles titles Sampras would win during his career, a record at the time for the most men's Wimbledon titles won, showcasing his prowess on grass courts.

On November 20, 1995, Pete Sampras secured the year-end No. 1 ranking for the third consecutive year, demonstrating his dominance in men's tennis. By the end of his career, Sampras would hold the year-end No. 1 ranking a total of six times, more than any other player before him. His ability to maintain top performance year after year was a testament to his skill and determination.

On July 4, 1999, Pete Sampras won his seventh and final Wimbledon title, defeating Andre Agassi in the final. This victory solidified his status as one of the greatest grass-court players of all time. Sampras's achievements at Wimbledon were a pivotal part of his career, and his seven titles remained a record until Roger Federer surpassed it in 2017.

On September 10, 2000, Pete Sampras won his 13th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open, surpassing the previous record of 12 held by Roy Emerson. This victory was a significant milestone in Sampras's career and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in tennis history. He would go on to win one more Grand Slam title before retiring.

On September 8, 2002, Pete Sampras won his 14th and final Grand Slam title at the US Open, defeating Andre Agassi in the final. This victory was especially significant as it came after a period of decline, proving Sampras's resilience and ability to overcome challenges. His 14 Grand Slam titles remained a record until Roger Federer broke it in 2009.

On August 25, 2003, Pete Sampras officially announced his retirement from professional tennis. After an illustrious career decorated with 14 Grand Slam singles titles and numerous other achievements, Sampras decided to retire as one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport. His retirement was announced in a ceremony at the 2003 US Open, marking the end of an era in tennis.

On July 14, 2007, Pete Sampras was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the sport. His induction celebrated a career that included 14 Grand Slam singles titles, six year-end No. 1 rankings, and his legendary status in the sport. It was a fitting tribute to a player who had achieved so much on and off the court.

On July 16, 2017, Roger Federer won his eighth Wimbledon title, surpassing Pete Sampras's record of seven Wimbledon singles titles. Although this event was not a direct achievement of Sampras, it highlighted his lasting impact on the sport and how his records set high standards for future players. Federer's achievement was celebrated alongside Sampras's enduring Wimbledon legacy.