The former American tennis ace Pete Sampras says that he felt ‘violated’ after getting to know that thieves had stolen over eighty of his crowns and precious memorabilia.
While talking to the media about the recent incident, the 39-year-old Sampras said that his decision to declare publicly the news regarding his stolen trophies was a ‘long shot’ effort to generate an idea from the fans that would help to the memorabilia’s
return.
“I have done all I can do. It will take a little bit of luck and good fortune. It is probable that it has been destroyed by now, but it does not hurt to make it public. If the stuff was found it would be fantastic. It is a long shot but I thought by getting
the word out that it may lead to a tip that results in the stuff being recovered.”
After making his debut on the ATP tour back in 1988, Pete Sampras is widely known as one of the greatest tennis players of all times. He won sixty four single titles in his career, with fourteen Grand Slam trophies and two doubles crowns. He played his last
Grand Slam event at the US Open back in 2002 where he emerged victorious after getting the better of his arch rival Andre Agassi in the final.
The California resident put the majority of his hardware and memorabilia in a West Los Angeles public storage facility about two and a half months ago. However, Pete’s storage pod and one other were robbed three weeks ago. Inside were titles from fifty one
of his sixty four competition trophy runs, twenty four finalists’ crowns, six season end number one titles apart from other priceless memorabilia.
Former world number one says since the robbery, his emotions have run the gamut.
“Initially I was more angry thinking about some children’s stealing my stuff and then I felt violated. But now I am more disappointed that so much memorabilia is gone and my children’s won’t get to see the history of my professional life.”
The Potomac born while commenting on the support from the entire tennis community said that he has received strong support from all the players since news of robbery came to the limelight. The Association of tennis professionals is attempting to help replace
the six season end world number one titles Sampras won from 1993 to 1998. Moreover, Tennis Australia is also looking to get another trophy as a replacement to the 1994 Australian Open crown. Some former and active players on the tour also approached Sampras
to say sorry after listening to the news.
Apart from the crowns, thieves also stole pictures and letters of Pete with former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush. One of the stolen letters was from Bush which he sent him after the American lost Tim Gullikson, his former coach who passed away
due to brain cancer back in 1996.
Other stolen things include, a signed guitar from Carlos Santana, signed piano bench from Elton John, priceless scrapbooks chronicling Pete’s career put together by his brother and former coach Paul Annacone as well as magazines and newspaper clipping with
the American on the cover.
When asked about the thieves, the fourteen times Grand Slam winner added that he still hopes that they realise the importance of all the stolen stuff from his point of view as they are of no use to them but extremely valuable and memorable for the right
hander.
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