Tennis Special Edition: Pete Sampras, the King of Swing
For fans of tennis, Pete Sampras requires no introduction; he is almost a household name. Pete Sampras is often regarded as one of the greatest players of tennis. He is an American former tennis player and also former World Number 1. He remained on top of the tennis charts for a record-breaking six years, from 1993 to 1998. For the open era, Sampras holds the records for most weeks at Number 1, and most consecutive years as the World’s top player.
Born on August 12, 1971 in Washington DC as Peter Sampras, this formidable player debuted on the professional circuit at the age of 16 in 1988. After an exceptional career, some of the records of which still remain unbroken, Sampras retired in 2003, with his last top-level tournament being the US Open. He is the last American male tennis player to win Wimbledon. Sampras is also reputed for putting his game above all else, once saying, “And when it's all said and done, it's not the fame or the money, it's what I've done in the game, and that's to win the major tournaments.”
Pete Sampras, popularly called the ‘King of Swing’, began his career at the age of three. From a very tender age, he showed signs of tremendous athletic ability, but it was in 1974 that he discovered a tennis racquet in the basement at his parents’ house. He was immediately drawn to it and spent countless hours hitting balls against the wall. His greatest idol was Rod Laver (an Australian tennis player who ranked as World Number 1 for seven consecutive years) whom he met and played with at the age of eleven. His first coach was Peter Fischer, a paediatrician and tennis enthusiast who spotted Sampras and recognized his phenomenal talent at the Jack Kramer Club. Fischer is also credited with training Sampras to change his double-handed backhand to single-handed, preparing him for Wimbledon.
Pete Sampras played professional tennis for fifteen years before his retirement in 2003. He holds 14 Grand Slam singles titles, which is a record beaten only by Roger Federer in 2009. Sampras played 241 matches of tennis over fifteen years and made 52 Grand Slam singles tournament appearances. Out of these, he lost only 38, setting his win-loss record at 203-38.
Over the course of his professional career, the King of Swing won seven Wimbledon singles championships, a feat in the open era; he shares this record with British tennis player William Renshaw. Sampras also played his way into five US Open titles, a record which he shares with former World Number 1s, American tennis player Jimmy Connors and current second seed, Swiss Roger Federer. He also won five ATP World Tour finals; he shares this record with American Ivan Lendl.
The King of Swing is famous for his offensive playing style and putting opponents on the defensive. The best move in his arsenal was perhaps his ‘running forehand’; he showcased the ability to catch wide shots by hitting forehands on the run, when executed properly, he won many points outright or succeeded in putting his competition on the offensive. He also made the ‘slam dunk’ popular, where he would jump and hit the smash in mid-air. His weakness, if any, was his backhand. He combated this by running around his backhand to aim a forehand shot instead, to avoid devastating results.
Pete Sampras married American actress Bridgette Wilson in 2000, and resides with her and their two children in Los Angeles. Bridgette Wilson-Sampras is reputed for once writing to her husband, “Remember this; you are truly the BEST tennis player ever to pick up a tennis racquet.”
Sampras retired in 2003, with his final major tournament being the US Open 2002 against long-time rival Andre Agassi. The Arthur Ashe stadium was where he won his first and final Grand Slam tournament. At the end of an emotional ceremony, Sampras performed one last lap of honour, holding baby son Christian in his arms instead of the US Open trophy. He retired with 762 victories and 64 titles, and will remain one of the most memorable players to ever grace the tennis court.
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