I think the greatest male tennis player of all time is Pete Sampras. During his 15-year career he captured 14 Grand Slams. He remained world No.1 for six consecutive years, winning a record-equalling seven Wimbledon titles and five US Open tournaments.

Sampras started his professional tennis career at the age of 16 in 1988 and reached the fourth round of the US Open. He came back to Flushing Meadow to win his first ever Grand Slam in 1990.

His rivalry with Andre Agassi was one of the fiercest and most exciting in tennis, Sampras winning 20 of their matches while Agassi won 14. They met five times in Grand Slam finals, with Agassi winning just the once – at the Australian Open in 1995.

‘His matches with the greatest excitement were against his biggest rival Agassi, whom he beat three times in US Open finals and once in a Wimbledon final’


Sampras became world No.1 in 1993 and in the same year he captured his first ever Wimbledon title. He then won the Wimbledon for the next two years, achieving a remarkable hat-trick. Dutchman Richard Krajicek won Wimbledon in 1996 but Sampras returned to take the title in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000. Sampras also won two Australian Open titles – in 1994 and 1997 – and took the Italian Open in 1994.

Sampras was most powerful on the grass courts where he could easily attack his opponent due to the speed of these tracks. But his real weak point was the clay court, the same problem which Roger Federer now faces. Due to his clay court weakness he never won the French Open which can be said to be a disappointment in such a bright and hugely successful career. After winning a record 14 Grand Slams Sampras announced his retirement from tennis in 2003.

In all, he won 64 top singles titles, including 11 ATP Master Series tournaments.

His matches with the greatest excitement were against his biggest rival Agassi, whom he beat three times in US Open finals and once in a Wimbledon final. The best of both these two players was seen in these matches, which were a real treat to watch.

Sampras's greatest strength was his powerful serve, which which gave his opponents very little time to respond. With the aces raining down, it did not take long for him to be dubbed Pistol Pete. His other nickname was The King of Swing.

Sampras married American actress and former Miss Teen USA Bridgette Wilson in 2000 and they have two sons. The former world No.1 still takes part in some tournaments for former tennis players and has played exhibition matches against the current world No.1 Roger Federer.