Pete Sampras

Born:: August 12, 1971
Place of Birth:: Washington, D.C.
United States
Citizenship:: United States
Induction Category:: Recent Player
Year of Induction:: 2007
Highest Ranking: World Singles Ranking: 1

Driven by very powerful private engines to reach the summit in the world of tennis, Pete Sampras possessed one of the most formidable arsenals in the history of the game. An overwhelmingly effective serve-and-volleyer, no one could surpass his first-and-second-serve combination. Moreover, his running forehand was a trademark shot feared by every rival. Ranked No. 1 in the world for six consecutive years, he won 14 of 18 major finals. In the last official tennis match of his illustrious career, Sampras defeated rival Andre Agassi in the final of the 2002 US Open.