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 Pete Sampras with son Christian after a ceremony honouring his retirement during the US Open on August 25 at the USTA National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, New York.
Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images |
SPORT Goodbye Pete It was only fitting that Pete Sampras formalised his retirement from tennis at the scene of arguably his two greatest and most unexpected triumphs. If stepping on to Wimbledon's centre court was akin to playing on his own front lawn, then Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows could have been Sampras' backyard. He had a virtual mortgage on both. Seven Wimbledon titles and five US Open crowns from eight finals appearances in New York, plus two successes at the Australian Open, made Sampras the most prolific Grand Slam singles winner in history, with 14 titles in all. His first major came at the 1990 US Open when, as a scrawny, baby-faced 19 years and 28 days young man, he became the youngest US Open champion of all time, one of the many records he still holds. His final -- and his most unforgettable -- major also came at the US Open in the last match of his incomparable career when, against all odds, he ended a 27-month title drought with victory in the 2002 final over his great rival Andre Agassi. Text: Ivan Crasto Pistol Pete
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