Pete Sampras, left, celebrated his sixth Wimbledon success in 1999 after beating Andre Agassi in the final.
King of the grass —
Pete Sampras, left, celebrated his sixth Wimbledon success in 1999 after beating Andre Agassi in the final.
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Sampras' powerful serve and volley game earned him seven titles in eight years at the grass-court grand slam.
Serve and volley specialist —
Sampras' powerful serve and volley game earned him seven titles in eight years at the grass-court grand slam.
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However, he struggled in his early years there. After two first-round exits, a youthful Sampras lost to fellow American Derrick Rostagno in round two in 1991.
Early struggles —
However, he struggled in his early years there. After two first-round exits, a youthful Sampras lost to fellow American Derrick Rostagno in round two in 1991.
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Sampras won his first Wimbledon trophy in 1993, and is pictured here with Britain's last male winner Fred Perry, who collected his third title at SW19 in 1936.
Big breakthrough —
Sampras won his first Wimbledon trophy in 1993, and is pictured here with Britain's last male winner Fred Perry, who collected his third title at SW19 in 1936.
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Sampras, here employing his trademark jump smash, matched the alltime Wimbledon record for men's titles held by William Renshaw -- who won seven in the 1880s.
Smashing records —
Sampras, here employing his trademark jump smash, matched the alltime Wimbledon record for men's titles held by William Renshaw -- who won seven in the 1880s.
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Sampras finished his career on a high, winning his 14th and final grand slam on home soil at the 2002 U.S. Open after beating Agassi in the final.
Glorious finale —
Sampras finished his career on a high, winning his 14th and final grand slam on home soil at the 2002 U.S. Open after beating Agassi in the final.
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Sampras is still enjoying his tennis and was all smiles in a 2011 exhibition match in New York against old rival Agassi.
Veteran campaigner —
Sampras is still enjoying his tennis and was all smiles in a 2011 exhibition match in New York against old rival Agassi.
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The year before, Sampras played an exhibition with Roger Federer, who has a record 16 grand slams but is still one short of the American's Wimbledon tally.
Legends past and present —
The year before, Sampras played an exhibition with Roger Federer, who has a record 16 grand slams but is still one short of the American's Wimbledon tally.
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Sampras with actress wife Bridgette, who he married in 2000, and the younger of their two sons, Ryan.
Family man —
Sampras with actress wife Bridgette, who he married in 2000, and the younger of their two sons, Ryan.
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