Pete Sampras

Pete Sampras is not only one of the greatest tennis players in the history of the sport but also an experienced author. With three books and many more works in the works, Sampras has shown himself to be an invaluable contributor to the sports writing and biographical genres.

Sampras was born in Washington, D.C. in 1971. His family moved to California where he and brother Gus would soon begin to play tennis in the local parks and recreation programs. Driven by his mother and father, the boys would become formidable opponents competing in local tournaments.

At the age of 16, Sampras was already ranked among the top ten players in the USTA and by the time he graduated high school, he had already won his first Grand Slam in the US Open. In 1993, he claimed his first Wimbledon Men’s Singles title. This was the start of the 14-year dominance that Sampras would hold over the men’s game. Of his 64 singles titles, he would win 13 Grand Slams - a record number at the time of his retirement - and was only stopped from achieving even more by the emergence of Roger Federer.

In 2006, Sampras retired from professional tennis. He kept his relevance in the game by making television appearances and also committing his time to writing. His first book, A Champion’s Mind: Pete Sampras' Guide to Improving Your Tennis, was released in 2004. This guide, much like Arthur Ashe's hard work off the court, was written to inform and serve youth tennis. He then wrote Pete Sampras: A Champion's Story, which was released in 2005, and detailed the life and career of the tennis champion.

In 2009, Sampras released his third book, Ace: Five Lessons for Life from Pete Sampras. This work further exemplified Sampras as a true scholar both on and off the court. In it, Sampras shares his ideas on developing a strong mental game, overcoming defeat, and succeeding in life. He has also served as an editor and commentator on tennis-related documentaries throughout the years and continues to hold appearances at events and conferences to discuss aspects of the sport.

Pete Sampras has proven to be an iconic figure in the history of tennis. His racquet has earned him a massive amount of success, but his work off the court has equally solidified his legacy in the sport. His books are excellent guides for aspiring players and casual readers alike, and even for fans of the sport who just want to gain insight about the life of one of the greatest players ever. With more books expected to come, there is sure to be something new to learn from the great Pete Sampras.