Samprasfanz

The headline match featured fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras (USA) in his China debut versus Chengdu fan-favorite Pat Cash (AUS), the 1987 Wimbledon Champion who regaled fans at last year’s inaugural Chengdu Open with his animated play. Sampras reigned supreme, defeating Cash 6-3, 6-1 with his trademark clean-struck heavy ground strokes and legendary serve. Sampras had triple-break point at 1-1, but Cash rallied to win four straight points and hold serve. At 3-3, Sampras whipped a forehand passing shot up the line to get the break. His play struck a chord with the enthusiastic fans, who hooted as he unleashed a vintage Air-Sampras overhead smash. The match epitomized the nostalgic beauty of the ATP Champions Tour, with the level and style of play leaving fans aching for eras past. Throughout … Read entire article »

Pete Sampras, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, will serve as the first spokesman for the 2011 Tennis Night In America, a joint promotional effort between the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and StarGames Inc. Tennis Night in America, the annual celebration of tennis that includes youth registration events at facilities around the country and concludes with the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden, will take place Feb. 28, 2011. “I am honored to be the first spokesperson for Tennis Night in America,” Sampras said. “Tennis was a great sport for me when I was young and having tennis facilities around the country come together to promote the game and the BNP Paribas Showdown makes for a great celebration for tennis. Last year, Tennis Night had over … Read entire article »

DEUCE Magazineby James Buddell August 26, 2010 Twenty years ago, at 19 years and 28 days, Pete Sampras went from anonymity to global superstar after he became the youngest US Open champion in history. The legendary American, his allies and rivals, reflect on the first of his 14 major titles. Shy and impressionable, 18-year-old Pete Sampras arrived at the house of World No. 1 Ivan Lendl in Greenwich, Connecticut, in November 1989. He had replaced high school with tennis’ nomadic life in the single-minded pursuit of becoming a great champion when he turned pro in Philadelphia 20 months earlier. As a natural talent, with an attacking style that was so fluent, even artistic, as to make the game appear easy, his game was in complete contrast to that of Lendl. Lendl worked for everything. … Read entire article »

August 20, 2010 Pete Sampras defeated Andre Agassi at the tennis exhibition in Bogota, Colombia 6-4, 6-3. MORE ON THE EVENT Thursday, August 26 2010 – Bogota, Colombia – Following the highly acclaimed, record-breaking tennis exo in Puerto Rico this past May, Premier International has made history again. Bringing world class tennis to the heart of Colombia for the first time, Premier continues to impact untouched markets with overwhelming success. Together with production partner IMLA, Premier International, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras continued to reach new heights this past week, as Bogota, Colombia played host to the tennis tour that continues to rock Latin America. In front of 13,000 on a chilly evening at the Coliseo El Campin, an overwhelming roar welcomed the two legends to Colombia for the first time. As the … Read entire article »

(AP)- Jun 29, 2010 NEW YORK – Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi are renewing their rivalry – and in the Big Apple, no less. John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl, too. Those four tennis greats – owners of a combined 37 Grand Slam titles – will participate in the 2011 BNP Paribas Showdown exhibition matches at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 28. Sampras-Agassi will be best of three sets. McEnroe-Lendl will be one set of first to eight games. Sampras and Agassi met in three U.S. Open finals in New York, with Sampras winning each time, including his first major title in 1990 and his 14th in 2002 – the last match of his career. McEnroe won the U.S. Open four times, and Lendl three. They met for the title in 1984, with McEnroe winning, … Read entire article »

Pete Says He’ll Help, but Wants Bigger Financial Commitment Tweet … Read entire article »