When Did Pete Sampras, The Tennis Legend, Hang Up His Racquet?

When did Pete Sampras retire? The legendary tennis player Pete Sampras retired on August 14, 2002, after winning his 14th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.

Sampras is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time. He won 14 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven Wimbledon titles, and held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks. Sampras was known for his powerful serve and volley game, and he was one of the most successful players in the history of the sport.

Sampras' retirement came as a surprise to many, as he was still playing at a high level. However, he had been struggling with injuries in recent years, and he felt that it was time to step away from the game. Sampras' retirement marked the end of an era in tennis, and he is still considered one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

Here are some of Sampras' most notable achievements:

• Won 14 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven Wimbledon titles
• Held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks
• Won a record 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles (1993-1997)
• Was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2007

When Did Pete Sampras Retire?

Pete Sampras, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, retired on August 14, 2002, after winning his 14th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open. Here are seven key aspects of his retirement:

• Date: August 14, 2002
• Age: 31
• Rank: World No. 1
• Grand Slam titles: 14
• Wimbledon titles: 7
• Weeks at world No. 1: 286
• Reason: Injuries

Sampras' retirement came as a surprise to many, as he was still playing at a high level. However, he had been struggling with injuries in recent years, and he felt that it was time to step away from the game. Sampras' retirement marked the end of an era in tennis, and he is still considered one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

Personal Details and Bio Data of Pete Sampras:

Date

The date August 14, 2002, is significant in the context of "when did Pete Sampras retire" because it marks the day on which Sampras played his last professional tennis match. Sampras defeated Andre Agassi in the final of the 2002 US Open in straight sets, winning his 14th and final Grand Slam singles title. Sampras announced his retirement from professional tennis shortly after his US Open victory, at the age of 31.

Sampras' retirement was a major event in the world of tennis. He was one of the most successful players in the history of the sport, and his retirement marked the end of an era. Sampras' retirement also had a significant impact on the US Open, as he was one of the tournament's most popular and successful players.

The date August 14, 2002, is therefore a significant date in the history of tennis. It marks the day on which one of the greatest players of all time retired from the sport and in the context of "when did pete sampras retire".

Age

The age of 31 is significant in the context of "when did Pete Sampras retire" because it was the age at which Sampras retired from professional tennis. This is a relatively young age for a professional tennis player to retire, as many players continue to play competitively into their 30s and even 40s. However, Sampras had been struggling with injuries in recent years, and he felt that it was time to step away from the game.

Sampras' retirement at the age of 31 was a major event in the world of tennis. He was one of the most successful players in the history of the sport, and his retirement marked the end of an era. Sampras' retirement also had a significant impact on the US Open, as he was one of the tournament's most popular and successful players.

There are a number of reasons why Sampras may have decided to retire at the age of 31. First, he had already achieved great success in his career. He had won 14 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven Wimbledon titles, and he had held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks. Second, Sampras was struggling with injuries. He had been suffering from back and shoulder problems in recent years, and he felt that he could no longer compete at the highest level. Third, Sampras was ready for a new chapter in his life. He had been playing professional tennis since he was a teenager, and he was ready to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests.

Sampras' retirement at the age of 31 is a reminder that even the greatest athletes have to retire eventually. However, Sampras' legacy will continue to inspire future generations of tennis players.

Rank

Pete Sampras retired from professional tennis on August 14, 2002, while holding the world No. 1 ranking. This is a significant fact because it highlights Sampras' status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Holding the world No. 1 ranking is a testament to Sampras' consistency and dominance in the sport.

• Sampras held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks. This is a remarkable achievement, as it shows that Sampras was the best player in the world for an extended period of time.
• Sampras won 14 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven Wimbledon titles. This is a testament to Sampras' ability to perform at his best on the biggest stages.
• Sampras was known for his powerful serve and volley game. This style of play was very effective on fast surfaces, such as grass and hard courts.
• Sampras was a fierce competitor. He never gave up, even when he was facing defeat.

Sampras' retirement at the age of 31 was a major event in the world of tennis. He was one of the most successful players in the history of the sport, and his retirement marked the end of an era. However, Sampras' legacy will continue to inspire future generations of tennis players.

Grand Slam titles

Pete Sampras retired from professional tennis on August 14, 2002, after winning his 14th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open. This is a significant achievement, as it places Sampras among the greatest tennis players of all time. Only three other players have won more Grand Slam singles titles: Roger Federer (20), Rafael Nadal (22), and Novak Djokovic (21).

• Sampras' 14 Grand Slam singles titles are a testament to his consistency and dominance in the sport. He was able to win Grand Slam titles on all four surfaces: hard court, clay court, grass court, and carpet.
• Sampras won seven Wimbledon titles, which is a record for the men's singles competition. This shows that Sampras was particularly
• Sampras was known for his powerful serve and volley game. This style of play was very effective on fast surfaces, such as grass and hard courts.
• Sampras was a fierce competitor. He never gave up, even when he was facing defeat.

Sampras' 14 Grand Slam singles titles are a major part of his legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. His achievements will continue to inspire future generations of tennis players.

Wimbledon titles

Pete Sampras' seven Wimbledon titles are a significant part of his legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. His success at Wimbledon is particularly impressive because the tournament is played on grass, which is a surface that is known to favor serve-and-volley players. Sampras' ability to win on grass is a testament to his all-court ability and his dominance in the sport.

• Sampras' seven Wimbledon titles are a record for the men's singles competition. This shows that Sampras was particularly successful at Wimbledon, and that he was able to perform at his best on the sport's most prestigious stage.
• Sampras' success at Wimbledon is due in part to his powerful serve and volley game. This style of play is very effective on grass courts, as it allows players to control the tempo of the match and to keep their opponents on the defensive.
• Sampras was also a fierce competitor. He never gave up, even when he was facing defeat. This mental toughness was a key factor in his success at Wimbledon, as it allowed him to win matches that he might have otherwise lost.

Sampras' seven Wimbledon titles are a major part of his legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. His achievements at Wimbledon will continue to inspire future generations of tennis players.

Weeks at world No. 1

Pete Sampras retired from professional tennis on August 14, 2002, after winning his 14th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open. He had held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks. This means that Sampras was the best tennis player in the world for more than five years.

Sampras' dominance at the top of the rankings is a testament to his consistency and his ability to win on all surfaces. He was a master of the serve and volley game, and he was also very good at returning serve. Sampras was also a fierce competitor, and he never gave up, even when he was facing defeat.

Sampras' 286 weeks at world No. 1 is a major part of his legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. His achievements will continue to inspire future generations of tennis players.

Reason

Pete Sampras retired from professional tennis on August 14, 2002, at the age of 31. While he was still playing at a high level, Sampras had been struggling with injuries in recent years. This was a major factor in his decision to retire.

• Persistent back pain: Sampras had been suffering from back pain for several years. This pain was caused by a herniated disc in his back. The pain was so severe that it often made it difficult for Sampras to play at his best.
• Shoulder problems: Sampras also had shoulder problems in recent years. These problems were caused by a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. The pain from the rotator cuff tear made it difficult for Sampras to serve and volley, which were two of his strengths.
• Hip pain: Sampras also had hip pain in recent years. This pain was caused by a torn labrum in his right hip. The pain from the labrum tear made it difficult for Sampras to move around the court quickly and easily.
• Fatigue: In addition to the pain from his injuries, Sampras was also struggling with fatigue. He was no longer able to recover from matches as quickly as he used to. This made it difficult for him to play at a high level consistently.

Sampras' injuries were a major factor in his decision to retire from professional tennis. He was no longer able to play at the level that he was accustomed to, and he did not want to risk further injury. Sampras' retirement was a sad day for tennis fans, but it was the right decision for him.

FAQs about Pete Sampras' Retirement

Pete Sampras' retirement from professional tennis in 2002 marked the end of an era in the sport. Here are some frequently asked questions about his retirement:

Question 1: When did Pete Sampras retire?

Answer: Pete Sampras retired from professional tennis on August 14, 2002, after winning his 14th Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.

Question 2: Why did Pete Sampras retire?

Answer: Sampras retired due to a combination of factors, including persistent back pain, shoulder problems, hip pain, and fatigue.

Question 3: How old was Pete Sampras when he retired?

Answer: Sampras was 31 years old when he retired.

Question 4: What was Pete Sampras' ranking when he retired?

Answer: Sampras retired while holding the world No. 1 ranking.

Question 5: How many Grand Slam singles titles did Pete Sampras win?

Answer: Sampras won 14 Grand Slam singles titles during his career.

Question 6: How many weeks did Pete Sampras hold the world No. 1 ranking?

Answer: Sampras held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks.

Summary: Pete Sampras retired from professional tennis in 2002 at the age of 31 due to injuries. He retired while holding the world No. 1 ranking and with 14 Grand Slam singles titles to his name. Sampras is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Transition to the next article section: Pete Sampras' retirement marked the end of an era in tennis. However, his legacy continues to inspire future generations of players.

Conclusion

Pete Sampras' retirement from professional tennis in 2002 marked the end of an era in the sport. Sampras was one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and his retirement left a void that has yet to be filled. Sampras' legacy continues to inspire future generations of players, and his achievements will never be forgotten.

Sampras' retirement is a reminder that even the greatest athletes have to retire eventually. However, Sampras' legacy will continue to live on. He is a true legend of the sport, and his achievements will continue to inspire future generations of tennis players.