Former Tennis Star Pete Sampras Spotted in L.A. During Rare Public Appearance After Retirement Over 2 Decades Ago

Pete Sampras was seen retired and astir during a uncommon nationalist appearance.

The erstwhile tennis star, 53, was spotted making a java tally successful Beverly Hills, Calif., connected Tuesday, June 3.

Sampras wore a acheronian grey Nike T-shirt and grey shorts while he carried 2 drinks successful a beverage holder successful 1 manus and a shopping container successful nan other.

The jock was past seen publically successful December 2024. Before that, he made a uncommon nationalist quality astatine nan 2019 BNP Paribas Open, wherever he played pinch Novak Djokovic successful an accumulation match.

Sampras — besides referred to arsenic “Pistol Pete” for his service — is well-known arsenic 1 of nan top tennis players of each time.

He began his master tennis profession successful 1988, erstwhile he was 16 years old. Sampras retired successful 2002 aft winning a then-record 14 Grand Slam titles and ending nan twelvemonth classed arsenic nan ATP No. 1 subordinate successful nan world from 1993 to 1998.

The Hall-of-Famer, inducted successful 2007, famously won 7 Wimbledon titles, 5 U.S. Open championships and 2 Australian Opens complete nan people of his illustrious career.

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In caller years, Sampras has remained mostly distant from nan nationalist eye.

Back successful October 2023, he revealed that his woman Bridgette Wilson-Sampras had been diagnosed pinch ovarian cancer.

In a connection released via nan AP Tour on X, Sampras said, "As astir person travel to know, I americium a beautiful quiet and backstage person. However, this past twelvemonth has been an exceptionally challenging clip for my family, and I person decided to stock what's been going on."

"Last December, my wife, Bridgette, was diagnosed pinch ovarian cancer," Sampras continued astatine nan time. "Since then, she has had awesome surgery, pushed done chemotherapy and continues pinch targeted attraction therapy."

The tennis prima further opened up astir really "hard" it was to "watch personification you emotion spell done a situation for illustration this," and praised nan couple's sons, Christian and Ryan, for "stepping up" and being "such beardown supporters" for their parents.

Sampras besides shared praise for Wilson-Sampras successful his statement, calling her an "incredible mom and woman done it all."

Sampras has been pinch his wife, a erstwhile character who starred successful movies for illustration I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Wedding Planner, since 1999.

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The mates was introduced by erstwhile Los Angeles Lakers Vice President of Public Relations John Black.

Sampras asked Black to link him pinch Bridgette aft seeing her successful a film, which he shared successful his 2008 book, A Champion’s Mind.

“There was a agleam spot to that different unspeakable precocious summertime — my wounded was straight responsible for my woman and maine meeting,” Sampras wrote. “While I was hurt, I was watching this movie, Love Stinks, pinch a friend, John Black. Bridgette Wilson, an character successful nan film, caught my eye. Actually, she blew maine distant erstwhile I saw her. I thought she was stunning.”