“Thought my 14 would last forever”…Roger 20, Rafa 20, Novak 20. How lucky are we?

You've earned the right to relax, enjoy your family, and be happy Pete.Thanks for the memories!

great dude. classy player. always liked his play. by the way - djoker didnt only get 16 or 17 - he is at 24 gs now and still running. sick

I met Sampras through a friend at a country club in Los Angeles that his kids play at, around 3-4 years ago. I (25 y.o at the time) would drive up in the afternoons or evenings and play an hour with my friend (X) who was a trainer at the club. X has no tennis or sport history, never watches sports, he just works out and has a very high level of charisma. X had a few famous clients and everyone at this club knew X, yet X had no idea who these people were. I would say.."X, that's so and so from this movie and that movie and this movie." X would replies "Bro Who? Him? Bro.....I train him sometimes... he is in bad shape bro but he drives nice car." Well one day, X was talking to someone through the screen and X turned and asked me. "Bro, my friend Pete is going to hit with us ok...he plays tennis too". Most of the time, an older member joined us and we'd just play for fun, these guys were all loaded I was just a guest so I was not in a position to say anything but "Sure!". So in comes walking Pete Sampras! X mentioned after we hit that Pete would come up to the club regularly to drop or pick his kids up who had lessons there. I was not prepared for the moment but I remember thinking *what do I do? what do I say?* as we walked to one another to shake hands. (I used to play a little in college & had a fair ranking in juniors in USTA so I was more than star struck and I could produce some good rallies). It was odd but I felt small around him, it might have been bc of his accomplishments and legendary status, but I am 6'5" and idk how to describe it.....he had a presence and I was in his shadow. As he was lacing up, X was telling him this nsfw last weekend story, and I was biting my tongue bc this was Sampras and my friend has no boundaries, but Pete was laughing and as he got up I said " you know....we aren't very good" and Pete said "hey I appreciate you letting me jump in. No pressure, we just hit until I have to go". I had one of the best hitting sessions, even though it was for 5 min, in a long time. There was so much power and net clearance and he was reading our shots so well he barely needed to run, he was always positioned perfectly. We hit with Pete a few more times after that, he is an all around friendly and nice guy. I met his kids and his wife too. His family was super humble and everyone seemed so happy, his kids were always smiling when they ran to their dad after their lesson. He asked what I did and what my parents did for a living and we talked about how our parents emigrated to the US, it was very easy to carry on a conversation with him. I learned a lot just speaking to him and we had great conversations on the evolution and history of tennis and we exchanged some crazy life stories (I have no social media so I believed there was some level of trust there). It seemed like he had no stress at all, I didn't see ego or pride, he was just a dad picking up his kids and getting to hit for a few minutes before his kids were done. His life was on cruise control, didn't matter who he played with, and he was just focused on being a good family man.

The man is a millionaire and he's enjoying family life. He still loves and plays the sport at his leisure. And best of all he doesn't have to shave if he doesn't bloody want to. Sounds like a great life.

I don't mean to scare you but Sampras is slowly becoming a werewolf

Pete was clean shaven at the start of the interview and grew progressively hairier as it went on.

16-17 grand slams seemed very high target for Novak at that time. Now he is at 24 and running! Just phenomenal!

I think it was Agassi who said "I was the first to get attention, Chang was the first to win a major, Courier was the first #1, but Pete was the best."

What a humble and honest person Pete is! Respect! :)

Such a nice unassuming guy and what an amazing player in his day . He deserves to be as happy and content as he obviously is .

This is a man that seems to be sorted in his life and his out look and just very happy. I dont care what he looks like people are just so shallow

He has 24 now, even pete didnt expected that.🏆

still remember watching him play as an 8 year old. his calmness, modesty and character on the court, along with his incredible touch and beautiful gamestyle were a joy to watch. 20 years later im so grateful to have witnessed one of the greatest sportmans who made me fall in love with this game and pick up a racket in the first place.

Most humble and down to earth player I've ever seen ❤️ him 😊😊

Greatest first serve in tennis. Beware of the full moon.

"if he keeps this up over the next 3-4 years he (Novak) could get 16-17.." Amazing to think he's now on 24.

My tennis idol when I was growing up. A true champion.

Watching this interview in 2023 (and beyond), it is funny to hear Sampras talking about Djokovic (at that time had 11 majors won) eventually passing his 14-major record and eventually reaching 16-17...😅

I sure do miss Pete's serve/volley game....what a beast !

So he's a stay at home dad and doesn't care how he looks. I gathered in the 90s that he didn't like the lime light so this isn't all that surprising.;

Who remembers Sampras v Corretja US open. Sampras is sick, pukes on court. Umpire calls "court violatoin" Sampras steps up to the baseline serves an ace. Goes on to win. LEGEND!!!! No one like Sampras!!!

Loved Pete back in the 90's. Was my tennis idol. One of the greatest of all times.

Sampras is really likeable guy here. Completely at ease and having a good time. One of the greatest of all time. If he had kept playing he probably would have picked up two more Slams. He didn't care. He set out to accomplish his goal and he got it done. He didn't have anything to prove after that. What a career!

Pete looks really happy jst chilling with his family & I'm happy for him 👍

Sampras made the right choice by spending the rest of his life with his wife and kids rather than wasting more meaningless time trying to earn some more money coaching someone. Good man!

This guy is the man that pull me into tennis. He is still all time greatest tennis player.

Sampras answers the question at 4:24.

It’s impressive how intelligent tennis players are as compared to other pro athletes. Sampras no exception.

good for him; he knows what he wants and what his priorities are; be happy

The greatest of his era. The best serve-volley ever, still love to watch his games nowadays.

I saw him against Woodbridge, Wimbledon semis. I was viewing at close to ground level. His core strength, speed, athleticism, power, recovery, was beyond mind blowing.

Sampras was always one of my favorite players. I always root for the player with a single-handed backhand.

The legend that is Pistol Pete! Nothing but respect for this guy!

The most accurate server ever. He could hit water bottles and coins with his serve.

Today Novak got his 20th grand slam. Not even Sampras would've thought he could do that.

Ice his his veins pistol. Down break point? Serves an ace. Down 15-40? Serves 3 aces to win the game. Championship point 2nd serve? Serves 2nd serve ace. Best server in history. ;)

Best tennis player I've ever seen! Love and respect from Azerbaijan!

What a service motion Pete has … amazing !!

Pete Sampras 💛💛💛 What memories!! 😢 You'll be a super dad, Pete 🙌🙏

I like Pete. So humble. The hair speaks for itself.

what he meant to say, "there isnt a big enough talent in american tennis to make me leave my family and travel around the world with them."

One of the greatest. Loved watching him in my teens.

I missed watching him play. One of the greatest old time player!!

Don’t forget borg. Retired at 26 and won 11grand slams

Pete was a great tennis player and moved around the court like a silent assassin.

Class act and what a humble guy. I love what he said about his kids its so true its not easy being a parent.

Sampras and Federer are the reason why I changed to one-handed backhand. 9 years later, I'm proud of the choice

I’m sure Federer has picked up some of Pete’s incredible shots (you can draw similarity) while not taking away any of genius shots from his own. Pete brought in the art of serve and volley to the game that no one could do.

that serve is still the ultimate serve

Excelente entrevista, como sugerencia podría estar con sub títulos en español!

Pete Sampras is Class act... Thanks Pete for the memories

Damn Pete, you were the best.

I saw Pete in Pacific Palisades and he looked awesome at 46. Certainly proud of his accomplishments and happy. He can shave when he feels like!!!

Power, focus, drive and quickness. He was dominant. Loved watching him growing up.

Pete you are best! I stopped watching tennis once you retired.... must have watched just about every game you played on t.v!

Loved Sampras back in the day. Awesome tennis player!

The most incredible competitor. So focused, calm and so ruthless. His discipline is unsurpassed by any player. A shame he dropped off so early in 2001 and 2002.

Always so close 2 supporters and fans Tnx Pete 4 everything you gave us all these years 👍🇭🇷

Loved Pete Sampras. Such a nice Guy.

Legend

Still my personal favourite player ever!!

Big fan of Pete and will always be. Love you very much, always stay happy as you are ♥️

Glad I got to watch a few of his matches on TV towards the end of his career. That was when I started getting into tennis.

Great player. Great personality.

Pete Sampras is my all time hero.

Top bloke and one of the greatest for me... certainly the most likeable.

Love how honest he is..kids can be tough but you stick it out because you want them to be good people and choose the right path..being away and lots of travel doesn't allow that..he did all that his whole career..he's earned the right to stay home..+ like some other one commented,,he ain't broke like some other ex pro's...

Still class Pete ! Always loved Sampras' and Agassi era and think it was way way more exciting than today's trio!

Interviewer: "Hey Pete, how are the kids?" Pete: "Oh, those little werewolves are great!"

I love him. He is my favourite tennis player. So calm , patient and he had the best tennis serve ever. Very nice guy and to me a true example of down to earth person. I wish he would have played few more years 😀

It's so good to see Sandor Clegane doing well in the long wait for season 8

Rafa was going through a rough stage for a couple of years but pulled through, look at him now hes better than ever with 21 grand slams in front of the rest....

Pete is in great shape! No fat!

Great player all time.love to watch sweet pete

Mpravo sou Pete! Paixtaras kail poli kalos xaraktiras!!!

what a respect towards Djokovic from Sampras,amazing

True family man. Now, it’s about my kids. It’s great Pete took a backseat and loves to spend time with his kids and family. Great man.

Sampras best player ever imo, most complete and dominant and talent, amazing

The comments on Pete's looks are staggeringly stupid. All this because the guy genuinely doesn't care about being a fashion icon. Well, one mustn't expect too much from the YT audience. :D

Pete shouldnt feel to bad. His era was much more competitive than it is currently.

Sampras about Rafa: "It's not over for him, he's won too much." We can see in 2017 that he was right.

Love to see you the legend

Best clutch player of all time.

my favorite tennis player

Good for you!!!

This was before Roger and Rafa's resurgence in 2017. Thats how you can tell they are special champions. Everyone thought they were done... but they have been at the very top for the last couple of years.

Class act then and now. That serve and running forehand were perfection. He needs some man-scaping though.

Pete was truly one of the greats in tennis.

Miss his forehand crosscourt drive.no other player has so much power

Went here after Novak has got 19 grand slam titles, cause on thia vid, Pete said Novak might surpass him, he said maybe he can have 16 or 17 titles and yesterday Novak won his 19th title at Roland Garros

Cash looks younger in this video than Sampras even though he is 6 years older. Sampras hsn't aged well.

Still the best Pete!

CUDOWNY GENIUSZ NAD GENIUSZE na zawsze dziękuję BOGU

Damn, I grew up watching Pete. Good to see him again.

Serve & volley needs to come back

Love this man. King of his Era and GOAT contender. Coaching might not be the right fit for him since hes a dad and more about the home life but Pete would make a hell of a mentor for an up and Comer, or a champion like Novak when he first became #1 (which he sort of was). Hail the King of Swing!

Respect Pete ❤

Elegance and total class👍 ❤😘

He said if Novak keeps this up for 3 or 4 more gears he can pass me. Here we are 5 years later and Novak has 20 and counting!