Sampras had an amazing record at Wimbledon winning 63 matches and losing only 7. He had an amazing serve and often troubled the opponents with his serve-and-volley game.

1989: It was the year when Sampras played Wimbledon for the first time. He lost his first round match against Todd Woodbridge, 5-7, 6-7(5), 7-5, 3-6.

1990: Sampras failed to break his first round jinx yet again in his second year. He lost in straight sets to South African C van Rensberg, 6-7, 5-7, 6-7.

1991: The eighth-seeded Sampras lost in the second round to fellow American Rostagno, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7, 4-6.

1992: Sampras looked a far better player than the previous editions of the competition – he looked confident. In the quarter-final Sampras knocked out the defending champion Michael Stich in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. In the semi-final he was bamboozled by Goran Ivansevic’s bullet serves. He lost the encounter in 4 sets but was tipped to be “the one for the future” because he was only 21 years old that time.

1993: After defeating the defending champion Agassi in the quarter-final and winning his semi-final against Boris Becker in straight sets, Sampras reached his maiden Wimbledon final as a favorite and locked horns with his compatriot Jim Courier. It was America’s Independence Day(4th July). Sampras looked at home and played amazing tennis. He did not give his childhood friend Courier even an inch, and clinched the title winning 7-6 (3), 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-3.

1994: Sampras successfully defended his title and annihilated Goran Ivanisevic in the final. Sampras won the match,7-6 (2), 7-6 (5), 6-0. Ivanisevic lost his second Wimbledon final.

1995: Pete Sampras defeated Boris Becker to win his third Wimbledon title. Sampras won the match by 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.

1996: Richard Krajicek’s booming serves rattled the three-time defending champion Sampras. Krajicek defeated Sampras in straight sets 7-5, 7-6, 6-4. This was Sampras’s only loss at Wimbledon between 1993 and 2000.

1997: Sampras defeated Frenchman Cedric Pioline in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to win his 4th Wimbledon title.

1998: Sampras equaled Bjorn Borg’s record of winning 5 Wimbledon titles when he defeated Goran Ivanisevic 6-7 (2), 7-6 (9), 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the final.

1999: Sampras won his 12th Grand Slam, equaling Roy Emerson’s record. He won his record 6th Wimbledon title beating Andre Agassi 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. Despite this victory Sampras lost his number one ranking to Agassi the next day.

2000: Sampras defeated Patrick Rafter to win the Gentlemen’s singles title for the 7th time at Wimbledon. Sampras won the match by the score 6-7 (10), 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-2.

2001: Sampras lost in the 4th round against a young Roger Federer. It was their only encounter in a Grand Slam event. Federer announced himself and Sampras looked just a bit rusty.

2002: Sampras had his second round match on Court 2, which is often referred as “The Champions’ Graveyard”. He lost to 145th-ranked George Bastl in 5 sets.

Sampras was clearly disappointed and had tears in his eyes during the press conference. It was his last appearance at Wimbledon.

Sampras will always be remembered as an exceptional player who won almost everybody’s heart with his down-to-earth attitude yet aggressive playing style.

Salute to this Wimbledon Legend!

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