Pete Sampras has by no means shied away from talking about his spouse, Bridgette Wilson, and 2000 was no exception. Following his triumphant title run at Wimbledon that yr, he brazenly mirrored on the optimistic affect she had on his life.
Sampras and Wilson, a former actress and singer, started relationship in 1999 after he seen her within the movie Love Stinks whereas recovering from an damage. Intrigued, he requested a good friend to rearrange an introduction, and their connection shortly blossomed.
The couple married in September 2000 in an intimate yard ceremony at their Beverly Hills residence. They went on to welcome two sons: Christian, born in 2002, and Ryan, born in 2005.
Forward of his marriage ceremony, Pete Sampras spoke to The New York Instances concerning the function Bridgette Wilson performed in his life and profession. He described her as his “rock” and mentioned he was “ecstatic” about marrying the “proper lady” and beginning a household together with her.
“S he was my rock for these two weeks,” the American mentioned. “She was simply there for me to speak you. She saved me collectively; she actually did.”
“Clearly I am ecstatic about getting married and marrying her, and residing our lives collectively and having a household someday. I am marrying the suitable lady,” he added.
Sampras received his seventh Wimbledon title in 2000, a victory that firmly established him as one of many biggest grass-court gamers the game has ever seen. He beat Australia’s Patrick Rafter within the ultimate in 4 units, 6–7(10), 7–6(5), 6–4, 6–2. The win gave him his thirteenth Grand Slam title and pushed him previous Roy Emerson’s document of 12 Majors.
Pete Sampras on how his marriage to Bridgette Wilson would have an effect on his profession: “I do not see an enormous change”


In the identical interview, Pete Sampras was requested whether or not marrying Bridgette Wilson and beginning a household may have an effect on his tennis profession. He dismissed the priority, saying it might not, and emphasised that he deliberate to take care of a stability between his on-court and off-court tasks.
Sampras mentioned (through The New York Instances):
“I do not suppose so. It’d change my life off the court docket. You understand, tasks to my spouse or my youngsters. However after I play and observe and practice, will probably be the identical. So I do not see an enormous change so far as that is involved.”
Pete Sampras closed his profession in becoming style. His ultimate match got here on the 2002 US Open, the place he defeated his longtime rival Andre Agassi to assert a 14th Grand Slam. One yr later, in 2003, he formally introduced his retirement on the similar match.
In contrast to a lot of his contemporaries, Sampras didn’t transfer into commentary or teaching. As an alternative, he stepped out of the highlight, selecting a quieter life along with his household. He has made solely uncommon appearances at exhibitions or tributes and has usually averted the media.
Edited by Pritha Ghosh