Pete Sampras celebrating his 52nd birthday on Saturday (August 12) prompted John Isner to recall the American’s awe-inspiring performance in the 1995 US Open final.
Sampras had an ultra-successful career that lasted from 1988 to 2002. The tennis legend pocketed 14 Grand Slam singles titles, producing numerous breathtaking performances around the globe. One such instance came in the summit clash against his arch-nemesis Andre Agassi at the 1995 US Open.
Sampras survived a heavy-hitting contest to defeat defending champion Agassi, 6–4, 6–3, 4–6, 7–5 and claim his third Flushing Meadows crown.
John Isner took delight in recalling Pete Pistol’s performance in that US Open final. In a tweet, Isner labeled Sampras “money” during his prime days on the ATP tour.
“Pete was so money,” wrote John Isner.
John Isner is a former World No. 8 who holds the record for hitting the fastest tennis serve in history. The American is the proud holder of another record, namely playing the longest match ever – a first-rounder against Nicholas Mahut at Wimbledon 2010 which lasted 11 hours and five minutes.
The 38-year-old has 16 ATP tour-level titles to his name. He recently suffered defeat at the hands of Stefanos Tsitsipas in the round of 16 of the 2023 Los Cabos Open.
“Barbra Streisand would yell out throughout the match” – When Pete Sampras recalled amusing story from Wimbledon QF against Andre Agassi
Pete Sampras once claimed that Andre Agassi’s ex-girlfriend Barbra Streisand yelled from the stands when the duo clashed in the quarterfinal of the 1993 Wimbledon Championships.
Making an appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” that same year, Sampras narrated a funny story. He said American singer Barbra Streisand would often scream supportive messages for her boyfriend Agassi from the player box.
“I’ll tell you a funny story,” Sampras said. “When I was playing Agassi, it was actually in the quarters. My girlfriend and my coach were sitting in the front row and Barbra Streisand, and throughout the match, Barbra would yell out. She was like, ‘Come on Andre, come on honey.’ Imagine five sets of that. Fortunately, I won.”
Pete Sampras edged Andre Agassi 6-2, 6-2, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4 to secure a semifinal spot in the grasscourt Major. Later, he overcame challenges from Boris Becker and Jim Courier to lift the first of his seven Wimbledon crowns.
