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Pete Sampras once shared how he managed to get over his awe for fellow tennis legend and compatriot John McEnroe.
Sampras burst onto the scene during the twilight of McEnroe's career. Despite that, they faced off three times, with the younger American prevailing in each encounter. These matches took place at the Canadian Open and US Open in 1990 and in Philadelphia (1991).
In his 2008 autobiography, 'A Champion's Mind,' Pete Sampras shared how his awe for John McEnroe came to an end after he began competing in the ATP Tour and faced him in Canada.
"When I played McEnroe in Toronto, he was in the waning years of his career. I was comfortable. I also knew him a little bit. It’s funny how quickly you get over your awe of a top player when you come onto the tour, especially if he’s your countryman and you have the inevitable string of experiences and contacts with him," Sampras wrote.
Sampras also wrote how he believed Jimmy Connors was always a "loner, standoffish and aloof" because Connors wanted everyone to "stay in awe."
"I can totally understand why Jimmy Connors was always such a loner —so standoffish and aloof. He wanted his peers—all of them—to stay in awe."
Pete Sampras won 14 Grand Slam titles throughout his career
Pete Sampras was a force to be reckoned with back in his heyday. He won a whopping 14 Grand Slam titles, making him the first male player to achieve that feat until Roger Federer broke it in 2009.
Sampras clinched his first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 1990, defeating his arch-rival Andre Agassi in the final. He continued his success at his home Slam, winning the tournament four more times in 1993, 1995, 1996, and 2002.
Wimbledon proved to be Sampras' most triumphant Major, with him securing seven titles there. He had a remarkable streak at SW19, winning consecutively from 1993 to 1995 and then again from 1997 to 2000. However, in 1996, he faced an unexpected early defeat in the opening round and thus could not defend his title.
Besides that, Pete Sampras claimed victory at the Australian Open twice, in 1994 and 1997, defeating Todd Martin and Carlos Moya in the championship matches, respectively. The one trophy he couldn't get his hands on was the Musketeers' Cup at the French Open.
