Tennis giants tied in a knot: Did their lady-loves bring them luck?

Pete Sampras

Pete Sampras and his wife Bridgette Wilson

Pete Sampras turned pro in the year 1988 and won 14 Grand Slams until he retired in 2002. He became the first player to surpass Roy Emerson’s record of 12 Grand Slams. On September 30, 2000, Sampras married American actress Bridgette Wilson.

Just before he tied the knot with the former Miss Teen USA, Sampras lost the semifinals at the Australian Open in early 2000 to Andre Agassi, but he later won his 13th Grand Slam at Wimbledon. Post his marriage, he lost the US Open title to Marat Safin in 2000 and to Lleyton Hewitt in 2001.

In 2001, he lost at Wimbledon in the fourth round to Roger Federer 6–7(7), 7–5, 4–6, 7–6(2), 5–7.

Sampras didn’t have a good start in 2002 with an early defeat in the 2nd round at Wimbledon against George Bastl, who was ranked 145th. Later the same year, Sampras went on the claim the US Open title. He defeated Andre Agassi 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to clinch his 14th Grand Slam title, a record that remained unbeaten until Roger Federer claimed his 15th title at the 2009 Wimbledon Championship against Andy Roddick. At the end of the 2002 US Open tournament, Sampras was ranked 13th.

Sampras didn’t play any tours for the next 12 months after his US Open victory, but he officially announced his retirement in August 2003.