Pete Sampras

Pete Sampras defined men's tennis in the 1990s with his sublime serve-and-volley game, clutch performance, and quiet dominance. He finished his career in 2002 with a then-record 14 Grand Slam singles titles, a mark that stood for seven years. Sampras was particularly formidable on grass, winning seven Wimbledon titles, and on hard courts, winning five US Opens. His running forehand and second-serve were legendary weapons under pressure. He captured six year-end World No. 1 rankings and held the top spot for 286 weeks. While less successful on clay, his mastery of fast surfaces and his ability to peak for the biggest tournaments made him the benchmark of excellence for his generation.