Pete Sampras was one of the greatest tennis players to ever live. He was number one in the world between 1993 - 1998, a record setting six years. He won 14 grand slam titles in his career, including the 1994 and 1997 Australian Open and seven Wimbledon championship titles, a record he now shares with Roger Federer. In fact, Sampras was the last American male to win Wimbledon in 2000. Pete shares his record for five U.S. Open wins with Federer and Jimmy Conners.
In March of this year, at the World Tennis Day Showdown in London, Sampras was presented with a Tennis Hall of Fame ring along with Andre Agassi and Ivan Lendl. Sampras was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2007.
While we all mourn the fact that the next great American male tennis player doesn't seem to be popping up anytime soon, we shouldn't mourn Pete Sampras, at least not yet.
According to MediaMass.com, a Facebook page, RIP Pete Sampras, popped up on Monday March 31, 2014, stating that:
“At about 11 a.m. ET on Monday (March 31, 2014), our beloved tennis player Pete Sampras passed away. Pete Sampras was born on August 12, 1971 in Potomac. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”
According to the same story, approximately 1 million fans "liked" the page, showing their love for Sampras.
Yesterday, April Fool's Day, it was confirmed that Sampras is, in fact, alive and well and coaching Andy Murray. While the world may not have believed Sampras was dead, many did believe that he was joining Team Murray. This turned out to be another April Fool's joke, the second time Andy Murray has pulled his "naming a new coach" prank.
Sampras isn't dead and isn't coaching Andy Murray, so what is he doing? Apparently, he's appearing in Tourna grip commercials. Sampras may not have a new coaching position but that's okay, we're just happy to see him again.
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Pete Sampras Has Pretty Good April Fool's Day
