Pete Sampras Net Worth

What Is Pete Sampras' Net Worth and Career Earnings?

Pete Sampras is a retired American tennis player who has a net worth of $150 million.

Pete Sampras stands as one of tennis's greatest champions, dominating the sport throughout the 1990s with a combination of powerful serving, precise volleys, and remarkable mental fortitude. From 1990 to 2002, Sampras captured 14 Grand Slam singles titles, a record that stood until Roger Federer surpassed it in 2009.

Sampras first announced himself to the tennis world by winning the 1990 US Open at just 19 years old, becoming the youngest men's singles champion in tournament history. His career reached its pinnacle between 1993 and 1998, when he finished six consecutive years as the world's top-ranked player, an achievement unmatched in the Open Era.

Particularly dominant at Wimbledon, Sampras claimed seven championships on the hallowed grass courts, tying him with Roger Federer for the most men's singles titles in the tournament's history. His serve-and-volley mastery was perfectly suited to the fast surface.

Sampras also excelled at the US Open, winning five titles, and captured two Australian Open championships. The French Open remained the only Grand Slam to elude him, with his best result being a semifinal appearance in 1996.

Known for his calm demeanor that earned him the nickname "Pistol Pete," Sampras fittingly ended his career with a victory at the 2002 US Open, defeating longtime rival Andre Agassi in the final before officially announcing his retirement the following year.

Beyond his Grand Slam success, Sampras won 64 singles titles overall, earned over $43 million in prize money, and represented the United States in victorious Davis Cup campaigns in 1992 and 1995. His legacy as an all-time great remains secure in tennis history.

Career Earnings

During his tennis career, Pete Sampras earned $43 million. In today's money, this is the equivalent of about $75 million. He also earned at least $100 million from endorsements and special appearances.

Early Life

Petros Sampras was born on August 12, 1971, in Washington, D.C. Raised by Greek parents in a Greek Orthodox household, Sampras first started playing tennis when he found a racket lying around in his basement at the age of three. He immediately spent hours hitting a tennis ball against a wall. After moving with his family to California, Pete began to train throughout the year. Between the ages of 7 and 11, Sampras' potential was quickly noticed.

As a teen, Pete trained with coach Robert Lansdorp, developing the forehand technique that he would use throughout the rest of his career. He then started training with Dr. Peter Fischer, a pediatrician and a tennis enthusiast. Fischer helped Sampras develop his trademark single-handed backhand.

Career

In 1988, Pete Sampras turned professional at the age of 16. Within a year, he climbed from 893rd in the world rankings to 97th, defeating several top-ranked players along the way. In 1990, at just 19 years old, he won his first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open, defeating Andre Agassi in straight sets to become the youngest-ever men's champion at the tournament.

In 1991, Sampras won his first season-ending championship at the Tennis Masters Cup (later known as the ATP Finals), a title he would go on to win five times in his career. That same year, he drew criticism after saying he felt "relieved" following a quarterfinal loss at the US Open, a comment seen as a lack of killer instinct. But in 1992, he helped the U.S. win the Davis Cup, pairing with John McEnroe in a memorable doubles match.

By 1993, Sampras reached the world No. 1 ranking for the first time. Some critics questioned whether he deserved it, as he hadn't won a Grand Slam since 1990. He silenced them by winning his first Wimbledon title just three months later, then followed it up with another US Open win. In 1994, he added the Australian Open and a second Wimbledon crown. By 1995, Sampras and Agassi were locked in a fierce battle for tennis supremacy. That year, during a dramatic match at the Australian Open, Sampras broke down in tears on court after learning his longtime coach, Tim Gullikson, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

At the 1996 US Open, Sampras famously vomited on court due to dehydration but still managed to win the match and eventually the tournament. In 1997, he claimed titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. In 1998, he added a fifth consecutive Wimbledon championship—his 11th Grand Slam title.

In 1999, Sampras defeated Agassi in a legendary Wimbledon final—widely considered one of the best ever—but lost the year-end No. 1 ranking to his rival. In 2000, despite battling injuries, he won his seventh Wimbledon title, setting a then-record for most men's singles titles at the tournament.

By 2001, Sampras's form began to slip. He failed to win a title for the first time in 12 years and ended the year ranked No. 10. But in 2002, in a storybook ending, he defeated Andre Agassi in the US Open final—claiming his 14th Grand Slam title and becoming the only man to win the US Open in three different decades. He officially retired the following year.

(Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images)

Style of Play

Pete was a tennis player with relatively few weaknesses. He was known as an "all-court player," having the ability to serve and volley with great versatility. An aggressive player, Sampras' style of play often involved following chips and shots straight to the net. His serve was both powerful and accurate, and many observers consider it to be one of the best of all time. Perhaps Sampras' most distinguishing quality was his backhand. It didn't really matter where Pete was on the court or how he was hitting the ball, he was still able to score points.

Pete Sampras' Endorsements

Pete Sampras leveraged his tennis success into several significant endorsement deals throughout his career, though he maintained a more reserved commercial presence compared to some contemporaries. His primary equipment partnership was with Wilson Tennis, using their Pro Staff line of racquets throughout his professional career. This long-standing relationship helped establish Wilson as a premium tennis brand during the 1990s.

Nike served as Sampras' apparel and footwear sponsor, featuring him prominently in their tennis marketing campaigns during his prime years. The "swoosh" became synonymous with Sampras' clean-cut image on court.

Sampras also maintained endorsement relationships with Dannon yogurt, Pizza Hut, and Chevrolet, appearing in national television commercials for these brands. Additionally, he partnered with Movado watches and Bic razors for print campaigns.

Following his retirement, Sampras made appearances for Knightbridge Capital Management and maintained ties to Wilson with signature racquet lines. He also participated in exhibition matches sponsored by various companies.

Though commanding substantial endorsement revenue, Sampras' commercial portfolio was notably smaller than peers like Andre Agassi or later stars like Roger Federer. His relatively private personality and focus on on-court achievements rather than building a broader celebrity persona likely influenced his endorsement strategy, which emphasized quality partnerships over quantity.

Getty

Personal Life

In 2000, Pete Sampras married Bridgette Wilson, an actress and former Miss Teen USA. Two years later, they had their first child, and in 2005, they welcomed a second child into the world. The family lives in California.

Real Estate

Pete Sampras and Bridgette Wilson have bought and sold several impressive properties in the Los Angeles area over the years.

Beverly Hills & Brentwood: In 2001, Pete and Bridgette paid $8.9 million for a 10,000-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills. They listed this home for sale in mid-2008 for $23 million. They eventually accepted an offer of $17 million from "Will & Grace" creator Max Mutchnick. Mutchnick and his husband performed a massive renovation on the property. In 2018, Mutchnick sold the home to Adam Levine for $34 million. In April 2021, Adam Levine sold the home for $45 million.

In 2009, Pete and Bridgette purchased a property in Brentwood for $5.6 million. In 2016, Sampras put this property on the market for $8.9 million. They accepted $7.25 million in February 2017.

In 2014, the couple spent about $5.9 million on a new property in Bel-Air. Also in 2014, it was reported that Sampras had purchased a second property in Bel Air, California for just over $3.5 million. This second property was adjacent to the house they had already purchased.

Thousand Oaks: In 2009, Pete and Bridgette completed construction on a 16,000-square-foot mansion on Lake Sherman in Thousand Oaks, California. They did not stay in the 20-acre property for long, listing it in March 2021 for $25 million. The mansion comes with a perfectly positioned and lit tennis court, of course, along with seven bedrooms, twelve bathrooms, lots of closets, and a position on a hilltop that allows for privacy and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.  It is basically 16,000 square feet of awesome, including a separate 2,000 square foot gym and a 1,200 square foot guesthouse. They apparently sold this home in an off-market deal in late 2013 for an undisclosed price, but what was reported to be a bit more than $13 million. The sale price is not listed on the home's recorded price history on public real estate records.

Bel Air: At the end of 2013, Pete and Bridgette paid $6 million for a 2-acre property in Bel Air. A few months later, in early 2014, they paid $3.5 million for a neighboring home down the hill from their other property. The Samprases turned that home into a gym and man cave.

Who's Richer?

Pete
Sampras

Compare!

Andre
Agassi