Book description
Pete Sampras is arguably the greatest player tennis has ever seen. A man
whose hard-nosed work ethic led to a No. 1 world ranking for an
unprecedented 286 consecutive weeks, and whose prodigious talent made
possible fourteen Grand Slam victories - a feat surpassed only by Roger
Federer, cheered on by Pete himself, at the 2009 Wimbledon final. Yet
while more vocal rivals grabbed the headlines, Pete gave everything on
the court, revealing little off it. Now, in A Champion's Mind, this very
private champion, who so often recoiled from letting the world 'inside
his head', finally opens up. Here, for the first time, Pete speaks
candidly about the personal trials he faced - the tears shed at the
Australian Open after coach Tim Gullikson mysteriously collapsed, later
to be diagnosed with terminal cancer; the single-minded determination
crucial to survival in the top flight; and the pressure of competing
under the unblinking gaze of a media machine hungry for more than mere
athletic prowess. He describes the titanic matches fought, the
personalities and the rivalries - a devastating early loss to Stefan
Edberg, and his consequent monastic commitment to the game; Davis Cup
doubles with a fiery John McEnroe; a gruelling, four-hour US Open
quarterfinal against Alex Corretja, ending with a tie-break and Pete on
a drip; and of course Andre Agassi, arch-rival and friend, the player
Pete faced at his first Grand Slam final and his last, 12 years later.
Frank, insightful and passionate A Champion's Mind is a unique and
intimate account of what it takes to win.
Pete Sampras was the youngest male player to win the US Open and holds
64 top level singles titles and two doubles. In 2005 Tennis magazine
named him the greatest player of the open era.
