Product Description

Pete Sampras is arguably the greatest player tennis has ever seen. A man whose hard-nosed work ethic led to an unprecedented No. 1 world ranking for 286 consecutive weeks, and whose prodigious talent made possible an as yet unbroken 14 Grand Slam record. Yet while more vocal rivals often grabbed the headlines, Pete gave everything on the court, revealing little outside 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 topflight; 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 deva stating 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 is the most successful tennis player of the open era, with a record 14 Grand Slam (including 7 Wimbledon) titles. Following the nail-biting 2008 Wimbledon final, and British No. 1 Andy Murray's first Grand Slam final at the US Open, British interest in the sport is at an all-time high. Tennis fans are highly selective book buyers - they like to read about champions - but "John McEnroe" (9780751534214), "Boris Becker" (9780593053447) and "Ilie Nastase" (9780007181414) prove there's a market. It is published in anticipation of arch-rival Andre Agassi's autobiography in June 2009. Interest in Pete's career will grow as Roger Federer threatens to break his Grand Slam record in 2009.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6342 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Review
"'Pete Sampras... one of my heroes growing up, was always able to rise to the occasion, winning so many big matches at the biggest events. This book provides... a glimpse into Pete's remarkable career and how he was able to attain his vision of being the best player in the world.' --Roger Federer

About the Author
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. Peter Bodo is a senior editor and chief columnist at TENNIS magazine.

Customer Reviews

Pistol Pete, The King of Swing, the greatest tennis player the world has ever seen!
Arguably the World's greatest ever tennis player, much has been written about tennis legend Pete Sampras (especially among trip hop fans on the internet, to whom he is a cult hero) and now finally there is a 'proper' book out about the man, the legend, that was Pete Sampras.

This book contains everything you could wish to know about the man, the legend. From his early years playing swingball against his grandmother in the back garden, to smashing 120mph aces on the Centre Court at Wimbledon.

...And of course the macabre details of that fateful night when he wrapped his Porsche around a lamp post are revealed in the book, laying to rest many of the rumours and conspiracy theories that still abound to this day. Was Vanilla Ice really in the car with Pete? Was Pete listening to his iPod too loud to concentrate on the road? Read this fantastic book and find out!

What a guy!
As a long term fan of the mighty, yet elusive Pete, this fully comprehensive biography really had me in its grip, which is more than can be said for the tyres on Pete's car that fateful night it left the road and ploughed into that luxury pen emporium. I was lucky enough to meet him once on the tube in London (I think it was the circle jerk line) and I remarked at the time that it was a lot safer than driving. I actually asked him for a few tips to improve my forehand and being the gent that he was he he took a look at my stroke and suggested less cranking would improve my performance. What a guy - I can't recommend this enough!

One of the all-time greats
Reading this book is like having him back with you, if only for a short time; i wished it would go on and on. His majesty, his legacy, all captured in vivid prose, expertly structured to not only accurately convey his grace, fluidity and dominance as a competitor, but his true beauty as a human being. I'm not ashamed to say that towards the book's final chapters I often needed to take time out in order to compose myself and be able to continue reading... it was as if I was re-living those devastating moments in which I first heard about his tragic loss. If only the spatial awareness and whip-crack reactions which served him so well on the court had not deserted him on that fateful stretch of freeway, the world would have more than this - admittedly excellent - biography to learn from; about what it takes to be a man, a champion, a legend.

R.I.P. Pete