Pete Sampras’s record at the US Open was incredible as he lifted his home Grand Slam five times in 12 years between 1990 and 2002.
Sampras won three of the four Grand Slams as he lifted 14 major titles, except the clay of Roland Garros which eluded him throughout his career.
The American enjoyed his time at the US Open and even became the youngest winner of the tournament in 1990 at the age of 19 years and 28 days.
Despite his success at Flushing Meadows, he said his penultimate appearance at the tournament left him feeling ‘helpless’.
Pete Sampras felt uncomfortable facing Julien Boutter
Sampras was looking for his fifth US Open crown when he arrived in 2001 but he was given a tricky test by Julien Boutter.
Boutter predominantly played doubles and never progressed past the second round of a Grand Slam in his singles career.
Nevertheless, the Frenchman made Pistol Pete work to win yet another US Open final in the first round of the New York event.
Sampras needed two tie-breaks to defeat Boutter in straight sets and the American was frank about his opponent after the match.
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Speaking after the match, Sampras said: “He hit four aces in a row in that third set tiebreak and I felt helpless.
“I’m just happy I was able to pull it out in straight sets. It was getting really hot out there and I really didn’t want to be out there much longer.”
Sampras raced to the final of the 2001 US Open, defeating the likes of Pat Rafter, Andre Agassi, and Marat Safin en route.
He was defeated in the final by Lleyton Hewitt and he would have to wait another year before claiming his last US Open crown.
Pete Sampras’ incredible US Open winning percentage
Despite his difficulties against Boutter in 2001, Sampras was often very comfortable at his home Grand Slam.
The star holds an incredible 88.8% winning percentage at the US Open, having won 71 matches and lost just nine.
Sampras lost to Hewitt, Safin, Patrick Rafter, Petr Korda, Stefan Edberg, Jim Courier, Jay Berger, Jaime Yzaga (twice) at the US Open.
The American is the only man in the Open Era to have won the title in three different decades of his life, having lifted the trophy in his teens, 20s, and 30s.
