Sports Illustrated
1999
Century Best


Making his point
Sampras has let his tennis do the talking on and off the court

In an era of explosive personalities and boorish behavior, Pete Sampras has quietly stalked foes and records alike on the tennis courts of the world. Packing a controlled demeanor and a brilliant serve-and-volley game, he has already collected 12 Grand Slam titles -- tying the record held by Roy Emerson. The question for Sampras is not a matter of how many, but how long he wants to play before stepping down as one of the game's grandest champions.