A tennis legend appeared unrecognizable while stepping out in Beverly Hills this week as an inside source revealed he enjoys the ‘anonymity he is blessed with.’
The 53-year-old former professional used to take center stage on court, amassing a staggering 14 Grand Slam titles throughout a decorated 15-year career.
Yet, in the two decades since putting his racket down, fans have only caught fleeting glimpses of Pete Sampras – including this week.
In exclusive Daily Mail photos, the American was captured making a rare public appearance on Tuesday when he was seen on a coffee run in the iconic Los Angeles neighborhood, proving tough to recognize.
Plainly dressed in loose-fitting grey workout clothes and green Nike sneakers, Sampras was pictured clutching a Starbucks drinks carrier containing two iced coffees and a hot beverage as he kept his head down.
The public sighting, which came amid the French Open – one of tennis’s four Grand Slam and the only one to elude Sampras – is just the second in seven months after he was spotted carrying out a similar errand in Beverly Hills back in December.
Pete Sampras appeared unrecognizable while stepping out in Beverly Hills this week
The tennis legend cut a casual figure as he carried out a coffee run in the LA neighborhood
Sampras won Wimbledon seven times, and also added five US Opens and two Aussie Opens
But the balding former athlete already looked strikingly different, as he debuted a new salt-and-pepper beard and fuller sideburns.
The rare sightings aren’t unusual for Sampras as an inside source revealed to the Daily Mail that the ‘homebody’ has actively shielded himself from the lifestyle of the rich and the famous since officially retiring from tennis in 2003.
‘Pete has always shied away from taking on all the benefits of being a celebrity as he has always considered himself a tennis player and a regular dude,’ the insider said.
‘He loves being a homebody and only selectively is he seen when he goes out, and he loves it. He loves being able to visit his sisters and brother who he is very close with and just more about being a husband and a father and just taking things day by day.
‘Through tennis, Pete learned that you have to be your own person to succeed, and that is how he treats life, being his own person and allowing only a few people to surround him in his everyday life. It is what has worked for him for decades and he isn’t looking to change anytime soon. He enjoys the more than expected anonymity he is blessed with.’
Aside from his photographed routine coffee runs, Sampras has only stepped back into the public eye on limited occasions. He made an appearance at Indian Wells in 2019, and at a Nike event four years prior, with the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova all present.
Sampras is notoriously private and undertakes very little TV work – usually opting to stay out of the spotlight and keep his personal life to himself.
The five-time US Open Champions has endured a past couple of years as he revealed in October 2023 that his wife was battling ovarian cancer.
In a statement to the ATP Tour, the American legend said: ‘As most have come to know, I am a pretty quiet and private person. However, this past year has been an exceptionally challenging time for my family, and I have decided to share what’s been going on.
The 53-year-old was see clutching a drinks carrier, containing three Starbucks beverages
The 53-year-old was seen clutching a drinks carrier, containing three Starbucks beverages
The balding tennis champion debuted a new full grey beard during the rare outing
‘Last December, my wife, Bridgette, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Since then, she has had major surgery, pushed through chemotherapy and continues with targeted maintenance therapy.
‘It is hard to watch someone you love go through a challenge like this. However, seeing our boys step up and be such strong supporters of Bridgette, myself and each other has been amazing.’
He and Bridgette have two children from their 25-year marriage – Ryan and Christian – and the family still reside in California.
Bridgette, a former Miss Teen USA, is an actress and singer who starred in the likes of the 1997 slasher ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ and also had a role in ‘The Wedding Planner’ alongside Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey.
Even at the height of his playing powers, Sampras was known to be notoriously private and fame-averse.
After winning the 2002 US Open (the last tournament of his career), he flew home to California and declined all media requests.
He has been said to have loathed press conferences and promotional appearances and even in retirement would rarely leave his Beverly Hills mansion.
In contrast, Sampras’s greatest rival Andre Agassi became tabloid fodder due to his relationship with actress Brooke Shields and high-profile alleged affair with Barbra Streisand.
Sampras revealed in 2023 that his wife Bridgette was battling ovarian cancer
The American is pictured hoisting the US Open trophy after his 2002 win over Andre Agassi
He and Bridgette have two children from their 25-year marriage – Ryan and Christian
Meanwhile, a trio of players whose careers Sampras overlapped with – John McEnroe, his brother Patrick McEnroe and Jim Courier – have all gone on to be respected analysts on TV.
During his career, Sampras was the best player in the world and has two Australian Open titles, five US Opens, and an incredible seven Wimbledon wins.
He has 64 career singles titles in total – the ninth best in the Open Era – and earned himself over $43million in prize money throughout his career.
He retired officially in the summer of 2003, going on to periodically appear in exhibition matches in the years that followed.
After the birth of their second son in 2005, both Sampras and his wife Bridgette both stepped away from the limelight to focus on family life.
