"Pete was so money": John Isner fondly remembers Peter Sampras as tennis legend celebrates birthday

The US Open's social media platforms celebrated Pete Sampras on his birthday, and John Isner reacted to a video of his fellow countryman.

The former world No. 1 is one of tennis' legends, having secured 14 Grand Slam titles, including two Australian Opens, seven Wimbledons, and five US Opens, achieved between 1990 and 2002.

Pete Sampras held the record for the most Grand Slam titles in men's tennis until the emergence of the Big 3, relinquishing the record when Roger Federer won the Wimbledon 2009 final against Andy Roddick.

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On August 12th, "Pistol Pete" turned 52, and the official US Open account shared a video on their social media platforms, recollecting one of the former world No. 1's finest moments in the year's last Grand Slam.

The video showcases an exchange from the 1995 US Open final between Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, both world No. 1 and 2 at that time, culminating in a remarkable one-handed backhand winner by Sampras.

“Pete Sampras put on a show in the 1995 men's singles final. 🤩 Happy birthday, Pete!”

US Open Tennis

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Pete Sampras put on a show in the 1995 men's singles final. 🤩 Happy birthday, Pete!

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American tennis player John Isner took to his Twitter to praise the video of Sampras' outstanding performance:

“Pete was so money,” stated Isner.

John Isner

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Pete was so money 💰

US Open Tennis

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Pete Sampras put on a show in the 1995 men's singles final. 🤩 Happy birthday, Pete!

Watch on Twitter

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The former world No. 8 in 2023 has a record of just eight wins and twelve losses. Barely three months ago, he fell out of the top 100 for the first time in fourteen years, having spent a decade in the top 50 – an impressive feat among active players, only trailing Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Isner participated in the ATP 250 Los Cabos Open last week, where he was eliminated in the second round by the first seed and eventual champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.

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This week, Isner will have the chance to return to the main draw of a Masters 1000 event at the Cincinnati Open, where he received a wildcard entry. He is set to face Australian qualifier Jordan Thompson, currently ranked world No. 55. Should Isner overcome this challenge, he would potentially encounter none other than the world No. 1, Carlos Alcaraz.