Trophies, memorabilia stolen from Sampras

Friday, 10 December 2010 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Pete Sampras, the tennis legend who won 14 Grand Slam titles, has been robbed of most of the trophies and memorabilia from his fabled career, the retired US star told the Los Angeles Times.

Pete Sampras, the tennis legend seen here in May 2010 who won 14 Grand Slam titles, has been robbed of most of the trophies and memorabilia from his fabled career, the retired US star told the Los Angeles Times.

The newspaper reported on Tuesday night that Sampras had the objects -- including two Davis Cup trophies, his six year-end world number one trophies and an Olympic ring -- taken from a Los Angeles public storage rental unit.

Sampras said he still has 13 of his 14 Grand Slam singles championship trophies but added: “My first Australian Open trophy is gone and so is everything else.”

“Losing this stuff is like having the history of my tennis life taken away,” Sampras told the Times.

“I’m not one to gloat about trophies, or show them off. I’ve never been like that. I just want them for my kids to see. They didn’t see me play, but I would like them to see these things.

“For me to have it for my kids is priceless.”

Sampras, a 39-year-old father of two with actress-wife Bridgette Wilson, retired a year after defeating Andre Agassi in the 2002 US Open final. Sampras stored the items after moving homes twice.

“I thought there were security cameras. I thought these things were locked up tight,” Sampras said. “I was shocked.”

The theft took place three weeks ago and also included trophies from 64 tournament victories, magazine articles and newspaper clippings, an autographed piano bench from Elton John and an autographed guitar from Carlos Santana.

None of the items was insured, Sampras said, because there was no way to place a monetary value upon them.

“I just hope it hasn’t already been destroyed,” Sampras said. “That’s why I wanted to get the word out now. I know this is a long shot, but I would regret it if I didn’t at least try. Maybe somebody knows something.

“That’s all I can hope for.”