Sampras elected to Hall of Fame

Pete Sampras was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame:

Fourteen-time Grand Slam singles champion Pete Sampras and three-time major singles titlist Arantxa Sanchez- Vicario have been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Sampras held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 286 weeks, including a streak of 102 weeks between 1996 and 1998. He was ranked in the Top 10 for 12 straight years, holding the year-end No. 1 ranking a record six consecutive years (1993-98). His singles win-loss record is an impressive 762-222, with a 203-38 record in Grand Slam events.

In his 15-year career, Sampras captured 64 singles titles and reached the final in 24 additional tournaments. He amassed a record 14 Grand Slam singles championships: seven Wimbledon singles titles, two Australian Open titles, and five U.S. Open singles titles. His last appearance as an ATP pro was at the 2002 U.S. Open, where, as the 17th seed, he won the tournament. Only the title at Roland Garros eluded him during his career.

Sampras was honored as the ATP Player of the Year from 1993-98, a record six consecutive years. He won the ATP World Championships five times -- a record he shares with Ivan Lendl. The American legend also remains the all-time leader in total career prize money, earning over $43 million.
--CNN

The 2007 induction ceremony will be held 14 July 2007 at the Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

Sampras' induction isn't really a big surprise, but it's welcome news nonetheless. Congratulations, Pistol Pete!