Legendary American tennis pro Pete Sampras recently revealed that his wife, Bridgette Wilson Sampras, has been battling ovarian cancer after being diagnosed almost a year ago and asked for “good thoughts and prayers” as the actress continues her “healing journey.”
Sampras, a 14-time Grand Slam champion before retiring in 2003, made the revelation in a lengthy statement shared by the ATP Tour on social media. His statement read, “As most have come to know, I’m a pretty quiet and private person. However, this past year has been an exceptionally challenging time for me and my family, and I have decided to share what’s been going on. Last December, my wife, Bridgette, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Since then, she has had major surgery, pushed through chemotherapy and continues with target maintenance therapy.”
He continued, “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.” Sampras said his wife inspires him as she continues to be an “incredible mom and wife.” He added that while he’s struggled to ask for support throughout the process, he hopes to change that by sharing their family’s story.
A message from Pete ? pic.twitter.com/ZReXGOCUQs
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 29, 2023
Sampras ended the statement with, “With that said, I will end this by humbly asking for good thoughts and prayers for our family as Bridgette continues to thrive on her healing journey.” Sampras and his wife were married in 2000 and share two children. A decorated tennis star, Sampras won his first Grand Slam at just 19 years old when he defeated what would become his career-rival Andre Agassi in the 1990 US Open.
He would go on to win seven Wimbledon titles, five US Open titles and two Australian Open titles across his 12-year career. Sampras retired officially in 2003, but his last Grand Slam victory came the year before when he again defeated Agassi at the US Open.
Wilson-Sampras began her career as an actress in the early ’90s and has over 30 acting credits listed on IMDB. She was a star in the soap opera “Santa Barbara,” and made appearances on “Saved by the Bell,” “The $treet” and “CSI: Miami.”
In film, she acted in 2001’s “The Wedding Planner” as bride-to-be Fran Donolly opposite Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey, “Mortal Combat,” “Billy Madison,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and more. Prior to her acting career, Wilson-Sampras gained attention as the winner of Miss Teen USA in 1990.