In a heartfelt statement shared by the ATP Tour, tennis icon Pete Sampras revealed that his wife, Bridgette Wilson Sampras, has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The 14-time Grand Slam champion opened up about the challenging year his family has faced since the diagnosis in December.
Bridgette, a former actress, singer, and model, has undergone major surgery and chemotherapy, and is currently continuing with targeted maintenance therapy. The couple, who have been married since 2000, share two children, Christian, 20, and Ryan, 18.
In his statement, Sampras 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. 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.”
A message from Pete 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ZReXGOCUQs
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 29, 2023
Sampras described the difficulty of watching a loved one battle cancer and expressed gratitude for the support they have received from their sons. “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 said.
“Watching Bridgette continue to be an incredible mom and wife through it all, has been inspiring. I have also learned that it is very hard to reach for support when something is simply too hard to talk about. 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. Thank you.”
Bridgette, a native of Gold Beach, Oregon, has a rich history in Hollywood. At the age of 17, she was crowned Miss Teen USA in 1990. She has appeared in television shows such as “CSI: Miami,” “Frasier,” and “Saved by the Bell,” as well as films like “Billy Madison” and “Last Action Hero.” Bridgette’s breakthrough came in the early 1990s when she played Lisa Fenimore Castillo in the soap opera “Santa Barbara.” In addition to her acting career, she has also released several songs and supported numerous charitable causes, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the American Oceans Campaign, and various AIDS organizations.
The news of Bridgette’s cancer battle drew widespread support from the tennis community and beyond. Fellow tennis star Andy Murray shared a message of support, writing on social media, “All the best to your wife and your family, Pete.”
Pete Sampras is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, holding a record 14 Grand Slam titles until it was surpassed by Roger Federer. He dominated the sport in the 1990s, ending the year as the world’s No. 1 player each year between 1993 and 1998. His illustrious career includes seven Wimbledon titles, five US Open titles, and two Australian Open titles.
