26 Jan 2025: Exactly, three decades ago during the QF in the Australian Open playing against Jim Courier, the King of aces Pete Sampras broke down in tears. After making a comeback against Jim from losing the first two sets 6-7, 6-7 and clinching on the third and the fourth set 6-3 and 6-4 respectively. It was a moment of surprise for the spectators across the globe when Pete Sampras aka 'Pistol Pete' broke down in tears just before the start of the 5th and the final set. Already a Five Grand Slam Holder in 1995, Pete was on the verge of defending his Australian crown, when he received the news of his then-coach Tim Gullikson being diagnosed with a brain tumor that would lead to his death.
Tim Gullikson has been coaching Pete since 1992 and has played a key role in framing the Sampras as a player. Over time under the mentorship and coaching of Tim, Sampras clinched the prestigious Wimbledon crown in 1993, 1994, and 1995 making it a hat-trick and the only player after the great Björn Borg (1976 - 1980) who owned it for five years in a row. An Australian Open(1994), and US Open (1990 &1993) are Pete's accolades of Grans Slams under Tim before the latter passed in May 1996, after battling brain cancer.
Tim Gullikson's message to Pete Sampras was to "do it for your coach". Sampras dedicated his efforts to Gullikson, his mentor and close friend after Gullikson collapsed during a practice session at the 1995 Australian Open.
Pete went on to beat Jim in the QF by winning the fifth and the final set 6-3 and making it to the semi-finals, beating Michael Chang in the semis. However, the US Legend could not defend his title and lost the crown final against his fellow national Andre Agassi.
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