Pete Sampras issues emotional statement after wife Bridgette’s heartbreaking cancer diagnosis

Shahida Jacobs
Pete Sampras and his wife Bridgette
Pete Sampras, left, and his wife, actress Bridgette Wilson,

Tennis great Pete Sampras has issued a moving statement to reveal that his wife Bridgette Wilson Sampras is battling ovarian cancer as he also asked the tennis community for “good thoughts and prayers” for his family during this difficult time.

The 14-time Grand Slam winner is not one for the limelight and he rarely, if ever, shares updates about his personal life.

However, he released a statement via the ATP Tour to confirm that his wife Bridgette – the former actress who starred in popular series such as Saved By The Bell, Murder, She Wrote, Frasier and CSI: Miami – was diagnosed with ovarian cancer late in 2022 and she has undergone surgery and chemotherapy.

“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,” the statement read.

“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.”

Bridgette, who was crowned Miss Teen USA in 1990, married Sampras in September 2000 and they have two sons – Christian Charles Sampras (20) and Ryan (18).

Besides appearing in series, Wilson Sampras also starred in movies like Billy Madison, I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Wedding Planner. Her last film was the 2008 biopic of legendary boxer Sonny Liston called Phantom Punch while she also appeared in the TV series Carpoolers in the same year.

The former world No 1 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.”

The 52-year-old, who retired from tennis in 2002 in order to spend more time with his family, also praised his wife of 23 years for showing incredible courage while she is facing one of their biggest battles in life.

Sampras added: “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 am humbling asking for good thoughts and prayers for our family as Bridgette continues to thrive on her healing journey.”

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