LONDON/ LOS ANGELES: The president of the International Tennis Federation has offered Pete Sampras a replica trophy from his two Davis Cup wins following the theft of much of his tennis memorabilia.
Sampras, who won 14 Grand Slam titles, says most of his trophies and other memorabilia were stolen last month from a public storage facility in Los Angeles.
ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti says “we were sorry to learn of the theft of so many of Pete Sampras’s trophies. We know how special a Davis Cup victory is for a player, and if he is unable to recover the loss of his two Davis Cup trophies, we would like to offer him a replica trophy in recognition of his outstanding record in the event.”
Reports on Tuesday night said that Sampras had the objects—including two Davis Cup trophies, his six year-end world number one trophies and an Olympic ring—taken from a Los Angeles public storage rental unit.
Sampras said he still has 13 of his 14 Grand Slam singles championship trophies but added: "My first Australian Open trophy is gone and so is everything else."
"Losing this stuff is like having the history of my tennis life taken away," Sampras told the Times.
"I’m not one to gloat about trophies, or show them off. I’ve never been like that. I just want them for my kids to see. They didn’t see me play, but I would like them to see these things.
"For me to have it for my kids is priceless."
Sampras, a 39-year-old father of two with actress-wife Bridgette Wilson, retired a year after defeating Andre Agassi in the 2002 US Open final.
Sampras stored the items after moving homes twice.
"I thought there were security cameras. I thought these things were locked up tight," Sampras said. "I was shocked."
The theft took place three weeks ago and also included trophies from 64 tournament victories, magazine articles and newspaper clippings, an autographed piano bench from Elton John and an autographed guitar from Carlos Santana.
None of the items was insured, Sampras said, because there was no way to place a monetary value upon them.
"I just hope it hasn’t already been destroyed," Sampras said. "That’s why I wanted to get the word out now. I know this is a long shot, but I would regret it if I didn’t at least try. Maybe somebody knows something.
"That’s all I can hope for."
