The American star held the number-one ranking on the ATP Tour for 286 weeks, as he dominated his rivals for many years during the 1990s and early 2000s.

The 53-year-old enjoyed particular success at Wimbledon and the US Open, where he won 12 of his 14 Grand Slams.

Sampras is tied for the record for most titles at Flushing Meadows, winning five times, and his record of seven Wimbledon titles held firm until Swiss star Roger Federer secured his eighth in 2017.

It was at Wimbledon, that Sampras produced his greatest-ever performance against his fellow American in the 1999 final.

Pete Sampras beat Andre Agassi in the best match of his career at Wimbledon 26 years ago

Sampras entered Wimbledon in 1999 as the number-one seed and two-time defending champion, looking to add a sixth title at SW19 to his collection.

Showing his class, the American advanced to the final without too much trouble, dropping just two sets, one to Mark Philippoussis in the quarter-finals, and one to home favorite Tim Henman in the last four.

He faced off against a familiar foe in the final, as America’s Andre Agassi stood across the net from him, with the pair set for a 24th career meeting.

From the very beginning, Sampras looked a class above, as the grass court specialist dominated his countryman on Centre Court.

There was little Agassi could do as Sampras rattled off games with ease, securing the win in three sets, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.

Speaking years later, Sampras told Boris Becker that he ranks his win over Agassi at Wimbledon in ’99 above any other match he played during his career.

“I think the best was my sixth Wimbledon when I played Andre [Agassi] and he had just won the French [Open],” said Sampras.

“I played him and really got into the zone, which in Wimbledon finals is hard to do, [with] the pressure and everything.

“I just played great, I just really dominated, it was perfect tennis, as well as I could play.

“Served well, moved well, volleyed well, it just clicked, it was just so special.

“I look back at everything, it came so easy, it felt big, I had all the time in the world.

“I always played as a serve and volley player, Wimbledon final, first guy I played from the baseline.

“So I had some time to play a little bit which I liked.”

Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi’s Grand Slam head-to-head record

Sampras and Agassi’s clash in the 1999 Wimbledon final was their sixth at a Major tournament, as one player enjoyed a spell of dominance over the other at the sport’s biggest events.

Sampras won the Grand Slam head-to-head with Agassi, 6-3, beating him in four Major finals.

Agassi did secure one Slam final victory over Sampras, however, as he battled through in four sets to take home the 1995 Australian Open title.

Winning the first of his four titles at Melbourne Park, Agassi played sensational tennis as he lifted the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, 30 years ago.

The pair faced off one final time in the 2002 US Open final, as Sampras ended their rivalry, and his career on a high, by winning his 14th Grand Slam title in New York.

Sampras chose not to return to defend his crown one year later, retiring from the sport he gave so much to during his 15-year professional career.

America hasn’t seen a male player as dominant as Sampras since, as their wait for a Grand Slam champion on the ATP Tour continues.