"Pete Sampras was upset, I was nervous; I felt it was a curse I give him": When American's father explained why he missed son's maiden US Open triumph

Pete Sampras' parents once explained why they had decided not to attend their son's matches. They kept this arrangement alive even when Sampras was battling for his maiden Grand Slam title in the 1990 US Open final.

Sampras entered the 1990 US Open as the 12th seed, beating the likes of Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe to set up a blockbuster final against fourth seed Andre Agassi. He dominated the title clash, beating Agassi 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 to clinch his maiden Grand Slam title at just 19 years of age.

While Pete Sampras celebrated his triumph at Flushing Meadows, his parents were conspicuously absent. Instead, they were at a shopping mall in Long Beach, deliberately avoiding the score.

Soterios "Sammy" Sampras and Georgia Sampras disclosed the reasons behind their absence and decision not to watch the title clash in an interview with the Los Angeles Times days after their son's US Open triumph.

Soterios explained that after attending six tournaments in which Sampras suffered first-round exits, he began to feel like a "curse." He also admitted that watching his son play made him too anxious and pointed out that the then-19-year-old's results had improved dramatically since he stepped back.

"I watched six matches and (Pete) lost all six in the first rounds. He was upset, I was nervous . . . so I felt it was a curse I give him. Since that day, I don’t watch. And he has been winning," he said.

"I just don’t like to see him feel bad. I get too nervous watching him play," he added.

Meanwhile, Georgia expressed her love for Pete Sampras and emphasized that while she was always there for him in spirit, she didn't feel the need to be physically present during his matches.

"If you love the person, you’re thinking about them and your spirit always is with them. Pete knows that. He knows I adore him and that’s enough. So as long as I know he is happy and healthy, I’m happy. I don’t have to be there and he doesn’t have to have me there," she said.

"We’re very close, but we cut the cord in tennis" - Pete Sampras' father Soterios

Pete Sampras with his family (Source: Getty)

During the same interview, Pete Sampras' father Soterios clarified that while he and Georgia had "cut the cord" with their son when it came to tennis, the family remained close in every other aspect of life.

"We’ve pulled away. As far as anything else is concerned, we’re very close. But we cut the cord in tennis," Soterios said.

Sampras himself welcomed his parents' absence, explaining that it allowed him the freedom to do whatever he wanted during tournaments without worrying about them curtailing his actions.

"Because when I’m playing a tournament, I kinda get to do what I want to do. If I want to have room service and stay in and watch TV all day, I can do that. I don’t have to worry about parents. If you know what I mean," Pete Sampras said.

Pete Sampras had himself cut professional ties with his father at the age of 16, firing Soterios as his manager and admitting that they "get along much better when he's not involved in contracts and deals."