"That decision changed my life... we married the following year"- When Pete Sampras saw his wife Bridgette Wilson for the first time on the big screen

Pete Sampras once shared the story of how he first met his wife, Bridgette Wilson. Wilson is an American former actress and singer recognized for her roles in movies such as 'Billy Madison.'

During a Q&A session with The Guardian in 2007, Sampras revealed that in 1999, while recovering from an injury, he went to see a movie called 'Love Stinks' with his friend John Black, the former Vice President of Public Relations for the LA Lakers.

Wilson, who portrayed the character of Chelsea Turner in the comedy-drama movie, immediately caught Sampras' attention. The 14-time Grand Slam champion later reached out to her through his friend Black, a move he described as "life-changing."

"In 1999, I went to the movies with some friends. Somebody suggested we see Love Stinks, in which she was starring. That decision changed my life," Sampras said.

"I had seen the face before but didn't know the name. When we came out of the theatre, I told one of my friends that I really wanted to see her. Fortunately, he was able to set it up and we married the following year," he added.

After approximately a year of dating, Sampras and Wilson tied the knot on September 30, 2000. The couple welcomed their first son, Christian, on November 21, 2002, followed by their second son, Ryan, on July 29, 2005.

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Pete Sampras once shared how his wife Bridgette Wilson "put her career on hold" for their relationship

Pete Sampras pictured with his wife Bridgette and son Ryan

In an old interview, Pete Sampras addressed criticism aimed at his wife, Bridgette Wilson, regarding the challenging period he faced after winning his 13th Grand Slam at Wimbledon.

The former World No. 1 defended Wilson, stating that while people could say what they wanted about him, they shouldn't target his wife, who had made sacrifices for their relationship, including "putting her career on hold."

"Every time I walked into a press conference or did interviews about retirement and stopping and marriage, I was so tired of it. I had enough and I just wanted to win one more Major," Sampras said.

"My wife pretty much put her career on hold to travel with me because we wanted to be together. But it was hard, it was taxing on our marriage. There's no question. I wasn't doing well, few people in the press blamed her, and that bothered me. You can criticize me but don't criticize my family," the American added.