In the world of professional tennis, there are a few superstar players that everyone knows. And while many of these top-tier athletes come from more traditional tennis hotbeds like California and Florida, Maryland has its fair share of famous tennis stars too.
In fact, some of the best players in the world hail from right here in The Old Line State.
If you’re a fan of betting on tennis matches in Maryland, it’s a good idea to be familiar with these iconic Marylanders and their games. Use this Fanduel Maryland promo code to get started betting on tennis matches, and read on to learn about some of the most famous players from our state.
Pete Sampras
Pete Sampras is the most famous tennis player to ever come from Maryland. During his career, he won 762 matches, 64 of which were singles titles, including 14 Grand Slams.
He was known for his powerful serve, which reached a speed of 209 kph, and later became the first player to hit more than a thousand aces in a season. Sampras became world number one for 286 weeks.
Sampras won his first U.S. Open title at the age of just twenty-one. He also became only the fourth player to win a Grand Slam in under four years. In the late 90’s, he met his coach, Tim Gullikson, and was told that he had brain cancer.
While on court, Sampras sobbed, recalling the days he spent with his coach.
Sampras was born in Potomac, Maryland, on August 12, 1971. His parents are of Greek descent. He spent his early years in Potomac before moving to Rancho Palos Verdes, California. He was raised with his two siblings, Gus and Stella, as well as his mother, Stella.
Frances Tiafoe
Tiafoe is an American tennis star who hails from Riverdale, Prince George’s County. Although she is an elite athlete, Tiafoe still calls Hyattsville home and trains at the Johns Hopkins Tennis Center whenever she’s not on tour.
Other athletes from Prince George’s County have become superstars in other sports, including basketball star Kevin Durant and NFL star Cameron Wake. Tiafoe’s win on Sunday sent a message that Maryland has the ability to produce elite athletes.
Aside from being one of the most talented tennis players from Maryland, Tiafoe also inspires the next generation of athletes. Born in Sierra Leone, Tiafoe’s parents escaped the civil war in their native country.
Her mother was a nurse, and her father was in construction at a tennis center. He spent hours on the court and practicing his signature forehand. As a result, he was able to develop a style that is unique and has become famous in tennis circles.
Tiafoe’s parents immigrated to the United States in the 1990s from Sierra Leone.
His father worked construction at a tennis center near the University of Maryland campus, and when it was finished, he stayed on staff as a custodian. The couple had two children, Frances and Franklin. While her father worked nights and weekends, her mom took care of the kids and taught them tennis.
Brian Gottfried
Brian Gottfried was born on May 27, 1952, in Silver Spring, Maryland. He started playing tennis at the age of six and won his first tournament at eight.
When he was thirteen, he moved with his family to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he began training with coach Harry Hopman. In 1970, Gottfried won the junior Wimbledon singles title and turned professional later that year.
Gottfried had a successful professional career, reaching the semifinals of the French Open in 1974 and winning the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 1977. He also helped the United States win the Davis Cup in 1978.
After retiring from tennis in 1985, Gottfried became a tennis commentator for ESPN and ABC. He currently lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, former tennis player Betsy Nagelsen.
Conclusion
While there are many famous tennis players from Maryland, these three stand out as the most successful. All three have had long and successful careers, winning multiple Grand Slams and other titles.
They have also inspired the next generation of athletes, showing that Maryland is a state that produces top-notch talent.