Tennis legend Pete Sampras shares actress wife Bridgette Wilson’s cancer battle
Sport Tennis Sport Australian Open Sport Sport US Open
Glenn Valencich
‘It is hard to watch someone you love go through a challenge like this.’
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7NEWS
Tennis legend Pete Sampras has issued a rare statement to announce his actress wife Bridgette Wilson is battling cancer.

The couple have largely lived out of the public eye since retiring from their careers in the spotlight.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Pete Sampras rushes to pregnant wife after winning final match.

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Sampras went out on a high when he won the 2002 US Open, his 14th grand slam title, while Wilson was pregnant with their first child.

She is best known for playing Adam Sandler’s love interest in Billy Madison, also starring as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s daughter in Last Action Hero and was part of an ensemble cast in I Know What You Did Last Summer before retiring from acting in 2008.

Sampras and Wilson married in 2000 after a whirlwind romance, with sons Christian and Ryan born in 2002 and 2005 respectively.

Wilson has spent the past year in and out of hospital after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer last December.

“As most have come to know, I am a pretty quiet and private person. However, this past year has been an exceptionally challenging time for my family and I have decided to share what’s been going on,” Sampras said in a statement.

Sampras offered a brief insight into the extent of Wilson’s continued attempts to beat cancer.

“Since then, she has had major surgery, pushed through chemotherapy and continues with targeted maintenance therapy,” he said.

“It is hard to watch someone you love go through a challenge like this.

“However, seeing our boys step up and be such strong supporters of Bridgette, myself and each other has been amazing.

“Watching Bridgette continue to be an incredible mum and wife through it all has been inspiring.

“I have also learned that it is very hard to reach for support when something is simply too hard to talk about.

“With that said, I will end this by humbly asking for good thoughts and prayers for our family as Bridgette continues to thrive on her healing journey. Thank you.”

Sampras remains beloved around the tennis world and received support from players and fans.

“All the best to your wife and your family Pete,” Andy Murray wrote.

Australian tennis great Rennae Stubbs said: “Thinking of the entire Sampras family.”

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