Status: Winner of nine career singles titles. Career high singles ranking was no. 17.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 200
DOB: Oct. 7, 1987 In: San Francisco, CA
Childhood Heroes: “I never had a certain hero. I always watched Agassi and Sampras growing up, those are the two guys I sort of idolized.”
Nicknames: “I’m called Sammy The Bull – I don’t know how I got that one. And all those guys on the Challenger Tour called me Q Ball.”
First Memory Of Tennis: “Would be when I lived in Las Vegas, I was eight, taking a lesson from my old coach Owen, inside in an indoor court. I think that was my first serious lesson with a coach.”
First Car: “’74 VW Vanagon, blue and white. It’s all re-done, there’s a bean bag in the back. Stereo system. It’s cool.”
First Job: “This job right now, professional tennis player.”
Greatest Career Moment: “I don’t know if there’s been one greatest moment. There’s been a few. Winning my first title in Vegas. Also winning Queens before Wimbledon. The prestigious event. And I think the third one would be I guess playing at the US Open against Nadal in the fourth round. Davis Cup has been a highlight. There’s not one for me, there’s really been a few.”
Most Painful Moment: “Worst moment…probably losing in Davis Cup.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “Isner is one of my best friends. I’m good friends with Mardy, James, the Bryans, all the Americans, I mean we’re all pretty close.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “Isner’s funny. Mardy’s pretty funny. Bob and Mike Bryan I think. I don’t interact a whole lot with the guys from Europe, I’m sure some of them are funny.”
Toughest Competitors Encountered: “Probably Rafa.”
Which Match Were You At Your Best: “Against Marcos Baghdatis, second round Memphis (2009). I won 61 62 and everything felt perfect. Pretty much playing every ball perfectly.”
Favorite Meal: “Chicken parmigian.”
Favorite Movie: “Happy Gilmore.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “I was playing a match and I went back for a lob – my foot got caught back in between the fence and the concrete. My shoe fell off so I played the rest of the point with just like my sock on [smiles]. At Southern California sectionals when I was fourteen.”
Interesting Fact: Sam holds the ATP record for consecutive aces – when he made ten aces in a row against James Blake in 2007 on an outdoor hardcourt.
People Qualities Most Admired: “A positive attitude, a good outlook on life, outgoing, fun, generous, all those things.”
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