She grew up in Los Angeles and played college tennis for the UCLA Bruins from 1987 to 1991, earning All-American honors on four occasions.

In her freshman year she teamed up with Allison Cooper to win the NCAA doubles championship.

[1] Sampras competed briefly on the professional tour, reaching a career best singles ranking of 248, with two ITF titles to her name.

As a doubles player she twice appeared in the main draw of the US Open and was ranked as high as 142 in the world.

[3] Sampras is married to marketing executive Steve Webster, with whom she has twin daughters, born in 2005.