Pete Sampras

* Pete Sampras grew up in the L.A. area (Palos Verdes), lives in L.A., just won the world’s most prestigious tennis championship for a seventh time, although playing injured, and set a new all-time record by winning a 13th grand slam championship, and yet The Times chose to exclude him from mention in its “The Best of America” editorial (July 25).

He has all the qualifications you cite: dedication, family support and exceptional talent. Although the piece could have been limited to deserved praise for Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong, to include the Williams sisters for their Wimbledon accomplishments and omit Sampras is inexcusable.

DONALD A. WAY

Rancho Palos Verdes