Sophia Webster, niece of Pete Sampras, is making headlines as part of the Vanderbilt tennis team this week at the NCAA championships.
Webster won her second round NCAA doubles match with partner Celia-Belle Mohr with a 10-8 tiebreaker on Thursday.
The niece of Pete Sampras, Sophia Webster, serves out second round NCAA doubles win for her and @VandyWTennis teammate Celia-Belle Mohr over Duke’s Liv Hovde and Shavit Kimchi 10-8 in the match tiebreaker pic.twitter.com/XyauJkShvr
— Randy Walker (@TennisPublisher) November 20, 2025
On Friday, they followed it up with a straight set win to advance to the semifinals.
Celia-Belle Mohr of @VandyWTennis is back into the NCAA semis!
She and partner Sophia Webster beat UVA 6-0, 6-4. pic.twitter.com/5v18cUFa5c
— John (@JTweetsTennis) November 21, 2025
If Webster wins a NCAA title, her tennis resume would include an accomplishment that her uncle did not earn. Sampras chose to turn professional instead of going to college. The decision worked out well for the 14-time Grand Slam champion.
Pete Sampras Is Part Of Tennis Family
Webster is a twin, and her sister Savannah played at Miami this year but is transferring to Belmont University for her second year. The sisters will be in the Nashville area; making it a little easier for their mother, UCLA women’s tennis coach, Stella Sampras Webster to see them if her schedule allows.
Sampras Webster, 56, has been UCLA’s head women’s tennis coach since 1996 and has earned over 540 wins.
Tonight’s the night, as Stella Sampras Webster joins a very special club as a member of the #UCLAHOF!#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/LszJRxDpUy
— UCLA Women’s Tennis (@uclawtennis) October 6, 2018
Among her players over the years was Jennifer Brady, the 2021 Australian Open finalist who was part of the 2014 NCAA Champion team.
What a finish!
Jennifer Brady will play in her first Grand Slam final.@jennifurbrady95 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Skhv9UVtbL
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) February 18, 2021
It is so difficult for tennis relatives to thrive in the sport. Sampras Webster and her brother have both carved paths and legacies for themselves. Now it is Sophia and Savannah Webster’s turns to do so.
Pete Sampras, 54, has stayed out of the public eye since officially retiring in 2003. He is married to actress Bridgette Wilson Sampras for 25 years. She is battling ovarian cancer, an admission that the normally private Sampras made in October 2023.
