Pete Sampras walked away from tennis on Monday with peace in his heart and with nothing left to prove.

The winner of a record 14 Grand Slam titles said the competitive juices that drove him to 64 titles and allowed him to amass more than $43 million in prize money no longer flowed.

"I am retiring because I have nothing to prove to myself. My biggest challenge was last year. Once I did that I felt really it is time," he said referring to last year's U.S. Open triumph following two barren years.

"I am content. I am 100 percent content with what I have done."

Sampras had not played competitively since that final showdown with Andre Agassi 12 months ago and his announcement of retirement came as no surprise.

Still, though, it marked the end of an era and Sampras was due to bid an emotional farewell to his fans on the U.S. Open centre court later on Monday.

"It was an emotional drive coming here for the last time," the American said. "To be back on the court, to see the fans.

"It is tough to stop doing something I love to do, I have been doing since I was seven. It is hard to stop," he added, tears welling.

GOOD HUSBAND

"Now I am going to watch my boy grow up, be a good husband.

"I know in my heart I am 100 percent done. I am not coming back and I am at peace with it.

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"Tennis is a lot of work, a lot of focus and I have been doing this for a long time -- I am not going to play to say goodbye, if I play I am going to play to win.

"It is something that has to be in your blood and after winning here last year I felt it go away. I am at peace with that."

Sampras said he had missed playing at Wimbledon -- where he won a record-equalling seven titles. -- this year but he would return to the tournament as a visitor.

"I missed it. But it is another tournament, it is a grind. To be honest, there were times I was glad I was at home.

"But I will go back there and have a cup of tea up top. I will definitely be back there, I miss it a lot."

Modest as ever, Sampras rejected suggestions he can be called the greatest player of all time.

"I will not sit here and say I am the greatest ever. That will never happen. I have won a number of things and that speaks for itself.

"I have played perfect tennis in my mind on occasion and I feel my game will match up to anyones.

"But to say I am the greatest ever, I won't say that. It is hard to compare but I think my game will match up to anyones.

MISS PLAYING

"I have a whole bunch of memories. What happened here, my Wimbledon finals, staying on top for so many years. Just the majors that I have won, they mean a lot to me. I had a great career that I am proud of.

"I played some great players over the years, the Andre Agassis the Boris Beckers. There were some great matches that I am proud of being a part of.

"But I went through all the emotions, went through everything I needed to convince me I was done.

"I know what it takes to do it and I am not there any more, it is time to stop.

"I will miss playing, I will miss competing, the competition, the rush of going out there in finals in front of 20,000 people.

"I will miss the simple joy of playing tennis."

Tennis will also miss Sampras.