Tennis great Sampras to play exhibition in Columbus

Tennis legend Pete Sampras will participate in an exhibition match in Columbus on March 8, Civic Center director Dale Hester confirmed Thursday.

Sampras, a 14-time Grand Slam title winner who earned a record $43 million in prize money during his storied career, will face Todd Martin at the Columbus Civic Center in a 7:30 p.m. match.

Martin, a member of the United States’ victorious Davis Cup team in 1995, boasts a professional resume that includes 12 consecutive finishes among the top 100 players.

Hester said Prism Sports & Entertainment president John McDonald contacted him about bringing the Sampras-Martin exhibition to Columbus.

‘‘I don’t remember anything like this happening to Columbus,’’ Hester said. ‘‘It tickled me to death. That’s a great thing to have here in Columbus.’’

Tickets will go on sale Fri., Jan. 25, and will sell for $25 and up. They will be available at the Civic Center box office, Publix supermarkets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (706) 494-8330. A limited number of VIP seats are available, as well as group discounted tickets.