While the fundamentals of tennis have remained the same over the years, the way professionals play the game has changed drastically. Whether it’s doubles or singles, modern-day players have to be at the top of their game all season long. This got us thinking. How do the greats compare to the players of today and who are the best tennis players of all time?
To create this list, we opened the history books and delved deep into competitive play. Major wins, grand slams, and the ability to champion the sport were some aspects we considered. We looked at singles and doubles players to create a list of the best tennis players ever.
15. Boris Becker
Boris Becker burst onto the scene as a teenage sensation in the mid-1980s. The German turned professional in 1984 and quickly made history, becoming the youngest Wimbledon champion ever at just 17 in 1985. He proved that it was no fluke, defending his title the following year, defeating Ivan Lendl in the final.
Becker went on to win six Grand Slam singles titles during his career. His powerful serve and aggressive approach made him a constant threat, especially on grass courts. He thrived in high-pressure situations and often delivered in big matches. He also enjoyed success indoors, where his attacking game was very effective. His dominance on grass was widely recognised during his peak years.
His rivalry with Stefan Edberg defined an era of tennis in the late 1980s. Becker also helped bring new attention to the sport with his exciting style. His performances in the Davis Cup were also a major part of his career. He remains one of the most recognisable players of his generation.
14. Ken Rosewall
Ken Rosewall’s longevity was unlike anything seen in tennis. Rosewall enjoyed one of the longest careers at the top level of the sport. The Australian turned professional in 1957 and remained competitive for decades. His consistency across different eras set him apart from many rivals, and he was able to compete against multiple generations of top players.
Rosewall won eight Grand Slam singles titles and reached a further eight finals throughout his career. He was known for his precision and control, especially on his backhand side. His calm and measured style remained strong even into his later years. Rosewall was still reaching major finals well into his late 30s, which was a rarity at the time. His longevity was admired by many across the sport.
Few players have matched his tenure at the highest level. Rosewall adapted as the sport evolved and continued to challenge younger opponents. His career stands as one of the most enduring in tennis history.
13. Bill Tilden
Bill Tilden dominated tennis throughout the 1920s and was the standout player of his era. The American built his reputation before turning professional, but his impact on the sport was already clear. He combined skill, intelligence, and presence on the court. His style and personality made him one of the sport’s first true stars.
Tilden won 10 Grand Slam singles titles and spent years as the leading figure in the game, known for his tactical awareness and ability to control matches. His style often saw him outthink opponents rather than overpower them. He was also a key figure in the United States’ Davis Cup success during his peak years.
He played a key role in shaping modern tennis. Many of his ideas around strategy and preparation are still relevant today. His influence extended into coaching and writing after his playing days. Tilden’s impact on the sport means he has to feature in our list of the best tennis players of all time.
12. Fred Perry
Fred Perry was one of the first true global stars of tennis. The Brit turned professional in 1936 after dominating the amateur game. He quickly became the face of British tennis and remains a national icon. His rise came at a time when the sport was beginning to grow internationally.
Perry won eight Grand Slam singles titles, including three consecutive Wimbledon crowns between 1934 and 1936. He was the first player to complete the Career Grand Slam, underlining his ability across surfaces. His success during that period set him apart from his peers. He also enjoyed success in doubles and Davis Cup competitions.
His influence extended beyond results on the court. Perry helped grow the sport internationally and inspired generations of players. His achievements helped raise the profile of British tennis for decades. His legacy remains one of the most important in tennis history.
11. Roy Emerson
Roy Emerson is one of the most successful players in tennis, though he is often overlooked in modern discussions. The Australian made his mark before the Open Era but still set records that stand the test of time. He turned professional in 1968, but by then had already built a remarkable legacy.
Emerson won 12 Grand Slam singles titles during his career, a number that places him among the elite. He was also dominant in doubles, winning 16 major titles. His all-around ability made him one of the most complete players of his generation. He was a key figure in Australia’s dominance of the Davis Cup during the 1960s.
His success came through consistency and endurance rather than flair. Emerson was a relentless competitor who rarely gave opponents easy points. He thrived in long matches and often wore rivals down physically. His incredible haul of major titles across multiple formats is not something you see in modern tennis and deserves recognition.
10. John McEnroe
John McEnroe’s position in pop culture after his infamous “You cannot be serious!” outburst is long since cemented. But he is also solidly in the conversation as one of the best tennis players of all time. He backed up his brash on-court behaviour with talent and titles. The American turned pro in 1978 and immediately began pushing his rivals to the top. McEnroe won his first singles Grand Slam title in 1979, coming up trumps for people who backed the 20-year-old by betting on the US Open.
His rivalries with Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors were some of the most entertaining clashes in the 70s and 80s. He defeated Bjorg in three major finals, including his first Wimbledon win in 1981. Connors was also on the receiving end when McEnroe claimed his third Wimbledon honour in 1984. The American won seven Grand Slams and 77 career titles, placing him sixth in the Open era.
McEnroe was also a prolific doubles player. He is the only male player since the inception of the ATP rankings in 1973 to simultaneously hold the world No. 1 rankings in both singles and doubles. He spent 170 total weeks as world number one, a testament to just how great he was when the likes of Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, and Bjorn Borg were at the top of their game.
9. Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi’s longevity in the game is exceptional, playing through three different decades. The American turned pro in 1986 and rose to prominence in the early 1990s. He took hold of the sport with his exceptional return hitting, known as the greatest of his era in that respect. Agassi’s charisma and rock star look made him become one of the sport’s biggest stars in a golden era for US tennis.
Known as ‘The Punisher’ because of his aggressive style of play, Agassi’s matches with Pete Sampras showcased a clash of styles. Their rivalry throughout the 90s defined a generation and pitted the best returner in the world against the best server. Their 34 clashes on the tour were some of the most exciting we have seen in the sport. They frequently battled it out in the ATP rankings, exchanging places at the top of the pile throughout the decade.
Agassi held the world number-one ranking for 101 weeks during his career, winning eight Grand Slam titles. He is one of just two players to have completed the Career Super Slam, winning all four major titles, an Olympic gold medal, and the Tour Finals. Agassi was one of the key figures in popularising the sport throughout the 90s, and his legacy in tennis extends further than his eight Grand Slam titles.
8. Ivan Lendl
Ivan Lendl broke and set several records during his 16-year professional career. The Czechian-American made his professional debut in 1978, competing out of his birth nation Czechoslovakia. He became the junior world number one and entered the pro scene with a weight of promise. Lendl lived up to and surpassed expectations.
Commonly referred to as the ‘Father Of Modern Tennis’, Lendl was a pioneer of the sport in the 1980s and ushered in a new era. He built his style around a powerful forehand and heavy topspin and did so with outstanding success. Aggressive baseline play is common in tennis today and that is because Lendl fathered the style. ‘The Terminator’ was one of the most aggressive players we have ever seen.
Lendl ended his career with a mountain of evidence that he was one of the best tennis players of all time. He held the world number-one ranking for a then-record 270 weeks, winning eight major titles, and was the first man to reach 19 major finals. ‘Ivan the Terrible’ also contested a record eight consecutive US Open finals and won seven year-end championships. He is the only man in professional tennis history to have a match-winning percentage of over 90% in five different years. Lendl was the biggest force in the sport in the 1980s and his fingerprints are still all over Tennis over 40 years since he won his first major.
7. Jimmy Connors
Jimmy Connors played during an incredibly competitive time in the sport. He faced the likes of Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, and Andre Agassi throughout his career. Connors turned pro in 1972 and had grown into the best in the world two years later. He won his first Grand Slam title in 1974 at the Australian Open. He was one of the first male players to switch to a steel racket and became the first to win Wimbledon with one that same year.
Connors won three Grand Slam titles in ‘74 and claimed his second in 1976, claiming the US Open title again. He topped the rankings as world number one from then on, staying there until 1977 and spending 268 weeks at the top. The American still holds the record for titles in the Open era at 109 as well as matches played at 1,557, and match wins at 1,274. Connors continued his form into the 80s, winning two US Open titles and a second Wimbledon honour by 1983.
Jimmy Connors’ career title record may never be broken with Novak Djokovic, the only active player coming close. His rivalry with McEnroe is probably his most iconic, but the competitiveness of his era means it is hard to nail down just one. He stood tall above almost all of his contemporaries despite the incredible level of talent in his generation.
6. Rod Laver
Rod Laver’s career spans through the Open era and before. The Australian was a dominant force on the court in both. Laver made his pro debut in 1963 after becoming the number one ranked amateur in 1961 and quickly rose to become the best player in the world. He played beyond his build, coming in at a modest 5’8”, developing a technically perfect style to complement his stature.
Laver announced himself as a future star when he won the Wimbledon mixed doubles in 1959 with Darlene Hard. He won his first singles Grand Slam a year later, claiming the Australian Open title and then his second at Wimbledon in 1961. His fast ascension to the top continued and in 1962, he became only the second player to win all four Grand Slam titles in a calendar year. By 1965, Laver was the number one ranked professional player, but he was far from finished.
He won his third Wimbledon title in 1968, by which time the Open era had begun. In 1969, he completed the Grand Slam for a second time. In doing so, he became the only man to have ever done it twice and the only to have ever completed it in the Open era. He still holds that record, along with the most overall career titles with 198. Laver has six doubles Grand Slams and five Davis Cups. He is one of just a handful of players to win Wimbledon in singles, doubles, and mixed competition. Laver is a trailblazer of the sport and one of the best tennis players of all time in both eras.
5. Bjorn Borg
Bjorn Borg burst onto the scene as a teenage sensation in the 1972 Davis Cup. At 15, Borg represented Sweden in the tournament. The Ice Man wasted no time in grabbing the brass ring, winning major titles while still in his teens. Borg’s storied career is even more impressive when you consider that the Swede retired at just 26 years of age, by which point he had already asserted himself as one of the best tennis players of all time.
Borg won his first Grand Slam event two weeks after his 18th birthday when he lifted the French Open title. He became the youngest-ever male French Open champion at the time. The Swede would go on to dominate sport throughout the 70s and into the early 80s, becoming the first man in the Open Era to win 11 Grand Slam singles titles. Six of those triumphs came at the French Open and five came consecutively at Wimbledon. Borg could dominate on grass and clay, making him a nightmare for opponents of the time.
#Onthisday in 1977: Shortly after winning his 2nd #Wimbledon title, Bjorn Borg became world No.1 for the 1st time 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/I9nbzjNDz2
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) August 23, 2016
His rivalries with John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors kept fans enamoured in the 70s and Borg was on top of the game throughout. He shocked the tennis world when he announced his retirement in 1983, but it was somewhat fitting, given his maverick style. His distinctive and unorthodox approach mixed with his storied success make him a true great.
4. Pete Sampras
Pete Sampras perhaps doesn’t get the acclaim or recognition he deserves because of his reserved demeanour and relatively quiet post-retirement career. He may not have been as charismatic as Agassi during their legendary rivalry, but Pistol Pete let his tennis do all the talking. His talent on the court was untouchable during his era. Sampras made his debut in 1988 and went on to dominate a golden era of tennis in America.
His Pistol Pete nickname came from his powerful serve, helping to carve out an incredible stylistic, competitive rivalry with the aforementioned Agassi. His battles with his fellow countrymen ascertained that while both were greats, Sampras had his number more often than not. He won 20 of their 34 clashes and became the most successful player of the 90s. Though especially dangerous on grass, Sampras also excelled on hard courts. This helped him dominate in majors for the best part of a decade.
He claimed his first Grand Slam title in 1990, winning the US Open against, who else, Andre Agassi. Sampras picked up another four wins but was fantastic for anyone betting on Wimbledon. There, he claimed seven career titles, a record only surpassed by Roger Federer. Pete Sampras held the world’s number-one ranking for 286 weeks, winning 14 Grand Slam titles during his 14-year career. Sampras is the most successful US player of all time and comfortably one of the best tennis players.
3. Roger Federer
No player comes close to Roger Federer’s style. The Swiss player’s incredible career spanned four decades and he will be at the top of the list for many people when considering the best tennis players of all time. Federer made his pro debut in 1998 and grew into the dominant force of the sport in the 2000s. Some records he holds are likely to never be broken, and he is arguably the biggest tennis star of all time.
Federer became a Wimbledon junior champion in 1998 and would win his first Grand Slam title at the men’s tournament five years later, aged 21. He quickly showed the world what he was all about on the court: adaptability and versatility. Eight-time Grand Slam winner Jimmy Connors said of the Swiss Maestro’s versatility:
“In an era of specialists, you’re either a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist, or a hard court specialist… or you’re Roger Federer.”
Federer’s achievements are astounding. The Swiss maestro won 103 titles with 20 grand slam triumphs. He holds the record for Wimbledon victories with eight. Federer spent a combined 310 weeks at world no.1 and holds the longest streak at world no 1. in Open Era history. He also claimed an Olympic gold medal in doubles at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. His 108 titles are the second most in the Open era, as are his 158 appearances in finals. Federer is perhaps the most impactful player in the Open era and easily one of the best tennis players ever.
2. Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal is another player who reached the summit of the sport at an incredible speed. He is one of the most successful teenagers in tennis history, reaching world number two ranking at just 19 years old. The Spaniard turned pro in 2001 at the age of 15 and won his first Grand Slam title at the French Open in 2005. That became a theme throughout El Nino’s career, dominating the tournament for nearly 20 years and earning the moniker ‘The King of Clay’. His first Wimbledon triumph came in 2008, a tournament he won twice in his career.
Nadal burst onto the scene when Federer was dominant and became the Swiss Maestro’s greatest on-court rival. His athleticism, aggressiveness, and confidence made him the perfect dance partner for the cool, calm and collected 20-time Grand Slam winner. However, Nadal’s competitive edge never came at the cost of his humility. He remains one of the most loved competitors ever to play tennis. The pair exchanged number-one rankings throughout their peak, with Nadal spending 209 total weeks at the top. He eclipsed his friend and rival in 2020 when he won his 21st Grand Slam title. Nadal is one of just three players to have won the career Golden Slam, winning the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The King of Clay fittingly won his final Grand Slam title in 2022 at the French Open, the 22nd of his career. That briefly made him the record Grand Slam winner. Along with Federer, Nadal defined a generation, and many consider their rivalry the best in tennis history. No player has ever been as dominant on clay and only one man has more Grand Slam titles.
Just like Federer, Nadal has recently retired from the sport. While many of us enjoyed betting on tennis matches involving the duo, our attention now turns to future stars like Carlos Alcaraz.
1. Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is one of the most controversial tennis players, but his talent is undeniable. His antics on and off the court have never outshone his world-beating ability. The outspoken Serbian made his debut in 2003 but took a backseat during Nadal and Federer’s dominance. However, he was waiting in the wings for his opportunity and grabbed it with both hands when it arose, eventually surpassing his playing rivals after prolific contests with the pair.
Djokovic is one of the most aggressive players we have ever seen, boasting consistent groundstrokes from both wings. His trademark two-handed backhand is the greatest in tennis history, seeing off some of the best with his backshot down the line. He claimed his first Grand Slam title in 2008 when he won the Australian Open. From there, he slowly began to break nearly every record in front of him. The Serbian won his first Wimbledon title in 2011 after winning the Australian Open for a second time and later his first US Open title. He defeated Nadal in two of those finals, indicating a pendulum swing at the top.
Djokovic’s rise to number one began an era of dominance. He has been ranked at the top for a record total of 428 weeks. He climbed to the top of the ATP leaderboards in 13 different years, another record, and finished as the year-end number one a record eight times. His 24 Grand Slam titles are the most in history. He could still beat Connors’ Open era record of 109 titles, currently sitting at 99. Djokovic is one of three to win the Career Golden Slam and only two to boast the Super Slam. Add in a record three Career Grand Slams and it is clear that Djoker is the most prolific and best tennis player ever.
