Who is the greatest tennis player of all time? It's a question that has sparked fierce debate for decades - and in today's era of record-breaking achievements, it's more intense than ever. Modern tennis fans have been lucky enough to watch legends like Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal battle it out and collect grand slam titles at the most competitive tennis tournaments, with an almost superhuman level of consistency.
| Player | Nationality | Grand Slam Single Titles Won |
|---|---|---|
| Andre Agassi | American | 4 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 Wimbledon, 1 US Open |
| Ken Rosewall | Australian | 4 Australian Open, 2 French Open, 2 US Open |
| John McEnroe | American | 3 Wimbledon, 4 US Open |
| Rafael Nadal | Spanish | 2 Australian Open, 14 French Open, 2 Wimbledon, 4 US Open |
| Roger Federer | Swiss | 6 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 8 Wimbledon, 5 US Open |
| Novak Djokovic | Serbian | 10 Australian Open, 3 French Open, 7 Wimbledon, 4 US Open |
| Pete Sampras | American | 2 Australian Open, 7 Wimbledon, 2 Australian Open |
| Rod Laver | Australian | 3 Australian Open, 2 French Open, 4 Wimbledon, 2 US Open |
| Steffi Graf | German | 4 Australian Open, 6 French open, 7 Wimbledon, 5 US Open |
| Billie Jean King | American | 1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 6 Wimbledon, 4 US Open |
| Margaret Court | Australian | 11 Australian Open, 5 French Open, 3 Wimbledon, 5 US Open |
| Chris Evert | American | 2 Australian Open, 7 French Open, 3 Wimbledon, 6 US Open |
| Serena Williams | American | 7 Australian Open, 3 French Open, 7 Wimbledon, 6 US Open |
| Martina Navratilova | Czech-American | 3 Australian Open, 2 French Open, 9 Wimbledon, 4 US Open |
| Monica Seles | American-Hungarian | 4 Australian Open, 3 French Open, 2 US Open |
But what about the icons that came before them? Players like Steffi Graf, Rod Laver, and Bjorn Borg also dominated their respective eras, helping to shape the sport into what it is and setting benchmarks that many champions still strive to reach today. In this article, we'll explore 15 of the most remarkable men and women (both past and present) who have ever stepped onto a tennis court.
Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi is a tennis legend for all the right reasons. His long hair and powerful backhand made him instantly memorable, but it was his game that truly stunned the world. Debuting in the 1980's, Agassi's flashy look led many to underestimate him. however, he quickly proved both his opponents and onlookers wrong, dominating the court with a mix of skill, grit, and unmatched charisma.
Ken Rosewall
Ken Rosewall's legacy in tennis spans both the pre and post-Open Era, making him a true icon of the sport. As a result, leaving him off any list of the all-time tennis greats would be seriously disrespectful. With eight Grand Slam titles and fifteen major Championships under his belt, the Australian player's career was nothing short of extraordinary. Debuting in the early 1950s, he would eventually retire in 1980 - after 30 years of dominating the game.
John McEnroe
John McEnroe was one of the best American players tennis has seen on hard courts and fast surfaces. With his creativity and intelligence in the game, he was incredible. However, he had a fiery attitude, and some may call him the "bad boy" of tennis. He had a short temper and ruthless aggression, which he was not afraid to show on the field. Moreover, people also remember his victories and his epic loss in the 1980 Wimbledon final. A legendary five-set loss to Bjorn Borg made that final one of the greatest matches in the history of Wimbledon.
Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal would have added more Grand Slam titles to his resume if not for the recurring tendinitis in the knees and his wrist injuries. Currently, he is 38 years old and can still probably make a hole in concrete with his supercharged serve! We admit the exaggeration, but it's Rafa; hence, it may not be as hard to believe. He had achieved an admirable 22 Grand Slam titles before his retirement in 2024 and is declared the best of all time by many tennis experts. If Roger has consistency and Djokovic has technique, Nadal has power and clay.
Roger Federer
Even in 2025, Roger Federer still stands as one of tennis's most iconic and admired figures. With 20 Grand Slam titles to his name and a staggering 310 weeks spent at world number one during his career, his legacy still looms large over the sport. He is undoubtedly the best at what he does and would come back stronger in the upcoming tennis tournaments. Although recently retired, Federer's elegance on court, consistency under pressure, and his ability to keep competing at the highest level well into his late 30s left a mark few can match.
Novak Djokovic
As of 2025, Novak Djokovic has firmly established himself as one of tennis's most dominant and intimidating forces. Despite the rise of younger grand slam-hungry stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Djokovic still manages to defeat those at the top of the game at the age of 37. According to many experts, this could have a lot to do with his almost obsessive commitment to preparation. Nothing is left to chance with Novak, including his strict nutritional habits, recovery protocols, and finely tuned training regime.
Pete Sampras
Before Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic rewrote the tennis record books, Pete Sampras was definitely the man many were looking to beat. With 14 grand slam titles by his 2002 retirement, he held the men's all-time record - an achievement that once seemed impossible. Known for his explosive serve, flawless volleys, and icy composure, Sampras dominated the 1990s with an unmatched sense of calm and control under pressure. While he would never win the French Open due to it not suiting his fast attacking style, his supremacy on grass and hard courts was almost absolute.
Rod Laver
Rod Laver's name is etched into tennis history in a way no one else's is. He is the only player (man or woman) to win all four grand slam titles in a single calendar not once, but twice. This incredible achievement hasn't been matched since and may never be in the modern era of tennis. Nicknamed the Rocket, Laver combined graceful footwork with explosive shot-making and a fierce competitive edge. In his career, he would win 11 grand slam titles despite being barred from major tournaments for five years during the infamous amateur-professional divide.
Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf single-handedly redefined what dominance looked like during her career in the women's game. With 22 Grand Slam singles titles to her name, she ruled the 1980s and much of the 90s with a mix of incredible mental toughness and a forehand that quickly became one of the most feared shots in tennis history. Even in 2025, Steffi Graf's legacy remains one of the most impressive in tennis. While some have come close, no other female tennis player has currently managed to match her record of 377 weeks at the WTA world no 1 - from August 1987 to March 1991.
Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King is a name that carries weight in any conversation about the history of tennis. One of the most influential athletes of the 20th century (both for her performance on court and her lasting impact on the sport) she won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles. In 1973, she captured the world's attention when she defeated Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes, which was estimated to have been watched by over 90 million people. Though played for entertainment, this event would become a defining moment for women's sports and gender equality as a whole.
Margaret Court
Margaret Court began her career during a time when tennis was shifting, adapting better than most. Playing through the 1960s and into the early 1970s, Court brought a level of athleticism that was very rare in the women's game at the time. Utilizing her powerful serve and volley approach, she excelled on every surface and was able to transition from the amateur era into the newly professional Open Era without much difficulty.
Chris Evert
Chris Evert wasn't really one to outpower her opponents on the court - instead, she outlasted them. Bringing a calm presence and a ruthless level of consistency to the court, she made winning matches look almost effortless. She was almost unbeatable on her favourite surface, clay, winning seven French Opens during her career. Over time, her rivalry with fellow player Martina Navratilova would become a highlight of the era, with the two facing each other a staggering 80 times - the most meetings between two players in women's tennis history.
Serena Williams
No list of the best tennis players of all time would be complete without mentioning Serena Williams. For many, her career could only be described as a force of nature - relentless, fearless, and era-defining. With 23 grand slam singles titles, she currently holds the open-era record as of writing. Even after retiring, Serena's influence can still be seen and felt everywhere. Young players look up to her as a role model, and her voice off the court, in business, fashion, and social change, is just as powerful as it ever was during her time as the WTA world No. 1.
Martina Navratilova
Few players have changed the game the way Martina Navratilova did. Her fearless net play, unmatched athleticism, and relentless desire to win led to 18 Grand Slam singles titles and a record 59 major titles across all formats. And nowhere was she more dominant than at Wimbledon, where she managed to nab the singles crown 9 times - more than any player before or after her time in the spotlight.
Monica Seles
With her trademark two-handed strokes on both sides and an intensity that could rattle even the best, Monica Seles won her first grand slam at just 16 years old - beating Steffi Graff at the 1990 French Open. What followed was a dominance rarely seen, with her winning eight grand slam titles in just over two years, and becoming the new world No.1 by 1991.
Unfortunately, in a grim twist of fate, Monica Seles would find herself the victim of a stabbing attack during a match in Hamburg - leading her to take two years off the tour to recover. Though she returned in 1995 and soon won the Australian Open, the rhythm and confidence of her early years would never quite return to the same level before this traumatic event.
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This was our take on the top greatest player of tennis. You might also be interested in the greatest British tennis players of all time.
All the players on the list are incredible and unstoppable on their day. They have paved a path of glory for new players to walk. They have inspired the masses to be the best at what they do.
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