20 Greatest Male Tennis Players in History [Ranked]

For more than two decades, the world of men’s tennis has been dominated by three names; Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. 2024 marked the first calendar year since 2002 that one of the ‘Big Three’ hasn’t won a Grand Slam title. However, before the talented trio above established their dominance, there were a number of talented stars with huge personalities who thrilled fans both on and off the court.

It’s never easy to rank competitors who played in different eras to each other, namely due to changes in fitness levels and the quality of courts and equipment available to modern players. Despite that challenge, we’ve compiled a list of the 20 greatest male players ever to grace the court.

These rankings are based on many factors, but the ability to win regularly at Grand Slams is a must. Additional credit has also been given to individuals who played in highly competitive eras.

Ranking factors include:

• Grand Slams won
• Style of play
• Ability on all surfaces
• Level of opponent

10

Andre Agassi

Grand Slam titles: 8

Just making it inside the top 10 list is United States tennis icon Andre Agassi. Having a career spanning two decades is no easy feat, with Agassi dominating throughout the late 80s and into the 90s, before calling an end to his playing time in 2006. During that time, he would win 61 career titles, including eight Grand Slams. Perhaps his most memorable victory was his one and only Wimbledon title in 1992, beating two former champions along the way who may just pop up later in this list. Agassi also has the honour of being an Olympic gold medalist, having won the title at the 1996 games, held in Atlanta.

9

Jimmy Connors

Grand Slam titles: 8

We go back a bit further for our next entry, with a man that lit up the 1970s era of male tennis. Jimmy Connors was an American icon during the 1970s, with his accolades on the court up there with the very best players in history. He holds the record for the most ATP Tour titles, as well as collecting eight Grand Slams throughout his 24-year playing career. Again, he is another player to just miss out on collecting all the Grand Slam titles, with the French Open missing from his trophy cabinet. Connors also sits joint top on the list of US Open titles won in the Open era, with five.

8

Ivan Lendl

Grand Slam titles: 8

We move on next to a tennis Hall of Fame member who has an incredible list of titles to his name, won throughout an illustrious career throughout the 1980s. Ivan Lendl, born in what was then known as Czechoslovakia, is considered to be the most dominant male player of the 1980s, which is saying something considering the competition at the time. Known for his monster serve, Lendl would go on to win 144 career titles, with eight Grand Slams along the way. Wimbledon was the only major title that eluded him and the absence of that accomplishment is a major reason why he doesn’t make it any higher up on this list.

7

John McEnroe

Grand Slam titles: 7

Another legend of the incredibly competitive 1980s era, John McEnroe, comes in at seven on our list, with his style and entertainment factor making it impossible not to include him. Arguably the most thrilling player to watch on his day, McEnroe was a fiery character, to say the least. He won seven Grand Slams during his career, with all of them coming at Wimbledon and the US Open, where he was part of some of the most memorable matches in the history of those respective tournaments. Just go back and watch his Wimbledon final against Bjorn Borg from 1980 to see some truly incredible drama.

6

Bjorn Borg

Grand Slam titles: 11

Speaking of Bjorn Borg, he just pips his rival McEnroe to take sixth place in this list of tennis greats. Borg was part of that same era that produced some of the greatest tennis rivalries we have ever seen. The one thing many wonder about the Swedish superstar is how much more he could have achieved, with Borg retiring at the age of 26, his reasons being he wanted a life away from the fame and attention of professional sports. In his brief career, however, he won an amazing 11 Grand Slams, with five victories at Wimbledon and six at the French Open.

5

Rod Laver

Grand Slam titles: 11

Australian-born Rod Laver is the first name to break the top five, with his achievements throughout the 1960s and 70s putting him up there as one of the most decorated male players in the history of the game. Laver boasts 200 career titles, including 11 Grand Slams across all four major tournaments. He sits at the top of the list when it comes to career titles won and has the unique experience of winning Grand Slams in both the amateur and Open eras. It is hard to compare players going back this far, but many would argue that if Laver was to have played in a more modern time, we would’ve seen similar levels of victory and domination.

4

Pete Sampras

Grand Slam titles: 14

Another American makes the list next, with serial winner Pete Sampras coming in at fourth spot. Sampras was widely considered the greatest player of all time when he retired in 2002, having won almost everything on offer during his 15-year professional career. The one thing holding him back was his inability to win on clay courts, with his 14 Grand Slams missing that all important French Open title. Despite that, Sampras is still remembered as an incredible athlete that ignited the excitement for tennis in the 1990s. His battles against Andre Agassi will never be forgotten by tennis fans.

3

Rafael Nadal

Grand Slam titles: 22

The top three in these rankings would be fairly simple for most tennis fans to predict. The only real question is what order the trio place in. Third place goes to ‘The King of Clay’, who retired in 2024 with 22 Grand Slam wins to his credit. His 14 triumphs at Roland Garros is a record tally by some distance – and is unlikely ever to be beaten.

Add to the mix his two Olympic gold medals (2008 singles champion, 2016 doubles champion) and the Spaniard is rightfully referred to as one of the best to ever do it. Fans flocked to watch Rafa at his peak, mesmerised by his charisma and enigmatic playing style. His impact on the sport will be tough for anyone to replicate.

2

Roger Federer

Grand Slam titles: 20

The gentlemen of tennis comes in at second place, narrowly missing out on topping this prestigious list. Roger Federer could easily be named at number one and fans would have very few complaints. The way he made tennis look so easy and calm was a pleasure to watch. The Swiss icon has won 20 career Grand Slams, with eight of those coming at Wimbledon, putting him top of the list for most wins at SW19. He always brought his A game when it came to the grassy courts of Wimbledon, and was the figurehead of the “Big Three” alongside Rafael Nadal and the man who tops our list. We will certainly not see a player of this ilk ever again.

1

Novak Djokovic

Grand Slam titles: 24

Arguably the most complete player the game has ever seen, Djokovic is the proud owner of every major title in tennis, having added an Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024 to his haul of 24 Grand Slam championships. Despite his immense success over the years, Novak is still hungry for more titles and is seeking a record 25th Slam in 2025.

Djokovic has kept himself in such immaculate shape that he is still very much a live contender in every tournament he enters. The Serbian legend also uses his reputation to help those making their way in the game. In 2020, he set up the Professional Tennis Players Association, which aims to bring a fairer distribution of revenue and welfare to tennis. His legacy in the sport will live on long after he bids farewell to the sport.

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