Tim Henman Named His Greatest Tennis Player of All Time

Tennis in the 21st century has been dominated by four names. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, with the quartet consecutively holding down the top spot in the sport for 18 years between 2004 and 2022.

As the youngest member of the “Big Four” and the only active player among them, Novak Djokovic, currently holding seven Wimbledon titles, aims to match Roger Federer’s record of eight victories in this summer’s tournament. In light of this, we take a closer look at the Big Four’s enduring dominance in modern tennis.

Tennis’ Big Four

Roger Federer

Roger Federer, often regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, has won a total of 20 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record eight Wimbledon championships. Known for his graceful playing style and versatility on all surfaces, Federer dominated the sport for over a decade, holding the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 310 weeks. His elegance on the court and sportsmanship have made him a global ambassador for tennis.

Rafael Nadal

Spanish star, Rafael Nadal, has won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record 14 at the French Open. The Spaniard has held the world No. 1 ranking for over 200 weeks, and his fierce rivalries with Federer and Djokovic have helped shape one of the greatest eras in tennis history.

Andy Murray

Great Britain’s, Andy Murray, won three Grand Slams during his career, a far cry from his three rivals’ tally, including two at his home Slam, Wimbledon. He held the No. 1 ranking for 41 weeks and helped end Britain’s long wait for a male Wimbledon champion. Despite injuries, his determination has inspired many.

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic, the youngest and only active member of the Big Four, has won 24 Grand Slams, including seven on the grass courts of Wimbledon. The Serbian holds the record for most weeks at No. 1 and still remains a dominant force in modern tennis.

Tim Henman’s Tennis GOAT

He’s played against them all, but one stands out above the rest for the Brit

Before the rise of the Big Four, British tennis was largely inspired by Tim Henman, who became a household name during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Henman not only helped pave the way for future British champions like Andy Murray, but also faced off against each member of the Big Four during his career.

Henman has recently opened up about his experiences on court, revealing who he found was the most complete opponent among them and sharing his personal pick for the greatest player of all time.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Henman revealed who he believes was the most complete player, stating: “For me, Federer was the most complete player that I ever played against. I played Federer the most and I felt that he had the most complete game, he could play on any surface, had very few weaknesses, and there wasn’t a specific area that you could necessarily attack.”

Remarkably, however, after labelling Federer the most complete opponent, Henman regards another player as the greatest of all time, and he only played against him once.

“I only played Djokovic once when he was young. I think sort of 18, 19, and his game was developing then. He didn’t serve quite so well, but it’s been incredible to watch how their games have developed over the years.

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