Ranking the Best Men’s Tennis Players of All Time

Religious tennis fans understand just how popular and lucrative the sport can be. More casual fans, on the other hand, are a different story.

Situational supporters are important in every league. They tend to follow along during the most important times of the year when the stakes are at their peak. For tennis, that might be the US Open or the French Open or another major tournament. Any fans that tune in for only certain competitions might not fully grasp the lasting star power throughout the history of the sport, mostly because it doesn’t captivate their own attention.

Impressions along those lines are a huge mistake. Tennis is among the most popular sports worldwide, and the indicators are everywhere. Tournaments are held around the globe. Pro tennis players are given lucrative endorsements. The biggest TV stations will broadcast the most important tournaments during primetime hours. Take a look at the most popular sportsbooks, and you’ll find that tennis betting is comparably popular to wagering on soccer, football, basketball, and baseball.

Devoted followers will of course understand this. Others need a refresher in just how many superstars have dominated the court. Regardless of where you fall, our list of the greatest men’s tennis players of all time is for everyone—a reminder for some, an epiphany for others, but a source of discussion for all, particularly when (spoiler alert!) three of the top five are still active today.

5. Rod Laver

Rod Laver went kaboom between the lines during the early aughts of pro tennis. He began the major circuit of his career in 1962 and played all the way until 1979.

During that time, he racked up over 200 titles and nearly $1.6 million in prize money—which, for the record, was a lot of coin for the era. Perhaps most impressive, he finished his career with 11 Grand Slam wins, including a whopping four at Wimbledon and three at the Australian Open.

4. Pete Sampras

Without question, Pete Sampras is the greatest American men’s tennis player of all time.

Throughout his 14-year career, he piled up 64 titles, including 14 Grand Slam victories. His performances at the US Open and Wimbledon, in particular, were the stuff of legend. He nabbed a total of 12 championship wins between those two tournaments.

3. Novak Djokovic

As the current No. 1 ranked men’s tennis player in the world, many might have Novak Djokovic a tick higher. That’s not unfair. He certainly has a chance at going down as one of the two best players by the time his career is over.

For the time being, though, he just hasn’t matched the longevity of those in front of him. Recently, he’s also struggled to maintain his dominance on the court.

Still, Djokovic is clearly an all-time talent. He has 17 Grand Slam titles to his name, including multiple victories at the Australian Open (eight), Wimbledon (five) and the US Open (three). He has only one French Open victory, in no small part because it’s played on clay.

2. Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal was initially known as a clay court specialist. And then everything changed.

For a couple of years, he was the most legitimate threat in the sport to the player considered the greatest of all time by near consensus. Stop and really think about that. Because it’s amazing.

Nadal’s resume doesn’t feel real. He has 20 Grand Slam titles and would probably have a bunch more if not for his arch rival to be named shortly. His 13 French Open wins are a world record and proof of his dominance on clay, but he also has multiple victories at the US Open (four) and Wimbledon (two) under his belt.

1. Roger Federer

Who else?

There was a long period of time—nearly a decade, to be exact—during which Roger Federer genuinely seemed unbeatable. Any tournament he played in was an automatic win.

Federer’s resume backs up that sentiment. He has 20 Grand Slam titles, including a whopping six at the Australian Open and five at the US Open. He would have even more if not for injuries hitting during the middle of his career.

Both Nadal and Djokovic technically have a chance at overthrowing him. Don’t bet on it. At least not anytime soon. Though he’s dealt with back and knee problems, the 39-year-old still owns a top-five overall ranking and has pieced together plenty of classic matches over the last few years. The end of his career is near, but it hasn’t arrived yet.

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