There have been many great and successful players in tennis throughout history, but who could be called the greatest tennis player of all time?
In this article, I will present some of the world’s greatest tennis players who have achieved a great deal on and off the tennis court.
Whether you’re a tennis enthusiast or a tennis fan, you may find it useful to know which players have played a role in the creation of modern tennis and how they have done it.
- The greatest tennis players of all time
- Rafael Nadal 🇪🇸
- Novak Djokovic 🇷🇸
- André Agassi 🇺🇸
- Pete Sampras 🇺🇸
- Björn Borg 🇸🇪
- Rod Laver 🇦🇺
The greatest tennis players of all time
This article has considered not only the player’s skills and achievements but also the player’s influence on the tennis culture of his or her time and its development.
After all, the players in question have left a significant mark on tennis, both in terms of their game and their culture.
The best men’s tennis players
This list presents the greatest men’s tennis players of all time who have left a lasting mark on tennis history.
Roger Federer 🇨🇭
| Date of birth | 8.8.1981 |
| Country of birth | Basel, Switzerland |
| Plays | Right-handed, one-handed backhand |
| Height | 185cm (6 ft 1 in) |
| Wins-Losses | 1251-275 (82%) |
| Titles | 103 |
| Highest Ranking | 1 (2.2.2004) |
| Prize money | 122 464 841,40€ (134,276,575 dollars) |
| Number of aces made | 11 478 |
Background
Roger Federer is a former Swiss tennis player considered one of the world’s best and most famous players.
Federer started playing tennis at the age of 8 and turned professional in 1998 at the age of 16.
Achievements
Roger Federer has won 20 Grand Slam titles: 8 Wimbledon, 6 Australian Open, 5 US Open, and 1 French Open. Federer has the most Wimbledon wins of any male player and shares the record with Björn Borg for consecutive Wimbledon wins (5).
Federer also holds the record for ATP Finals wins (6) and has the second most weeks at the top of the ATP rankings (302) after Novak Djokovic (373).
Federer has been named ATP Player of the Year 5 times and has won 5 Laureus Awards.
| Roger Federer’s achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 6 |
| French Open singles titles | 1 |
| Wimbledon titles | 8 |
| US Open singles titles | 5 |
| ATP titles | 103 |
| ATP Finals singles titles | 6 |
| Davis Cup titles | 1 |
Playing style
Federer’s style of play is very versatile and moderate. He is perhaps best known for his one-handed backhand, which has inspired many future players.
The one-handed backhand is a very challenging shot, but also a very eye-catching shot. It has been said that Federer has the best one-handed backhand in the world, due to his technique and the beauty of his shot.
The Influence outside the tennis court
Outside of tennis, Federer is known for his humanitarian work. He has set up the Roger Federer Foundation, which supports physical education programs for children in developing countries. Federer has also been an ambassador for several charities.
Summary
Roger Federer is regarded as one of the world’s greatest tennis players because of his victories on the court and his charitable work off the court.
In addition to all his achievements, Federer is known as a remarkable gentlemanly player. While playing tennis, Federer has shown exemplary emotional control and respect for his opponent.
Rafael Nadal 🇪🇸
| Date of birth | 3.6.1986 |
| Country of birth | Mallorca, Spain |
| Plays | Left-handed, two-handed backhand |
| Height | 185cm (6 ft 1 in) |
| Wins-Losses | 1068–220 (82,9%) |
| Titles | 92 |
| Highest ranking | 1 (18.8.2008) |
| Prize money | 123 584 023,16€ (135,503,702 dollars) |
| Number of aces made | 3 998 |
Background
Rafael Nadal is a Spanish tennis player who is considered one of the best and most famous tennis players alongside Roger Federer.
Nadal started playing tennis at the age of 3 and turned professional in 2001 at the age of 15.
Achievements
Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam titles: 2 Australian Open, 14 French Open, 2 Wimbledon, and 4 US Open.
Nadal holds the record for French Open victories (14), earning him the nickname “King of Clay”. Nadal has also been named ATP Player of the Year 5 times.
In addition to Grand Slams, Nadal has won 92 ATP singles tournaments and 2 Davis Cups.
| Rafael Nadal’s achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 2 |
| French Open singles titles | 14 |
| Wimbledon singles titles | 2 |
| US Open singles titles | 4 |
| ATP titles | 92 |
| Davis Cup titles | 2 |
| Olympic Gold | 1 |
Playing style
Nadal is known for his powerful topspin and explosive movement. It has been said that Nadal hits every forehand as hard as he can, which is why he is forced to put a hard topspin on the ball to make it drop into the court.
It is this topspin that has made Nadal known as the best player on mass courts.
Nadal’s hard topspin ball is difficult to counter on clay, as it bounces very high and forces the opponent to retreat behind the back line. When the opponent retreats, the court opens up, creating an easy attacking position for Nadal.
In addition to a hard uppercut, the right-handed Nadal plays with his left hand, which causes difficulties for his opponent. There are fewer left-handed players in tennis than right-handed players, so most tennis players are used to playing only against right-handed opponents.
It has been said that this is why Nadal learned to play left-handed. However, Nadal himself has said that playing left-handed is because his left hand is stronger than his right.
The Influence outside the tennis court
Rafael Nadal has founded the Rafa Nadal Academy, which offers young tennis players the opportunity to train and develop in the footsteps of Rafael Nadal. The Rafa Nadal Academy has produced many successful young tennis players, including Casper Ruud.
Nadal has also established the Rafa Nadal Foundation Center, which supports education and recreational activities for underprivileged children.
Summary
As a result of his long and successful career, Nadal is known as one of the best players of all time and, in particular, the best clay court player. Nadal holds the record for French Open victories (14) and consecutive mass-court wins (81) and these records are unlikely to be broken any time soon.
Novak Djokovic 🇷🇸
| Date of birth | 22.5.1987 |
| Country of birth | Belgrade, Serbia |
| Plays | Right-handed, two-handed backhand |
| Height | 188cm (6 ft 2 in) |
| Wins-Losses | 1109–219 (83,5%) |
| Titles | 98 |
| Highest ranking | 1 (4.7.2011) |
| Prize money | 167 274 888,59€ (182,494,969 dollars) |
| Number of aces made | 7 183 |
Background
Novak Djokovic is a Serbian tennis player widely regarded as the greatest tennis player of all time, alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic started playing tennis at the age of 4 and turned professional in 2001 at the age of 20.
Achievements
Novak Djokovic has the second most Grand Slam tournament titles, 24 in total: 10 Australian Open, 3 French Open, 7 Wimbledon, and 4 US Open.
He has also won 98 ATP tournaments and holds the record for the most weeks at the top of the ATP ranking (373). He has also won 4 Laureus Awards and has been named ATP Player of the Year 7 times.
| Novak Djokovic’s achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 10 |
| French Open singles titles | 3 |
| Wimbledon singles titles | 7 |
| US Open singles titles | 4 |
| ATP titles | 98 |
| ATP Finals singles titles | 7 |
| Davis Cup titles | 1 |
| Olympic gold | 1 |
Playing style
Djokovic is regarded as a highly dynamic and athletic player. In the game, Djokovic has been able to hit the ball from acrobatic positions and long glides.
Playing-wise, Djokovic is a very versatile player, able to keep his nerve and come back from a big deficit. This dynamic ability is also why Djokovic is known as one of the best returners of all time.
The Influence outside the tennis court
In addition to tennis, Novak Djokovic has set up the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which aims to support the education and training of children in poor areas.
Summary
Djokovic can be considered one of the best tennis players of all time, thanks to his numerous victories, strong fighting spirit, and incredible athleticism.
It has also been said that Djokovic is the most physically skilled player of all time.
André Agassi 🇺🇸
| Date of birth | 29.4.1970 |
| Country of birth | Las Vegas, United States |
| Plays | Right-handed, two-handed backhand |
| Height | 180cm (5 ft 11 in) |
| Wins-Losses | 870-274 (76,0%) |
| Titles | 60 |
| Highest ranking | 1 (10.4.1995) |
| Prize money | 29 213 702,31€ (32,031,363 dollars) |
| Number of aces made | 4 082 |
Background
André Agassi is a former American tennis player who can be considered one of the most colorful players in history.
Agassi started playing tennis at the age of 3 and turned professional in 1986 at the age of 16.
Agassi’s tennis career is considered very controversial because although he is one of the most successful players in history, he has said that he deeply hates playing tennis.
Agassi has said that he was not born to be a tennis player, but his father was obsessed with making him a tennis player.
Achievements
Agassi has won a total of 8 Grand Slam titles: 4 Australian Opens, 1 French Open, 1 Wimbledon and 2 US Opens. In addition,
Agassi has 60 ATP tournament titles and one ATP Finals win. He is also one of the few players to have won the Olympic tennis gold medal once and the Davis Cup three times.
| André Agassi’s achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 4 |
| French Open singles titles | 1 |
| Wimbledon singles titles | 1 |
| US Open singles titles | 2 |
| ATP titles | 60 |
| ATP Finals singles titles | 1 |
| Davis Cup titles | 2 |
Playing style
The most famous characteristic of Agassi’s playing style was how he dressed on the tennis court. Agassi did not like the restrained culture of tennis but wanted to challenge it by dressing in colorful clothes and having long hair.
In his playing style, Agassi was able to hit the ball very early, when it was still coming up, which allowed him to control the tempo of the game.
The Influence outside the tennis court
Besides tennis, Agassi has done a lot of charity work. Among other things, Agassi has set up the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged children.
Summary
Agassi can be considered one of the best tennis players of all time, especially because of his natural skill and boldness.
Although Agassi, in his own words, hated tennis, he was able to achieve many milestones during his career and also break the outdated patterns of tennis.
Pete Sampras 🇺🇸
| Date of birth | 12.8.1971 |
| Country of birth | Washington D.C, United States |
| Plays | Right-handed, one-handed backhand |
| Height | 185cm (6 ft 1 in) |
| Wins-Losses | 762-222 (77,4%) |
| Titles | 64 |
| Highest ranking | 1 (12.4.1993) |
| Prize money | 40 586 278,56€ (44,500,825 dollars) |
| Number of aces made | 8 858 |
Background
Pete Sampras is a former American tennis player who is regarded as one of the best pitchers in the history of tennis.
Sampras started playing tennis at the age of 3 and turned professional in 1998 at the age of 16.
In addition to serving, Sampras is best known for his duels against André Agassi. Sampras and Agassi had different playing styles and personalities, which made their matches very entertaining and fascinating.
Agassi displayed a lot of emotion on the court and liked to play from the back, while Sampras was more composed on the court and liked to go to the net often.
Sampras and Agassi met in five different Grand Slam finals, with Sampras winning four and Agassi one. In total, Sampras and Agassi played 34 matches against each other during their careers, with a 20-14 record.
Achievements
Sampras has won a total of 14 Grand Slam titles in his career: 2 Australian Open, 7 Wimbledon (including 3 in a row), and 5 US Open.
In addition, Sampras has won 5 ATP Finals, and the Davis Cup and has been named ATP Player of the Year 6 times.
| Pete Sampras achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 2 |
| French Open singles titles | 0 |
| Wimbledon singles titles | 7 |
| US Open singles titles | 5 |
| ATP titles | 64 |
| ATP Finals singles titles | 5 |
| Davis Cup titles | 1 |
Playing style
Pete Sampras is known for his playstyle as one of the best pitchers and net players in history.
Sampras was a very accurate and fast server (around 210km/h, 135mp/h). His good serve allowed Sampras to play a “serve-volley” style of game, where the server goes to the net immediately after the serve.
To make matters worse for the opponent, Sampras was able to serve his second serve almost as fast as the first one, which made it even more difficult to break the serve.
Due to his good serve, Sampras became the first player to serve 1000 aces in a single season.
The Influence outside the tennis court
While still playing tennis in 1997, Sampras started the “Aces for Charity” campaign, promising to donate $100 to charity for every ace he made.
In 1999 Sampras doubled that amount and by the end of his career, Sampras had managed to donate over $1 million to charity.
Summary
Sampras can be considered one of the best tennis players of all time, notably because of his Wimbledon wins and his very good serving skills.
Sampras managed to win a total of 7 titles at Wimbledon, the first 3 of which were in consecutive years.
Björn Borg 🇸🇪
| Date of birth | 6.6.1956 |
| Country of birth | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Plays | Right-handed, two-handed backhand |
| Height | 180cm (5 ft 11 in) |
| Wins-Losses | 654-140 (82,4%) |
| Titles | 66 |
| Highest ranking | 1 (23.8.1977) |
| Prize money | 3 428 180,502€ (3 758 828 dollars) |
Background
Björn Borg is a former Swede who can be considered one of the world’s most famous tennis players as a result of his success at Wimbledon.
Later, the Björn Borg trademark also brought him fame.
Björn Borg started playing tennis at a very young age, turning professional in 1973 at the age of 17.
At the age of 26, Björn Borg suddenly retired from professional tennis. According to Borg, this was due to a lack of motivation and the fact that he had lost interest in tennis.
However, Björn Borg tried to return to tennis at the age of 35 but was unable to reach his former level.
Achievements
Bjorn Borg won 11 Grand Slam titles in his career: 6 French Open, 5 Wimbledon, and 4 US Open.
Borg’s first Grand Slam win was also a significant one as he was then the youngest Wimbledon winner in history and during that tournament, he did not lose a single set.
In addition to his Grand Slam success, Borg has also won 2 ATP Finals and a Davis Cup.
| Björn Borg achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 0 |
| French Open singles titles | 6 |
| Wimbledon singles titles | 5 |
| US Open singles titles | 4 |
| ATP titles | 66 |
| ATP Finals singles titles | 2 |
| Davis Cup titles | 1 |
Playing style
Björn Borg’s playing style is known for his powerful strokes, especially his backhand and his composed attitude.
Borg is known for his superior physical fitness and stamina, which was one of his greatest advantages in the game of tennis.
The Influence outside the tennis court
Beyond the tennis court, Björn Borg is known for his Björn Borg clothing brand, which is popular worldwide. Part of the profits from the Björn Borg clothing brand are used to support children’s rights and education.
Summary
Björn Borg can be considered the most influential tennis player of his time, as he was the first player to win 11 Grand Slam titles and 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles.
What makes Borg’s achievements even more spectacular is that his professional career lasted only 9 years and in that time, he was able to break many great records.
Rod Laver 🇦🇺
| Date of birth | 9.8.1938 |
| Country of birth | Rockhampton, Australia |
| Plays | Left-handed |
| Height | 173cm (5 ft 8 in) |
| Wins-Losses | 1689–538 (75,8%) |
| Titles | 200 (72 ATP) |
| Highest ranking | ATP 3 (9.8.1974) / World n.1 |
| Prize money | 1 467 966,04€ (1,609,551 dollars) |
Background
Rod Laver is a former Australian tennis player who has achieved legendary status after winning all four Grand Slams in the same calendar year.
Laver started playing tennis at a young age, but only turned professional in 1963 at the age of 38. This was because before 1968 only players with amateur status were allowed to play in Grand Slam tournaments.
In 1968, the open era of tennis began, which meant that professional players could legally enter tournaments and receive prize money from them.
Achievements
Rod Laver has won 11 Grand Slam doubles titles in his career: 3 Australian Open, 2 French Open, 4 Wimbledon, and 2 US Open.
In addition to doubles, Laver has won 6 Grand Slam singles titles: 4 Australian Opens, 1 French Open, and 1 Wimbledon. In addition to Grand Slam victories, Rod Laver has won 5 Davis Cups.
| Rod Laver’s achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 3 |
| Australian Open doubles titles | 4 |
| French Open singles titles | 2 |
| French Open Doubles titles | 1 |
| Wimbledon singles titles | 4 |
| Wimbledon doubles titles | 1 |
| US Open singles titles | 2 |
| Titles | 28 |
| Davis Cup titles | 5 |
Playing style
Rod Laver is known for his excellent hitting technique and aggressive serve-volley style. In addition to his good technique, Laver had a strong wrist and quick movement, which allowed him to produce many passing shots.
The Influence outside the tennis court
There have been many buildings and areas named after Rod Laver, but the most famous of all is the Laver Cup. The Laver Cup is an annual tennis tournament, established in 2017, where the World team competes against the European team.
The Laver Cup was partly founded by Roger Federer because he wanted to create a tennis tournament similar to the Ryders Cup golf tournament.
Unlike other tennis tournaments, the Laver Cup players are not selected directly by ranking points but by invitation.
Summary
Rod Laver can be considered one of the most iconic tennis players of all time, thanks to his Grand Slam achievements and revolutionary career.
Laver was one of the first top players to play a part in establishing the open era of tennis and leading tennis culture to where it is today.
The best women’s tennis players
This list presents the greatest women’s tennis players of all time who have left a lasting mark on tennis history.
Serena Williams 🇺🇸
| Date of birth | 26.9.1981 |
| Country of birth | Saginaw, Michigan, United States |
| Plays | Right-handed, two-handed backhand |
| Height | 175cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Wins-Losses | 858-156 (84,6%) |
| Titles | 73 |
| Highest ranking | 1 (8.7.2002) |
| Prize money | 88 914 388,56€ (97,490,181 dollars) |
Background
Serena Williams is an American tennis player known as the best and one of the most influential players of her time. She started playing tennis at the age of 5 and turned professional in 1995 at the age of 14.
Serena Williams’ career began when her father Richard Williams decided to pursue her and her sister Venus Williams as tennis professionals. However, Richard Williams had no previous tennis background and learned tennis by reading books and watching videos.
However, Serena’s professional career did not start easily, as she faced a lot of racism, gender discrimination, and financial difficulties on tour. But despite the difficulties, she became one of the world’s record-breaking tennis players.
Achievements
Serena Williams has won a total of 23 Grand Slam doubles titles: 7 Australian Open, 3 French Open, 7 Wimbledon, and 6 US Open.
Williams has also won 14 Grand Slam singles titles: 4 Australian Open, 2 French Open, 6 Wimbledon, and 2 US Open. He has also won 2 Grand Slam singles tournaments: 1 Wimbledon and 1 US Open.
In addition to Grand Slams, Williams has been named WTA Player of the Year 7 times and has won 4 Olympic tennis gold medals.
| Serena Wiliams’ achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 7 |
| Australian Open doubles titles | 4 |
| French Open singles titles | 3 |
| French Open Doubles titles | 2 |
| Wimbledon singles titles | 7 |
| Wimbledon doubles titles | 6 |
| Wimbledon mixed doubles titles | 1 |
| US Open singles titles | 6 |
| US Open doubles titles | 2 |
| US Open mixed doubles titles | 1 |
| WTA titles | 73 |
| Fed Cup titles | 1 |
Playing style
Serena Williams is known for her very strong strokes and serve and her aggressive style of play. Williams can consistently serve at speeds of 170-200 kilometers per hour (105-125 mph), making her one of the best servers in women’s tennis history.
In addition to her good strokes and serve, Williams is known for her strong mentality. On many occasions in her career, she has managed to withstand intense pressure and come back from great deficits.
The Influence outside the tennis court
Beyond the tennis court, Serena Williams has been an active advocate for the rights of minorities and the underprivileged. She has established the Serena Williams Foundation, which supports and provides educational and sporting opportunities for disadvantaged adolescents.
In addition to her charity work, Williams has worked in the fashion industry and is also listed as one of the richest female athletes in the world.
Summary
Serena Williams can be considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, thanks to her overwhelming Grand Slam achievements and her advocacy for the political rights of minorities.
Throughout her career, she has been very influential in shaping tennis culture in a new, more tolerant, and inclusive direction.
Steffi Graf 🇩🇪
| Date of birth | 14.6.1969 |
| Country of birth | Bruhl, Germany |
| Plays | Right-handed, one-handed backhand |
| Height | 175cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Wins-Losses | 900-115 (88,7%) |
| Titles | 107 |
| Highest ranking | 1 (17.8.1987) |
| Prize money | 20 532 296,01€ (22,512,635 dollars) |
Background
Steffi Graf is a former German tennis player and the first player ever to win a Golden Slam – four Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year.
She started playing tennis at the age of 4 and turned professional in 1982 at the age of 13.
Achievements
Steffi Graff has won 22 Grand Slam titles in her career: 4 Australian Open, 6 French Open, 7 Wimbledon, and 5 US Open. In addition to Grand Slams, Graf has won 5 WTA Tour Finals, 2 Fed Cups, and an Olympic gold medal.
Steffi Graf still holds the record for consecutive weeks as WTA No.1 (377 weeks) and shares the record for consecutive weeks as WTA No.1 with Serena Williams (186 weeks).
| Steffi Graf’s achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 4 |
| French Open singles titles | 6 |
| Wimbledon singles titles | 7 |
| Wimbledon doubles titles | 1 |
| US Open singles titles | 5 |
| WTA titles | 107 |
| Fed Cup titles | 2 |
Playing style
Steffi Graf is known for her excellent footwork and has been said to be the most athletic female player of all time. In addition to her good footwork, Graf had a very strong inside-out forehand, which she was able to execute from difficult positions.
The Influence outside the tennis court
Besides tennis, Steffi Graf has set up the Children for Tomorrow Foundation, which supports families affected by war. She has also worked as a UN Goodwill Ambassador and traveled to developing countries to raise awareness of children’s rights and well-being.
Summary
Steffi Graf can be considered one of the best tennis players in the world through her overwhelming Grand Slam and WTA achievements.
Martina Navratilova 🇺🇸
| Date of birth | 18.10.1956 |
| Country of birth | Prague, Czechoslovakia |
| Plays | Left-handed, one-handed backhand |
| Height | 172cm (5ft 8 in) |
| Wins-Losses | 1442-219 (86,8%) |
| Titles | 167 |
| Highest ranking | 1 (10.7.1978) |
| Prize money | 20 279 864,96€ (22,235,857 dollars) |
Background
Martina Navratilova is a former Czech-American tennis player who has had a long and successful career spanning four decades. She was born in the former communist Czechoslovakia, from where she managed to defect to the United States in 1975.
Navratilova started playing tennis at the age of 4 and turned professional in 1975 at the age of 18.
Achievements
Martina Navratilova has won 18 Grand Slam singles titles in her career: 3 Australian Open, 2 French Open, 9 Wimbledon, and 4 US Open. Navratilova has won six of the nine Wimbledons in a row (1982-1987).
Navratilova has also enjoyed success in the field of doubles, winning a staggering 31 Grand Slam singles titles: 8 Australian Open, 7 French Open, 7 Wimbledon, and 9 US Open.
She has also won 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles: 1 Australian Open, 2 French Open, 4 Wimbledon, and 3 US Open.
In addition to Grand Slams, Martina Navratilova has won 167 WTA titles, 8 WTA Tour singles finals, and 13 doubles finals. She still has the most WTA Tour final wins in both singles and doubles.
| Martina Navratilova’s achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 3 |
| Australian Open doubles titles | 8 |
| Australian Open mixed doubles titles | 1 |
| French Open singles titles | 2 |
| French Open doubles titles | 7 |
| French Open mixed doubles titles | 2 |
| Wimbledon singles titles | 9 |
| Wimbledon doubles titles | 7 |
| Wimbledon mixed doubles titles | 4 |
| US Open singles titles | 4 |
| US Open doubles titles | 9 |
| US Open mixed doubles titles | 3 |
| WTA titles | 167 |
| WTA Finals singles titles | 8 |
| WTA Finals doubles titles | 13 |
| Fed Cup titles | 4 |
Playing style
Martina Navratilova is known for her attacking style of play and her left-handedness. Her extremely hard fitness and patience allowed her to create pressure on her opponents.
The Influence outside the tennis court
Outside the tennis court, Navratilova has made a major political impact, particularly in the area of sexual minority rights. She has also worked as a commentator and analyst at many tennis tournaments.
Summary
Martina Navratilova can be considered one of the most successful and best tennis players of all time thanks to her record-breaking Grand Slam and WTA doubles wins.
Navratilova still holds the record today for WTA Tour Finals singles and doubles wins. She also has the best-ever single-season winning percentage (98.8%). In 1983, Navratilova won 98 matches and lost only one.
Chris Evert 🇺🇸
| Date of birth | 21.12.1954 |
| Country of birth | Fort Lauerdale, Florida, United States |
| Plays | Right-handed, two-handed backhand |
| Height | 167cm (5ft 6in) |
| Wins-Losses | 1309-146 (90,0%) |
| Titles | 154 |
| Highest ranking | 1 (3.11.1975) |
| Prize money | 8 157 205,33€ (8,895,195 dollars) |
Background
Chris Evert is a former American tennis player best known for his record-breaking Grand Slam success. She started playing tennis at the age of 5 and turned professional in 1972 at the age of 18.
Achievements
Chris Evert has won a total of 18 Grand Slam titles in his career: 2 Australian Open, 7 French Open, 3 Wimbledon, and 6 US Open. Evert holds the record for French Open wins (7), and Grand Slam finals (34) and shares the record for US Open wins (6) with Serena Williams.
Evert has also won the WTA Tour Finals 4 times and the Fed Cup a staggering 8 times in her career.
| Chris Evert’s achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 2 |
| French Open singles titles | 7 |
| French Open doubles titles | 2 |
| French Open mixed doubles titles | 2 |
| Wimbledon singles titles | 3 |
| Wimbledon doubles titles | 1 |
| US Open singles titles | 6 |
| WTA titles | 167 |
| WTA Finals singles titles | 4 |
| Fed Cup titles | 8 |
Playing style
In terms of playing style, Chris Evert is known for his very consistent level of play. She was a tenacious player who made few mistakes. In addition to his consistency, Evert was also good at moving around the court, even though he was not a very physical or strong player.
The Influence outside the tennis court
Outside the tennis court, Evert has done charity work for families and drug addicts. In addition to her charity work, she has also worked as a tennis analyst and has founded her own tennis academy, the “Evert Tennis Academy”.
Summary
Chris Evert can be considered one of the best tennis players of all time, thanks to her numerous victories and long career. Even today, she has the second-best winning percentage in the Open era (89.97%), just behind Margaret Court (91.68%).
Evert also holds the record for the most consecutive years of Grand Slam tournament wins (13).
Monica Seles 🇺🇸
| Date of birth | 2.12.1973 |
| Country of birth | Novi Sad, Yugoslavia |
| Plays | Left-handed, two-handed backhand, and forehand |
| Height | 178cm (5 ft 10 in) |
| Wins-Losses | 595-122 (83,0%) |
| Titles | 53 |
| Highest ranking | 1 (11.3.1991) |
| Prize money | 13 964 749,82€ (15,311,649 dollars) |
Background
Monica Seles is a former Yugoslavian-American tennis player who is best known for her two-handed style of hitting. She started playing tennis at the age of 5 and turned professional in 1989 at the age of 15.
Seles’ career got off to a phenomenal start when she won the French Open at the age of 16, making her the youngest player in history to win the French Open. By the age of 20, Seles had already won eight Grand Slam titles.
However, her career took an unfortunate turn in 1993 against Magdalena Maleva. Seles was sitting courtside during a break when a fanatic Steffi Graf fan stabbed her in the back.
The match had to be called off when Seles was rushed to the hospital. She recovered well from her injuries, however, but in distress of the incident, she did not return to the tennis courts for two years.
Seles made a comeback in 1995 and managed to win the Australian Open, among others, although she was unable to play at the same level as before the injury.
It has been said that Seles could have become the best women’s tennis player of all time had she not been injured in a match against Magdalena Maleva.
Achievements
Monica Seles has won a total of 9 Grand Slam titles in her career: 4 Australian Open, 3 French Open, and 2 US Open. She has also won 3 WTA Tour Finals and 3 Fed Cups.
| Monica Seles’s achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 4 |
| French Open singles titles | 3 |
| US Open singles titles | 2 |
| WTA titles | 53 |
| WTA Finals singles titles | 3 |
| Fed Cup titles | 3 |
Playing style
Seles was a very aggressive player in her style of play. Her two-handed shots were powerful and accurate and she could hit the ball very crisply.
In addition to his good strokes, she was a mentally very strong and confident player. However, after an injury in 1993, she lost some of her confidence and was no longer able to play in the same way under pressure.
Summary
Monica Seles can be considered one of the greatest players in history thanks to her Grand Slam victories at a young age. It is very possible that Seles would have become the best female player of all time had she not been injured during the infamous match.
Venus Williams 🇺🇸
| Date of birth | 17.6.1980 |
| Country of birth | Lynwood, United States |
| Plays | Right-Handed, two-handed backhand |
| Height | 185cm (6 ft 1 in) |
| Wins-Losses | 817-272 (75%) |
| Titles | 49 |
| Highest ranking | 1 (25.2.2002) |
| Prize money | 38 927 113,97€ (42,681,634 dollars) |
Background
Venus Williams is an American tennis player who is considered one of the greatest modern-era players of all time, alongside her sister Serena. She started playing tennis at the age of 4 and turned professional in 1994 at the age of 14.
Achievements
Venus Williams has won a total of 7 Grand Slam titles in her career: 5 Wimbledon and 2 US Open. She has also won 14 Grand Slam singles titles: 4 Australian Open, 2 French Open, 6 Wimbledon, and 2 US Open.
| Venus Williams’s achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open doubles titles | 4 |
| Australian Open mixed doubles titles | 1 |
| French Open doubles titles | 2 |
| French Open mixed doubles titles | 1 |
| Wimbledon singles titles | 5 |
| Wimbledon doubles titles | 6 |
| US Open singles titles | 2 |
| US Open doubles titles | 2 |
| WTA titles | 22 |
| WTA Finals singles titles | 1 |
| Fed Cup titles | 1 |
| Olympic doubles | 4 |
Playing style
Venus Williams is known for her very strong serving and hitting style. Her backhand in particular is one of her strengths as few players can hit as hard as she can.
The Influence outside the tennis court
Outside the tennis court, Venus Williams, like her sister Serena, has advocated for minority rights. Alongside her charity work, she has set up her own design company and clothing brand.
Summary
Venus Williams can be considered one of the best tennis players in the world thanks to her Wimbledon and Grand Slam singles achievements.
Billie Jean King 🇺🇸
| Date of birth | 22.10.1943 |
| Country of birth | Long Beach, California, United States |
| Plays | Right-handed, one-handed background |
| Height | 164cm (5ft 4in) |
| Wins-Losses | 695-155 (81,76%) |
| Titles | 67 |
| Highest ranking | 2 (11.12.1977) |
| Prize money | 1 844 073,18€ (2,021,934 dollars) |
Background
Billie Jean King is a former American tennis player who may be considered the most iconic female player for her work for women’s tennis. She is best known for shaping a new, more gender-equal tennis culture between male and female players.
Billie Jean King started playing tennis at the age of 11 and turned professional in 1968 at the age of 25.
Achievements
Billie Jean King has won a total of 12 Grand Slam titles in her career: 1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 6 Wimbledon, and 4 US Open. She has also won 16 Grand Slam singles titles and 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.
| Billie Jean King’s achievements | |
|---|---|
| Australian Open singles titles | 1 |
| Australian Open mixed doubles titles | 1 |
| French Open singles titles | 1 |
| French Open doubles titles | 1 |
| French Open mixed doubles titles | 2 |
| Wimbledon singles titles | 6 |
| Wimbledon doubles titles | 10 |
| Wimbledon mixed doubles titles | 4 |
| US Open singles titles | 4 |
| US Open doubles titles | 5 |
| US Open mixed doubles titles | 4 |
| Titles | 129 (67 during open ra) |
| Fed Cup titles | 7 |
Playing style
Billie Jean King is known for her aggressive style of play and active net play. She was an all-round player who could hit hard, move fast, and compete to win.
The Influence outside the tennis court
Arguably Billie Jean King’s greatest influence outside the tennis court is the founding of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). The WTA was founded in 1973 to promote equality for women in tennis.
Before the WTA, women players earned significantly less than male players, and promoters of women players earned even more than the players themselves.
Since then, the WTA has promoted equality between male and female players and made it possible for female players to be paid in the same proportion as male players.
Another organization set up by Billie Jean King is the Women’s Sports Foundation, whose mission is to promote women in sports and eliminate discrimination against women. The Women’s Sports Foundation’s main mission is to promote equality between male and female athletes and to support young female athletes.
Alongside these, Billie Jean King has been active in promoting equality for sexual minorities in and out of sports.
Summary
Billie Jean King can be considered the most influential player and figure in modern women’s tennis. In addition to her numerous record-breaking Grand Slam victories, she has revolutionized women’s tennis by demanding and building a more gender-equal tennis culture.
One of her most notable achievements was her victory over Bobby Riggs. Bobby Riggs was a former tennis player known for his anti-women’s tennis statements. Riggs had said that no woman could beat him in tennis.
However, Billie Jean King historically defeated Bobby Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 and thus raised the profile of women’s tennis to a new level.
Records 🏆
| Men’s singles | Player/Players | Amount of titles |
|---|---|---|
| Most Grand Slam singles titles | Novak Djokovic | 24 |
| Most Australian Open singles titles | Novak Djokovic | 10 |
| Most French Open singles titles | Rafel Nadal | 14 |
| Most Wimbledon singles titles | Roger Federer | 8 |
| Most US Open singles titles (Open era) | Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer | 5 |
| Women’s singles | Player/Players | Amount of titles |
|---|---|---|
| Most Grand Slam singles titles | Serena Williams | 23 |
| Most Australian Open singles titles | Serena Williams | 7 |
| Most French Open singles titles | Chris Evert | 7 |
| Most Wimbledon singles titles | Martina Navratilova | 9 |
| Most US Open singles titles (Open era) | Chris Evert, Serena Williams | 6 |
Prize money comparison 💰
| Men’s prize money comparison | Prize money (€) | Prize money ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic | 165 656 277,22€ | $180,643,353 |
| Rafael Nadal | 123 584 023,16€ | $135,503,702 |
| Roger Federer | 122 464 841,40€ | $134,276,575 |
| Pete Sampras | 40 586 278,56€ | $44,500,825 |
| Andre Agassi | 29 213 702,31€ | $32,031,363 |
| Björn Borg | 3 428 180,502€ | $3 758 828 |
| Rod Laver | 1 467 966,04€ | $1,609,551 |
| Women’s prize money comparison | Prize money (€) | Prize money ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Serena Williams | 88 914 388,56€ | $97,490,181 |
| Venus Williams | 38 927 113,97€ | $42,681,634 |
| Steffi Graf | 20 532 296,01€ | $22,512,635 |
| Martina Navratilova | 20 279 864,96€ | $22,235,857 |
| Monica Seles | 13 964 749,82€ | $15,311,649 |
| Chris Evert | 8 157 205,33€ | $8,895,195 |
| Billie Jean King | 1 844 073,18€ | $2,021,934 |