Top 10 Best Male Tennis Players of All Time

Tennis is one of the most challenging sports admired all over the world. The grueling battles that run for hours between two or four players demand consistency, skills, and sheer will to win. Over the years, we have witnessed the best players that have awestruck the spectators. Fans debate over who are the best tennis players of all time.

But who among the countless stars who have graced the court deserve the crown of “Greatest of All Time”?

Here are the list of top 10 best tennis players of all time, whose legendary careers have left an indelible mark on the sport.

1. Novak Djokovic (Serbia) – 21 Grand Slam titles
2. Roger Federer (Switzerland) – 20 Grand Slam titles
3. Rafael Nadal (Spain) – 22 Grand Slam titles
4. Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic) – 8 Grand Slam titles
5. Bjorn Borg (Sweden) – 11 Grand Slam titles
6. Jimmy Connors (United States) – 8 Grand Slam titles
7. Andre Agassi (United States) – 8 Grand Slam titles
8. John McEnroe (United States) – 7 Grand Slam titles
9. Rod Laver (Australia) – 11 Grand Slam titles
10. Ken Rosewall (Australia) – 23 Grand Slam titles

10. Ken Rosewall

Ken Rosewall, an immortal in the Tennis realm, was an Australian who changed this sport forever. His accurate volleying and smashing backhand made him a legend during his career.

In fact, he won his last Grand Slam at the age of 37 making him the oldest record holder for this title and one of the best tennis players.

• Born: 2 November 1934 in Sydney
• Resides: Sydney, Australia
• Turned Pro: 1957
• Retired: 1980
• Career Titles: 133
• Pro Majors: 8 French Pro, 5 Wembley Pro, and 2 US Pro
• Grand Slam (Singles): 4 Australian, 2 French, and 2 US Open
• Induction to Tennis Hall of Fame: 1980

9. John McEnroe

John McEnroe is known for his creativity and fast surface hits. His hard court tackles made the opponents speechless and concede points.

Despite his rough and fiery behavior on the ground, he is considered to be one of the most famous and best tennis players of all times.

• Born: 16 February 1959 in Wiesbaden, West Germany
• Resides: New York, the USA
• Turned Pro: 1978
• Retired: 1992
• Career Titles: 155
• Grand Slam (Singles): 4 US Open and 3 Wimbledon
• Induction to Tennis Hall of Fame: 1999

8. Andre Agassi

When he first appeared on the court in the 80s, his rock-star image amazed all. Andre Agassi is one of the greatest tennis players of all time due to his killer serve returns and ground strokes that stunned the opponents.

1. Born: 29 April 1970 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the USA
2. Resides: New York, the USA
3. Turned Pro: 1986
4. Retired: 2006
5. Career Titles: 61
6. Grand Slam (Singles): 4 Australian, 1 Wimbledon, 2 US Open and 1 French
7. Olympic: Gold Medalist – 1996
8. Induction to Tennis Hall of Fame: 2011

7. Jimmy Connors

The 70s tennis was dominated by Jimmy Connors. His record of 99-4 still amazes the fans.

His connection with the World Team Tennis stopped him from participating in the French Open. Despite this fact, his fame crossed boundaries and made him one of the most famous tennis players of all time.

• Born: 2 September 1952 in East St. Louis, Illinois, the USA
• Resides: Santa Barbara, the USA
• Turned Pro: 1972
• Retired: 1996
• Career Titles: 147
• Grand Slam (Singles): 5 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, and 1 Australian
• Induction to Tennis Hall of Fame: 1998

6. Bjorn Borg

The long-haired Swedish tennis player Bjorn Borg was considered to have nerves of steel.

He dominated the tennis world in the 70s and won five consecutive titles till 1980. Shocking he retired at 26 but won 11 grand Slam titles and got his name on the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

• Born: 6 June 1956 in Sodertalje, Stockholm County, Sweden
• Resides: Stockholm, Sweden
• Turned Pro: 1973
• Retired: 1983
• Career Titles: 68
• Grand Slam (Singles): 6 French and 5 Wimbledon
• Induction to Tennis Hall of Fame: 1987

5. Ivan Lendl

When it comes to consistency and incredible winning spirit, Ivan Lendl leaves everyone behind.

He held the first rank for a massive 270 weeks in the 1980s. His quietness but unplayable forehand topspin returns made him a favorite of all. He is one of the best tennis players of all time who mastered the art of cool on the court.

• Born: 7 March 1970 in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia
• Resides: Goshen, Connecticut, the USA
• Turned Pro: 1973
• Retired: 1994
• Career Titles: 100
• Grand Slam (Singles): 3 US Open, 3 French, and 2 Australian
• Induction to Tennis Hall of Fame: 2001

4. Rod Laver

Rod Laver, lovingly beckoned as the Rocket, was one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

His smashing records made him the World No. 1 for seven years and that is quite amazing. It just took him seven years to turn pro in 1962.

• Born: 8 August 1938 in Rockhampton, Quuensland, Australia
• Resides: Carlsbad, California, the USA
• Turned Pro: 1962
• Retired: 1979
• Career Titles: 200
• Pro Majors: 8 French Pro, 5 Wembley Pro, and 2 US Pro
• Grand Slam (Singles): 4 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, and 3 Australian, and 2 French
• Pro Major: 9 titles (4 Wembley Pro, 3 US Pro, 1 Wimbledon Pro, and 1French Pro)
• Induction to Tennis Hall of Fame: 1981

3. Roger Federer – 3rd Best Men’s Tennis Players of All Time

Roger Federer needs no introduction to the tennis fans as one of the best tennis players in the world.

He was ranked number 1 for 310 weeks straight and has 20 Grand Slam titles in his collection. He played tennis for 24 years and performed like a machine even at the age of 40.

• Born: 8 August 1981 in Basel, Switzerland
• Resides: Bottmingen, Switzerland
• Turned Pro: 1998
• Retired: 2022
• Career Titles: 103
• Pro Majors: 8 French Pro, 5 Wembley Pro, and 2 US Pro
• Grand Slam (Singles): 8 Wimbledon, 5 US Open, and 6 Australian, and 1 French
• Olympics: Men’s Doubles Gold (2008) and Men’s Singles Silver (2012)
• Induction to Tennis Hall of Fame: Not yet

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2. Rafael Nadal – 2nd Best Men’s Tennis Players of All Time

Rafael Nadal, also known as the king of clay court, is a monster on a match.

His effort and spirit always remained sky high. His fearsome display of power and skills on the court and a substantial number of career titles make him the one of the best tennis players of all time.

• Born: 3 June 1986 in Manacor, Balearic Island, Spain
• Resides: Manacor, Balearic Island, Spain
• Turned Pro: 2001
• Retired: No
• Career Titles: 92
• Pro Majors: 8 French Pro, 5 Wembley Pro, and 2 US Pro
• Grand Slam: 2 Wimbledon, 4 US Open, and 2 Australian, and 14 French
• Olympic: Gold (2008)
• Induction to Tennis Hall of Fame: No

1. Novak Djokovic – Best Men’s Tennis Players of All Time

Novak, the Serbian tennis player has already clinched 24 Grand Slam titles and is the best tennis player the current generation is witnessing.

He holds the record of being ranked one for 390 weeks straight. He is still in great shape and expected win even more titles.

• Born: 22 May 1987 in Belgrade, Serbia
• Resides: Monte Carlo, Monaco
• Turned Pro: 2003
• Retired: No
• Career Titles: 96
• Pro Majors: 8 French Pro, 5 Wembley Pro, and 2 US Pro
• Grand Slam: 7 Wimbledon, 4 US Open, and 10 Australian, and 3 French
• Induction to Tennis Hall of Fame: No

Final words

These best tennis players of all time will always remain in the hearts of fans. Their ways of playing this sport are unique and worth praising. They reflect sheer grit, passion, and confidence on the court and have proven their hard work into multiple titles.

Best Male Tennis Players of All Time – FAQs

Q: Who are the top ten greatest tennis players of all time?

The 10 best tennis players of all time are:

1. Ken Rosewall
2. John McEnroe
3. Andre Agassi
4. Jimmy Connors
5. Bjorn Borg
6. Ivan Lendl
7. Rod Laver
8. Roger Federer
9. Rafael Nadal
10. Novak Djokovic

Q: Who is the best tennis player in 2023?

The best tennis player in 2023 is Novak Djokovic. He is 36 years of age.

Q3: Who has won the highest Grand Slam titles in tennis?

Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic hold the highest Grand Slam titles in the world in single’s division.

Q4: Who has the highest Grand Slam titles in all categories?

Billie Jean King has 39 titles in all tennis categories. She has 12 singles, 11 mixed doubles, and 16 women’s doubles Grand Slam titles in her belt.