Tennis has given us some of the most AMAZING athletes in sports history. When we watch these incredible players hit winners down the line or serve aces at lightning speed, we’re witnessing pure magic on the court. But who are the greatest Top 9 men’s tennis players of all time?
The modern era of men’s tennis has been absolutely incredible. We’ve seen players who can hit shots that seem impossible, athletes who never give up even when they’re losing badly, & champions who have won more tournaments than anyone thought possible.
In this article, we’re going to explore the top 9 men’s tennis players who have DOMINATED the modern era.
1. Novak Djokovic – The Flexible Fighter
Novak Djokovic might be the most COMPLETE tennis player ever. Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam titles, which is more than any other men’s player in history.
What makes Djokovic so DANGEROUS is that he can turn defense into offense faster than you can blink. Other players might hit what they think is a winning shot, only to watch Djokovic somehow reach the ball & hit an even better shot back.
Djokovic has also shown amazing mental strength throughout his career. His ability to stay calm under pressure & find solutions to any problem on the court has made him one of the most FEARED competitors in all of sports. Novak active in his instagram @djokernole photos and videos to share with his fan.
Last 5 Matches
| Date | Tournament | Surface | Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Australian Open | Hard | SF | Jannik Sinner | Loss | 6–1, 6–2, 6–7, 6–3 |
| 2023 | Australian Open | Hard | Final | Stefanos Tsitsipas | Win | 6–3, 7–6, 7–6 |
| 2023 | Wimbledon | Grass | Final | Carlos Alcaraz | Loss | 1–6, 7–6, 6–1, 3–6, 6–4 |
| 2023 | French Open | Clay | Final | Casper Ruud | Win | 7–6, 6–3, 7–5 |
| 2023 | US Open | Hard | Final | Daniil Medvedev | Win | 6–3, 7–6, 6–3 |
2. Roger Federer—The Smooth Operator
Roger Federer is often called the most BEAUTIFUL tennis player to ever pick up a racket. When Federer played tennis, it looked like he was dancing on the court.
Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles, which was a record for many years, & he made tennis look easier than playing catch in the backyard.
What made Federer so special wasn’t just his wins—it was HOW he won. Federer’s backhand was like a work of art, & his forehand could blast winners past any opponent. He played professional tennis for over 20 years & stayed at the top level almost the entire time.
Many young tennis players grew up wanting to play just like Federer because he made the sport look so fun & effortless. Even today, tennis coaches around the world show videos of Federer’s technique to their students.
Last 5 Matches
| Date | Tournament | Surface | Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Wimbledon | Grass | QF | Hubert Hurkacz | Loss | 6–3, 7–6, 6–0 |
| 2021 | French Open | Clay | R4 | Matteo Berrettini | Loss | 6–3, 7–6, 6–2 |
| 2020 | Australian Open | Hard | SF | Novak Djokovic | Loss | 7–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
| 2019 | Wimbledon | Grass | Final | Novak Djokovic | Loss | 7–6, 1–6, 7–6, 4–6, 13–12 |
| 2019 | US Open | Hard | QF | Grigor Dimitrov | Loss | 3–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–4, 6–2 |
3. Rafael Nadal—The Clay Court King
If you want to see what it means to NEVER give up, just watch Rafael Nadal play tennis. Nadal is famous for being the greatest clay court player in tennis history, but he’s also won on every other surface too.
He’s won 22 Grand Slam titles & has shown that hard work & determination can beat almost anything. On clay courts, Nadal is practically unbeatable—he’s won the French Open 14 times!
His forehand is like a whip, creating shots that curve & dip in ways that seem to defy physics. But what really makes Nadal SPECIAL is his fighting spirit. Even when he’s injured or losing badly, Nadal keeps fighting until the very last point.
The rivalry between Nadal & Federer gave tennis fans some of the most EXCITING matches ever played. These two players pushed each other to become even better, & their matches were like watching two artists create masterpieces together.
Last 5 Matches
| Date | Tournament | Surface | Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | French Open | Clay | R1 | Alexander Zverev | Loss | 6–3, 7–6, 6–3 |
| 2023 | Australian Open | Hard | R2 | Mackenzie McDonald | Loss | 6–4, 6–4, 7–5 |
| 2022 | US Open | Hard | R4 | Frances Tiafoe | Loss | 6–4, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
| 2022 | Wimbledon | Grass | SF | Nick Kyrgios | Walkover | — |
| 2022 | French Open | Clay | Final | Casper Ruud | Win | 6–3, 6–3, 6–0 |
4. Pete Sampras—The Serve Master
Before the era of Federer, Nadal, & Djokovic, Pete Sampras was the KING of men’s tennis. Sampras had one of the most powerful & accurate serves in tennis history.
His serve was so good that many points ended before his opponents could even touch the ball. Sampras won 14 Grand Slam titles & held the record for most Grand Slams for many years until Federer broke it.
Sampras was especially DOMINANT at Wimbledon, where he won seven titles. The grass courts at Wimbledon were perfect for his serve-and-volley style of play. He would serve the ball hard, rush to the net, & finish points quickly with powerful volleys.
Last 5 Matches
| Date | Tournament | Surface | Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | US Open | Hard | Final | Andre Agassi | Win | 6–3, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 |
| 2001 | US Open | Hard | R4 | Pete Sampras | Loss | — |
| 2001 | Wimbledon | Grass | R4 | Roger Federer | Loss | 7–6, 5–7, 6–4, 6–7, 7–5 |
| 2001 | French Open | Clay | R2 | Martin Damm | Loss | 6–3, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2000 | US Open | Hard | Final | Marat Safin | Loss | 6–4, 6–3, 6–3 |
5. Andre Agassi – The Baseline Bomber
Andre Agassi was one of the most EXCITING & colorful players in tennis history. Agassi could take any serve, no matter how fast, & turn it into an attacking shot.
Agassi’s return of serve was legendary. He stood closer to the baseline than most players & used his quick reflexes to hit the ball early & take time away from his opponents.
But Agassi worked harder than ever, got in the best shape of his life, & won some of his most IMPORTANT titles after age 30. His dedication to improving himself both as a player & as a person inspired millions of fans around the world.
Last 5 Matches
| Year | Tournament | Surface | Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | US Open | Hard | Final | Roger Federer | Loss | 6–3, 4–6, 5–7, 3–6 |
| 2006 | US Open | Hard | SF | Marcos Baghdatis | Win | 6–4, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2006 | US Open | Hard | QF | Andy Roddick | Win | 6–4, 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2006 | US Open | Hard | R4 | Benjamin Becker | Win | 7–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2006 | US Open | Hard | R3 | Marcos Baghdatis | Win | 6–4, 6–4, 6–3 |
6. John McEnroe – The Artistic Genius
John McEnroe was probably the most TALENTED natural tennis player ever born. McEnroe could hit shots that other players couldn’t even imagine, & his touch & feel for the ball were absolutely incredible.
McEnroe was famous for his FIERY personality on the court. While this behavior wasn’t always appropriate, it showed how much McEnroe cared about every single point. His passion for the game was obvious to everyone watching, & his intensity helped him win many important matches.
What made McEnroe truly SPECIAL was his incredible variety of shots. He could hit drop shots, passing shots, lobs, & volleys that seemed to defy the laws of physics.
Last 5 Matches
| Year | Tournament | Surface | Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | US Open | Hard | R3 | Pete Sampras | Loss | 6–4, 6–3, 6–2 |
| 1992 | Wimbledon | Grass | R2 | David Wheaton | Loss | 6–4, 6–4, 6–2 |
| 1991 | US Open | Hard | R4 | Michael Chang | Loss | 6–4, 6–2, 6–3 |
| 1991 | Wimbledon | Grass | QF | David Wheaton | Loss | 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 1991 | Australian Open | Hard | SF | Stefan Edberg | Loss | 6–2, 6–4, 6–2 |
7. Jimmy Connors – The Fighting Machine
Jimmy Connors played professional tennis for an AMAZING 24 years & never seemed to get tired of competing.
Connors won 8 Grand Slam titles & was known for his incredible fighting spirit & never-say-die attitude. Connors could turn any match into a battle, & he usually found a way to win those battles.
Jimmy was FAMOUS for his two-handed backhand, which was unusual for men’s tennis at the time. This shot allowed him to hit with incredible power & accuracy from both sides of the court.
What really made Connors SPECIAL was his connection with tennis fans. He played with so much emotion & energy that crowds couldn’t help but get excited when he was on the court.
Last 5 Matches
| Year | Tournament | Surface | Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | US Open | Hard | R2 | Jaime Oncins | Loss | 7–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 1991 | US Open | Hard | SF | Jim Courier | Loss | 7–5, 6–4, 6–2 |
| 1991 | US Open | Hard | QF | Paul Haarhuis | Win | 6–4, 7–6, 6–3 |
| 1991 | US Open | Hard | R4 | Aaron Krickstein | Win | 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 1991 | US Open | Hard | R3 | David Wheaton | Win | 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 |
8. Ivan Lendl – The Baseline Perfectionist
Ivan Lendl changed men’s tennis forever by showing everyone how IMPORTANT physical fitness & mental preparation could be. Before Lendl, many tennis players didn’t focus as much on conditioning & practice. He won 8 Grand Slam titles & dominated tennis throughout the 1980s.
Lendl’s baseline game was incredibly POWERFUL & consistent. He could hit groundstrokes with tremendous topspin & pace, wearing down his opponents over long matches. His forehand was especially dangerous, & he could hit winners from almost anywhere on the court.
What made Lendl truly REVOLUTIONARY was his professional approach to tennis. Lendl’s dedication to constant improvement showed other players that tennis was evolving into a sport where only the most prepared athletes could succeed at the highest level.
Last 5 Matches
| Year | Tournament | Surface | Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | US Open | Hard | R2 | Magnus Gustafsson | Loss | 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 1993 | US Open | Hard | R2 | Pete Sampras | Loss | 6–3, 6–2, 6–2 |
| 1993 | Wimbledon | Grass | R2 | David Wheaton | Loss | 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 1993 | Australian Open | Hard | QF | Pete Sampras | Loss | 6–3, 6–2, 6–2 |
| 1992 | US Open | Hard | R4 | Andre Agassi | Loss | 6–4, 6–3, 6–4 |
9. Stefan Edberg – The Serve-and-Volley Artist
Stefan Edberg was the last great serve-and-volley player in men’s tennis. Edberg won six Grand Slam titles & played a style of tennis that was beautiful to watch & incredibly EFFECTIVE on fast courts.
His approach was to serve well, get to the net quickly, & finish points with precise volleys. Edberg made this old-fashioned style look easy, even as the game was changing around him.
Edberg’s movement on the court was like watching a GRACEFUL dancer. He could glide to the net & position himself perfectly for volleys, making difficult shots look routine. His serve was accurate & well-placed, setting up easy approaches to the net.
What made Edberg truly SPECIAL was his sportsmanship & class on the court. He was always respectful to opponents & officials, played with integrity, & showed young players how to compete with honour.
Edberg won the ATP Sportsmanship Award 5 times, proving that it’s possible to be both a fierce competitor & a gracious gentleman at the same time.
Last 5 Matches
| Year | Tournament | Surface | Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Australian Open | Hard | R3 | Todd Martin | Loss | 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 1996 | Australian Open | Hard | R2 | Fabrice Santoro | Win | 6–3, 6–2, 6–4 |
| 1995 | US Open | Hard | QF | Andre Agassi | Loss | 6–2, 6–2, 6–4 |
| 1995 | Wimbledon | Grass | SF | Boris Becker | Loss | 6–7, 7–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 1995 | Australian Open | Hard | Final | Andre Agassi | Loss | 4–6, 6–1, 7–6, 6–4 |
Final Thoughts
These nine INCREDIBLE tennis players have given us some of the most amazing moments in sports history.
Each of them brought something unique to the game—whether it was Federer’s elegance, Nadal’s fighting spirit, Djokovic’s completeness, or the special qualities of the other legends we’ve discussed.
What can we learn from these top 9 men’s tennis players LEGENDS? They show us that greatness comes in many different forms.
The modern era of men’s tennis has been absolutely INCREDIBLE because of these nine players. They’ve pushed each other to achieve things that seemed impossible & have entertained tennis fans with matches that will be remembered forever.
As new players emerge & the game continues to evolve, these legends will always be remembered as the athletes who made tennis one of the most EXCITING & popular sports in the world.
Which of these players is your favourite from this article top 9 men’s tennis players? Have you been inspired to try playing tennis yourself after learning about these amazing athletes?
