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Who is the greatest tennis player of all time? Or, as the kids say these days, who is the GOAT of tennis? This debate has been relevant for quite a while – since the golden era of tennis.
It won't be entirely wrong to say that tennis is at its best right now. All the tennis fans are blessed to witness the three greatest players of tennis at present.
These living legends are Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. All three are winning titles after titles and are proving to be nothing short of the other.
However, the debate about who is the best player of all time doesn't include only three players. Some extraordinary tennis players have come and gone in the past.
Considering the circumstances back then, if they'd be playing today, they would undoubtedly be giving the big three a run for their money.
Therefore, it is only fair to compare all the big tennis players in history to each other. Consequently, we have gathered a list of the top ten best men's tennis players of all time.
Who Is The Most Incredible Men's Tennis Player Of All Time?
We acknowledge the fact that comparing the era will be unfair. This is because the change between the years is drastic; hence, it is not justified to compare generations.
Moreover, challenges now and then are different. For example, today, players get paid incredibly well, equipment is more advanced, each player has a coach, physios, and nutritionists.
However, there's no doubt that competition is stiffer these days. And that should've been expected because of the number of players joining in from all over the world to play European and USA tennis tournaments.
Considering all the factors, we made a list comprising the most outstanding players of the Open Era – 1968 till now:
Ken Rosewall
Ken Rosewall had a long career, having played in both pre and post Open Era. It would be a crime not to include him on the list of greatest players of tennis.
He is undoubtedly among the top tennis players that have ever lived. Rosewell has bagged eight Grand Slam titles along with fifteen Major Championships.
With over 30 years of dominance, he started his career in the early 1950s and happily retired in 1980. Alongside his infectious personality, he was admired for his quick and agile gameplay.
The Australian player was renowned for his strong backhand that was hard to handle for most of his opponents.
Moreover, his accurate volleying was unpredictable. He got his last Grand Slam in the Australian Open of 1972 when he was 37.
This is one of his most significant achievements; winning major tennis tournaments at this age and against younger players.
Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi is another tennis legend because of all the right reasons. No one can forget his long hair flying in the air as he delivered his devastating backhand.
Andre Agassi first appeared at the tennis tournament in the 1980s. And most onlookers did not expect him to be as good as he was. However, this was because he looked more like a rockstar than an athlete.
Then, there came a time when Andre Agassi shocked everyone with his performances. Hence, he was unstoppable during the span of his 20-year career.
No true tennis fan has anything bad to say about him, and his charisma compelled even skeptics to convert to admirers.
Lastly, his groundbreaking strokes and strong serve returns put the opponent in shock and fans in awe. Andre Agassi truly deserves to be in the top ten most remarkable of all time.
John McEnroe
John McEnroe was one of the best American players tennis has seen on hard courts and fast surfaces. With his creativity and intelligence in the game, he was incredible.
However, he had a fiery attitude, and some may call him the "bad boy" of tennis. He had a short temper and ruthless aggression, which he was not afraid to show on the field.
However, he wasn't just some guy with anger issues; he was a highly competitive player. McEnroe used his natural aggression in the game and channeled it into creating magic on the field.
His career is also remembered for creating some of the memorable moments of sports. For instance, his rivalry with Jimmy Connors was among the greatest rivalries in athletic competitions.
Moreover, people also remember his victories and his epic loss in the 1980 Wimbledon final. A legendary five-set loss to Bjorn Borg made that final one of the greatest matches in the history of Wimbledon.
Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal would have added more Grand Slam titles to his resume if not for the recurring tendinitis in the knees and his wrist injuries.
The gargantuan athlete that every tennis fan aspires to be, Rafael Nadal, will be remembered for centuries.
Currently, he is 35 of age and can still probably make a hole in concrete with his supercharged serve! We admit the exaggeration, but it's Rafa; hence, it may not be as hard to believe.
He is known as the fiery Spaniard and "The King of Clay," Why clay? Did you ask? Well, it's his natural sporting habitat.
Nadal is one of the most dominating players in tennis, but when he plays on clay surfaces, his game somehow multiplies by 10.
He has achieved an admirable 20 Grand Slam titles and is declared the best of all time by lots of tennis experts. If Roger has consistency and Djokovic has technique, Nadal has power and clay.
Nadal is the most deserving contender of the top spot after Federer and Djokovic, and he has the potential to outshine both of them.
Furthermore, he certainly has lots of gas left in the fuel tank, and his dominating victories in 2020 have proved it.
Roger Federer
For so many years and even now, Roger Federer is considered the best player in tennis; some even call him the best of all time.
His achievements are marvelous and almost impossible to surpass. And his level of dedication and commitment to the sport can be seen by his fitness.
Federer has achieved 20 Grand Slam titles and remained on the number one spot for 310 weeks consecutively.
This achievement is no joke and can be listed as one of the most comprehensively unmatchable streaks by any athlete in any sport.
The astonishing thing about Roger Federer is that at the age of 39, he is still not finished with his dominance.
The man is still as quick and agile as he was in the past. Moreover, he is still competing at the highest levels against players like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
From 2004 to 2008, he was at the top spot, achieving records so incredible that it is almost impossible to beat.
He has made history with his outstanding performances and ability to shine in the most pressured situations.
There is no true tennis fan who doesn't respect and admire Federer. However, some fans see his rivalry with Nadal as a reason to oppose him, much like the Ronaldo vs. Messi debate.
However, his achievements speak for themselves. As a result, his 20-year career full of triumphs and milestones is a testament to his ability and conditioning.
However, with Nadal and Djokovic being almost five years younger than him and winning Grand Slams, it is not easy to declare the best of all time until all three have retired.
If we consider the records and age, Roger Federer is undoubtedly way past the other two. However, his dramatic 5-set loss to Novak Djokovic at the 2019 Wimbledon tennis tournament cannot be ignored.
Moreover, Federer had a chance at redemption against the same opponent in 2021, but unfortunately, Djokovic was a better player on that day.
Due to this loss, Roger certainly blew an excellent opportunity to secure Grand Slam number 21. This was a significant defeat, and most Federer fans were indeed disillusioned by it.
However, considering that he is still playing and giving others a run for their money is a tremendous achievement itself.
Every single one of Roger fans should keep their heads up. He is undoubtedly best at what he does and would come back stronger in the upcoming tennis tournaments.
Novak Djokovic
According to current statistics, Novak Djokovic is arguably the best tennis player worldwide and one of the greatest of all time.
At the age of 34, he has managed to leave a mark whenever he stepped foot on the tennis court. Djokovic has already won a lot; however, he still has time to appear in more US open tennis tournaments and other Grand Slam competitions in the future.
He has 20 Grand Slam titles to his name and is tied with the other two GOATS of tennis, Nadal, and Federer.
What gives him an edge over Rafa and Federer is that he has beaten them on several occasions. Those matches are a treat to watch, and the tension is harrowing.
Experts named him the best of all because of his consistency and ability to play more seasons. Although Roger Federer has no competition inconsistency, considering his age.
Moreover, with a record of 329 weeks of staying at the top, it is almost unfair to dismiss Novak Djokovic from the conversation of the greatest of all time.
Even in 2021, he has made his impact by winning the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon tennis tournaments.
Additionally, he has clarified that he is not going anywhere soon; he is here to stay. And this was signified with his victory over Rafael Nadal on clay in the 2021 semi-finals.
Djokovic has dominated everyone that has opposed him. In the 2021 Wimbledon Championship, he lost just two sets and bagged another dominating victory.
He won the final quite convincingly against Italy's Matteo Berrettini in 4 sets. And now, Djokovic fans think the debate is over because he has nothing left to prove.
Become One Of The Best Tennis Players In The World With The Help Of A Pro
This was our take on the top greatest player of tennis. But, of course, it is super challenging to declare anyone the best.
But, they all are excellent in their own way. They have contributed a lot to the sport and made tennis one of the world's most popular and most watched sport.
All the players on the list are incredible and unstoppable on their day. They have paved a path of glory for new players to walk. They have inspired masses to be the best at what they do.
And if you want to walk the path they have carved, you may need the help of a professional tennis coach. So visit Superprof and looking for one may not be a stressful endeavor.
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