For more than two decades, the world of men’s tennis has been dominated by three names: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. 2024 marked the first calendar year since 2002 that one of the ‘Big Three’ hasn’t won a Grand Slam title. However, before the talented established their dominance, there were a number of talented tennis stars with huge personalities who thrilled fans on and off the court.
Here is the list of the 20 Greatest Male Tennis Players ever to grace the court.
These rankings are based on several factors, but the ability to win regularly at Grand Slams is a key requirement. Additional credit has also been given to individuals who played in highly competitive eras. Ranking factors include: Grand Slams won, Style of play, Ability on all surfaces, and level of opponent.
#20 Carlos Alcaraz ( active player) from Spain
#19 Andy Murray from Scotland
#18 Stefan Edberg from Sweden
#17 Don Budge from Australia
#16 Mats Wilander from Sweden
#15 Boris Becker from Germany
#14 Ken Rosewall from Australia
#13 Bill Tiden from Sweden
#12 Fred Perry from England
#11 Roy Emerson from Australia
#10 Andre Agassi from USA Grand Slam Titles 8
Having a career spanning two decades is no easy feat, he dominated throughout late 1980s and into 1990s before calling an end to his playing time in 2006. During the time, he could win 61 career titles, including 8 Grand Slams. He also has the honour of winning Olympic gold medal in 1996, held in Atlanta. He won the titles in all the Grand Slams
#9 Jimmy Connors from USA Grand Slam Titles 8
He lit us the 1970s era of male tennis. He holds the record for most ATP tour titles (125), as well as 8 Grand slams, throughout his 24-year playing career. Again, he is another player to just miss out on collecting all the Grand Slams, except French Open, and sits joint top on the list of US Open titles in the Open era with five titles.
#8 Ivan Lendl from Chechoslovakia/USA Grand Slam Titles 8
He is considered to be the most dominant male player of the 1980s, which is saying something considering the competition at that time. Known for his monster serve, Lendl would go on to win 94 ATP titles, with 8 Grand Slams along the way. Wimbledon was the only major title that eluded him, although he reached the final twice.
#7 John McEnroe from USA grand Slam Titles 7
Arguably the most thrilling player 5o watch on his day, he 2w2as a fiery character to say the least. He won seven grand Slam titles during his career, with all of te=hem coming from Wimbledon and US Open, where he was part of most memorable matches in the history of these respective tournaments. Just go back and watch his Wimbledon final against Bjorn Borg in 1980 and 1981.
# 6 Bjorn Borg from Sweden Grand Slam Titles 11.
Borg was part of that era that produced some of the greatest tennis rivalries we have ever seen. The one thing many wonder about the Swedish Super Star is how much more he could have achieved, with Borg retiring at 26. In his brief career he won an amazing 11 Grand Slams, with five win at Wimbledon and six at French Open.
#5 Rod Laver from Australia Grand Slam Titles 11
He dominated the tennis scene the 1960s and early 1970s in Amateur Era and Open Era, and was most decorated male players in the history of the game. He won 11 Grand Slam titles across all four major tournaments. He is the only player who won all the four Grand Slams in a calendar year, and that too two times. A record no male player has able to achieve.
#4 Pete Sampras from USA Grand Slam titles 14
He was widely considered greatest player of all time when he retired in 2002, having won almost everything on offer during his 15-year professional career, only thing holding him back was inability to win on clay courts, therefore only French Open title is missing from his collection. Despite that, Sampras is still remembered as an incredible athlete that ignited the excitement in the 1990s. His battles against Agassi will be never forgotten by tennis fans. He ws probably last of true serve and volley player on grass courts.
#3 Rafael Nadal from Spain Grand Slam Titles 22
The top three in these rankings would be fairly simple for most of tennis fans to predict. The only real question is what order the trio place in. Third place goes to ’The King of Clay’, who retired in 2024, with 22 Grand Slam wins to his credit. His 14 triumphs at French Open is record tally by some distance-and is unlikely to be beaten. Add to mix his two Olympic Gold medals ( 2008 in Singles and 2016 in Doubles), and Spaniard is rightfully referred as one of the best to ever do it. His impact on the sport of tennis will tough for anyone to replicat2
#2 Roger Federer from Switzerland Grand Slam titles 20
The gentlemen of tennis comes in at second place, narrowly missing out on topping this prestigious list. He could have been easily named at number one and fans would have few complaints. The way he made tennis look so easy and calm was pleasure to watch. The Swiss icon has 20 career Grand Slam titles, with 8 of those coming from Wimbledon, putting him top of the list for most wins at Wimbledon. A game when it came to the grassy courts of Wimbledon, and was figurehead of ‘Big Three’ alongside with Rafael Nadal and the man who tops this list. We will not see player of his ilk ever again.
#1 Novak Djokovic from Serbia Grand Slam titles 24
Arguably the most complete the game has ever seen, he is the proud owner of every major title in tennis, having added an Olympic Gold at Paris 2024 to his haul of 24 Grand Slam championships. Despite his immense success over the years, Novak is still hungry for more titles and is seeking a record 25th Slam in 2025. He has kept himself in such immaculate shape that he is still very much a live contender I every tournament he enters, even at the age of 38 years. The Serbian legend also uses his reputation to help those making their way in the game. In 2020, he set up the Professional Tennis Player Association which aims to bring fairer distribution of revenue and welfare to tennis. His legacy in the sport will live long after he bids farewell to sport.
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Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
11th July 2025