The ten greatest male tennis players of all time are listed below in reverse order. This ranking is based primarily on Grand Slam titles, but also takes into account total tournament wins, weeks spent as world No. 1, and successes at the Olympics.
This list focuses on the so-called “Open Era,” which began in 1968 when professional players were first allowed to compete in the major tournaments.
It’s also worth noting that the Australian Open, which was once held at the end of the season, was considered less important by top players in the early Open Era, as many skipped it due to the long travel. Tennis only returned to the Olympics in 1988 (after being absent since 1924), and it took some time for Olympic tennis to gain a status comparable to a Grand Slam tournament.
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10th place: Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi won a total of eight Grand Slam titles, including four Australian Opens, two US Opens, one Wimbledon, and one French Open. He spent 101 weeks at the top of the ATP world rankings and claimed 60 ATP tournament victories over the course of his career.
Agassi was also the first player to win all four Grand Slam tournaments, an Olympic singles gold medal, and the ATP Tour Finals during his career — a feat only matched by Novak Djokovic.
He is regarded as one of the best Davis Cup players of all time, losing just six of his 36 matches for the USA. One of those defeats came against Thomas Muster at the Prater Stadium in Vienna in 1990.
9th place: John McEnroe
One of the remarkable aspects of John McEnroe’s career was that he reached world number one in singles for 170 weeks while simultaneously leading the doubles rankings, where he held the top spot for 257 weeks.
The American won Wimbledon three times and the US Open four times. In 1984, he came close to winning the French Open as well, but squandered a 2-0 set lead against Ivan Lendl in the final, despite entering the match with a 42-0 record that year.
In addition to his seven Grand Slam titles, McEnroe claimed 70 other tournament victories. His trademark was his distinctive serve, where he often stood with his back to the opponent before hitting the ball. He has remained active in tennis as a commentator and sports analyst.
8th place: Jimmy Connors
Jimmy Connors won a total of eight Grand Slam titles, including five US Opens, two Wimbledons, and one French Open. He spent 268 weeks at the top of the world rankings and claimed an impressive 109 ATP singles tournament victories, making him the player with the most tournament wins in tennis history. He also won 16 doubles titles.
Connors was known for his combative style and unwavering determination on the court. He competed at the highest level for over four decades, and his biggest rivals were Björn Borg and John McEnroe.
7th place: Ivan Lendl
Ivan Lendl was renowned for his exceptional athleticism and strategic approach to the game. He won eight Grand Slam titles and reached the final in eleven others. The Czech-born player claimed the French Open and US Open three times each, and the Australian Open twice. However, despite reaching two Wimbledon finals, he never won the tournament.
Lendl spent 270 weeks as world number one in the ATP rankings and won 94 ATP tournaments during his career. He played a pivotal role in the professionalisation of tennis and was known for his intensive training and preparation methods. His notable rivalries with players such as John McEnroe and Boris Becker defined much of his career. After retiring, Lendl remained involved in tennis, including work as a coach.
6th place: Björn Borg
Björn Borg dominated the tennis world in the late 1970s. He achieved the remarkable feat of winning both the French Open and Wimbledon three years in a row, claiming six titles in Paris and five consecutive victories at Wimbledon. His only major gap was the US Open, which he never won, losing twice to Jimmy Connors and twice to John McEnroe. He competed in the Australian Open only once, reaching the third round.
In addition to his eleven Grand Slam titles, Borg won 55 other tournaments and spent 109 weeks as world number one. He could likely have achieved even more had he not retired at the age of 26. His attempts at a comeback in later years were largely unsuccessful.
5th place: Rod Laver
Rod Laver is the only player to have won all four Grand Slam titles twice in a single calendar year, achieving this feat in 1962 and again in 1969. He won a total of eleven Grand Slam titles during his career, including three Australian Opens, two French Opens, four Wimbledons, and two US Opens.
Laver likely would have won even more Grand Slams had he not turned professional in 1963, which prevented him from competing in the four major tournaments. Professional players were not allowed to participate in the Grand Slams until 1968, and the following year he accomplished the remarkable “calendar Grand Slam” for the second time.
Laver was celebrated for his versatility and exceptional play on grass and hard courts. Over the course of his career, he won a total of 72 singles tournaments.
4th place: Pete Sampras
Pete Sampras was renowned for his elegant play, powerful serve, and delicate undercut volleys. He won a total of 14 Grand Slam titles, including two Australian Opens, seven Wimbledons, and five US Opens. His best result at the French Open was reaching the semi-finals in 1996.
Sampras spent 286 weeks as world number one in the ATP rankings, holding the record for the most weeks at the top until the era of Roger Federer. Over his career, he claimed 64 ATP tournament victories, including his win in Kitzbühel in 1992, and he won the ATP Finals five times.
3rd place: Roger Federer
Roger Federer has shaped the world of tennis with his elegant technique and versatile playing style. He won a total of 20 Grand Slam titles. With eight victories at Wimbledon, he holds the record at that tournament. Federer also claimed six Australian Opens and five US Opens, and he won the French Open in 2009, completing his career Grand Slam by winning all four major tournaments.
Federer spent an impressive 310 weeks as world number one in the ATP rankings, including 237 consecutive weeks. He secured 103 ATP tournament victories during his career, ranking second only to Jimmy Connors in total ATP titles. He also won the ATP Finals six times.
Federer won Olympic gold in doubles alongside Stan Wawrinka in 2008, and earned a silver medal in singles. Known for his sportsmanship and dedication to mentoring young players, Federer remains an inspiring figure both on and off the court.
2nd place: Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal is known for his exceptional technique and fighting spirit. His rivalries with players such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have produced some of the most memorable matches in tennis history.
The Spaniard has won a total of 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 at the French Open, cementing his status as the undisputed king of clay. In addition to Roland Garros, Nadal has won the Australian Open and Wimbledon twice each, and he has claimed the US Open four times.
Nadal spent 209 weeks as world number one in the ATP rankings. Despite numerous injury-related breaks, he has won 92 ATP tournaments. He also won Olympic gold in singles (2008, Beijing) and doubles (2016, Rio de Janeiro).
The only major title missing from his career is the ATP Finals.
Whether Nadal or Federer should be considered the second most successful player of all time is open to debate. In this ranking, Nadal narrowly takes the edge due to his number of Grand Slam victories and his Olympic singles gold medal.
1st place: Novak Djokovic
Since his Olympic victory in Paris, Novak Djokovic has solidified his claim as one of the greatest of all time (GOAT). His achievements are extraordinary:
Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam titles, seven ATP Finals, and 40 Masters 1000 tournaments, holding the records in all three categories. With his gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games, he has also completed the career Golden Slam, winning all four Grand Slams and an Olympic tournament.
Djokovic has spent 428 weeks as world number one in the ATP rankings, far longer than any other player. He currently has 99 tournament victories and remains on track to surpass Jimmy Connors’ record of 109 titles. Despite his age, Djokovic continues to pursue further success with relentless determination.
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