Legendary Tennis Icons: 22 of the Greatest Men to Grace the Court

Men’s tennis players are powerful, athletic, and marketable. The best players have the drive to succeed and win Grand Slam championships, but they also participate in year-round tune-up tournaments, making their presence known all over the globe.

We want to celebrate the best men’s tennis players ever appearing on the ATP Tour. From the hallowed rivalries like Sampson vs. Agassi and Federer vs. Nadal to outcast players like Ivan Lendl, you’ll find your favorite GOAT on this list.

Note: Only players from the Open Era will appear on the list, so 1968 to the present.

1. Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is an impenetrable force that never stops coming. Djokovic’s will to win combines with an unprecedented defensive style to beat everyone in his path, whether that be a young player gunning for his crown or a fellow legend of the ATP. Djokovic’s 23 Grand Slams are still growing by the year, cementing his place as the greatest ever to play.

2. Roger Federer

Roger Federer is the most aesthetically marvelous tennis player ever to live, even if he’s been surpassed on the all-time list by Novak Djokovic. Federer’s 20 Grand Slams only begin to describe the feelings fans enjoyed viewing him prance and dance around the court for almost two decades. His rivalry with Rafael Nadal is arguably the best in sports history, and his all-around play gives him an edge over the clay-oriented Nadal.

3. Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal started his career as a one-surface player, dominating the French Open and locking up a Grand Slam every year due to this tournament’s presence on the calendar. But with more time passing, Nadal persevered through his struggles on grass and hard courts to become a maestro on any surface. With just one year left in his career, Nadal has etched his name in the annals of tennis lore for the rest of the sport’s history.

4. Pete Sampras

Before the “Big 3” came along, Pete Sampras was arguably the best player ever to live. His strong serve and powerful groundstrokes were ahead of their time and would have fit in well with the modern game. Sampras’ rivalry with Andre Agassi was a precursor to some battles between Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic in the 21st century.

5. Björn Borg

Björn Borg may have won 11 Grand Slam titles, but his career still seems like a “what-if.” The Swedish sensation won all his championships by age 25 and then retired from the sport. Many tennis fans were shocked and disappointed, as Borg’s distinct style would have certainly delivered him several more wins at big tournaments.

6. Rod Laver

Every sport has a pioneer who lifts the entirety of the game on their shoulders, showing a path forward for everyone that has come since. Rod Laver is certainly in that category, with a rocket for an arm and an athletic build ahead of his competition. Laver is one of the best spokespeople for the game today, often showing up to live events like the Australian Open.

7. Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi brought cool back to tennis in the late 1990s. He also won eight Grand Slams on three different surfaces, proving that he had style and substance. For those who love tennis in the United States, Agassi was one of the last inspirations to the American public. The country has mightily struggled in men’s tennis for much of the last 20 years.