15 Best Tennis Players of All Time

With a handful of Netflix docuseries leading the way, tennis is once again becoming one of the most popular sports in pop culture. One of those sports that transcend borders, it’s impossible not to get gripped with the unique mano-a-mano action. Most importantly, tennis is for everyone, from celebrities in the stands at Wimbledon to the humble spot on the couch where you spend your summer watching the United Cup and Australian Open. Even when you’re not certain of the rules, it’s easy to follow and entertaining enough to keep your eyes glued to the match.

Tennis is also one of the sports with the most well-known players, and names like Rod Laver, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams are instantly recognisable. We’re here to provide a rundown of the greatest tennis players of all time based on standout achievements, influence, legacy, and most importantly, the number of majors they’ve won, which is how we’ve ranked our list. Without further ado, let’s check it out!

Best Tennis Players of All Time at a Glance

Highlights from our list include the following options:

• Best overall: Margaret Court
• Most men’s titles: Novak Djokovic
• Most women’s titles: Margaret Court

Now we’ve had a look at the top players, let’s check out the complete list.

RELATED: These are the best tennis clothing brands to sport on the court, according to us.

1. Margaret Court

• Grand slam titles: 24
• Total titles: 192
• Win-loss record: 1,177–106 (91.74%)
• Olympic achievements: Margaret Court did not compete in the Olympics, but she did win the Billie Jean King Cup (formerly the Federation Cup) four times with Australia
• Surface preference: Grass, having won 11 Australian Opens and 3 Wimbledons

A true icon of the sport, Margaret Court has won 24 women’s singles Grand Slam titles, which is the most in history, making her arguably one of the best players of all time. She took out an impressive 64 Grand Slam titles in her time playing and was ranked number one in the world seven times during her tennis career. Court was known for her known for her powerful serve, net attack, and exceptional endurance. Beyond her skills on the court, Margaret Court inspired a generation of female tennis players and mothers, only retiring from the sport after she was expecting the third of her four children.

Country: Australia
Date of birth: 16 July 1942
Era: 1960-1977
Handedness: Right-handed

2. Novak Djokovic

• Grand slam titles: 24
• Total titles: 99
• Weeks at world no. 1: 428 weeks
• Win-loss record: 1124–222 (83.51%)
• Olympic achievements: In singles, he won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
• Surface preference: Hardcourt

Novak Djokovic is a Serbian tennis player and one of the leading men’s tennis players in recent history. He has been ranked No. 1 for a record total of 428 weeks in a record 13 different years and finished as the year-end No. 1 a whooping eight times. Djokovic’s playing style is distinguished by his agility on the court, impressive flexibility, and technical and tactical skills, with his return of serve considered one of the best in the world. Approaching 40 years of age, Djokovic is still competing and dominating players almost half his age, which demonstrates his commitment and love for the game.

Country: Serbia
Date of birth: 22 May 1987
Era: 2006-2-24
Handedness: Right-handed

3. Serena Williams

• Grand slam titles: 23
• Total titles: 73
• Weeks at world no. 1: 319
• Win-loss record: 858-156 (84.62%)
• Olympic achievements: Serena Williams is a four-time Olympic gold medalist who competed in the Olympics in 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2016
• Surface preference: Hardcourt

One half in the Williams duo, alongside her sister Venus Williams, Serena is an icon on and off the court, excelling as a beauty ambassador, author, tennis player and one of only six women in the Open era to complete a Career Grand Slam. In addition to winning countless single grand slams, Serena and her sister Venus won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three doubles gold medals at the Olympics. She is known for her strong physical presence on the court, her style dominated by an aggressive, powerful play, her biggest strength being firepower as well as her down-the-line forehand and backhand shots. Williams and her sister have inspired more diversity within sports and the community, advocating for equal treatment regardless of gender and race.

Country: USA
Date of birth: 26 September 1981
Era: 1995-2022
Handedness: Right-handed

4. Rafael Nadal

• Grand slam titles: 22
• Total titles: 92
• Weeks at world no. 1: 209 weeks
• Win-loss record: 1,068–220 (82.91%)
• Olympic achievements: Representing Spain, Nadal won two Olympic gold medals
• Surface preference: Clay

Having only recently retired (in 2024), Nadal has left a massive impact on the tennis world, winning a total of 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, including a record 14 French Open titles, securing victory 9 times in his first 10 attempts. Nadal will forever be recognised as the only man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam and win an Olympic gold medal in both singles and doubles. The tennis player’s forehand is considered one of the best, known for his heavy topspin and cross-court forehands. He also likes to attack the backhand (of right-handed players), which has seen him beat countless opponents over the years. A much-loved member of “the big three”, Nadal was a leading figure in men’s tennis for nearly two decades.

Country: Spain
Date of birth: 3 June 1986
Era: 2002-2024
Handedness: Left-handed

5. Steffi Graf

• Grand slam titles: 22
• Total titles: 107
• Weeks at world no. 1: 377 weeks
• Win-loss record: 900–115 (88.67%)
• Olympic achievements: Graf won an Olympic gold medal in 1988
• Surface preference: Grass, clay and hard courts

Beginning her tennis career after being encouraged by her father, at just 13, Graf became the second youngest player ever to earn an international ranking. Graf won her first Grand Slam event at the French Open and was the first player to achieve the Golden Slam by winning all the grand slams and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year in 1988. Definitely a year to remember for the German tennis player. Graf excelled in her versatility, being able to play across all playing surfaces, and the combination of her agile footwork and powerful forehand drive meant she was a lethal force. The German became the sport’s only ‘golden slam’ winner and continues to encourage young girls to play tennis in her home country to this day.

Country: Germany
Date of birth: 14 June 1969
Era: 1982 to 1999
Handedness: Right-handed

6. Roger Federer

• Grand slam titles: 20
• Total titles: 103
• Weeks at world no. 1: 310 weeks
• Win-loss record: 1251–275 (81.97%)
• Olympic achievements: One Olympic gold medal in doubles alongside Stan Wawrinka at Beijing 2008, one silver in singles at London 2012
• Surface preference: Grass

Another member of “the big three” that dominated in the early 2000s, Federer’s exceptional all-around game made him stand out from the crowd. The Swiss player won a record eight Wimbledon titles, and in 2018 he became the first player to claim 20 Grand Slam men’s singles titles. Often compared to ‘dancing’ on the court, Federer has an elegant and aggressive playing style, with agile footwork, a dominant one-handed forehand and precise serving. Beyond his impressive achievements on the court over a span of over twenty years, Roger Federer is celebrated for his contributions to philanthropy, including the establishment of the Roger Federer Foundation, which has made a lasting impact on education and healthcare in Africa.

Country: Switzerland
Date of birth: 8 August 1981
Era: 1998-2022
Handedness: Right-handed

7. Helen Wills

• Grand slam titles: 19
• Total titles: 55
• Win-loss record: 398–35 (91.92%)
• Olympic achievements: One gold medal for singles and one gold medal for doubles
• Surface preference: Grass

One of the real OG’s when it comes to tennis, Helen Wills won 31 Grand Slam tournament titles during her career and was the top female competitor in the world for eight years. The pioneering female player won seven U.S. Open, five Wimbledon, and four French Championships without losing a set and became the first female to win Wimbledon (1928) since May Sutton in 1907, and was the first American female to win the French. Wills’ playing style is dominated by powerful serves and overheads, and a precise aim. Besides being a beast on the court, Wills was the first American woman to become internationally famous as an athlete – she even featured on the cover of Time Magazine, not once, but twice.

Country: USA
Date of birth: 6 October 1905
Era: 1919-1938
Handedness: Right-handed

8. Martina Navratilova

• Grand slam titles: 18
• Total titles: 167
• Weeks at world no. 1: 331 weeks
• Win-loss record: 1,442–219 (86.82%)
• Olympic achievements: Placed fifth in women’s doubles at the 2004 Athens Olympics
• Surface preference: Grass, where she won a record 9 Wimbledon titles

A leftie like no other, Martina Navratilova was active in tennis for nearly four decades and is widely considered among the greatest tennis players of all time. The determined player won 18 major singles titles, 31 major women’s doubles titles, and 10 major mixed doubles titles, for a combined total of 59 major titles, the most in the Open Era. Extremely athletic, Navratilova had an aggressive serve and volley, known for rushing to the net and play a full-court game. Navratilova was one of the first openly gay sports figures and has been an advocate for equal rights and the LGBTQ community.

Country: Prague
Date of birth: 18 October 1956
Era: 1972-2006
Handedness: Left-handed

9. Chris Evert

• Grand slam titles: 18
• Total titles: 157
• Win-loss record: 1309–146 (89.97%)
• Olympic achievements: Evert represented the United States at the 1988 Seoul Summer Games but failed to medal
• Surface preference: Clay

The former world number one won 18 major Championships, tying for fifth-best in women’s history. Evert won at least one major singles title a record 13 years in a row as well as the second-most singles titles in history and was the first to top the 150-plus mark. Her playing style was very defensive and known for her ability to hit the ball with pinpoint accuracy and impressive court coverage. Evert was the first female to earn $1 million and will always be remembered for her determination, which earned her the nickname of “The Ice Maiden.”

Country: USA
Date of birth: 21 December 1954
Era: 1972-1989
Handedness: Right-handed

10. Billie Jean King

• Grand slam titles: 39
• Total titles: 129
• Win-loss record: 695–155 (81.76%)
• Olympic achievements: One gold medal.
• Surface preference: Grass, where she won a record 6 Wimbledon titles

Fondly known as BJK, King won 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles. The Californian-born tennis player was also a member of the victorious United States team in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups. Her playing style was aggressive, known for her tactful serving and her versatile backhand. As well as being one of the greatest tennis players of all time, King was also a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient for her advocacy for women in sports and LGBTQ rights and was one of the leaders in the fight for equal pay in tennis.

Country: USA
Date of birth: 22 November 1943
Era: 1959-1983
Handedness: Right-handed

11. Roy Emerson

• Grand slam titles: 28
• Total titles: 103
• Win-loss record: 1397-416 (77.05%)
• Surface preference: Grass

An Aussie legend on and off the court, Roy Emerson’s career bridged the amateur and Open eras. Emerson won 28 Grand Slam titles (12 singles, 16 doubles,) which is a record for men’s tennis. He is also the only man to win singles and doubles titles in all four majors. Emerson was ranked in the world’s Top 10 nine times between 1959-1967, ascending to the No. 1 position in 1964 and 1965. His style was serve-and-volley and he was good at adapting to the rigours of slow courts. Now nearing 90, Emerson has streets named after him and is immortalised with a life-size bronze statue in his hometown of Blackbutt.

Country: Australia
Date of birth: 3 November 1936
Era: 1968-1983
Handedness: Right-handed

12. Rod Laver

• Grand slam titles: 11
• Total titles: 200
• Win-loss record: 1,473–407 (78.35%)
• Surface preference: All surfaces

Whether it’s because of Rod Laver Area or his unforgettable skills on the court, everyone knows Laver as an icon in the Australian tennis world. Australia’s very own left-handed legend, Laver was the second male player in the history of the game (after Don Budge in 1938) to win the four major singles championships in a calendar year twice, in 1962 and 1969. He was known for his all-court game, his versatility and ability to play on all surfaces. He is loved by many, and his most notable legacy is the arena named after him, which opened in 2000, and the Laver Cup, an annual tournament that honours his career.

Country: Australia
Date of birth: 9 August 1938
Era: 1956-1977
Handedness: Left-handed

13. Bill Tilden

• Grand slam titles: 10
• Total titles: 138
• Win-loss record: est. 1726–506 (77.33%)
• Olympic achievements: NA
• Surface preference: NA

This towering American tennis player, known as “Big Bill,” dominated the game for more than a decade, winning seven U.S. championships (now the U.S. Open), three Wimbledon Championships and two professional titles. His approach to the game was unique, relying on psychological tactics and strategic play, paired with a mean serve. His legacy is a colourful one. As well as his bold approach to the game, he wrote various books on tennis, yet his achievements are overshadowed by his criminal history and, at times, chaotic personal life.

Country: USA
Date of birth: 10 February 1893
Era: 1931-1953
Handedness: Right-handed

14. Suzanne Lenglen

• Grand slam titles: 12
• Total titles: 250
• Win-loss record: 341–7 (97.99%)
• Olympic achievements: Won the two gold medals.
• Surface preference: Clay

Another OG of the game, The French tennis player was the inaugural world No. 1 from 1921 to 1926. During her career, Lenglen won eight Grand Slam titles in singles and twenty-one in total, two gold medals at the Olympics and she won the ‘triple’ (singles, doubles and mixed doubles) at the French Open. Her playing style was aggressive and physical, known for never giving the same shot twice in a row. Lenglen was a very popular woman, loved for her style and class. She was so popular, it led Wimbledon to move to its larger modern-day venue. The tennis player even inspired a line in Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises, in which one character “probably loved to win as much as Lenglen”.

Country: France
Date of birth: 24 May 1899
Era: 1921-1926
Handedness: Right-handed

15. Ken Rosewall

• Grand slam titles: 18
• Total titles: 147
• Win-loss record: est. 1,401–394 (78.05%)
• Surface preference: Clay

Kenneth Rosewall Rosewall was ranked as the world’s No. 1 tennis player from 1961 to 1964, in 1970, 1971 and 1972. The Australian legend in the tennis world won an impressive 147 singles titles, including a record 15 Pro Majors and 8 Grand Slam titles for a total 23 titles at pro and amateur majors, ranking him second of all-time to Novak Djokovic on 24. His style was unique, featuring a lethal sliced backhand, counter-punching and speediness on the court. Today, he has a court named after him – the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre was renamed the Ken Rosewall Arena in 2008

Country: Australia
Date of birth: 2 November 1934
Era: 1951-1980
Handedness: Right-handed

Why You Should Trust Our List

To determine this list of the best tennis players of all time, we used a series of benchmarks including Grand Slam titles, dominance, how many years played, versatility and lasting impact. Our list also aims to be fair, acknowledging the challenges in comparing players across eras due to changes in technology, surfaces and competition. We also made an effort to include players from both the men’s and women’s games.

You’ll also like:

• Raygun is Now the Number One Ranked Breaker in the World