Who is the greatest tennis player of all time?

Tennis is a truly international sport, with great players from many different nations competing at tournaments across the globe to determine the best. The sport's preponderance of prestigious championships has allowed many different players to compile glittering records of achievements. But what matters most - major titles, peak form, contemporaneous competition, or something else entirely? And in consideration of it all, which player stands above the rest as the greatest to ever pick up a racquet?

Roger Federer

The Swiss phenomenon set a standard that his rivals are still chasing.

Roger Federer shattered the men's record for major titles

Roger Federer blew past Pete Sampras's all-time record, blazing the trail for those who followed him.

Roger Federer has been the most consistent top player

No other player has matched Federer's consistency and longevity at the top of the sport.

Rafael Nadal

The King of Clay dominated the French Open like never before, and won pretty much everything else too.

Rafael Nadal is unstoppable at the French Open

Rafael Nadal at his best on the clay of Roland Garros is the best player ever.

Nadal had the toughest opposition

Rafael Nadal had to contend with the prime years of both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic

Djokovic arrived when the two winningest players ever were at their peak, and beat both of them.

Novak Djokovic has the fewest gaps in his résumé

Moreso than any other player, Novak Djokovic has achieved virtually everything there is to achieve at the highest level.

Novak Djokovic is already the best tennis player of all-time.

Novak Djokovic has titles and medals to prove his rank. HIs steep competition on the field makes all of his wins more impressive.

Rod Laver

The Australian legend did more in one year than almost any other player did in their entire career.

Rod Laver is the only man to achieve a true Grand Slam

In 1969, Rod Laver won all four Grand Slam tournaments, a feat that has not been replicated since.

Serena Williams

Williams won just about everything there was to win, and changed the sport forever.

Serena Williams has dominated more than any other player

Serena Williams has won everything there is to win, and done so in dominant fashion.

Williams revolutionized the sport

Williams brought a new level of power and athleticism to women's tennis.
Explore this question in a whole new way.
This page was last edited on Tuesday, 25 Feb 2020 at 18:10 UTC