Selecting the greatest players of all time in any sport is bound to spark a contentious debate. This is especially true for tennis, as comparing players from different eras is a challenge due to the significant advancements in technology and changes to the game. Nonetheless, it's possible to attempt to compile a list of the top tennis players of all time.

Despite these difficulties, I've been fortunate enough to witness the brilliance of numerous legendary players who are undoubtedly among the best to ever grace the sport. So, who would make the cut for Seb's list of the greatest tennis players of all time?

Let's begin with the top 10 male tennis players of all time. This is a challenging task, and unfortunately, some exceptional players may have missed the cut (although their numerous grand slam titles should ease the disappointment!).

1. Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is an unstoppable force in the world of tennis. When discussing the greatest tennis players of all time, it's hard to overlook his achievements. He possesses exceptional mental and physical prowess, as well as tactical genius. Playing against him on clay is one of the most challenging tasks in any sport, and I am fortunate to have witnessed his talent over the years.

Nadal has repeatedly proven his resilience, and he deserves to hold the record for the most Grand Slam titles won by a male player. He is one of the few left-handers on the list and never fails to amaze his fans. Although he is famous for his clay-court performances, he has also shown remarkable adaptability by winning all four majors at some point, just like Federer and Djokovic.

Nadal's extraordinary shot-making abilities will be sorely missed when he eventually retires, but for now, he deserves the top spot on my list of the best tennis players of all time. The debate about the greatest player of all time will continue, but Nadal's achievements have cemented his place in history as the best tennis player of all time (for now). However, as always, there may be another great player who comes along and takes his place in the future (Djokovic, Alcaraz...).

2. Roger Federer

Once upon a time, Roger Federer was light-years ahead of his competition and there was no doubt that he was the greatest tennis player of all time.

I have a deep fondness for Federer, and he has held the top spot on my list for a long time. However, in 2022, I had to concede that Federer's accomplishments had been surpassed. Let's be clear, Federer was and always will be an exceptional player (and my favourite player). You couldn't witness a more graceful tennis player, and his court skills were almost unrivaled, as evidenced by his results.

We might argue that the Fed wasted some easily winnable Grand Slam titles. Had he been more relentless, he might have been even further ahead in my ranking, but that's just how it is.So, why does he hold the second spot on our list of the greatest tennis players of all time, rather than third place behind Djokovic?

Adaptability: Despite the fact that tennis was a completely different game when Federer started, with different strokes and court movements, he completely revolutionised it. Years later, when players like Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray further pushed the game in response to Federer's brilliance, he was still able to adjust and keep up.

3. Novak Djokovic

In my opinion, when it comes to the debate over the greatest tennis player of all time, Novak Djokovic isn’t always a popular choice. Perhaps it’s because Roger and Rafa are so universally loved that Djokovic can sometimes be seen as the other guy.

However, I believe that Djokovic's stats are simply unbelievable. If you were to put a prime Djokovic up against anyone else on this list in their prime, I believe he would win at least 6 out of 10 times. Although whether that makes him the best tennis player of all time is up for debate, it's hard to disagree about his backhand being one of the best of all time.

Having said that, when you consider everything, I have to go with Nadal as the greatest of all time, even though Djokovic might end up with the most Grand Slams.

4. Rod Laver

For my fourth spot on the list, I couldn't ignore the tennis legend, Rod Laver. As an Australian, Laver dominated the sport in the 60s, achieving the Grand Slam twice (winning all four major titles in one year).

Since 1969, when Laver secured his second Grand Slam, no male player has managed to repeat this incredible feat. Despite being caught up in the amateur vs professional debate, Laver had an outstanding career.

While some might argue that Laver deserves the top spot, I believe the heightened level of professionalism and competitiveness in today's game justifies placing the modern big three above him on the list.

5. Pete Sampras

For my fifth spot on the list, I have chosen "Pistol" Pete Sampras. Before Roger Federer's arrival, Sampras' Grand Slam record seemed almost unbeatable.

With 14 Grand Slam titles, including 7 at Wimbledon, Sampras established himself as one of the all-time greats of tennis, although Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal have since surpassed his record of 14 titles.

Sampras possessed one of the greatest serves in tennis history and was a master of the big points. He had an incredible career and retired at the pinnacle of the sport, defeating his long-time rival Andre Agassi in the 2002 US Open final.

6. Bjorn Borg

My sixth pick for the list is the stylish and elegant Bjorn Borg, who could arguably match Roger Federer's beauty on the court.

Despite retiring at just 26 years old, the Swede managed to secure an impressive 11 Grand Slam titles. Had he continued playing for longer, he surely would have won many more.

Borg is perhaps best known for his iconic rivalry with John McEnroe and for being a pioneer of the baseline game, which has had a significant impact on modern tennis. He was also versatile in his play, winning 6 French Open titles and 5 Wimbledon titles, a feat achieved by very few players in history.

Borg's remarkable achievements and unique style of play undoubtedly earn him a place among the greatest tennis players of all time.

7. Ivan Lendl

When it comes to style of play, Ivan Lendl may not have been known for his beauty on the court like Borg, but what really matters is how well you perform, and Lendl certainly knew how to do that.

The Czech player dominated tennis in the 80s with his big serve, topspin groundstrokes, and incredible fitness, earning him 8 Grand Slam singles titles and a record-breaking stint at the top of the world rankings.

Not only did Lendl have an incredible career as a player, but he has also achieved great things as a coach, most notably with Andy Murray, who narrowly missed a spot on this list.

8. Andre Agassi

As we move down the list, things become even more challenging as we consider the great players who just miss out on a spot.

However, one player who definitely deserves to be on the list is Andre Agassi. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

It was a close call between spots 8, 9, and 10, but I ultimately chose Agassi at number 8 because of his career Grand Slam. Winning on different surfaces like clay and grass is an incredibly difficult feat, accomplished by only a few players.

Agassi, who is married to Steffi Graf, one of the greatest female tennis players of all time, has earned his place on my list of the best tennis players in history.

9. Jimmy Connors

Jimmy Connors had an amazing career that lasted for 24 years, during which he won a staggering 147 titles, including 8 Grand Slam titles.

If we were basing this list solely on tournament victories, Connors would even surpass the great Roger Federer.

He was a dynamic player who engaged in some unforgettable rivalries during his time on the court, and he deserves his place as one of the best male tennis players in history.

10. John McEnroe

As a tennis enthusiast, there's no way I could make this list without including the infamous John McEnroe.

The American left a lasting impression on the game with 105 titles and 7 Grand Slam wins, thriving in one of the most competitive eras of tennis.

Despite his notorious on-court outbursts, McEnroe's larger-than-life personality helped to elevate the sport's profile and made him a beloved TV commentator.

He will always be remembered for ending Bjorn Borg's run at Wimbledon and for being part of what many consider the greatest tiebreak in tennis history.

And with that, John McEnroe secures the final spot on our list of the greatest tennis players of all time.

As we've gone through the list of the best tennis male players of all time, there were some incredible players that didn't make our top ten. Legends such as Ken Rosewall, Henri Cochet, and Rene Lacoste, all had outstanding careers and have a strong claim to make the list. In the same vein, some modern players such as Andy Murray have been extremely successful, but the competition is just too fierce to break into the top ten.

While I stand by my choices, I understand that everyone has their own opinions. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Let me know when I next see you who you think should have made the cut.