Selecting our top 10 male players of all time proved to be a challenge, and the task was equally daunting when it came to choosing our top 10 female tennis players of all time. However, after careful consideration, here are the players we ultimately decided upon.
1. Serena Williams
Serena Williams, perhaps the greatest of all time, currently holds an impressive 23 grand slam titles, second only to the legendary Margaret Court. She has made her mark in both singles and doubles, winning 14 grand slam doubles titles alongside her sister Venus.
What sets Serena apart from her peers is her remarkable longevity in the sport. She has sustained a career spanning four decades and has achieved the monumental task of winning grand slams while being a mother. Her unwavering intensity and unparalleled will to win have inspired a generation of players, particularly young girls, to take up the sport.
Serena is renowned for her powerful groundstrokes and serve, which is considered one of the most technically sound shots in tennis. She has amassed a total of 72 career titles, including four Olympic gold medals, and remains the highest-earning female tennis player in history. Her legacy as an extraordinary player is secure, and she will always be remembered as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
2. Steffi Graff
Steffi Graf is undoubtedly one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and her 22 grand slam titles place her in the same league as other legends like Serena Williams and Margaret Court.
What truly sets Graf apart is her record for spending the most time at the top of the world rankings during her career, a staggering 377 weeks. Her versatility on the court is also unparalleled, as she dominated on all surfaces and won all four grand slams at least four times each. In 1988, she achieved the rare feat of winning all four grand slams and an Olympic gold medal, known as a "calendar golden slam".
Graf's ferocious forehand and exceptional footwork set her apart from her competitors and earned her legions of fans. Her legacy as one of the most versatile and skilled tennis players of all time continues to inspire young players today. Whether she was playing on clay, grass, or hard court, Graf always brought her best game and left her mark on the sport.
3. Chris Evert
Chris Evert has established herself as a prominent tennis pundit and commentator in recent years, but it's essential not to forget her remarkable accomplishments as a tennis player.
Her fierce rivalries with legends like Martina Navratilova and Virginia Wade are still talked about today. Evert amassed a total of 18 grand slam titles throughout her career and impressively won at least one major for 13 consecutive years!
Evert's counterpunching style, which is now commonplace in the modern game, was revolutionary in the 1970s and 1980s when serve and volley dominated. She paved the way for the modern style of consistency and relying on fitness to win matches, rather than pure skill.
One of the most impressive statistics in her career is that she won exactly 90% of her singles matches, a remarkable feat. Chris Evert's incredible talent and dedication to the sport have earned her a well-deserved place on our list of the best tennis players of all time.
4. Margaret Court
Margaret Court is widely considered the greatest female tennis player of all time, and her impressive record of 24 singles grand slam titles cements her legacy in tennis history.
In addition to her singles success, Court also won an incredible 19 women's doubles grand slams and 21 mixed doubles grand slams. She is one of only three tennis players in history to achieve the grand slam boxed set, winning every version (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles) of each of the four grand slams.
Court's height and reach advantages undoubtedly played a significant role in her success, but her athletic ability and aggressive play style made her a true force to be reckoned with on the court. She brought a new, dynamic dimension to the game of tennis, and her exceptional court movement, despite her height, set her apart from her competitors.
Margaret Court's numerous records and remarkable career highlight her as one of the all-time greats of the sport, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of tennis players.
5. Martina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova was an innovative and incredibly successful tennis player, with a lefty game style that allowed her to win 18 grand slam titles and wear down opponents with relentless pressure at the net.
Her prowess on the doubles court honed her exceptional volleying skills, which she expertly applied in her singles matches. In fact, Navratilova won more grand slams in doubles than singles throughout her career, with a total of 59 grand slam victories, including 31 in women's doubles and 10 in mixed doubles.
Navratilova's dominance on the court also earned her the world number 1 ranking for an impressive 332 weeks, second only to Steffi Graf. Her innovative and aggressive play style set her apart from her competitors and cemented her legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
6. Monica Seles
Monica Seles is widely regarded as one of the most naturally talented players to ever pick up a racket and is considered one of the best in the game.
At just 16 years old, Seles became the youngest player ever to win a major and went on to win a total of 9 grand slam singles titles.
Seles' dominance in the sport was evident from a young age, with the majority of her grand slam wins occurring as a teenager. She also held the world number 1 ranking twice in her career.
Sadly, Seles' career was derailed by an on-court attack, which had a significant impact on her success. Despite this setback, Seles remains one of the most prestigious talents to ever grace the game of tennis, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. While it is impossible to predict the exact number of additional grand slams she could have won, it is conceivable that she could have broken all records.
7. Martina Hingis
Martina Hingis, known for her charming personality, held the world number 1 position for 209 weeks. Although she was more successful in doubles, winning 13 grand slam titles in that category, she also claimed 5 singles and 7 mixed doubles titles, demonstrating her versatility.
Hingis' mastery of the doubles court was evident when she won the calendar grand slam in women's doubles in 1998. She relied on her cunning and strategy to outsmart her opponents rather than overpowering them with brute force.
Her exceptional court awareness, fitness, and finesse set her apart as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
8. Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King was not only a great tennis player but also a trailblazer for gender equality in sports. At just 5'4" tall, she was a fierce competitor who relied on her speed and agility to win matches. King's career saw her win a remarkable 39 grand slam titles, which is one of the highest numbers in tennis history.
Off the court, King was equally influential. She fought for equal pay for women in tennis, and her victory over Bobby Riggs in the famous Battle of the Sexes match in 1973 made her a symbol of the feminist movement. King went on to found the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and has been a vocal advocate for social justice in tennis and beyond. Her impact on the sport of tennis and society as a whole cannot be overstated.
9. Justine Henin
With her silky smooth game and a single-handed backhand that is considered one of the most beautiful shots in tennis history, Justine Henin was a force to be reckoned with. She won numerous grand slam titles with her exceptional skills.
Henin proved to be a tough competitor for Serena Williams, and few players were able to stop Williams as often as Henin did. Between 2004 and 2007, Henin claimed seven grand slam titles, and spent over 100 weeks as the world number one, cementing her place as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
10. Maria Sharapova
Regarded as one of the fiercest competitors in tennis, Maria Sharapova's game was defined by her height and reach, allowing her to hit the ball with tremendous power and precision. Her impressive career included winning five grand slam titles and a fierce rivalry with Serena Williams.
Sharapova burst onto the scene by winning Wimbledon at the age of 17 and quickly became a marketing sensation, known for her glamorous looks and tenacious playing style. However, her career was marred by a doping scandal in 2016, resulting in a suspension and loss of sponsorships.
Despite this setback, Sharapova's legacy as one of the best players of the modern era remains intact. Her grit, determination, and impressive record on the court ensure that she is a worthy addition to any list of tennis greats.
Determining the best tennis players of all time is a subjective matter and there are several players who have a compelling argument for inclusion in the top ten. Let us know your thoughts.