Top 10 Greatest Male Tennis Players of All Time

Who is the greatest men's tennis player of the modern era?

 The debate over the greatest tennis player of all time is a hotly contested one, with several players being mentioned as contenders for the top spot. However, here are some of the most commonly mentioned players in discussions of the greatest tennis players of all time.

We list the top 10 male tennis players of the modern era. We've left out the great Rod Laver, on the basis that much of his playing career was before the modern era. 

10. John McEnroe

The hot-headed American racked up 7 Grand Slam titles, during his playing days, in the 70 and 80s. McEnroe also spent 170 weeks as world No. 1, and ended up with a career total of 77 titles.

9. Ivan Lendl

Ivan Lendl, the Czech-born American player with 8 Grand Slam titles, spent an impressive 270 weeks as world No. 1, and won a career total of 94 titles. His machine-like play made him one of the most difficult players on the tour to beat. 

8. Jimmy Connors

Jimmy Connors was the first of the tennis warriors, chasing everything down, and never giving up. The American manged to a total of 8 Grand Slam titles, a record 109 career titles, and 268 weeks as world No. 1.

7. Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi won 8 Grand Slam titles (on all four surfaces), an Olympic gold medal, and a career total of 60 titles. Agassi is still regarded as one of the best returners the game has even seen. 

6. Andy Murray

British star, Andy Murray, won 3 Grand Slam titles, 2 Olympic gold medals, the Davies Cup,  and a career total of 46 titles. Andy Murray is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent players the game has even seen, with a high tennis IQ.  

5. Bjorn Borg

Bjorn Borg is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. The Swedish player won 11 Grand Slam titles, including 6 French Open titles, 5 Wimbledon titles, and a career total of 64 titles.

4. Pete Sampras

A mighty serve, a great volley, and wonderful athleticism, helped Pete Sampras rack up 14 Grand Slam titles. He also spent a mammoth 286 weeks as world No. 1, and won 64 career titles.

3. Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam titles, spent 209 weeks as world No. 1, and racked up 36 ATP Tour Masters 1000 titles. "The King of Clay" has won 14 French Open titles, making him the most successful player ever at an individual Grand Slam. 

2. Novak Djokovic

When all is said and done, Novak Djokovic will have won the most Grand Slams, he'll hold all the records, and have the better head-to-head record against his main rivals. But records don't always tell the full story, and that's why the Serbian doesn't quite make the top of this list... 

1. Roger Federer

Roger Federer is widely regarded as the greatest male tennis player of all time, and certainly the most iconic. The Swiss maestro won 20 Grand Slam titles, spent 310 weeks as world No. 1, and won 103 career titles.

Yet, it's not just his record that propels him to the top of this list - it's his elegant playing style, and the influence he's had on future generations of tennis. No man has done more for the sport, in that regard, than Roger Federer. 

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