Winner Sinner
Hall of Fame
Around the web I found this ranking of the 10 best American tennis players of every era.
Obviously, like all rankings, it is debatable, but it only serves to give an idea of what type of career you need to follow to enter it.
Among the various Fritz, Paul, Tiafoe, Shelton, Nakashima, Korda, Tien, etc., do you see anyone who has the slightest chance of joining once their career is over?
Obviously, like all rankings, it is debatable, but it only serves to give an idea of what type of career you need to follow to enter it.
#10 Michael Chang When he appeared in professional tennis in 1988, many thought he was the future of American tennis. And his beginnings support this thought. In fact, seventeen-year-old Michael Chang won his first and last Slam, Roland Garros, in 1989. Even today, he is the youngest to have won the Parisian Slam. His biggest problem in being the US number 1 was Pete Sampras, who in the same period cannibalized world tennis. Caught between the phenomenon Sampras and the phenomenon (and character) Andre Agassi, Chang never managed to fully enter the good graces of tennis lovers. In addition to the Parisian tournament, his list of victories includes 33 other tournaments. He lost 21 finals including three Slams (Roland Garros 1995, Australian Open 1996 and US Open 1996). He reached his best ranking in September 1996, the second position, but for over 10 years he managed to be consistently in the top 15.
#9 Andy Roddick He was, to date, the last great American tennis player. When at the age of twenty-one he conquered the top of the ATP ranking, held for 13 weeks, American fans thought they had found the successor to the various Sampras, Agassi, Courier and Chang. More precocious than Roger Federer, who would later become the dominator of world tennis, he was unable to remain at the top for a long time. The US Open won in 2003 seemed to be the appetizer for a series of victories in the Slams. This was not the case. A complete player, he was defeated by Roger Federer in the final at Wimbledon three times (2004-2005-2009) and the Swiss always denied him the repeat at the home open (2006). The Swiss denied him the joy of a final victory 7 times. That said, Roddick managed to win 32 tournaments.
#8 Jim Courier Another player from the period between the 80s and 90s. In those years there were many phenomena in world tennis, and winning was not a given. He was number 1 in the world for 58 weeks between 1992 and 1993. In his career he won 4 Slams (twice the Roland Garros 1991-1992, and twice the Australian Open 1992-1993). In total, Courier won 23 titles, while 13 were the finals he lost (US Open 1991, Roland Garros 1993, Wimbledon 1993). The extraordinary competition of those years, at home and abroad, did not give credit to a great champion who is too often underestimated.
#7 Stan Smith He started his career in the pre-open era, and then continued in the Open era. Stan Smith was a great player in both singles and doubles. His best ranking was number 3 (1973), but his best results were achieved in the previous years when he won the US Open in 1971 and Wimbledon in 1972. He won 36 titles in singles, while 55 in doubles. A figure that makes him one of the most successful ever in the combined. A curiosity, a well-known sportswear brand dedicated a shoe to him.
#6 Don Budge With Don Budge we go back to the dawn of tennis. However, we cannot fail to include in the ranking a player who dominated world tennis at the end of the 30s. In 1938 he became the first tennis player to win all 4 Grand Slam tournaments in one year. In addition to the feat of '38, he won both Wimbledon and the US Open in 1937. He also won a lot in doubles. A unique player whose career was interrupted by the Second World War and by a regulation that did not allow professionals to play the big tournaments.
#5 Andre Agassi Many will be surprised to find one of the most famous and beloved tennis players in the history of tennis so low. But we said at the beginning, the USA has been the beacon of world tennis for many years. Agassi has had two tennis lives, he has fallen and has been able to return to the top. The eccentric American has won sixty tournaments and 8 Slams (Australian Open 1995-2000-2001-2003, Roland Garros 1999, Wimbledon 1992, US Open 1994-1999). He also managed to win the Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996. He was one of the 8 players to have achieved Career Slam (winning all 4 major tournaments). He held the first place in the ATP ranking for 101 weeks.
#4 John McEnroe To describe him tennis-wise, let's try to give some numbers: 77 ATP singles titles, 78 in doubles (including mixed). He won the US Open 4 times in singles (1979-1980-1981-1984) and Wimbledon 3 times (1981-1983-1984). He was number one in the ATP rankings (between 1980 and 1981, alternating at the top with Borg). He is considered the best doubles player in history. But McEnroe is not remembered for all this. His character, his outbursts are the characteristics that made him known to the general public more than his second serve, which was exceptional. And then there is the challenge with Borg, which ended in a draw, to which a film was dedicated. A true legend.
#3 Bill Tilden When it comes to legends, Bill Tilden is second to none. A phenomenal performer, he dominated tennis in the 20s and 30s. “Big Bill” was the first American tennis player to win at Wimbledon. He won 10 Slam titles (7 times in New York and 3 Championships). He was also the first to reach the end 10 times in London, a record broken by Roger Federer in 2011. He is considered the greatest tennis player in the world of the first part of the 20th century.
#2 Jimmy Connors He is the most successful player in the history of tennis in singles with 109 ATP titles won. Jimmy Connors was one of the greatest performers of this sport between the 70s and 80s. He never managed the career Slam, stopping at the semi-finals at Roland Garros 4 times. He ended the year at the top of the world rankings from 1974 to 1978, and then for 13 weeks in the 80s. He won the US Open 5 times (1974-1976-1978-1982-1983) Wimbledon 2 times (1974-1982) and the Australian Open 1 time (1974). Great rival of Borg, McEnroe and Lendl and with the last two the rivalry was seasoned with a large dose of antipathy.
#1 Pete Sampras For those who started following tennis in the 90s Pete Sampras was a beacon. A player of disarming consistency, he was number 1 in the world for 6 consecutive seasons. He won 14 Slams, but never managed to conquer Roland Garros. He won Wimbledon 7 times (1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000), 5 victories at the US Open (1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2002) and 2 at the Australian Open (1994, 1997). Before the arrival of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic he was clearly considered the best player ever, but then the three phenomena not only took the scepter from him, but even pushed him off the podium. His greatest rival was Andre Agassi, who said: "I think our worst nightmare is waking up the next morning and finding ourselves in the other's shoes". Of course, it is difficult to find more different people and players than these two.
#9 Andy Roddick He was, to date, the last great American tennis player. When at the age of twenty-one he conquered the top of the ATP ranking, held for 13 weeks, American fans thought they had found the successor to the various Sampras, Agassi, Courier and Chang. More precocious than Roger Federer, who would later become the dominator of world tennis, he was unable to remain at the top for a long time. The US Open won in 2003 seemed to be the appetizer for a series of victories in the Slams. This was not the case. A complete player, he was defeated by Roger Federer in the final at Wimbledon three times (2004-2005-2009) and the Swiss always denied him the repeat at the home open (2006). The Swiss denied him the joy of a final victory 7 times. That said, Roddick managed to win 32 tournaments.
#8 Jim Courier Another player from the period between the 80s and 90s. In those years there were many phenomena in world tennis, and winning was not a given. He was number 1 in the world for 58 weeks between 1992 and 1993. In his career he won 4 Slams (twice the Roland Garros 1991-1992, and twice the Australian Open 1992-1993). In total, Courier won 23 titles, while 13 were the finals he lost (US Open 1991, Roland Garros 1993, Wimbledon 1993). The extraordinary competition of those years, at home and abroad, did not give credit to a great champion who is too often underestimated.
#7 Stan Smith He started his career in the pre-open era, and then continued in the Open era. Stan Smith was a great player in both singles and doubles. His best ranking was number 3 (1973), but his best results were achieved in the previous years when he won the US Open in 1971 and Wimbledon in 1972. He won 36 titles in singles, while 55 in doubles. A figure that makes him one of the most successful ever in the combined. A curiosity, a well-known sportswear brand dedicated a shoe to him.
#6 Don Budge With Don Budge we go back to the dawn of tennis. However, we cannot fail to include in the ranking a player who dominated world tennis at the end of the 30s. In 1938 he became the first tennis player to win all 4 Grand Slam tournaments in one year. In addition to the feat of '38, he won both Wimbledon and the US Open in 1937. He also won a lot in doubles. A unique player whose career was interrupted by the Second World War and by a regulation that did not allow professionals to play the big tournaments.
#5 Andre Agassi Many will be surprised to find one of the most famous and beloved tennis players in the history of tennis so low. But we said at the beginning, the USA has been the beacon of world tennis for many years. Agassi has had two tennis lives, he has fallen and has been able to return to the top. The eccentric American has won sixty tournaments and 8 Slams (Australian Open 1995-2000-2001-2003, Roland Garros 1999, Wimbledon 1992, US Open 1994-1999). He also managed to win the Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996. He was one of the 8 players to have achieved Career Slam (winning all 4 major tournaments). He held the first place in the ATP ranking for 101 weeks.
#4 John McEnroe To describe him tennis-wise, let's try to give some numbers: 77 ATP singles titles, 78 in doubles (including mixed). He won the US Open 4 times in singles (1979-1980-1981-1984) and Wimbledon 3 times (1981-1983-1984). He was number one in the ATP rankings (between 1980 and 1981, alternating at the top with Borg). He is considered the best doubles player in history. But McEnroe is not remembered for all this. His character, his outbursts are the characteristics that made him known to the general public more than his second serve, which was exceptional. And then there is the challenge with Borg, which ended in a draw, to which a film was dedicated. A true legend.
#3 Bill Tilden When it comes to legends, Bill Tilden is second to none. A phenomenal performer, he dominated tennis in the 20s and 30s. “Big Bill” was the first American tennis player to win at Wimbledon. He won 10 Slam titles (7 times in New York and 3 Championships). He was also the first to reach the end 10 times in London, a record broken by Roger Federer in 2011. He is considered the greatest tennis player in the world of the first part of the 20th century.
#2 Jimmy Connors He is the most successful player in the history of tennis in singles with 109 ATP titles won. Jimmy Connors was one of the greatest performers of this sport between the 70s and 80s. He never managed the career Slam, stopping at the semi-finals at Roland Garros 4 times. He ended the year at the top of the world rankings from 1974 to 1978, and then for 13 weeks in the 80s. He won the US Open 5 times (1974-1976-1978-1982-1983) Wimbledon 2 times (1974-1982) and the Australian Open 1 time (1974). Great rival of Borg, McEnroe and Lendl and with the last two the rivalry was seasoned with a large dose of antipathy.
#1 Pete Sampras For those who started following tennis in the 90s Pete Sampras was a beacon. A player of disarming consistency, he was number 1 in the world for 6 consecutive seasons. He won 14 Slams, but never managed to conquer Roland Garros. He won Wimbledon 7 times (1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000), 5 victories at the US Open (1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2002) and 2 at the Australian Open (1994, 1997). Before the arrival of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic he was clearly considered the best player ever, but then the three phenomena not only took the scepter from him, but even pushed him off the podium. His greatest rival was Andre Agassi, who said: "I think our worst nightmare is waking up the next morning and finding ourselves in the other's shoes". Of course, it is difficult to find more different people and players than these two.
Among the various Fritz, Paul, Tiafoe, Shelton, Nakashima, Korda, Tien, etc., do you see anyone who has the slightest chance of joining once their career is over?
