Greatest US/American player of all time?

[Boomski]

Based on record, titles, weeks at number #1 it has to be Sampras. But then again, globally Andre Agassi could be a more recognizable name. He also completed the career Grand Slam unlike Sampras who never reached the RG final.

Who do you have at the top?

Here's my top 5:

 

[ollinger]

Sampras who never reached the RG final.

RG final? He only reached the semis once.

 

[Boomski]

RG final? He only reached the semis once.

Read again

 

[big ted]

Sampras is better but the first player i thought of when i read the title is jimmy connors

 

[ibbi]

Image

Is everything.

 

[Judge Holden]

It's Gonzales or Tilden. Sampras is with Budge and Kramer below them. Then Vines, McEnroe, Connors, Agassi.

 

[sureshs]

Townsend

 

[SonnyT]

Pete Sampras
runner up: John McEnroe
all around: Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi
server: John Isner, Reilly Opelka

 

[Bartelby]

McEnroe was unique.

 

[Mainad]

Recency bias?

No love for Tilden or Budge??

 

[GrassMasters]

Serena

 

[Holmes]

RG final? He only reached the semis once.

Couple quarters, and considered a dark horse until 98 onwards of course. But yes, generally very disappointing career results at RG.

 

[Holmes]

Men: Sampras has nearly twice the slams of any other great American player. PETE.
Women: Serena. 'nuff said.
Overall: PETE for level, 'Rena for history. In other words PETE=BOAT, 'Rena=GOAT. No excuses. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT.

Btw, lovely self-promotion, you crafty devil you.

 

[Holmes]

Recency bias?

No love for Tilden or Budge??

Vines too. You could technically throw Murray in the running if you want to consider colonial history when the Americans were a mere colony of the Brits and give him legacy membership.

 

[Mainad]

Vines too. You could technically throw Murray in the running if you want to consider colonial history with the Americas a mere colony of the Brits and give him legacy membership.

Well, we respect the Americans' misguided decision to go it alone so we won't count Murray. Vines is a good throw-in though.

 

[Judge Holden]

Kramer is so slept on as a player. He dominated everyone in front of him for six-seven years after coming back from combat before his body gave out. Beat Budge in the only major-stakes match they played at the US Pro.

 

[Mainad]

Kramer is so slept on as a player. He dominated everyone in front of him for six-seven years after coming back from combat before his body gave out. Beat Budge in the only major-stakes match they played at the US Pro.

I remember Kramer as a kid when he used to commentate at Wimbledon with Dan Maskell. However his contract was terminated after he supported the players' boycott in 1973.

 

[Spencer Gore]

1. Pancho Gonzales
2. Bill Tilden
3. Don Budge
4. Pete Sampras
5. John McEnroe

 

[toth]

Sampras for sure
14 GS title
As I know Agassi next with 8

 

[Mustard]

Jimmy Connors

 

[Bartelby]

We're taught about Aussie oldies, so it's a national bias.

Recency bias?

No love for Tilden or Budge??

 

[bigbadboaz]

then again, globally Andre Agassi could be a more recognizable name.

I know you're trying to drum up discussion (and clicks), but this has very little to do with being "greater" and I suspect you know this.

 

[Ronaldo]

Jeff Tarango ftw

 

[Kralingen]

Pancho

 

[Waves]

Sampras, but connors and Mac get close mentions from me just for entertainment value. But rn, Sampras is the face of American tennis history.