All time top Tennis players

With the likes of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, at the top of their game, tennis is still undoubtedly one of the most popular sports in the world.

The 2019 Grand Slam tennis season was brought to a close with the US Open where Rafael Nadal and young gun Bianca Andreescu.

Nadal, Djokovic and Federer remain nigh-on untouchable in the men’s game, and that trio are likely to be at top of the tennis betting for all next year’s majors, which begin in 2020 at the Australian Open in February.

However, the women’s game is more open than ever before, where Ashleigh Barty currently leads the ATP rankings.

They may top the tennis rankings, but from past and present players, who has the best serve and volley, backhand, forehand and drop shot?

Take a look at who we put at the top of the pile for the different shot types, and unsurprisingly it includes a lot of the best tennis players of all time.

Serve and Volley

John McEnroe

It would be impossible to not include John McEnroe as the top serve and volley player to have played the game.

Known for his tenacity, McEnroe struck fear into almost all of his opponents and began 1984 with a 42-match win streak, end ended with an 82-3 record. His skidding lefty serve was more often than not followed up by a crisp volley that would ultimately end the point quickly.

Martina Navratilova

There are few very great serve and volley players in the women’s game, but Martina Navratilova is definitely one of the best tennis players of all time. Many players would be content to power the ball back from the baseline, but not Navratilova.

Such was her prowess, she ended the 1983 season with an 86-1 record and ended her career in 2004 with a staggering 31 combined major singles and doubles titles.

Pete Sampras

The American Sampras must be up there, and he heavily relied on huge serve to set up his volleys.

His volley technique was impeccable, and he adapted his game over the years to become a serve and volley specialist on his way to seven Wimbledon and five US Open titles.

Backhand

Novak Djokovic

Since 2011, the Serbian’s game has improved dramatically, including his backhand.

While his all-round game grew rapidly, the key proved to be his backhand, with his double-handed backhand down the line a shot to savour – causing the modern-day greats of Nadal, Federer and Murray no end of trouble over the years.

He produced his best in the 2008 Wimbledon final when down match point to Rafael Nadal

Stefan Edberg

The Swede’s all-round game was something to behold, but his backhand was something to savour and enjoy.

He will always be known for his backhand and played it to perfection in the 1989 Wimbledon semi-final v John McEnroe.

It’s also been quoted over the year as being “one of the most beautiful strokes in tennis” as well as “deadly”.

Justin Henin

One of the main reasons for her dominance in the game was because of her fine backhand technique.

Her backhand is unique in style, elegance and offers a perfect technique. One-handed, it was often as powerful as the double-handed approach.

Henin built her game around the backhand, and it helped her to four French Opens, one Australian Open and one US Open, though she just fell short at Wimbledon – twice losing in the final.

Forehand

Roger Federer

His forehand has stood the test of time. Some are powerful, some are flashy, but the Swiss great has so often hit winners and clipped lines than anyone else, and it rarely lets him down as well.

It has helped him to a staggering 20 Grand Slam titles, including a staggering eight at Wimbledon

Ivan Lendl

The Czech/American transformed the game of tennis with his playing style, including his signature inside-out forehand.

While a number of his rivals championed the serve and volley game, Lendl served with impressive power to set up the majestical forehand – a shot which carried him to eight major titles.

Steffi Graf

We couldn’t run through the lists without mentioning the great German, and this was her greatest asset.

She got so much pace despite a grip which didn’t lend itself to the shot. Graf would get into position early, and sweep through the ball and strike a countless number of winners and despite the risk involved, it so often rewarded her and 22 major titles speak for itself.

Drop shot

Andre Agassi

Agassi’s drop shot was something which he brought into his game in the latter stages of his career, but with devastating effect, helping him to three Australian Open victories in the space of four years.

Andy Murray

The drop shot is a key weapon in Murray’s armoury, especially off the backhand. Primarily it is hit straight down the line with such vicious backspin and sidespin, so much so that the ball seemed to defy the laws of physics once it bounces

Murray’s ability to disguise the shot also makes it all the more special as he effectively hides any grip changes or deviations in the angle of his racket.

Martina Hingis

The infamous Hingis drop shot was part of her game for a long time, and in the 1999 French Open Final, both her and Steffi Graf produced a fine array of drop shots and lobs, and Hingis’ perseverance paid off on that occasion.

She had great hands to play the shot and would rarely fail with the shot on the court as she stormed to five major titles.

Top-20 ATP Tennis rankings

Ranking	Men	Points	Women	Points
#1	Novak Djokovic	9865	Ashleigh Barty	6446
#2	Rafael Nadal	9225	Karolina Pliskova	6125
#3	Roger Federer	7130	Elina Svitolina	5160
#4	Daniil Medvedev	5305	Naomi Osaka	5011
#5	Dominic Thiem	4415	Bianca Andreescu	4835
#6	Alexander Zverev	4095	Simona Halep	4803
#7	Stefanos Tsitsipas	3420	Petra Kvitova	4326
#8	Kei Nishikori	3330	Kiki Bertens	4225
#9	Karen Khachanov	2810	Serena Williams	3935
#10	Roberto Bautista Agut	2530	Belinda Bencic	3738
#11	Fabio Fognini	2475	Johanna Konta	3073
#12	Gael Monfils	2330	Angelique Kerber	2835
#13	Matteo Berrettini	2270	Madison Keys	2827
#14	Borna Coric	2130	Aryna Sabalenka	2785
#15	David Goffin	2055	Sloane Stephens	2769
#16	Diego Schwartzman	1995	Qiang Wang	2668
#17	Nikoloz Basilashivili	1895	Sofia Kenin	2630
#18	Kevin Anderson	1870	Caroline Wozniacki	2597
#19	John Isner	1805	Anastasija Sevastova	2517
#20	Felix Auger Aliassime	1725	Anett Kontaveit	2500

 

*Rankings up to date as of 23/09/19

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