Which male players have the most tennis grand slams of all time in the Open Era? These players have both captivated and inspired fans with their skill and determination. Since 1968, both amateurs and professionals were allowed to compete at the four Grand Slam events, ending the Amateur Era and welcoming in the Open Era.
We take a look at the players that have won the most Grand Slam titles since the beginning of the Open Era.
10. Mats Wilander (7 Titles)
Across a 15-year career Mats Wilander won seven Grand Slam titles. In 1982 he stunned the tennis world when he won the French Open as a 17-year old unseeded player, defeating seeds two-through-five to win the title.
A Wimbledon title eluded Wilander with three quarter-final appearances his best result but he still managed to win the Australian Open and French Open three times and a US Open title.
9. John McEnroe (7 Titles)
John McEnroe makes the list of top 10 most Grand Slams in history with seven, tied with Mats Wilander. Known for his emotional outbursts on court, McEnroe was one of the greatest serve-and-volley players ever with opponents finding it difficult against his left-handed serve.
McEnroe won four US Open titles and Wimbledon three times, but failed to win the Australian and French Opens.
8. Andre Agassi (8 Titles)
Andre Agassi was one of the most feared players on the court with a never-say-die mentality, a superb return of serve and a very powerful groundstroke that made him one of the best tennis players ever. He achieved a Career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open four times, the US Open twice, and the Wimbledon and French Open championships once each to bring his total to 8 Grand Slam wins.
7. Ivan Lendl (8 Titles)
Ivan Lendl became world number one in 1983 even before he won a Grand Slam. He had a tense rivalry with John McEnroe, was the first player to make it to eight consecutive US Open Finals and was the first man to compete in 19 Grand Slam finals.
Lendl won 8 Grand Slams in total winning two Australian Opens, and the French and US Opens three times each. He lost in the finals on two occasions at Wimbledon, a title that eluded him throughout his career.
6. Jimmy Connors (8 Titles)
Jimmy Connors had a long and illustrious career and was known for being both a strong competitor and having a legendary two-handed backhand. He won the US Open four times, Wimbledon twice and the Australian Open once in 1974.
The French Open was a tournament he couldn’t win and he made four semi-final appearances at Roland Garros. In 1974 he was banned from appearing at the tournament by the French Tennis Federation president for signing to play in the World Team Tennis league, denying Connors a chance of a Calendar Year Grand Slam.
5. Bjorn Borg (11 Titles)
Bjorn Borg was cool, calm and collective throughout his career. He built a reputation of determination and had a backhand that was extremely difficult to play against. Borg won 11 Grand Slam titles during his career and he built one of the greatest rivalries against John McEnroe.
Borg dominated at the French Open with six titles, and five at Wimbledon. He lost four US Open Finals and only played in the Australian Open once as a 17 year old in 1974 as it offered lower ranking points and cash prizes compared to the other Grand Slams.
4. Pete Sampras (14 Titles)
Pete Sampras had a serve-and-volley game that dominated his era and he had a habit of coming up clutch when it counted. Sampras was a specialist on grass courts and won Wimbledon seven times, the US Open five times and the Australian Open twice.
Sampras struggled on clay courts in comparison. His best finish achieved at the French Open was a semi-final appearance in 1996, his serve-and-volley game not effective on the slower clay court surface.
3. Roger Federer (20 Titles)
Roger Federer has won the third most Grand Slams of all time with 20 titles. He played the game with a legendary level of elegance, finesse and precision. He also had an unbelievable one-handed backhand and a serve-and-volley game that was both aggressive and difficult to counter.
Federer won Wimbledon eight times, the Australian Open six times, was a five-time US Open champion and won the French Open in 2009 to complete a Career Grand Slam and equal the then-record of 14 Grand Slam titles set by Pete Sampras.
2. Rafael Nadal (22 Titles)
Rafael Nadal is one of the greatest competitors in history and has shown an extreme level of mental endurance across his career. Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam titles, the second most Grand Slams in history, and is the undisputed best clay court player in history.
There are many reasons why he was so good on clay and his high and heavy-spin forehand was much more suited to the slower pace and higher bounce of clay surfaces. He won an unprecedented 14 French Open titles, the Australian Open and Wimbledon three times and the US Open twice.
1. Novak Djokovic (24 Titles)
Novak Djokovic has the most tennis grand slams in history with 24 titles. The Serbian superstar is the best tennis player of all time and won his first Grand Slam with the Australian Open in 2008 at age 20.
With an unprecedented 10 Australian Open wins, 7 Wimbledon titles, 4 US Open and 3 French Open crowns, he’s forged a legacy as a relentless competitor who is known for his precision, power, finesse and longevity.
In 2016 Djokovic accomplished a Career Grand Slam by winning his first French Open title, and he was one win away from winning the Calendar Year Grand Slam in 2021 but lost to Daniil Medvedev in a stunning upset at the US Open. Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam at the US Open in 2023.
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