Tennis is a sport full of excitement, and many of them were, and are, built on the great rivalries that develop over the years. From the epic clashes between legends of the past to the electrifying duels of today, the greatest rivalries in tennis make the sport even more exciting for athletes and, of course, fans.
But what are the greatest tennis rivalries in history? And what are the most exciting duels we can still see on court today?
We’ve created this article to answer those questions. We’ve divided it into two parts, starting with the list of the biggest rivalries in men’s tennis and then moving on to the list of rivalries in women’s tennis.
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Biggest rivalries in men’s tennis
On the list of the greatest rivalries in men’s tennis are:
- Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal
- Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic
- Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic
- Björn Borg vs. John McEnroe
- Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi
- Ivan Lendl vs. John McEnroe
- Björn Borg vs. Jimmy Connors
- Jimmy Connors vs. John McEnroe
- Rod Laver vs. Ken Rosewall
- Stefan Edberg vs. Boris Becker
- Mats Wilander vs. Ivan Lendl
- Andre Agassi vs. Boris Becker
- Andy Murray vs. Novak Djokovic
- Rafael Nadal vs. Andy Murray
- Guillermo Vilas vs. Björn Borg
Below, we take a closer look at each of these rivalries. It’s worth taking a look and understanding how each of them was essential in transforming tennis into an engaging sport that arouses passions.
1. Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal
- First meeting: 2004, Miami Masters
- Last match: 2019, Wimbledon
- Total Matches: 40
Two of the greatest tennis players of all time have played out some incredible moments in sport. Among these moments was the unforgettable 2008Wimbledon final , considered by many to be the best tennis match in history, where Nadal won in five sets.
This rivalry is famous for its contrast in styles, with Federer being a master of the fast court and Nadal dominating on clay. Their battles have raised the level of tennis, attracting a new generation of fans.
The most interesting thing about this rivalry, however, is that it became a great friendship.
This partnership was also the star of another great moment in sport: Federer’s farewell after a doubles match with Nadal, in which they were both caught crying at the moment. It really is amazing what sport can do, isn’t it?
2. Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic
- First meeting: 2006, Monte Carlo Masters
- Last match: 2020, Australian Open
- Total Matches: 50
Federer is the protagonist of another great rivalry, this time with Serbian Djokovic.
Among the most memorable moments of this rivalry was the 2019 Wimbledon final, in which Djokovic won after saving two match points in one of the most exciting finals in history.
Before that, Djokovic had already beaten Federer at the US Open in 2014, consolidating his dominance at the time.
3. Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic
- First meeting: 2006, Roland Garros
- Last match: 2022, Roland Garros
- Total Matches: 59
The 2012 Australian Open final was the longest match in the tournament’s history, with Djokovic beating the Spaniard after 5 hours and 53 minutes of play!
Another thrilling moment was the semi-final of Roland Garros 2021, in which Djokovic defeated Nadal on clay, one of the most difficult achievements in tennis.
4. Björn Borg vs. John McEnroe
- First meeting: 1978, Stockholm Open
- Last match: 1981, US Open
- Total Matches: 14
In 1980, in the final of the Grand Slam, Borg won in five sets, including a famous tie-break in the fourth set.
The match was repeated in the 1981 US Open final, where McEnroe won in four sets. There are rumors that this defeat to his rival caused Borg’s early retirement.
The fact is that the matches between the two defined an era in tennis. The rivalry between Borg and McEnroe is iconic for the difference in personalities: the calm Borg against the explosive McEnroe.
5. Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi
- First meeting: 1989, Indian Wells
- Last match: 2002, US Open
- Total Matches: 34
Sampras and Agassi represented the pinnacle of American tennis in the 1990s, with their battles often deciding the title of best player in the world.
The 1995 US Open final is a case in point, with Sampras winning in four sets, cementing his position as world number one.
6. Ivan Lendl vs. John McEnroe
- Primeiro Confronto: 1980, Wimbledon
- Último ConfrFirst meeting: 1980, Wimbledononto: 1992, Australian Open
- Total Matches: 36
- History: Lendl leads 21-15
The rivalry between Lendl and McEnroe was a milestone for the sport in the 1980s, attracting many fans to the sport.
At the time, Lendl represented the new generation of physically dominant players against McEnroe’s artistic style.
One of the most memorable moments was the grand final of Roland Garros in 1984, in which Lendl won after being two sets behind and went on to win his first Grand Slam title.
Also in 1984, in the US Open final, McEnroe won in five sets, one of the best finals of the decade, showing the balance between the athletes.
7. Björn Borg vs. Jimmy Connors
- First meeting: 1973, Indian Wells
- Last meeting: 1981, WCT Finals
- Total Matches: 23
In the 1976 US Open final, Borg beat Connors in four sets, showing his ability on hard surfaces.
The same happened in the 1977 Wimbledon final, where Borg won in five sets, confirming his dominance on grass as well.
Even with these two finals, the rivalry between Borg and Connors was one of the main attractions of tennis in the 1970s, with both competing for the top of the world rankings.
8. Jimmy Connors vs. John McEnroe
- First match: 1977, Chicago
- Last match: 1991, Tokyo Indoor
- Total Matches: 34
Connors and McEnroe, both Americans, represented a rivalry of generations and styles, with matches full of emotion and drama.
One of the defining moments of this rivalry was the Wimbledon semi-final in 1980, which McEnroe won in four sets, in a tournament that would culminate in the famous final against Borg.
9. Rod Laver vs. Ken Rosewall
- Primeiro Confronto: 1963, U.S. Pro Championships
- Last match: 1977, Australian Open
- Total Matches: Around 100, ranging from amateur to professional and open era.
Laver and Rosewall dominated different eras of tennis, from the amateur days to the open era, and their matches are legendary for their quality and intensity.
If in the 1972 WCT Finals, Laver beat Rosewall in one of the best matches in history, with five thrilling sets, in the US Open semi-final of the same year, Rosewall won in five sets, showing the quality of both players.
10. Stefan Edberg vs. Boris Becker
- First meeting: 1984, Monte Carlo Masters
- Last match: 1996, Queen’s Club
- Total Matches: 35
Edberg and Becker had one of the greatest rivalries in history and one of the most evenly matched in the 80s and 90s, especially on the grass of Wimbledon, where their aggressive styles and serves were in the spotlight.
In the 1988 Wimbledon final, Edberg won in four sets, the first of three consecutive Wimbledon finals between them.
Two years later, in the 1990 Wimbledon final, Becker won in five sets, the last of their three consecutive finals.
Read also: These are the 20 best tennis servers in history
11. Mats Wilander vs. Ivan Lendl
- First meeting: 1982, Roland Garros
- Last meeting: 1994, Indian Wells
- Total Matches: 22
Lendl and Wilander were rivals during the tennis transition of the 1980s, with Lendl representing power and precision and Wilander consistency and tactics.
One of the first landmark matches in this tennis rivalry took place in the final of the Australian Open in 1983, when Lendl won in five sets, a milestone in their epic battles.
In the final of the US Open in 1988, Wilander was the winner, also in five sets, securing his third Grand Slam title that year.
12. Andre Agassi vs. Boris Becker
- First meeting: 1988, Indian Wells
- Last match: 1999, US Open
- Total Matches: 14
Agassi and Becker brought contrasting styles to tennis, with Agassi being a master of groundstrokes and Becker dominating with his serve-and-volley.
Two of the most memorable moments in one of tennis’ greatest rivalries were the final of the ATP Tour World Championships in 1990, when Becker won, and the semi-final of the US Open in 1995, when Agassi won in four sets. These were just two of the thrilling encounters between these great tennis players.
13. Andy Murray vs. Novak Djokovic
- First meeting: 2006, Madrid Masters
- Last match: 2017, Doha
- Total Matches: 36
Djokovic and Murray have one of the most balanced and tactical rivalries in modern tennis, with many meetings deciding major titles.
Among the best moments is the 2013 Wimbledon final, in which Murray won, becoming the first British Wimbledon champion in 77 years.
Three years later, in 2016, in the Australian Open final, Djokovic won in three sets, continuing his dominance in Australia.
14. Rafael Nadal vs. Andy Murray
- First meeting: 2007, Australian Open
- Last match: 2016, Madrid Open
- Total Matches: 24
The rivalry between Nadal and Murray has been marked by their skill on different surfaces, with many thrilling encounters, such as the2010 Wimbledon semi-final, when Nadal won in three sets, showing his superiority on grass.
15. Guillermo Vilas vs. Björn Borg
- First match: 1973, Buenos Aires
- Last match: 1980, Monte Carlo
- Total Matches: 28
Borg and Vilas were the kings of clay in the 1970s, with their matches often deciding the title of the biggest clay tournaments, such as the final of Roland Garros in 1978, when Borg won in three sets, dominating on clay.
These rivalries not only defined specific eras of tennis, but also contributed to the evolution and popularity of the sport, creating lasting legacies that still resonate among fans and players.
TOP 10 Greatest rivalries in women’s tennis
Here are the top 10 rivalries in women’s tennis and the main matches in each of them!
- Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova
- Memorable matches: 1978 Wimbledon Final, 1985 French Open Final
- Steffi Graf vs. Monica Seles
- Memorable matches: 1992 French Open Final, 1993 Australian Open Final
- Serena Williams vs. Venus Williams
- Memorable matches: Wimbledon Final 2002, US Open Final 2001
- Martina Navratilova vs. Steffi Graf
- Memorable matches: 1987 Wimbledon Final, 1989 US Open Final
- Margaret Court vs. Billie Jean King
- Memorable matches: 1970 Wimbledon Final, 1973 US Open Final
- Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova
- Memorable matches: 2004 Wimbledon final, 2016 Australian Open semi-finals
- Steffi Graf x Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario
- Memorable matches: US Open Final 1990, WTA Tour Championships Final 1988
- Margaret Court x Billie Jean King
- Monica Seles vs. Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
- Memorable matches: French Open Final 1992, Australian Open Final 1996
- Justine Henin vs. Kim Clijsters
- Memorable matches: 2003 US Open Final, 2004 Australian Open Final
Now you know the 25 greatest rivalries in men’s and women’s tennis. This is undoubtedly one of the ways to follow the evolution of the sport and learn more about its history.
And now, have you placed your bets on what the biggest rivalries of today will be?
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