10 Greatest Rivalries in Tennis History (Ranked)

September 10, 2025 Kris Isaksen

Tennis history is rich with rivalries that have not only defined eras but also pushed the sport to new heights. From explosive matchups between legends to emotional showdowns between siblings, here are the top 10 tennis rivalries ever, ranked from iconic to immortal.

10. Steffi Graf vs Monica Seles – Power Meets Precision

Between 1989 and 1999, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles clashed 11 times, with Graf edging the head-to-head 7-4. Their matchups were known for contrasting styles—Graf's punishing forehand against Seles' relentless two-handed power.
The rivalry reached its peak during Grand Slam battles, including the unforgettable 1992 French Open and Wimbledon, both won by Graf. Seles, however, fought back with a third straight Australian Open title in 1993, adding even more weight to their historic face-offs.

9. Jimmy Connors vs John McEnroe – Fire and Ice Collide

This all-American feud stretched from 1977 to 1991 with 34 encounters, where McEnroe came out ahead 20-14. Their relationship was famously frosty, adding spice to an already tense matchup.
Connors took a dramatic five-set win at Wimbledon in 1982, while McEnroe dominated the same stage two years later in straight sets. Though they only met twice in finals, their semi-final battles were just as explosive.

8. Billie Jean King vs Margaret Court – Trailblazers of the Game

This rivalry between two of the game's pioneers saw Margaret Court leading the series 17-11. Their duels helped shape the women's game in the 1960s and '70s, filled with passion and respect.
The 1970 Wimbledon final stands out, with Court winning 14-12, 11-9 despite injuries on both sides. King fared better on hard and clay courts, but Court’s dominance on grass made the ultimate difference.

7. Serena Williams vs Venus Williams – A Sisterhood of Champions

Few rivalries are as personal and public as that of Serena and Venus Williams, who faced off 31 times with Serena winning 19. Their sibling story captured hearts while redefining women’s tennis.
They met in nine Grand Slam finals, with Serena taking seven of them. She holds the edge across every surface, but each match carried emotional weight and undeniable quality.

6. Pete Sampras vs Andre Agassi – Class vs Charisma

Throughout the '90s, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi defined American men's tennis, battling 34 times with Sampras finishing ahead 20-14. Their rivalry showcased two contrasting styles—Sampras’ serve-and-volley versus Agassi’s baseline precision.
Sampras held a 4-1 edge in Grand Slam finals, including a statement win at the 2002 US Open, his last professional match. Agassi still found success, especially on clay, and remains one of the few who consistently challenged Sampras.

5. Björn Borg vs John McEnroe – The Cool vs The Chaos

Their 7-7 head-to-head may seem even, but the drama between Borg and McEnroe was anything but. Their 1980 and 1981 Wimbledon finals are legendary, each claiming one in a gripping back-and-forth.
Borg’s calm demeanor clashed perfectly with McEnroe’s fiery temperament. Although they met just 14 times, every encounter felt like a battle of ideologies as much as a sporting event.

4. Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal – Titans of the Modern Era

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have played a record 60 times, with Djokovic narrowly ahead 31-29. Their rivalry has spanned all surfaces, producing unforgettable duels across nearly two decades.
Djokovic dominated on hard courts, Nadal on clay, with their matches often serving as the finals we all waited for. The mutual respect and relentless competitiveness made this one of the sport’s most admired rivalries.

3. Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic – Artistry Meets Steel

federe vs djokovic — Rob Keating from Canberra, Australia, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Carine06 from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Djokovic leads 27-23 in a rivalry that saw him take three straight Wimbledon finals over Federer. Their contrasting styles—Federer’s elegance versus Djokovic’s unbreakable defense—created a string of instant classics.
Despite Federer’s consistent brilliance, he struggled to overcome Djokovic at the biggest moments, winning only once in Grand Slam finals. Still, every match between the two drew global attention.

2. Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer – A Rivalry Built on Respect

Roger federer and Rafael Nadal — Sonia Alves-Polidori / Shutterstock.com

With Nadal winning 24 of their 40 matches, this rivalry was as intense as it was respectful. Nadal’s clay-court dominance offset Federer’s edge on grass and indoor hard courts.
They met in three straight Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals from 2006 to 2008, culminating in their unforgettable 2008 Wimbledon showdown. Their contrasting personalities only added to the appeal—one fierce, the other fluid.

1. Martina Navratilova vs Chris Evert – The Gold Standard

Spanning over a decade, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert met 80 times, with Navratilova winning 43. They contested 60 finals, a record unlikely to be broken, in what many call the greatest rivalry in sports.
Their battle for supremacy from 1975 to 1987 saw one or the other dominate the world No. 1 spot almost exclusively. Navratilova thrived on faster courts, while Evert shined on clay, making every meeting a chess match of styles and strategy.