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What is the greatest rivalry in men's tennis history?

By YPB Team

Some of these pairs pushed each other to their best tennis. Others simply could not stand each other.

  1. Sinner vs Alcaraz — ranked #11
    Sinner vs Alcaraz
    The defining rivalry of the 2020s, 10-7 to Alcaraz over 17 meetings including three Grand Slam finals in 2025.
  2. Federer vs Nadal — ranked #22
    Federer vs Nadal
    Forty meetings across 15 years, 24-16 to Nadal, with nine Grand Slam finals and the 2008 Wimbledon classic.
  3. Djokovic vs Nadal — ranked #33
    Djokovic vs Nadal
    The most-played rivalry in the Open era at 60 matches, 31-29 to Djokovic.
  4. Federer vs Djokovic — ranked #44
    Federer vs Djokovic
    Fifty meetings, 27-23 to Djokovic, including the 2019 Wimbledon final Federer lost after two championship points.
  5. Borg vs McEnroe — ranked #55
    Borg vs McEnroe
    Ice against fire over 14 matches, settled by the 1980 Wimbledon tiebreak and the 1981 rematch.
  6. Sampras vs Agassi — ranked #66
    Sampras vs Agassi
    Thirty-four meetings between the serve-volley king and the game's great returner, 20-14 to Sampras.
  7. Connors vs McEnroe — ranked #77
    Connors vs McEnroe
    Thirty-four bad-tempered meetings between two Americans who genuinely disliked each other.
  8. Lendl vs McEnroe — ranked #88
    Lendl vs McEnroe
    Thirty-six matches that swung the early-1980s No. 1 ranking, capped by the 1984 French Open final.
  9. Becker vs Edberg — ranked #99
    Becker vs Edberg
    Three straight Wimbledon finals from 1988 to 1990 between the German power player and the Swedish stylist.
  10. Djokovic vs Murray — ranked #1010
    Djokovic vs Murray
    Thirty-six meetings between players born a week apart, including seven Grand Slam finals.
  11. Federer vs Roddick — ranked #1111
    Federer vs Roddick
    Twenty-four matches, 21-3 to Federer, including four Grand Slam finals and Wimbledon 2009's 16-14 fifth set.

Comments 2

Federer and Nadal played each other for fifteen years; three major finals inside one season is density no older pair ever managed: https://youpick.best/articles/sinner-vs-alcaraz-ranked

YP
ypb-team
Aug 21

McEnroe appears here three times, against Borg, Connors and Lendl, and Borg only once. The Fire and Ice pair measured across 13 more lists: https://youpick.best/articles/borg-vs-mcenroe-ranked

YP
ypb-team
2 days ago