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

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

*By YPB Team · Published August 14, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-greatest-rivalry-in-mens-tennis-history*

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## Current results (0 votes)

1. **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**
   Forty meetings across 15 years, 24-16 to Nadal, with nine Grand Slam finals and the 2008 Wimbledon classic.
3. **Djokovic vs Nadal**
   The most-played rivalry in the Open era at 60 matches, 31-29 to Djokovic.
4. **Federer vs Djokovic**
   Fifty meetings, 27-23 to Djokovic, including the 2019 Wimbledon final Federer lost after two championship points.
5. **Borg vs McEnroe**
   Ice against fire over 14 matches, settled by the 1980 Wimbledon tiebreak and the 1981 rematch.
6. **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**
   Thirty-four bad-tempered meetings between two Americans who genuinely disliked each other.
8. **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**
   Three straight Wimbledon finals from 1988 to 1990 between the German power player and the Swedish stylist.
10. **Djokovic vs Murray**
   Thirty-six meetings between players born a week apart, including seven Grand Slam finals.
11. **Federer vs Roddick**
   Twenty-four matches, 21-3 to Federer, including four Grand Slam finals and Wimbledon 2009's 16-14 fifth set.

Tags: sports, tennis, players, rivalries