Who is the best returner in men's tennis?

Blocked returns, chipped returns, full swings from three metres behind the baseline: different answers to the same problem.

1

Novak Djokovic

Holds the Open-era records for return games won and break points converted across a career.

2

Andre Agassi

Stood on the baseline and took serves early, neutralising the biggest servers of the 1990s.

3

Jannik Sinner

Current world No. 1 whose flat blocked return puts him in first-strike position immediately.

4

Carlos Alcaraz

Seven-time major champion who mixes chip returns and full swings to break serve at will.

5

Andy Murray

Read serves as well as anyone of his generation and turned defence into attack from the return.

6

Rafael Nadal

Stood metres behind the baseline and used topspin returns to drag servers into rallies.

7

Daniil Medvedev

Returns from deep in the stands and wins a higher share of return games than almost any peer.

8

Jimmy Connors

Took the ball early off both wings decades before it became standard practice.

9

Lleyton Hewitt

Australian counterpuncher who built a No. 1 ranking on getting one more ball back.

10

David Ferrer

Spanish grinder who returned relentlessly to reach a French Open final without a big weapon.

11

Michael Chang

Youngest men's major champion, whose speed and return position frustrated bigger hitters.

12

Bjorn Borg

Eleven-time major champion whose returning underpinned five straight Wimbledon titles.