Chasing Greatness: TOP 20 Men with the Most Grand Slam Titles

Men with the Most Grand Slam Titles: The Grand Slam tournaments—the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open—represent the highest level of professional tennis.

From the very beginning of its existence, only a limited number of male participants scored victory at such tournaments making them true legends in the field.

Men with the Most Grand Slam Titles

In this article we showcases the top 20 male players who have won the most Grand Slam titles in order to really appreciate the efforts made by these players and whats they brought in shaping up the game of tennis.

20. John McEnroe

• Career Span: 1979–1984
• Country: United States

John McEnroe is one of the most famous tennis players. He became famous on the field because of his temper and passion on the field.

Despite his antics, McEnroe’s talent and skill were undeniable. He holds the record for the most men’s singles and doubles titles, with over 150 career titles. His fierce rivalries, particularly with Jimmy Connors and Bjorn Borg, produced some of the sport’s most memorable matches, including the iconic 1980 Wimbledon final against Borg.

McEnroe’s legacy goes beyond his records—he remains a true tennis icon.

Grand Slams:

19. John Newcombe

• Career Span: 1967–1975
• Country: Australia

John Newcombe, former world number one, was one of the very few players who attained the pinnacle of his career in singles and doubles. He won 7 Grand Slam singles titles and set a record with 17 doubles titles during his career.

Newcombe is regarded as the third most successful Australian tennis player, guided by coach Harry Hopman. He held the world number one singles ranking in 1970, 1971, 1973, and 1974.

He was known for his speed, powerful forehand, and strong serve. He reached 10 Wimbledon finals, losing only one, showcasing his consistency and solidifying his place among tennis legends.

Grand Slams:

18. Henri Cochet

• Career Span: 1926–1932
• Country: France

Henri Cochet was a highly successful tennis player, winning 7 Grand Slam singles titles throughout his career. His victories include the French Championships (1926, 1928, 1930, 1932), Wimbledon (1927, 1929), and the US Open (1928).

Born in Villeurbanne, France, Cochet achieved a total of 22 Major titles, including singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. He excelled on various surfaces, securing titles on clay, grass, and wood courts.

Cochet held the world No. 1 ranking for four consecutive years from 1928 to 1931. Although he turned professional briefly in 1933, he returned to amateur tennis after World War II in 1945.

Cochet’s legacy is defined by his impressive achievements in both singles and doubles play.

Grand Slams:

17. René Lacoste

• Career Span 1925–1929
• Country France

René Lacoste was a successful tennis player, winning 7 Grand Slam singles titles, including the French Championships (1925, 1927, 1929), Wimbledon (1925, 1928), and the US Open (1926, 1927).

He was part of The Four Musketeers, a legendary group of French players who dominated tennis in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Lacoste was known for his baseline playing style and tactical skills. He helped France win the Davis Cup in 1927 and 1928 and reached World No. 1 in 1926 and 1927. He also earned a bronze medal at the 1924 Summer Olympics.

After his tennis career, Lacoste founded the famous Lacoste clothing brand, leaving a lasting impact on both sports and fashion.

Grand Slams:

16. William Larned

• Career Span: 1901–1911
• Country: United States

William Larned was a successful tennis player in the early 20th century, winning 7 Grand Slam singles titles at the US National Championships from 1901 to 1911.

He ranks alongside legends like Richard Sears and Bill Tilden for his achievements.

Larned also played for the U.S. Davis Cup Team and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 1. Although he competed in Wimbledon in 1896 and 1905, he only reached the quarterfinals. He was Known for his powerful groundstrokes and versatile play, and left a lasting legacy in American tennis.

Grand Slams:

15. William Renshaw

• Career Span: 1881–1889
• Country: United Kingdom

William Renshaw was a prominent tennis player in the late 19th century, winning 7 Grand Slam singles titles, all at Wimbledon, in the years 1881 to 1889. He set a record by winning six consecutive Wimbledon titles, which still stands today.

Renshaw also won the doubles title five times with his twin brother, Ernest. Additionally, he was the first president of the British Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), leaving a lasting legacy in tennis.

Grand Slams:

14. Richard Sears

• Career Span: 1881–1887
• Country: United States

Richard Dudley Sears was an American tennis player during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. He is well remembered as a remarkable player, especially in the early years of this sport. He won the men’s singles and doubles currently known as the United States Open several times.

Sears achieved a notable feat by winning the men’s singles title seven consecutive times, from 1881 to 1887. He also claimed multiple men’s doubles titles during this period.

His achievements were significant in the history of tennis, they do not qualify as “Grand Slam” titles as defined today, which require winning all four major championships in a single calendar year—an achievement first realized by Don Budge in 1938.

Grand Slams:

13. Andre Agassi

• Career Span: 1992–2003
• Country: United States

André Agassi made a splash in the late 1980s with his long hair and unique style, quickly becoming one of tennis’s greatest players.

His memorable victory at Wimbledon in 1992 showcased his talent as he defeated top players Boris Becker, John McEnroe, and Goran Ivanisevic in an exciting 5-set final.

He was Known for his powerful attacks and exceptional returns of serve. He also excelled on hard courts, earning his place among the best in history.

Alongside his wife, Steffi Graf, another tennis legend, Agassi’s contributions to the sport have a lasting impact.

Grand Slams:

12. Ivan Lendl

• Career Span: 1984–1990
• Country: Czechoslovakia

Ivan Lendl was a major figure in tennis during the 1980s. He was known for his powerful serving and calm demeanor on the court. His strong, flat shots, particularly his forehand, helped him wear down opponents, and his excellent physical conditioning set him apart.

From 1981 to 1991, Lendl won 8 Grand Slam tournaments, establishing himself as one of the top players of his era. He spent over 270 weeks as the world number one, a remarkable achievement during a time dominated by John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors.

Lendl’s consistency and skill made him one of the best players in tennis history.

Grand Slams:

11. Jimmy Connors

• Career Span: 1974–1983
• Country: United States

Jimmy Connors was a dominant force in tennis during the mid-1970s. Although he played in only four grand slam tournaments that year, he won three of them with the only loss coming in the French championship.

He became the world’s number one Tennis player which lasted for 160 weeks until it was broken by the Swiss master Roger Federer.

Connors also holds the record for the most men’s singles titles, winning a total of 109 tournament titles throughout his career.

His achievements and influence in the sport continue to be celebrated in tennis history.

Grand Slams:

10. Ken Rosewall

• Career Span: 1953–1972
• Country: Australia

Ken Rosewall is one of tennis’s most remarkable players. He was known for his incredible longevity in the sport. He maintained a spot in the top 20 for over 25 years, a record that stands out in tennis history.

Rosewall won 8 Grand Slam titles, including one at age 38, making him the oldest player to achieve this feat. His playing style has been compared to that of Spanish star Roberto Bautista-Agut, highlighting their similar approaches to the game.

Winning 3 Grand Slam titles after turning 35 is an extraordinary achievement, and it remains to be seen if anyone will break this record.

Grand Slams:

9. Fred Perry

• Career Span: 1933–1936
• Country: United Kingdom

Fred Perry was a legendary tennis player who won 8 Grand Slam singles titles. He won the Australian Championships in 1934, the French Championships in 1935, Wimbledon in 1934, 1935, and 1936, and the US National Championships in 1933, 1934, and 1936.

Despite his achievements, Perry didn’t receive full recognition from tennis authorities until later in life, as the International Lawn Tennis Federation did not acknowledge amateur champions who later turned professional between 1927 and 1967.

In 1984, a statue of Perry was unveiled at Wimbledon, and he was recognized as one of the “Best of the Best” British sportsmen of the 20th century.

He was the first player to achieve the Career Grand Slam, winning all four Grand Slam singles titles, and remains the last British man to win Wimbledon, marking a significant moment in British tennis history.

Grand Slams:

8. Bill Tilden

• Career Span: 1920–1930
• Country: United States

Bill Tilden was a legendary tennis player who won 10 Grand Slam singles titles. He won Wimbledon in 1920, 1921, and 1925, and claimed the US National Championships seven times between 1920 and 1929.

In 1929, he became the first player to reach ten finals at a single Grand Slam event. Despite a strained relationship with the United States Lawn Tennis Association over his amateur status, Tilden won his last Major title at Wimbledon in 1930 at the age of 37. After this victory, he turned professional and toured for 15 years.

Tilden is remembered as one of the greatest tennis players in history, with a lasting impact on the sport.

Grand Slams:

7. Björn Borg

• Career Span: 1974–1981
• Country: Sweden

Björn Borg is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time. From 1974 to 1981, he won 11 Grand Slam singles titles, including six at the French Open and five straight at Wimbledon. He was Known for his powerful groundstrokes and held the world No. 1 ranking for several years.

He was ranked No. 1 in the ATP rankings six times between 1977 and 1981 and won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality Award in 1979. One of his most memorable moments was defeating John McEnroe in the 1980 Wimbledon final.

Borg’s career includes 77 singles titles and four doubles titles. In 2006, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the BBC, cementing his remarkable legacy in tennis.

Grand Slams:

6. Rod Laver

• Career Span: 1960–1969
• Country: Australia

Rod Laver is often considered the greatest tennis player of all time for two main reasons: he won 11 Grand Slam titles and is the only player to achieve the Grand Slam twice—winning all four major tournaments in a single year, first in 1962 as an amateur and then again in 1969 as a professional.

Remarkably, for five years between these Grand Slams, Laver was barred from competing in Grand Slam events due to his decision to play professional tournaments instead. Many believe that, had he been allowed to participate, he could have easily surpassed 20 Grand Slam titles.

Laver’s first Grand Slam came at 24, and his achievements remain unmatched, even by tennis legends Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. His legacy is a testament to his skill and perseverance at a time when the sport was still evolving.

Grand Slams:

5. Roy Emerson

• Career Span: 1961–1967
• Country: Australia

Roy Emerson dominated the sport before the Open Era, particularly in the 1960s. He was world No. 1 and started his professional career in 1953. He was Known for his consistent and controlled style, showcasing versatility, tactical skill, and impressive stamina.

He won 12 Grand Slam titles, a record that held until the 21st century, making him one of the most successful players in tennis history.

Emerson’s longevity is notable; he played into his 30s and retired at 47, a rare feat in tennis. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of players.

Grand Slams:

4. Pete Sampras

• Career Span: 1990–2002
• Country: United States

Pete Sampras is one of the greatest in tennis history. He won 14 Grand Slam titles, turning professional in 1988 and retiring in 2002 after defeating Andre Agassi at the US Open.

Sampras is 4th on the list for most Grand Slam titles and holds the record for six consecutive year-end No. 1 finishes from 1993 to 1998. He was especially dominant at Wimbledon, winning multiple titles there.

Although he didn’t excel on clay courts, his hard work led to an outstanding career with 64 singles titles. He dominated Wimbledon from 1997 to 2000, winning four singles titles and achieving a remarkable 40 wins out of 42 matches on Center Court. He was named ATP Player of the Year from 1993 to 1998.

Sampras received the ITF World Championship award in 1997 and was also named ‘Athlete of the Year.’ In 2007, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, leaving a lasting legacy in tennis.

Grand Slams:

3. Roger Federer

• Career Span: 2003–2018
• Country: Switzerland

Roger Federer from Switzerland is one of the greatest tennis players ever. At 19, he defeated Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001.

Federer has won 20 Grand Slam titles, the third-highest in history, and was ranked No. 1 for 310 weeks, including 237 consecutive weeks from 2004 to 2008.

Even with younger players rising, Federer remains competitive, winning the Australian Open in 2018 at age 36. He has 103 career ATP titles and has represented Switzerland in the Davis Cup since he was 17.

He also won the Hopman Cup in 2001 with Martina Hingis and earned an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and a silver in 2012.

Federer is one of the richest tennis players, with a net worth of around $600 million. His career and achievements are truly impressive.

Grand Slams:

2. Rafael Nadal

• Career Span: 2005–2024*
• Country: Spain

Rafael Nadal is the best clay court player ever, winning 14 French Open titles. Despite knee and arm injuries, he has 22 Grand Slam titles, ranking 2nd in history. One of his most famous matches was the 2008 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer, which he won in nearly 6 hours.

Nadal has earned over $124 million in prize money and won two Olympic gold medals for Spain.

By age 19, he had already won the French Open and six Masters titles. He’s also won several sportsmanship awards and has a net worth of $225 million.

Grand Slams:

1. Novak Djokovic

• Career Span: 2008–2024*
• Country: Serbia

Novak Djokovic has won the most Grand Slam titles in tennis history, with 24. He has been ranked No. 1 by the ATP for a total of 428 weeks across 13 years and finished as the year-end No. 1 eight times.

Djokovic also holds 99 singles titles, including 40 Masters and ten Australian Opens. He is the only man to win all four Grand Slam titles across three surfaces simultaneously and has completed the Career Golden Masters twice.

He started his career in 2003, won his first Grand Slam in 2008, and became part of the “Big Three” alongside Federer and Nadal. In 2011, he reached No. 1, winning three majors. He completed his first Career Grand Slam in 2016 and held all four majors simultaneously.

Despite an injury in 2017, he bounced back in 2018, and despite missing events in 2022 due to COVID-19 rules, he won the Australian and French Opens in 2023. In 2024, he won gold at the Paris Olympics, becoming the oldest men’s singles champion.

Djokovic has led Serbia to Davis Cup and ATP Cup victories and received several honors. He also co-founded the PTPA in 2020 to give players more influence and runs the Novak Djokovic Foundation to help children. He is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Grand Slams: