Tennis has a global following of over 1 billion fans, with studies showing that over 106 million people play tennis in some form or another. If we look at the countries with the highest share of tennis fans, then Spain leads with 30% of respondents stating they watch tennis. Australia and Switzerland both follow, with 26% watching tennis.
Looking at the country with the highest number of tennis players, it’ll be the USA, with over 23.8 million players. However, if we consider the percentage of tennis players in the country’s population, Great Britain is first, with 13.4% of the population playing the sport.
Due to the massive popularity of tennis and the iconic figures in this market, it’s become one of the top betting markets. Wagering on live tennis odds is one of the well-loved pastimes, as it allows the bettors to watch a game and bet on its real-time events. Besides live tennis betting, there are also other betting markets, such as Match Winner, Total Sets, Set Betting – Scores, Handicaps, and more.
When you’re a fan of this sport, there are a few tennis players you should know about. If you don’t, then now is the time to learn about their accomplishments.
Federer became a pro tennis player in 1998 and has become an icon in the sport since. He has 20 Grand Slam (GS) titles to his name, with the first title he won being in 2003 at Wimbledon. Eights of his GS titles are won at Wimbledon, which is a record in and of itself.
He’s also a favourite among viewers, holding the #1 position on tennis ranking charts for 310 weeks. Further, on his ATP tour, he boasts over 1,000 wins, being only the third man to achieve this (the other two being Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Jimmy Connors). He also holds a gold (in doubles) and silver Olympic medal.
One of Federer’s closest friends off the court and fiercest rival on the court is Rafael Nadal. Nadal is also called the King of Clay, as he has experienced unmatched success on clay courts compared to other players. He boasts 92 ATP titles, 36 of which are Masters titles.
After becoming a pro in 2001, he won his first GS title at the 2005 French Open. In 2010, he set a record as the only male player to win a Slam on three surfaces (French Open, Wimbledon, and Australian Open) in the same year.
Djokovic is the other big name most people know when it comes to tennis. He became a pro player in 2003 and won his first Grand Slam trophy five years later at the Australian Open. Despite his slower start, he now holds 24 GS titles, including 10 Australian Open titles.
He also boasts seven ATP Finals crowns and completed a Career Golden Masters in 2018 by winning all nine of the events in the ATP World Tour Masters 1000. Djokovic is seen as being a strong and consistent player, even if he’s not the #1 currently, as seen in his recent match against Gael Monfils.
It’s also good to know the following names of men who have made an impression on the court:
Tennis is a sport where not only men excel, but women do as well. There are many exceptional women players, but the following three are legends in their rights.
Williams might have turned pro in 1995, but as a 14-year-old, she had many restrictions on her competitions for the first few years of her career. However, in 1999, she made history as the second African American woman to win a US Open Grand Slam title.
She boasts brute power that results in powerful serves and forceful groundstrokes. She has 39 Grand Slam titles, with 23 singles titles. She has also won three Olympic doubles titles with her sister, Venus Williams, in 2000, 2008, and 2012.
A legend on the court since 1960, when she won the first of her seven consecutive Australian Open titles, Court is a name to remember. She made history at the age of 17 and had a stunning career in tennis.
Court holds the record for the most women’s singles Grand Slam titles, with 24 titles behind her name. She also has 19 women’s and 21 mixed doubles titles and is the only person to have won the Boxed Set twice (earning singles, women and mixed doubles titles in all four Grand Slam contests).
Since turning pro in 1982, Graf has built a reputation for swift footwork and extremely strong groundstrokes. She has 22 Grand Slam titles and holds the record as the only player to complete a Golden Slam in her career.
In 1988, a mere six years after starting to play as a pro, she completed her Golden Slam by winning all four GS titles and a gold Olympic medal in the same season. She also completed a calendar slam five times in her career: in 1988, 1989, 1993, 1995, and 1996.
While the top three women are unarguably some of the best, you should also remember the following players:
Tennis is an action-packed sport that can be fast-paced and electrifying. It only becomes more thrilling when legends enter the courts, with players such as Roger Federer and Serena Williams making their mark. Before you watch a game or make a bet, know your tennis icons and their achievements.
