Top 10 male players with most ATP titles before turning 22

Bjorn Borg tops the list with 37 ATP titles.

Sports can be complicated, as not all players hit the ground running. While some layers require some time to establish themselves, others are naturally gifted and burst into the circuit despite being freshly introduced to the pressure of performing at the best stage.

Tennis legend Roger Federer won his first Grand Slam title at the age of 20. However, rising stars like Carlos Alcaraz and others have amassed even more titles before turning 22. The true challenge, however, lies in sustaining excellence from a young age well into the 30s—a feat Novak Djokovic has mastered with remarkable longevity.

Also Read: Top 10 active tennis players with most ATP titles

Here, we take a look at the 10 male players who have won the most ATP titles before turning 22.

10. Lleyton Hewitt – 17

Former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt holds the record as the youngest ATP title winner in history, clinching victory in Adelaide at just 16 years old. By turning 22, the Australian had accomplished 17 ATP titles, including two Grand Slams, two ATP Finals trophies, and one Masters crown. His final triumph before his 22nd birthday came at the 2002 ATP Finals.

9. Carlos Alcaraz – 17

Carlos Alcaraz is already a four-time Grand Slam Champion, including two Wimbledon final triumphs over tennis legend, Novak Djokovic. Adding five ATP Masters 1000 titles, with 17 career titles, the Spaniard has an incredible future ahead of him, as he has already made history at such a young age.

Alcaraz, set to turn 22 in May, claimed his first ATP title at the 2021 Croatia Open and most recently triumphed at the 2025 Rotterdam Open.

8. Pete Sampras – 18

Pete Sampras turned professional in 1988 at just 16 years old, rapidly rising from No. 893 to the top 100 by the year’s end. Before turning 22, he captured 18 titles, including two Grand Slams, an ATP Finals trophy, and two Masters titles.

Sampras won his first major title at the 1990 US Open, defeating Andre Agassi in straight sets. His remarkable campaign featured a memorable quarterfinal battle against Ivan Lendl. The American secured his maiden ATP title in Philadelphia in 1990, while his final triumph as a 21-year-old came at Wimbledon in 1993.

7. Ivan Lendl – 19

Before turning 22, Ivan Lendl amassed an impressive 19 titles, including a season-ending championship. The Czech secured his maiden ATP title in Houston in 1980 and his final trophy before hitting 22 at the 1982 Genova WCT event.

6. Mats Wilander – 20

Before turning 22, Mats Wilander won 20 ATP titles, including four Grand Slams. He claimed his maiden title at the 1982 French Open and secured his last before 22 in Brussels in 1986. His most notable triumphs included two Australian Opens (1983, and 1984) and another French Open in 1985.

5. Boris Becker – 24

Boris Becker captured 24 titles before his 22nd birthday, including four Grand Slams and a year-end event. The German won his first career title at the 1985 Queen’s Club Championships and his last title before turning 22 at the 1989 Paris Open. During this time, he went on to win Grand Slams with two Wimbledon titles (1985 and 1986) and both the 1989 US Open and 1989 Australian Open.

4. John McEnroe – 25

John McEnroe won 25 ATP singles titles before turning 22, including two Grand Slams and a season-ending championship. He set the record for being the youngest winner of the ATP Finals at the age of just 19, defeating Arthur Ashe. The American secured his first career title in Hartford in 1978 and his last before 22 at the 1981 Pepsi Grand Slam in Boca Raton.

3. Rafael Nadal – 26

Rafael Nadal, now known as the King of Clay, showcased his dominance on the surface early in his career, winning the 2005 and 2006 French Open titles along with 11 Masters 1000 crowns. The Spaniard claimed his maiden ATP title in Sopot in 2004, while his final tournament victory before turning 22 came at the 2008 Hamburg Masters.

2. Jimmy Connors – 28

Before turning 22, Jimmy Connors captured 28 titles, including two Grand Slams. He made an immediate impact, winning six tour-level titles in his debut season, highlighted by Queen’s Club. In 1974, Connors dominated, claiming the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, finishing the year with a staggering 94-4 record and 15 titles—a 96% win rate, among the best in the Open Era. His first title came at the 1972 Jacksonville Open, while his final triumph before 22 was in Indianapolis in 1974.

1. Bjorn Borg – 37

Bjorn Borg claimed an incredible 37 titles before turning 22, including four Grand Slams. He held the Open Era record as the youngest male player to complete a Channel Slam for over four decades. The Swedish tennis legend claimed his first career title at the 1974 New Zealand Open and his last before 22 at the 1978 Italian Open.

Despite the rise of several young talents over the years, Borg’s record remains unmatched and is unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon.

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