Men's singles players with most consecutive Wimbledon titles in Open Era

Bjorg Borg and Roger Federer hold the record for most consecutive Wimbledon titles.

Wimbledon is a tournament steeped in history, and the singles trophy is much sought after and revered. Ever since its inception in 1877, Wimbledon has been drawing players to its hallowed grass courts as they switch to all-whites for the fortnight. 

Such is the tournament’s allure that it is often graced by and boasts of the Royal Family as patrons. Raising the trophy is a sign of arrival in the tennis world.

Players battle the fickle English weather and the quick grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club every year in hopes of getting their hands on the trophy at least once in their careers. Even under these difficult circumstances, some players have continued their winning streak on the sport’s most popular platform.

Each of these players brought their unique style of gameplay to the venue. Be it the classic serve and volley approach or a solid baseline game, the spectators get to revel in the spectacle of the Wimbledon fortnight when these players bring their best.

Let us revisit the extraordinary winning spells of these champions at Wimbledon on the sport’s grandest stage.

Before we begin, an honourable mention should go to Fred Perry. Perry won three titles between 1934 and 1936, and was the last British Man who would be crowned men’s singles champion until Andy Murray came along to win the Wimbledon men’s singles title in 2013.

Novak Djokovic – 4 titles – (2018–2022)

Novak Djokovic won four on the trot between 2018 and 2022 to match Pete Sampras’ streak at the grass-court major. The Serb resumed his conquest of Wimbledon when it returned after the pandemic-related cancellation in 2020. 

The first of the Serb’s titles at SW19 arrived in 2011 when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the finals. It was Djokovic’s conquest in 2019 that stands out when he held off Roger Federer in one of the most dramatic SW19 finals ever unfolded.

The Serb saved two match points in the fifth set to end Federer’s hopes of a ninth Wimbledon title. For Djokovic, it was his third consecutive win over Federer in the title round at Wimbledon after 2014 and 2015.

Pete Sampras – 4 titles – (1997–2000)

Pete Sampras was a force to be reckoned with at Wimbledon in the 1990s. He won seven titles between 1990 and 2000. His first haul of three titles came between 1993 and 1995. Sampras, with his classic serve and volley approach combined with his famous “slam-dunk” smash, pocketed another four Wimbledon titles between 1997 and 2000. 

Sampras defeated fellow American Jim Courier in 1993 for the first of his seven Wimbledon titles. In 1997, he defeated Frenchman Cedric Pioline to mark the beginning of his four-win stint at the venue. The year 2000 witnessed the American lift the last of his Wimbledon trophies by defeating Aussie Patrick Rafter. 

If not for his quarter-final loss to Dutchman Richard Krajicek in the quarter-finals of the 1996 edition, Sampras may have very well made the record books with seven straight titles to his name. 

Roger Federer – 5 titles – (2003–2007)

Roger Federer equalled Bjorn Borg’s haul of five titles in 2007. In 2008, the Swiss great was denied a record sixth straight SW19 title in an epic five-set final by Rafael Nadal. Federer bounced back to win at SW19 the following year, winning a lengthy five-setter against Andy Roddick. But a chance to make history was lost.

Federer’s first win at Wimbledon came in the 2003 edition when he defeated Australian Mark Philippoussis in straight sets. A year before his loss to Nadal in 2008, Federer had won his fifth straight Wimbledon final over the Spaniard in another gruelling five-set contest. 

The Swiss won his final SW19 trophy in 2017 over Marin Cilic for a record eighth title. With the win, Federer joined Borg as just the second man in the Open Era to lay his hands on the trophy without dropping a set during the fortnight.   

Bjorn Borg – 5 titles – (1976–1980) 

Bjorn Borg’s title run heralded the beginning of five consecutive wins at Wimbledon. His title run in 1976 marked the first time any man had the title without dropping a set in the Open Era, and it was his title round debut at the venue. 

The Swede overcame Romanian Ilie Nastase in straight sets for his first title at SW19. He subdued John McEnroe in the 1980 finals for his fifth and final title at Wimbledon in an encounter that saw fortune oscillate between the two players all through the five-set face-off.

A four-set loss to McEnroe in the 1981 Wimbledon finals snapped his victorious run at the grass-court major. Borg was the first player in the Open Era to be crowned King of the Grass, and his record of five consecutive wins at Wimbledon has yet to be broken.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram