Top five right-handed tennis players of all-time

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are right-handed, but their playing styles are very different.

Due to their uniqueness and different skill sets, left-handers are always mentioned in tennis discussions. However, the debate on the best orthodox players has always been overlooked. Rod Laver, Rafael Nadal, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, and others will not be on the list because they solidified their place in the sport’s history as southpaws.

However, which right-handers can be considered the best, based on the different aspects of a sport? Almost 90% of the tennis players are right-handed, and it’s always difficult to choose a few top favourites from the ever-growing list. On that note, let’s take a look at the top five right-handed players in tennis history:

5. Stefan Edberg

Underrated and agile, these two words are apt to describe Stefan Edberg and his professional career. Regarded as one of the finest serve-and-volley players in his era, Edberg’s serves were primarily slow, which gave him time to get to the net. The Swede won two bronze medals for his nation at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in addition to six singles Grand Slam titles in his professional career.

His name is debated with Boris Becker; the two faced each other 35 times between 1984 and 1996, and the former German tennis star leads the race at 25-10. However, they both failed to win the Roland Garros and had very different styles of playing, but Edberg also achieved success as a doubles player.

Also Read: Top five left-handed tennis players of all-time

4. Pete Sampras

Before the inception of the ‘Big 3’, Pete Sampras‘ record of 14 Grand Slam titles looked unbeatable. However, all three distinguished members of the exclusive club broke the record. The former US tennis star’s serve-and-volley style helped earn him the nickname ‘Pistol Pete’.

Despite preferring a serve-and-volley style, he possessed an all-around skill, making him one of the greatest players of all time.

3. Bjorn Borg

Bjorn Borg is the second most successful player in the Roland Garros men’s singles event (in the Open Era) after Rafael Nadal. The Clay has always stopped multiple top stars from completing their career Grand Slam. However, Borg’s case was different, as he mastered grass and clay but attained limited success on the hardcourt.

He’s the only tennis player in history to complete the Channel Slam thrice (1978 to 1980). Bjorn Borg’s baseline game was strong, and his style complemented his ability to play powerful groundstrokes. With his right hand, the Swede generated lethal power accompanied by spin. However, despite playing four finals in Flushing Meadows, he never won the US Open.

Also Read: Top five players with longest reign as first-time ATP World No. 1

2. Novak Djokovic

The actual debate starts here. According to statistics, Novak Djokovic is the best tennis player in history in multiple tournaments and records. His longevity and fitness have troubled the veterans as well as the young emerging stars. With 24 men’s singles Grand Slam titles, he’s at the pinnacle, but when it comes to style of playing, a superstar has outshone him.

The Serbian tennis star leads his arch-rivals, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, in head-to-head records. Djokovic is an aggressive baseliner, and his backhand is vividly famous for its effectiveness and accuracy. His flexibility and height have also helped him over time, as Djokovic’s strong will to work hard can’t be overlooked. However, he’s second on the list.

1. Roger Federer

Roger Federer garnered the praise of numerous tennis icons and youngsters for his classical playing style, which made him an all-court elite. Federer’s ability to play accurate smashes was unparalleled. Additionally, he also experimented with different unorthodox strokes such as backhand smash, skyhook, half-volley, jump smash and more.

John McEnroe dubbed Roger Federer’s forehand “the greatest shot in our sport”. Meanwhile, Jimmy Connors said, “In an era of specialists, you’re either a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist, or a hard court specialist… or you’re Roger Federer.”

The greatest rival to Rafael Nadal (trailing 24-16), Federer trails Novak Djokovic in their head-to-head tally by 27-23.

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