Top five male players with most Grand Slam titles in Open Era

These players have etched their names in the history books.

Tennis is a very hard, competitive sport. It takes a lot of power, endurance, stamina and skill to be successful in this game. It's not that other sports are easy, but playing tennis definitely takes a toll on your body. Imagine running for many rigorous hours, trying to hit a ball. With a year-round schedule, ranging from small competitions to mega star-studded Grand Slam tournaments, the challenges are unending.

These athletes work hard to hold their rankings. Add to that, the countless hours that they spend away from their family. It really takes a lot of sacrifices to be a top tennis star. With the constant wear and tear on the body, rehabilitation also becomes a parcel of daily life. So, when a player manages to conquer all that and win multiple Grand Slam titles, it really becomes a special feat.

So, we are going to highlight these remarkable men who have managed to do the impossible. These players have a staggering number of Grand Slam accomplishments to their name. We are going to do a countdown of the most decorated singles Grand Slam winners to-date in the Open Era of tennis.

5. Bjorn Borg

Swedish tennis legend Bjorn Borg is a record 11-time Grand Slam champion. Borg won the French Open and Wimbledon five and six times respectively in his playing career. Moreover, he became the first man in the Open Era to do it. Borg's five consecutive Wimbledon titles (1976-1980) and four straight French Open titles (1978-1981) really show his dominance as a player.

His last Grand Slam title came in 1981. Borg won his sixth French Open that year, after defeating Ivan Lendl 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, 3-6,6-1 in a five-set battle. On top of that, the man from Stockholm also played in four US Open finals, but as luck would have it, couldn't win a single one of those.

4. Pete Sampras

Sampras' tryst with Grand Slams started in 1990. The American broke into Grand Slam folklore by beating rival Andre Agassi in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 in the final of the US Open. From then on, there was no looking back. Pete won multiple Grand Slam trophies.

The former World No. 1 literally had an era that belonged to him. A decade of one-sided dominance where opponents came and fell in front of him. Apart from the US Open, the Washington-born athlete had a distinct fondness for the grass courts. He won seven Wimbledon titles in his career.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee was literally untouchable when he played on grass. Out of all, Goran Ivanisevic was the only one to come close to dethroning him. The 1998 Wimbledon final showdown saw a brutal five-set clash between the two. Fittingly, it was Sampras again, who had the last laugh over his Croatian adversary. The match ended with a 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 scoreline in favour of Pete.

3. Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic's year started off with massive controversy. He was disqualified from participating at the Australian Open 2022 due to his anti-vaccine stance. His stance cost him an opportunity to rightfully defend his title. Moreover, a chance at being the all-time top men's singles Grand Slam winner was also lost.

Despite that, the Serbian is still a 20-time Grand Slam champion. He had one of the best years in 2021, where he won three major Grand Slam singles titles, the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon. He also made it to the finals of the US Open, but lost to Daniil Medvedev.

2. Roger Federer

Tied with Novak Djokovic in terms of Grand Slam titles is Roger Federer. The Swiss sensation is another great who has made winning at Grand Slams look easy. Federer's biggest strength on the court is literally having no weakness. The all-around, all-court player is fluid in his style and has impeccable shot-making skills.

Roger is also a career Grand Slam winner like Novak. However, he had his most success at Wimbledon, where he is a record eight-time champion. The soft-spoken gentleman won his last Grand Slam in 2018. He beat Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in a thrilling five-set clash.

1. Rafael Nadal

Finally, we come down to the man who took a massive leap ahead of his contemporaries. Right till the beginning of the Australian Open 2022, the big three of tennis (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic) were all tied with 20 Grand Slams. But not anymore, as Rafa has taken the lead with his historic 21st Grand Slam victory at Melbourne Park.

Nadal defeated the second seed and current US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in five sets. The match was one of the great comeback victories, as Nadal was trailing 0-2 after two sets. Moreover, this was also his return to Grand Slams, as he did not partake in the last two of 2021.

Rafa took it to the Russian and finally got the victory he deserved. The match ended with a 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory for Nadal, that put him at the pinnacle of men's tennis.

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