Not every tennis legend has the stats to match their star power. Some players capture the public’s attention with their charm, looks, drama, or on-court antics—even if they never quite lived up to the hype in the win column.
This list is for the fan favorites who became household names without needing to dominate the Grand Slam count. They may not have the most trophies, but their Q rating is off the charts.
20. Anna Kournikova
She never won a singles title but made more headlines than most champions. Her name was everywhere, and she made doubles look like front-page news.
19. Nick Kyrgios
He’s spent more time going viral than winning tournaments. But his talent, unpredictability, and personality have kept fans watching regardless of results.
18. Gaël Monfils
Monfils has always been a human highlight reel, even if he rarely made deep Slam runs. He plays for the crowd and brings showmanship every time he steps on the court.
17. Eugenie Bouchard
Her ranking dropped after a fast rise, but her celebrity status didn’t. Genie became a social media star and stayed in the spotlight far beyond her best tennis years.
16. Tommy Haas
He looked like a movie star and had the game to match, for a while. Injuries limited his run, but his popularity never dipped.
15. Marcos Baghdatis
He had one magical run to the Aussie Open final and rode that wave for years. Fans loved his energy and emotion, even if the titles didn’t follow.
14. Andrea Petkovic
She danced her way into fans’ hearts and made tennis fun again. Her record was solid, but her personality carried her even further.
13. Fernando Verdasco
He was often the guy you wanted to win, even if he didn’t. Stylish, smooth, and just dangerous enough to scare the top players—occasionally.
12. Jelena Dokic
She had a heartbreaking personal story and a brief moment near the top. Her struggles off the court made her a fan favorite beyond just her record.
11. Benoît Paire
More known for meltdowns and mustaches than match wins. He’s built a cult following just by being completely unpredictable.
10. Daniela Hantuchová
She was a fixture in tennis media and modeling shoots and was more famous than her stats suggest. She was always around, even if she wasn’t winning.
9. Dustin Brown
He pulled off some epic upsets and looked cooler doing it than anyone else. Style, flair, and dreads made him unforgettable—even if he didn’t win much.
8. Frances Tiafoe
He’s become a star in the U.S. with his personality and fight. The titles aren’t overflowing, but the crowd always shows up for him.
7. Aravane Rezaï
She had a few great wins but became better known for her fiery presence. Her fearless attitude made her a standout regardless of ranking.
6. Fabio Fognini
He’s had moments of brilliance, but the drama always outshone the tennis. Fans watch for the rollercoaster, not the trophies.
5. Bethanie Mattek-Sands
Her fashion statements and double success made her a standout. Singles results weren’t legendary, but she became a fan favorite anyway.
4. Taylor Fritz
He’s been marketed like the next American hope, even if his résumé hasn’t fully caught up. Popularity-wise, he’s already there.
3. Andrea Jaeger
She was a teenage phenom who retired early, but her name still lingers. Her potential and personality kept people talking long after she left.
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2. Ernests Gulbis
He had all the talent in the world and flashes of brilliance. But his charisma and quotes made him more memorable than his match record.
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1. Anna Ivanovic
She did win a Grand Slam, but she was way more famous than just that one title. With movie-star looks and global appeal, she became her brand.
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