Tennis is often called the most individual of all sports—and some players took that idea very, very personally. While the greats have all had their moments in the spotlight, a few seemed to crave that spotlight a little too much, making every match, press conference, or Instagram post part of their saga.
From racket-smashing meltdowns to center-court speeches that veered off course, these are the players who turned solo sport into a one-person show. Love them or roll your eyes at them, these tennis stars never miss a chance to make it all about them.
20. Fabio Fognini
Every match with Fognini felt like a drama-filled soap opera, and he was the star. Whether arguing with umpires or firing off wild quotes, he made sure all eyes were on him.
19. Jelena Ostapenko
Ostapenko plays with the energy of someone who believes the world revolves around her forehand. Between the hand gestures, glares, and animated complaints, she’s always performing for the crowd.
18. Ernests Gulbis
Gulbis treated tennis like a side hustle to his real job—being fabulously eccentric. He gave interviews like he was auditioning for a reality show, and somehow it always circled back to him.
17. Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios made headlines as often for his outbursts and on-court antics as for his actual tennis. If there was drama, chances are he either started it or had thoughts about it.
16. Caroline Wozniacki
Wozniacki built a brand on being bubbly, but don’t let that fool you—she knew how to keep the spotlight trained on her. From fashion shows to public feuds, she was always part of the conversation.
15. Gaël Monfils
Monfils is undeniably entertaining, but sometimes it felt like his matches were less about winning and more about putting on a one-man Cirque du Soleil performance. He lived for the highlight reel.
14. Victoria Azarenka
Azarenka’s intensity sometimes crossed the line into “all about me” territory. Between her dramatic medical timeouts and animated reactions, she made sure the match flowed on her terms.
13. Marat Safin
Safin was all talent and all attitude, often acting like the tennis court was his theater. His emotional rollercoasters, shirt-ripping, and general chaos were pure main-character energy.
12. Marcelo Ríos
Ríos had elite-level talent and an ego to match. Whether it was skipping events, clashing with reporters, or making bold claims about his legacy, he always managed to keep the focus squarely on himself.
11. Bernard Tomic
Tomic managed to stir controversy without even trying. His lack of effort became part of his identity, and he made the whole tennis world talk about him for all the wrong reasons.
10. Serena Williams
One of the greatest of all time, but also one of the most headline-generating athletes in any sport. From controversial calls to impassioned speeches, Serena never stayed in the background.
9. Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev doesn’t just play tennis—he plays mind games with the crowd, umpires, and opponents. His press conferences are must-see events, because you never know what he’s going to say.
8. Anna Kournikova
Kournikova’s tennis career became secondary to her celebrity status, and she seemed to lean into that dynamic hard. She turned being famous into her main sport.
7. Novak Djokovic
Djokovic is a generational talent who always seems just a bit too eager to explain why he’s misunderstood. He’s constantly rewriting the narrative—usually with himself at the center of it.
6. Andre Agassi
Agassi’s autobiography should’ve been titled It Was Always About Me. From image overhauls to press conference rants, he turned his career into a personal evolution story for the ages.
5. Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka is full of power and passion, but also a heavy dose of drama. Whether she’s yelling at her box or breaking down in tears, it always feels like a performance.
4. Venus Williams
Even in her quietest moments, Venus carried herself like the center of the tennis universe. She’s a legend—but one who never really seemed interested in sharing the spotlight.
3. Ilie Năstase
One of the original tennis showmen, Năstase, brought chaos, controversy, and comedy to the court. He made tennis about entertainment, and he was always the headliner.
Read More: 15 Tennis Legends Who Loved the Drama as Much as the Titles
2. Martina Hingis
Hingis played like a genius but talked like she knew it. She stirred up rivalries and always seemed to have a quote ready that put her squarely in the middle of the tennis drama.
Read More: 15 Tennis Players Who Treated Every Match Like a One-Person Show
1. John McEnroe
No one made tennis more about themselves than McEnroe. His meltdowns, monologues, and flair turned matches into emotional rollercoasters where he was always the star.
Read More: 15 Tennis Stars Whose Self-Importance Reached Hall of Fame Levels
