Tennis has always had its darlings—players hyped to the heavens, praised for their potential, and adored by fans long before they ever delivered on the big stage. But not everyone lives up to the buzz, and sometimes, the spotlight shines a little too brightly on those who never quite earned it.
This list isn’t about bad players—it’s about good ones who were treated like all-time greats, despite resumes that don’t hold up. From early exits at majors to reputations built more on endorsements than achievements, these 15 players prove that hype doesn’t always equal history.
15. Gaël Monfils
An incredible showman with a highlight reel to rival anyone, but the major results never came close. He was always fun to watch, but he was rarely around when the trophies were handed out.
14. Caroline Wozniacki
She spent plenty of time at world No. 1, but it often felt like a technicality rather than dominance. For years, she was the best player who couldn’t win a Slam—until finally breaking through late.
13. Jack Sock
Sock was once hyped as the future of American tennis, but the results never really backed it up. He’s had more success in doubles than singles, and that’s telling.
12. Jelena Dokic
She was supposed to be a superstar, and the talent was obvious, but the career just never stabilized. Injuries and outside distractions meant she never lived up to the early billing.
11. Richard Gasquet
People swore his backhand was the prettiest in tennis, but that can only take you so far. Despite flashes of brilliance, he never truly challenged the sport’s elite.
10. Eugenie Bouchard
She exploded onto the scene with a deep Wimbledon run, and the endorsements followed fast. But the results vanished just as quickly, and she became more famous for social media than her tennis.
9. Tommy Haas
He was always talked about as a potential top-five guy, but injuries and inconsistency kept him in the “what could’ve been” pile. A solid career, sure—but not quite the legend some made him out to be.
8. Anna Kournikova
Let’s be honest—Kournikova was more of a pop culture icon than a tennis force. She never won a singles title but still managed to be one of the most talked-about players on the planet.
7. Marcos Baghdatis
His Australian Open run was magical, but it created a level of expectation he never matched again. He was likable and entertaining, but not quite built for sustained success.
6. James Blake
Blake had charisma and a great story, which made people root hard for him. But in terms of actual titles and big wins, his record doesn’t match the glow he often got.
5. Jelena Janković
She reached world No. 1 without winning a Slam, which says a lot about timing—and maybe too much about hype. Her personality outshone her Grand Slam results.
4. Nick Kyrgios
Talent through the roof, but the results never followed. He talks a big game, but he’s made more headlines for behavior than trophies.
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3. Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
She won majors, no doubt, but was often treated like an all-time great despite routinely being in Steffi Graf’s shadow. Her grinding style didn’t always translate to consistent dominance.
Read More: 25 Tennis Stars Who Were More About Vibes Than Wins
2. David Nalbandian
A flashy shotmaker with big-match potential, but he never capitalized consistently. He always had “dark horse” energy, just rarely backed it up deep into majors.
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1. Andy Roddick
Roddick was a star in the U.S., but outside that 2003 Slam, his résumé is lighter than people remember. He had the serve, the swagger, and the spotlight—but not the results to match the hype.
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