Tennis may be a gentleman’s sport, but some players were more interested in playing the role of the antagonist. Whether it was because of their temper, trash talk, or wild antics, these players turned the court into their villain origin story.
Some of them relished the boos, others couldn’t help themselves, but all of them added drama, flair, and just the right amount of chaos to the tennis world. Love or hate them, these players ensured you’d never forget their names—or their meltdowns.
15. Nick Kyrgios
No one wears the tennis bad boy crown quite like Kyrgios, who manages to be entertaining, infuriating, and bizarrely likable all at once. He’ll argue with umpires, smash racquets, and roast opponents—all before the first set ends.
14. Ilie Năstase
With a nickname like “Nasty,” it’s no surprise Năstase leaned into being the villain. He loved taunting rivals, baiting officials, and throwing tantrums that made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
13. Jelena Ostapenko
Ostapenko never met a line call she didn’t argue or a stare-down she didn’t deliver. Her fiery reactions and endless confrontations make her a consistent agent of chaos on the WTA tour.
12. Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev knows precisely what he’s doing when he stirs the pot with fans and is here for the chaos. Whether trolling crowds or mocking umpires, he’s a modern-day villain with a wicked grin.
11. Ernests Gulbis
Gulbis once said most tennis players are boring and that he’d rather party than practice, which tells you everything. His offbeat energy and refusal to play by the tennis elite’s rules made him a lovable menace.
10. Victoria Azarenka
Azarenka’s intense demeanor and gamesmanship have rubbed many people the wrong way. Her icy stare and ruthless attitude on the court make her the villain you can’t ignore.
9. Marat Safin
Safin didn’t just break racquets—he obliterated them with a passion that screamed theatrical villain. Add in the mood swings and no-filter interviews; he was pure tennis drama.
8. Fabio Fognini
Fognini’s temper is practically a tour stop of its own. He’s cursed at umpires, smashed racquets into oblivion, and still manages to walk around like the misunderstood protagonist.
7. Martina Hingis
Hingis had the game to back up her trash talk, but her smug on-court attitude made her a perfect foil to the fan favorites. She never minded being the villain if it meant winning.
6. Jeff Tarango
Tarango stormed off the court mid-match at Wimbledon and told the crowd to “shut up” on his way out. If that’s not tennis villain behavior, what is?
5. Bernard Tomic
Tomic admitted to faking injuries mid-match and said he didn’t care about tennis or the fans. He gave a masterclass in how to be a sports villain and not care who’s watching.
4. Aravane Rezaï
Rezaï played with a chip on her shoulder and a scowl that rarely faded. Her intensity and frequent spats with officials made her a walking, talking rule-breaker.
3. Jimmy Connors
Connors wasn’t just cocky—he was theatrical, combative, and unbothered by the idea of being disliked. He thrived on tension and made antagonism part of his brand.
2. Serena Williams (in her villain era)
When Serena stepped into her “villain era,” she fully embraced the icy confidence and unapologetic dominance that had people divided. She didn’t mind being the bad guy, especially when she was still winning everything.
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1. John McEnroe
Let’s be real: McEnroe invented the tennis villain role. His outbursts, arguments, and legendary meltdowns weren’t just iconic—they set the gold standard for tennis mischief.
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