Tennis has always been a sport that rewards confidence, but sometimes, that confidence teeters into something a little more theatrical. From dramatic walk-ons to endless post-match monologues, some players have made sure the spotlight never strays too far from them.
Whether it was a press conference rant or a habit of treating chair umpires like personal punching bags, these players never missed a moment to remind the world just how important they thought they were. Let’s count 15 tennis stars whose self-importance could rival their trophy cabinets.
15. Caroline Wozniacki
She could be ranked No. 1 globally and still act like the tennis world owed her a little more praise. Wozniacki always carried herself like a main character, even when the plot wasn’t about her.
14. Andy Roddick
Roddick was known for his powerful serve and even more powerful belief that he was the wittiest man on tour. His sarcasm often played to the crowd like a late-night talk show host who brought a racket to work.
13. Jelena Janković
Janković strutted around the court like a fashion show runway was just off the baseline. Every point was a performance, and every loss was someone else’s fault.
12. Marat Safin
If breaking racquets were an Olympic sport, Safin would’ve taken gold and asked why it wasn’t platinum. He played with fire and expected everyone to feel the heat of his emotions.
11. Maria Sharapova
From her icy glares to her brand empire, Sharapova didn’t just walk onto courts—she arrived. Her self-assured aura often made it feel like opponents were lucky to be there.
10. Fabio Fognini
Fognini made every match feel like Shakespeare with profanity. Whether berating officials or sarcastically applauding the crowd, he never passed up an opportunity to make it about him.
9. Serena Williams
Serena is a legend, but she never exactly mastered the art of humility. From umpire blow-ups to post-match declarations, she was never afraid to remind the world she was the queen of the court.
8. Ernests Gulbis
With the swagger of someone who’d just bought the tournament instead of playing in it, Gulbis acted like he was too cool for the ATP. His confidence never blinked, even when his results didn’t back it up.
7. Martina Hingis
Hingis had talent to spare and an attitude to match. Her interviews often felt like she explained tennis to mortals lucky to watch her play.
6. Nick Kyrgios
If tennis had a drama category, Kyrgios would sweep the awards. He thrived on chaos, and his ego was often the loudest part of the match, even louder than his serve.
5. Novak Djokovic
Djokovic’s belief in himself rivals his trophy count, and sometimes it spills over into messiah-mode. Whether posturing to crowds or channeling spiritual awakenings mid-match, Novak never doubts Novak.
4. Venus Williams
Venus carried herself like tennis royalty, which she was, but she ensured no one ever forgot it. Her vibe always screamed “I’ve already won,” even before the match started.
3. Ilie Năstase
Long before tennis had microphones on the court, Năstase was making noise. He brought ego, flair, and controversy to every match like it was part of his warm-up routine.
Read More: 10 Reasons Novak Djokovic Will Never Be the GOAT
2. John McEnroe
McEnroe, the king of on-court meltdowns, trademarked tennis tantrums. His self-importance was so grand that even the rules seemed to bend under his voice.
Read More: Ranking the 20 Tennis Stars Who Never Took the Blame
1. Roger Federer
Yes, even the beloved Fed made the list—because no one made effortless dominance look more smug. His confidence was so pristine, it bordered on divine entitlement with every one-handed backhand.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Boastful Tennis Players of All Time
