Tennis is often seen as a classy, polite sport—but don’t let the white outfits and hushed crowds fool you. Beneath the surface, it can get fiery quickly, especially when egos, legacies, and a bit of trash talk are involved.
From cold handshakes to accusations of cheating, some tennis rivalries have crossed the line from competitive to downright petty. These are the battles that didn’t just stay on the court—they stuck around in the press conferences, in the locker rooms, and sometimes for decades.
15. Stan Wawrinka vs. Nick Kyrgios
This one escalated from match play to personal insults in a matter of minutes. When you bring someone’s girlfriend into it mid-match, you know things aren’t exactly cordial.
14. Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova
What started as a clash of styles became a saga of icy press conferences and pointed barbs. These two icons never held back when it came to expressing their distaste for each other.
13. Jimmy Connors vs. Ivan Lendl
This rivalry was all about the old guard vs. the new, and the mutual disrespect was crystal clear. Connors mocked Lendl’s robotic demeanor, and Lendl fired back with cold domination on the court.
12. Jelena Ostapenko vs. Karolína Plíšková
Things boiled over when Ostapenko accused Plíšková of faking an injury. Plíšková responded with sarcastic applause and a few frosty post-match vibes.
11. Andy Roddick vs. Novak Djokovic
These two weren’t shy about jabs in the press room, with Roddick joking about Djokovic’s frequent “injuries.” Djokovic returned fire with some intense on-court payback and a mocking wave.
10. Martina Hingis vs. Anna Kournikova
Former doubles partners turned rivals, they went from hugging at the net to hurling shade in interviews. It was a teenage soap opera disguised as elite tennis.
9. Bernard Tomic vs. Lleyton Hewitt
This Aussie civil war got ugly, with accusations of favoritism, betrayal, and a full-on media feud. The locker room tension was real, and the respect was nonexistent.
8. Justine Henin vs. Serena Williams
This one got personal when Henin pulled a controversial move at the French Open, and Serena never forgot it. The tension simmered for years, resurfacing every time they faced off.
7. Fabio Fognini vs. Rafael Nadal
Fognini has never been one to filter his feelings, especially when it comes to Nadal. There’s been plenty of trash talk, racket smashes, and matches that felt more like boxing bouts.
6. Boris Becker vs. Michael Stich
You’d think two German legends would have each other’s backs, but nope. Their frosty relationship made their Davis Cup partnership a messy affair.
5. Maria Sharapova vs. Victoria Azarenka
Neither player was particularly interested in being friends, and the passive-aggressive energy was sky-high. Eye rolls, cold handshakes, and not-so-subtle digs were the norm.
4. Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer
While always civil on the surface, there’s long been an underlying tension. Federer’s fans have never embraced Djokovic, and that coolness has definitely gone both ways.
3. John McEnroe vs. Björn Borg
McEnroe’s fire clashed hard with Borg’s ice, and the emotional contrast only heightened their epic battles. Even though they eventually grew close, the rivalry had once been a slow-burning storm.
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2. Serena Williams vs. Venus Williams
Even sisterhood couldn’t stop the intensity when these two met on the court. There’s love, but there’s also a lifetime of competition, and it’s been deeply personal every time.
Read More: 15 Greatest Tennis Rivalries of All Time, Ranked
1. John McEnroe vs. Jimmy Connors
These two legends absolutely could not stand each other at their peak. Their matches were pure chaos, with tantrums, taunts, and enough venom to last a lifetime.
Read More: Ranking the Top 5 Most Intense Rivalries in ATP History
