15 Greatest Tennis Rivalries of All Time, Ranked

Novak Djokovic (SRB) shakes hands with Rafael Nadal (ESP) after their semifinal match in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Djokovic won 7-6, 6-3
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images

Tennis isn’t just about aces and volleys—it’s about storylines, tension, and players who bring out the absolute best (and worst) in each other .Some were defined by contrast—grinder vs. shotmaker, fire vs. ice. Others were more like mirror images, clashing in pursuit of greatness. Either way, these rivalries didn’t just shape careers—they shaped tennis itself.

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