When two elite players meet on the tennis court, great rivalries often arise, creating memorable moments and captivating fans alike.
Borg and McEnroe’s opposing styles created an unforgettable rivalry, playing 36 times in three years and all grand slam final matches coming down to just one match between them.
1. Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe
Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe were two of the greatest tennis players of all time, but also two of the most interesting rivals ever to grace a tennis court. Their rivalry made head sweatbands fashionable while inspiring an entire generation of young athletes to dream big about becoming champions in their chosen fields.
According to legend, Borg and McEnroe were two polar opposites both off and on the court; Borg was often called an “ice-man” by fans and media, while McEnroe was always fiery and often made headlines as an exceptional showman. Their various personalities brought an exciting dynamic when on court together – which helped spark perhaps the greatest rivalry ever seen between tennis players.
Janus Metz’s film Borg vs McEnroe offers an insightful look into this classic rivalry and their impact on tennis. It chronicles their iconic match at Wimbledon in 1980 – considered one of the greatest matches ever seen on court – where Borg emerged victorious to claim six French Open titles and five consecutive Wimbledon crowns before retiring at 34.
The movie centers around Borg and McEnroe’s iconic match, but also explores their personal lives. We learn that Borg was struggling with undiagnosed mental illness; his coach Henning Bergelin taught him how to control his emotions and focus on the task at hand.
In the movie, Borg is depicted as having received multiple death threats during his career and even lashing out at an umpire at the 1981 US Open. Part of what made Borg such an effective tennis player was his ability to remain composed under pressure; this gave him an edge against competitors and helped him maintain dominance for so many years.
2. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are widely considered one of the greatest duos in tennis history, having amassed 24 Grand Slam titles between them and no other pair has come close to matching this record. Their rivalry has become iconic, inspiring generations of young people into taking up tennis themselves and inspiring generations to follow suit.
Though they have achieved tremendous success on the court, both players remain approachable off it and maintain strong connections to their fans. Both have used their status for good by staging exhibition matches around the globe and donating proceeds to charity; working with major brands to promote tennis as well as inviting new audiences to get involved.
Their rivalry has produced some of the most unforgettable moments in ATP history, from their intense battle in the 2008 French Open Final to their five-set epic at 2009 Wimbledon Championships – creating unforgettable moments fans around the world can treasure forever. As only men to have reached nine Grand Slam finals together, fans around the globe adore these matches that bring life-long memories!
Team Rafa and Team Fed fans alike cannot deny the exceptional tennis on display when these rivals square off against one another. Over 40 encounters between Rafa and Federer, Federer holds an edge with 24-16 victories against his Spaniard adversary; these meetings have occurred at two US Opens, four Wimbledon tournaments, and once in Australia with both of them winning one title each time they have met.
Recent years have seen Rafael Nadal battle injuries while still managing to produce some of his finest tennis. He reached the quarterfinals at US Open but lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before falling short against Dominic Thiem at an ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome.
While injury issues have plagued Nadal in recent years, he appears to be back on form now and appears poised to end his career on a high note with another Wimbledon title this year. Although an emotional day for sports fans everywhere when he makes one last trip back onto Wimbledon’s courts for another appearance at All England Club; Nadal can look back with pride upon his career accomplishments.
3. Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert
Evert-Navratilova’s legendary rivalry from 1973 to 1988 is widely considered one of the greatest in tennis history, spanning 80 matches (60 finals). From artful passing shots and acrobatic volleys to steely gazes and emotional breakdowns, their unmatched game wowed audiences during an era of significant social change in sports and society alike.
Grand slam tournaments feature an audible rhythm, the tick-tock of strokes thwock-tocking away each day until only two competitors remain for the confrontational final hush of it all – and Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert were virtually indistinguishable during these moments of confrontational tension – yet had an off-court friendship as deep and lasting as their fierce competition between themselves.
Johnette Howard provides an in-depth and compelling account of this extraordinary pair’s interwoven journey, unveiling their remarkable partnership and their complex relationship. Through interviews and research, this book tracks their careers during tennis’ golden era in the 1970s as they helped define women’s sport at a time of tremendous change–including Title IX fights, gay rights movements and fall of Iron Curtain.
But their personal bond really captures the heart of this remarkable women’s relationship. From day one when they shared a locker room and practiced together, they formed a closeness that transcended rivalries – going out for lunch together, travelling to tournaments together, sleeping in hotel rooms together – even waiting together in finals 60 times over 16 years!
Even after their professional rivalry ended, Evert and Navratilova continued to support each other despite personal details of their lives being revealed to each other as they faced divorce, loneliness and eventually cancer. At the conclusion of his book, Jenkins uses flashbacks and sequential narrative to elicit comments from both women regarding certain scenes or incidents that reveal their Evert-Navratilova bond and illustrate how close their lives have stayed together throughout time.
4. Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi
Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi were two of the greatest male players of their era and engaged in one of tennis history’s most captivating rivalries. Over 34 tour-level matches they squared off against one another with Sampras holding an edge in head-to-head head-to-head battles; nevertheless they managed to maintain cordial relations off court despite the fierce on-court contests between them.
Their rivalry was driven by their distinct playing styles: Sampras was a serve-and-volleyer who thrived off attacking from behind with powerful second serves and forehand shots while Agassi was an adept counterpuncher who relied on an excellent return of service record to counter Sampras’ greatest weapons.
At the du Maurier Ltd Open in Montreal in July 1995, their meeting marked their first since U.S. Open and provided a window into their vastly different styles. Both men had already reached the pinnacle of their careers and been dominant players on either side of the court; yet this match would bring them both into public consciousness for years afterwards.
An engaging match up, this contest brought out the best in both players. Their unique game ideas and distinctive personalities created a riveting encounter.
Sampras excelled at reading opponents and using his athleticism to overcome them, while Agassi was an adept showman, captivating audiences with his explosive play.
Over the course of 15 months, these two would meet three more times and put on three amazing displays of tennis. Both were dominant forces on either side of the draw; their rivalry contributed significantly to increasing worldwide interest in tennis.
Both players amassed an impressive number of Grand Slam titles during their long careers; Sampras led all time Grand Slam title counts at 14 while Agassi was the only male player ever to complete a Career Golden Slam (all four Majors plus Olympic gold). Both men were known for their resilience and fighting spirit, making them instantly iconic figures within sports culture.