Tennis rivalries have long enthralled fans and added zest to the sport, but some stand out above others as truly memorable contests.
Borg and McEnroe had an intriguing rivalry characterized by stark opposites. These two athletes competed 14 matches against one another – four Grand Slam finals included!
They battled hard both on and off the court, but who ultimately prevailed?
1. Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal
One of the greatest rivalries ever witnessed in sports was created when two iconic tennis players, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, met over 40 times for spectacular matches that resulted in multiple Grand Slam singles finals each time. Each meeting between these legendary figures resulted in epic battles on court that transformed each respective sport: Federer’s elegant yet precise style contrasted against Nadal’s powerful force and athleticism, creating one of the most captivating rivalries ever witnessed on court.
Their 2008 Wimbledon final – lasting four hours and 48 minutes – was widely considered to be one of the greatest matches ever seen on court. Packed with some of the greatest shots seen anywhere, both players were reduced to tears at its conclusion – an emotional scene which cemented further bonds between these greats of sport.
These two would go on to meet in several more finals and win an impressive total of 25 Grand Slam titles combined, cementing their legacy and becoming global icons both on and off the court.
Both players were masters of each surface they competed on, yet due to their distinctive styles, their matches rarely went to three sets. Federer excelled on grass and hard courts while his clay game struggled while Nadal was unstoppable on that surface.
These two players continued playing exhibition events against each other and often donated the proceeds to charity. They even competed against each other in the Laver Cup tournament that pits Team Europe against Team World; moreover they hosted an exhibition match in Cape Town, South Africa to raise funds for Australian bush fire relief efforts.
2. Martina Navratilova vs. Chris Evert
With the exception of Serena Williams and Venus Williams, few female players have dominated tennis as long or fiercely as Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Over 16 years and 80 matches, theirs was widely considered one of the greatest rivalries ever witnessed by sports.
Navratilova defeated Evert in most head-to-head encounters, winning 43 out of 80 matches against her. But when it came to Grand Slam finals, Evert held an outright advantage, winning six of 14 encounters including three consecutive titles.
Both players played on both grass and hard courts, yet their rivalry became especially fierce during the latter part of their careers — with Navratilova dominating indoor tennis while Evert gaining the upper hand on clay courts. Still, their mutual respect and strong friendship off the court helped them navigate some tense moments on court.
Evert reflected upon her wonderful rivalry with Martina Navratilova in an interview with Tennis Channel, noting how lucky she felt to find such an understanding opponent in Navratilova. Evert also offered up some words of comfort for Martina as she battles both throat cancer and breast cancer at once.
Former champions will always hold a special place in fans around the globe, whether for their on-court battles or off-court friendship, but we can only hope that Navratilova and Evert will always remain iconic figures in sports. We wish them all the best as they continue their fight to remain healthy while inspiring athletes of all kinds – we can’t wait to see what their future brings these two incredible women!
3. John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg
John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg’s 1980 Wimbledon final is widely considered one of the greatest matches ever seen on any tennis court. Dubbed “a rivalry of fire and ice,” their 14-match head-to-head rivalry captured headlines for years afterward and was an iconoclastic battle, known for both players’ distinct playing styles and personalities: Borg thrived on vintage grass courts like Roland Garros and Wimbledon while McEnroe would often rush towards the net with all his heart beat; while Borg preferred vintage grass courts while McEnroe would show his emotions whenever playing on vintage grass courts like Roland Garros or Wimbledon;
The film tells its tale through journalist Mark Gleason, who follows both competitors through interviews and on-court dramas. Although not an excellent movie, this one focuses on what really mattered – their fierce struggle for supremacy over tennis players worldwide and how that had an effectful legacy in tennis culture.
Like many sports movies, this one contains emotional scenes that may leave audiences tearful or emotional. Yet its European sensibility allows director Janus Metz to explore some aspects of tennis that American movies often neglect – like its physicality – with players using legs for movement around the court and different surfaces such as clay slowing the ball while grass and hard courts increase its bounce, diminishing big servers or serve-and-volley players from being as effective at serving and serving back-hand.
This movie stands out for its analysis of media’s role in high-class tennis competition, specifically dramatizing how its influence can manipulate and shape performance, yet still leave room for genuine talent and competition.
4. Billie Jean King vs. Margaret Court
Billie Jean King vs Margaret Court stands out amongst women’s tennis rivalries as an iconic one. Not only were their famous encounters known for being breathtaking tennis encounters that span years and surfaces but became iconic symbols of fighting sexism and inequality among athletes in sport.
Both players were skilled tacticians, adept at reading their opponents regardless of whether they were playing on hard, clay or grass courts. They could quickly identify an opponent’s grip, stroke pattern, serve and return tendencies, passing shot strengths and weaknesses as well as subtle details such as how their racquet was held in between points.
But their personalities were what truly set this rivalry apart. While Court was reserved and calm, King was fiercely confident and outspoken on court – this contrast fed their battle of wills and led to many verbal exchanges between them.
In 1973, Bobby Riggs – then known as a self-styled “male chauvinist pig” – challenged Billie Jean King to a match. She initially declined but after witnessing Riggs beat Margaret Court 6-2, 6-1 during what became known as Mother’s Day Massacre decided to accept.
King was victorious in her bid, which came to be known as The Battle of the Sexes. Not only did it demonstrate female tennis players as superior, but it helped bring to fruition many equality initiatives she had campaigned tirelessly for during her lifetime – such as helping establish Women’s Tennis Association as its leading body.
5. Helen Wills vs. Helen Jacobs
Helen Wills and Helen Jacobs remain one of the most controversial stories in sports history. Over 11 matches, Wills prevailed nine times with only Jacobs being victorious on three occasions. Together they dominated tennis during their respective eras; Wills claimed 20 singles matches while Jacobs only claimed five. Interestingly enough, during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency both women were seen as social equals even though, by modern standards, Jacobs was openly gay while Wills was heterosexual.
Wills was victorious at their first encounter, winning 6-1, 6-2 to claim victory over her debut opponent. Only three times throughout her career did Wills ever lose any sets against other players; she never allowed themselves to become overwhelmed.
By the time of their fifth meeting in 1928 at the Women’s Maidstone Invitational tournament on grass, Helen Jacobs had made significant strides. She won back-to-back national junior titles, was attending University of California, and joined Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority – which included Wills as one of its members.
Jacobs may have had an impressive resume, but she never reached Wills Moody’s level of excellence. Jacobs was soundly defeated 6-3, 6-0 by Wills in the tournament final.
Jacobs would put up an improved showing at the 1935 Wimbledon Championships, reaching the semifinals and defeating Hilde Sperling from Germany 6-4, 6-3 before going on to beat Wills Moody 6-2, 7-5 for her second major of 1935 victory.
Wills Moody was an unlikely champion, yet their final was by far their dullest matchup of all. Dubbed by London Times as “tennis of mediocrity”, it was an uncomfortable match to watch for Jacobs who simply could not match Wills Moody’s relentless pace and complete invincibility on clay courts.