Top 10 Best Moments in Tennis

Tennis as a sport holds the power to keep you on your toes and takes you on an emotional roller-coaster throughout the entirety of a match. In the rich history of this great sport, it has provided its fans with some amazing displays of talent, sheer drama, heart-stopping rallies, and unexpected upsets that make it a great spectacle.

As tennis fans, let’s deep dive into the rich legacy of this enticing sport and carve out some iconic moments that are still vivid in our memories and make us go back in time to experience those moments once again. It is to be noted that these moments are not in any order choices can be subjective. So, here are the top 10 best moments of tennis history:

Here are the top 10 moments in Tennis history

1. Nadal vs Federer iconic 2008 Wimbledon clash

The iconic clash between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal makes it in our list of the most iconic moments in the history of tennis. It was a gruelling match between two of the best tennis players of our generation but it wasn’t an ordinary hard-fought game between two legends but the background presiding before the match and the circumstances during it made it an even more special affair.

In a similar clash in 2007, Federer trounced Nadal in a five-set victory and the fans also expected something similar this time. But Rafael Nadal had other plans and in an intense match, Nadal won against Federer in a five-set victory. The match lasted almost five hours and the rough weather, amazing sportsmanship, and some scintillating tennis made it an iconic clash between two tennis giants.

2. Andre Agassi’s shocking retirement 

Andre Agassi's tennis career was a rollercoaster ride of triumphs and setbacks, arguably more dramatic than any other superstar's. While fans cherish his many victories and thrilling defeats, it's his emotional retirement in 2006 that truly stands out as a defining moment.

Despite battling a chronic back issue managed only with strong painkillers, Agassi put on a strong showing throughout the 2006 US Open. However, his journey ended in a match against Benjamin Becker. It was after this defeat that Agassi delivered an iconic and emotional speech, announcing his official retirement from the sport. It marked the end of an era in tennis, leaving a void for fans.

3. Battle of two extremes: Bjorn Borg vs John McEnroe

Swedish tennis star who was generally calm and composed faced the expressive New Yorker John McEnroe in the 1980 Wimbledon Men’s singles final. It was a truly memorable game as it had everything that a classic match could have.

The game started with the iconic entry of the controversial John McEnroe with the match going into a 20-minute tie-breaker and ending with the victory of Bjorn Borg.

4. Maria Sharapova’s drug ban

Maria Sharapova is one of the most celebrated women's tennis stars and her professional credentials speak for herself. Sharapova won two Roland Grand Titles in the last decade which took her Grand Slam title count to five. But in 2016, she was hit with a 15-month ban for drug abuse that shook the entire tennis fraternity. Unfortunately, she never looked at her old self once she returned to tennis post the ban.

5. Serena Williams's superwoman victory

Serena Williams got pregnant in 2017 but to everyone’s amazement despite being 20 weeks pregnant she still managed to win the 2017 Australian Open. This is no ordinary achievement and speaks volumes of the strength and dedication of the 23-time Grand Slam title winner.

Serena has been a superwoman in the world of tennis as she won 73 titles in singles. Although what she achieved in the 2017 Australian Open was commendable it came with a price as she had to wait for 3 years for her next title in 2020 which was also her last one.

6. Italian derby in the 2015 US Open final

The 2015 US Open was set to be another chapter in Serena Williams' dominance, with a chance to achieve a historic calendar Grand Slam but Roberta Vinci who was World 43rd at that time had other plans as she stunned Serena Williams by defeating her in the semi-finals only to lose against another Italian Flavia Penneta. This win wasn't just a championship victory; it was the perfect ending for Pennetta, who then announced her retirement from tennis right after the match.

7. Simona Halep’s maiden title

Simona was a seasoned player and was considered one of the modern tennis greats but she had a reputation for choking in big matches. But on a momentous occasion in 2018, she finally broke the jinx after she clinched her first Roland Garros Title. It was a dream come true moment and her evident in her celebration. It was not only an achievement of an individual but also a high point for women’s tennis as well.

8. Debut US Open win for Bianca Andreescu

US Open is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world of tennis and it takes extraordinary skills and immense dedication to win it. But New York’s Bianca Andeescu became the first winning player to achieve this feat in her first attempt. It was one of the most historic and memorable in tennis history and deserves a place on this list.

9. First Asian-born player to reach the No.1 spot

Naomi Osaka is one of the modern tennis greats but in 2019 she achieved a feat that no one ever one. In 2019 won the Australian Open title and she not only became the first Asian player to have two titles to her name but also became the first Asian-born player (Male or Female) in tennis history to reach the top spot in the WTA rankings.

10. Serena William’s historic win

Serena Williams won the 2017 Australian Open. This win marked Serena's 23rd Grand Slam singles title, putting her ahead of Steffi Graf for the most Grand Slam titles in the Open Era (since 1968). For many fans and experts, this achievement solidified Serena's position as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) in women's tennis. Her dominance and skill were undeniable.