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ATP Mount Rushmore – Which 4 players have defined men’s tennis?

By Brandon Daniels

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Roger Federer of Switzerland and Rafael Nadal of Spain pose at the net before their semi final match during Day Eleven of The Championships - Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Roger Federer of Switzerland and Rafael Nadal of Spain pose at the net before their semi final match during Day Eleven of The Championships - Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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WIMBLEDON, UNITED KINGDOM: US Pete Sampras kisses the Gentlemen’s Singles trophy after winning his final match against Australian Patrick Rafter in Wimbledon 09 July 2000. Sampras won in 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) PHOTO GERRY PENNY (Photo credit should read GERRY PENNY/AFP via Getty Images)
WIMBLEDON, UNITED KINGDOM: US Pete Sampras kisses the Gentlemen’s Singles trophy after winning his final match against Australian Patrick Rafter in Wimbledon 09 July 2000. Sampras won in 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) PHOTO GERRY PENNY (Photo credit should read GERRY PENNY/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Pete Sampras

Years active: 1988-2003

Grand Slam Titles: 14

Sampras is one of the greatest servers, and players, in tennis history. He exploded on tour in 1990, two years after turning pro, and won the US Open. This started what could only be known as the decade of dominance for Sampras, as he won 12 of his 14 Grand Slams between in the final decade of the 20th century. From 1993-2000, he collected 7 of the 8 Wimbledon Championships (almost collecting 8 consecutive before falling7-5, 7-6, 6-4 to Richard Krajicek in the 1996 quarterfinals). Sampras also won 5 US Opens and 2 Australian Opens in his career, however the Roland Garros title never found its way into his pocket.

Sampras’ dominance on tour is astounding. He finished with 286 total weeks as the #1 player in the world, ranking second only to Roger Federer. His 6 year-end #1 finishes makes him the only player that finished 6 years at the top, not to mention doing it in 6 consecutive years (from 1993-1998). His 7 Wimbledon titles ranks 2nd only to the great Roger Federer, who bested the 90s legend at the 2001 Wimbledon 4th round.

Once again, our Mount Rushmore is defined by dominance, and none could disagree with the level of dominance that Sampras had throughout his career.

Next. #4 - Roger Federer. dark

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