TOP TEN MEN
1. Roger Federer: Grace and power, dominance and mind-boggling longevity? Is he best athlete of our era?
2. Rafa Nadal: The ultimate clay meister has a winning record over Fed.
3. Rod Laver: The grand man won two Grand Slams.
4. Pete Sampras: America’s best. What other supposedly vanilla player has given us such high-drama triumphs?
5. Novak Djokovic: Seeker, sage and baseline savant. No one is better at the baseline or funnier.
6. Bjorn Borg: Long hair, short career and the Iceman was the game’s first modern Euro wonder.
7. Andre Agassi: From a frosted flake to giving sage. No one grew more.
8. Ivan Lendl: Diet, conditioning and far more than a forehand. The first modern male professional?
9. John McEnroe: Touch, temper, insight – singles, doubles or in the booth. Who’s more been more present in our lives?
10. Jimmy Connors: No one before Roger attracted more to the game. “This is what they want, this is what they’ll get.”
HONORABLE MENTION: Mats Wilander, Boris Becker
TOP TEN WOMEN
1. Serena Williams: Is she the best female athlete ever?
2. Steffi Graf: Only Fraulein Forehand has won a Golden Slam.
3. Martina Navratilova: Triple threat – singles, doubles, mixed doubles. A net charger on court and off.
4. Margaret Court: Her record 64 major wins will never be challenged.
5. Monica Seles: Without the stabbing, would she’ve been the GOAT?
6. Chris Evert: Fabulous backhand, unblinking mental toughness and unflinching consistency. The ultimate baseline beauty.
7. Billie Jean King: Sure think of her as Mother Freedom, but don’t forget she was a fierce and fine player – just ask Mr. Riggs.
8. Venus Williams: Best player over six-foot, the 37-year old continues to amaze.
9. Martina Hingis: Her sublime talent allowed her to be the best teen player ever and craft a fabulous dubs run as an elder.
10. Justine Henin: Pound for pound the best? Best backhand ever?
HONORABLE MENTION: Maria Sharapova, Tracy Austin, Kim Clijsters, Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport.
BEST AMERICANS: Sampras and Serena
BEST EUROPEANS: Roger Federer and Steffi Graf
BEST SOUTH AMERICANS: Guillermo Vilas, Guga Kuerten and Gabriela Sabatini
BEST ASIANS: Kei Nishikori and Li Na
BEST AFRICANS: Yannick Noah and Amanda Coetzer
BEST COUPLE: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.
