When considering the greatest tennis players of all time, the idea of creating a “Mount Rushmore” of tennis legends is a fascinating way to honor the tremendous impact a few select individuals have had on the sport. Much like the iconic monument carved into South Dakota’s Black Hills, featuring the most revered U.S. presidents, this hypothetical tennis Mount Rushmore would celebrate those players whose dominance, style, and contributions have shaped tennis into the thrilling, global spectacle we enjoy today.

In picking these four players, it’s important to reflect not just on statistics, but also on the lasting influence they’ve had on the game, their era-defining achievements, and how they elevated tennis’s popularity worldwide.

One of the first names that comes to mind is Billie Jean King. More than just a brilliant competitor on the court, King was a trailblazer for women’s tennis and athlete activism. She won 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles during her career, including 12 singles major titles. Her 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” match became a symbolic moment in sports history, transcending tennis to highlight issues of gender equality. King’s impact extended beyond trophies—she was instrumental in founding the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and fought tirelessly for gender parity, reshaping the landscape of professional tennis.

For the men, two names often dominate conversations about tennis’s greatest. Pete Sampras stands out as one of the all-time greatest, especially for his incredible run through the 1990s. Sampras won a then-record 14 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven Wimbledon crowns, showcasing a style defined by his powerful serve-and-volley game. His ability to perform under pressure and his lengthy reign as world No. 1 (holding the top spot for 286 weeks in total) helped define an era before the game transitioned into more baseline-dominant play.

Another warrior from the men’s game who deserves to be on this Mount Rushmore is Bjorn Borg. The Swedish sensation captivated tennis fans in the 1970s and early ‘80s with his ice-cold demeanor and effortless style. Borg won 11 Grand Slam singles titles, including five straight Wimbledon trophies — a record at the time — and six French Open crowns, a feat that highlighted his remarkable versatility on different surfaces. His intense rivalries against John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors brought dramatic flair and elevated the sport’s popularity, creating some of the most memorable matches in tennis history.

The fourth spot is more debated, reflecting the tennis world’s incredible depth of talent through the ages. Some might argue for Rod Laver, the Australian legend who is the only player to have won the calendar-year Grand Slam twice, in 1962 and 1969 — a feat few have ever come close to matching. Laver was a dominant force through the 1960s, excelling on grass, clay, and hard courts. His full career spanned the amateur and professional eras, bridging tennis’s transition into the Open Era in 1968, when professionals were first allowed to compete in Grand Slam events.

Others might place Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal in this position for their dominance in the modern era. Nadal’s unparalleled success on clay, especially his record 14 French Open titles, has defined his career, while Djokovic’s versatility, mental toughness, and record number of weeks at No. 1 (over 390 as of 2024) have made him a contemporary giant of the game. However, debate surrounding the “Greatest of All Time” continues, often split between these three modern stars and legends like Sampras or Borg.

In addition to these player profiles, it’s worth noting that tennis’s origins date back to 12th century France, evolving from a game called “jeu de paume,” and transformed considerably by the late 19th century in England. The establishment of Wimbledon in 1877 marked the birth of tennis as a competitive sport with formalized rules. Early champions like William Renshaw, who won Wimbledon seven times in the late 1800s, laid the groundwork for what tennis would become.

Moreover, the Open Era, beginning in 1968, was revolutionary. For the first time, professionals and amateurs could compete together, leading to an influx of talent and increased global interest. This shift allowed athletes like Rod Laver and Billie Jean King to showcase their skills on the biggest stages against the best competition, accelerating tennis’s growth as a professional sport.

Each of these legendary players brought something unique: King’s fearless advocacy and championships changed tennis socially and culturally; Borg’s stoicism and multiple Grand Slams set new performance benchmarks; Sampras’s artistry and clutch performances marked dominance; and Laver’s unmatched Grand Slam achievements showcased unparalleled versatility.

So, if you were to carve your tennis Mount Rushmore today, who would your players be? Would you honor the pioneers whose grit shaped the sport’s foundations? Or the modern icons who pushed tennis to new heights with their athleticism and hunger for records? Regardless of whom you choose, these titans of tennis symbolize the sport’s rich history and enduring excitement — a celebration of skill, courage, and passion that continues to captivate fans around the world.

In the end, much like the real Mount Rushmore stands as a monument to leadership and legacy, a tennis Mount Rushmore honors the champions whose legacies endure far beyond the baseline. Their images might not be etched into granite, but their impact is carved into the hearts of tennis lovers everywhere.