Tennis Legends: The Impact and Legacy Of Players Who Changed The Game
As we head into the spring and summer months, we take a look back at four of the most impactful names in tennis history
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Tennis has had the excellent fortune of being defined by a great level of execution throughout each of its eras. The sport has always been in great hands with regard to players having compelling narratives that fans can get behind. A memorable rivalry, a marathon match at a Grand Slam, or a supernova prospect is never too far from the discourse, which has allowed the sport to remain popular for many decades.
The tennis calendar starts off with a bang each year at the Australian Open in January, which creates a buzz for the residents of the nation as they look to couple it with a betting experience. Some will look to place sports bets on the competition, while others will look for tennis-themed top online pokies in Australia. That momentum continues to build throughout the year, as Wimbledon, Roland-Garros, and the U.S. Open punctuate the schedule.
As we head into the spring and summer months, we will take a look back at four of the most impactful names in tennis history.
John McEnroe
There are so many reasons why John McEnroe’s name is synonymous with the game of tennis. He was a phenomenal player, who captured 77 titles throughout his 18 professional seasons. He also won seven Grand Slam singles title and always knew how to put on a show. Some players let their game primarily do the talking, but McEnroe also made his voice heard throughout the match.
While it may be viewed as a bit uncouth by some in the tennis community, McEnroe was extremely vocal when it came to arguing calls from the umpire. He was known for berating them and questioning their judgment, which put the individuals in an uncomfortable position. However, many loved the dialogue he had and thought of it as a validation of his intense passion for the game.
Even though he hasn’t played a professional match since 1994, McEnroe’s voice and impact is still sizeable. He can be heard on national tennis telecasts, lending his analysis and viewpoints to fans across the globe. He’s been a tremendous ambassador for the sport and will continue to promote tennis as the years progress.
Roger Federer
It seems like an eternity ago, but Roger Federer made his tennis debut in the summer of 1998. There was no question that he had the potential to become something special, but the chances of him becoming one of the greatest to ever play the game seemed liked a lofty goal. However, the Swiss player showed such a high level of skill that it felt like any accomplishment was within his reach.
He would certainly deliver throughout the course of his 24-year career in professional tennis. Federer captured an astounding 103 titles and won 20 Grand Slam tournaments. Converted to USD, he’s earned the second most money of any tennis player of all time, amassing $130 million.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and for Federer, that conclusion occurred in 2022. He called it a career in September of that year, and it was truly remarkable how his contemporaries reacted to the news. Longtime rival Rafael Nadal could not contain his emotions when he realized Federer would be moving on to a different phase of his life.
Billie Jean King
To this day, there seems to be a prevailing thought that female athletes just don’t stack up to their male counterparts. Perhaps it is because of the stereotypical lack of power and strength women are deemed to have, but a match in 1973 helped catapult women’s tennis into the forefront of the national discussion. It’s all because of the way Billie Jean King played against a male opponent, Bobby Riggs.
Many people tuned in that September day assuming that Riggs would be able to defeat King without too much of a challenge, but they were wrong. King defeated Riggs in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, showing the world that women could be just as good at tennis as men. King is remembered most for that one seminal match and the impact it had on societal thinking.
King has remained a strong advocate for the women’s game throughout her life, also playing a key role in the formation of the WTA Tour along with the Original 9, and undoubtedly motivated many young girls to pursue their dreams both on and off of the tennis court.
Andre Agassi
For whatever reason, tennis players have always been expected to look a certain way. Clean-cut and polished have been adjectives used to describe the decor of most tennis players when they are competing. However, Andre Agassi didn’t get that memo and ushered in an era of individuality that broke the mould of what people thought a tennis player should look like.
Early in his career, Agassi sported a longhaired look with colorful clothing, much to the bewilderment of the tennis community. However, he proved that he could play elite-level tennis, which helped him win over some of the traditional fans.
He would go with the shaved head look later in his career, going on to win eight Grand Slam singles titles, and is now married to female tennis great Steffi Graf.
