GOAT Debate: How We Measure Tennis Greatness — and Why It’s Complicated

The "GOAT" conversation in tennis is as timeless as a five-setter at Wimbledon. Fans and players alike have their favorites, but what makes one player greater than another? Is it Grand Slam titles? Weeks at No. 1? Head-to-head records? Legacy and influence?

 At Which Side Do You Want, we dive deeper than just the trophy count to explore the full range of metrics that can determine tennis greatness. Because when it comes to picking a side, context matters as much as stats.

Criteria — Slam Titles, Weeks at No. 1, and Head-to-Head

When most people start the GOAT debate, they usually begin with the big three stats:

• Grand Slam Titles: Often considered the gold standard. More Slams generally = greater legacy.

• Weeks at World No. 1: Reflects sustained excellence over time, showcasing longevity and dominance.

• Head to Head:  Marks your consistency over your contemporaries during the era that you played in.

• Total # of Tournaments Won: A straightforward statistic for consideration that is easy to measure.

• Longevity on Tour:   A final measure of greatness that stands the test of time.

Each of these tells part of the story; however, there are other aspects to consider for a comprehensive review.

Grand Slams: The Ultimate Measure

Grand Slams are the ultimate measure to begin the conversation. How many you've won is the standard. With this, you can join the debate, and it can also be used to separate you from the rest.

• Career Grand Slam: Winning all four majors (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open) is a major GOAT credential. Only a handful of players — men and women — have done it.

• Calendar Grand Slam: Even fewer have been able to win all four in the same year, although some have held all four trophies at the same time.

Most Wins - Men Most Wins - Women

24 - Novak Djokovic 24 - Margaret Court-Smith

22 - Rafael Nadal 23 - Serena Williams

20 - Roger Federer 22 - Steffi Graf

14 - Pete Samparas 18 - Martina Navaratilova

12 - Roy Emerson 18 - Chris Evert

Weeks at #1

Weeks at number one is a good measure of excellence, and how many weeks you were at the top shows just how dominant you were. As a simple metric, the most number of weeks overall is the goal. You can also consider the number of consecutive weeks a player was number one as a reflection of dominance.

Weeks at #1 - Men Weeks at #1 - Women

Novak Djokovic - 428 Steffi Graf - 377

Roger Federer - 310 Martina Navratilova - 322

Pete Sampras - 286 Serena Williams - 319

Ivan Lendl - 270 Chris Evert - 260

Jimmy Connors - 268 Martina Hingis - 209

Head-to-Head Records — Who Beat Whom, When It Mattered Most

When champions collide, rivalries tell stories, and their outcomes tell us a lot. Head-to-head records are a powerful way to evaluate how top players performed against their peers:

• Federer vs. Nadal, Sampras vs. Agassi, Martina vs. Chrissy — these matchups tell the story of greatness. It provides context for their achievements and helps determine whether their accomplishments were truly exceptional or just a reflection of the era they played in. 

• Head-to-head records against rivals, win percentages against top 10 players, and consistency in achieving results against the best help paint a picture of a player's overall dominance. 

• Some rivalries flip depending on the court. For instance, Nadal is the king of clay, Federer was considered the best on grass, and Serena ruled on hard courts.  A complete GOAT candidate competes (and beats) their rivals across all surfaces.

Total # of Tournaments Won

Statistics don't always tell the story, but the total number of tennis tournaments won is a solid way to measure how great a player is. Another consideration is a player's match win percentage. This can indicate consistency, but it doesn't take into account the quality of the opponent played.

Titles Won - Men Titles Won - Women

Jimmy Connors - 109 Martina Navaratilova - 177

Roger Federer - 103 Chris Evert - 163

Novak Djokovic - 99 Steffi Graf - 108

Ivan Lendl - 94 Margaret Court Smith - 97

Rafael Nadal - 92 Evonne Goolagong - 93

Longevity - It's a Marathon

Father time is undefeated. Being great for a moment is impressive. Being great for decades, that's elite. Longevity gives weight to greatness.

The best players aren't just dominant for a few seasons — they evolve with rule changes, new rivals, changing styles, and injuries. From teenage phenoms to late-career Slam winners being able to win at 18 and 36 speaks to physical excellence and mental resilience.

Longevity isn't just about playing long — it's about winning long.

Some other things to consider include:

• Era Strength: Not all competition is equal  dominating during a period with multiple all-time greats carries more weight than ruling an era with few challengers  

• Surface Versatility: Tennis is unique among global sports because of its varied playing surfaces — and greatness often depends on mastering them all

• Intangibles — Impact, Influence & Cultural Legacy: Some aspects of greatness can't be captured in a stat sheet  The way a player changes the game can be just as important as how many trophies they win. Serena Williams expanded tennis's reach to new communities and broke barriers for race, gender, and body image in sports;  Federer turned tennis into luxury; Djokovic brought a new dimension of physicality and mental fortitude.

• Off-Court Presence: Endorsements, philanthropy, and advocacy add to a player's legacy  Billie Jean King fought for gender equality  Nadal built academies  Federer became an ambassador for both tennis and UNICEF

  
  

  A GOAT doesn't just win  A GOAT leads.

Final Thoughts: Can We Ever Agree on the GOAT?

The truth is, there may never be a definitive GOAT in tennis — and maybe that's the beauty of it  Every fan has their views on who is better than another. Some prioritize stats. Others prize dominance in the moment.   Some see greatness in influence, in legacy, or in the way a player made them feel watching them compete.

At Which Side Do You Want, we believe the GOAT debate isn't about picking a single player but celebrating the brilliance of those who've shaped the sport generation after generation.

So now we ask you — Which Side Do You Want?

 Is it the titles? The rivalries?  The evolution?  The elegance?  The edge?

Drop your pick and your reasoning in the comments, or tag us in your GOAT debates on social media and let's keep the conversation as dynamic and passionate as the game we love.

Who is your GOAT in men's and women's tennis?

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