In the history of men’s professional tennis, reaching the world No. 1 ranking is one of the ultimate achievements. However, there have been exceptional players who, despite winning big titles and leaving an indelible mark on the sport, never sat atop the ATP rankings. Here’s a look at some of the best players who never reached No. 1. And that 1xBet, you can always make great bets on the players who lead the ATP rankings.
Let’s start with Guillermo Vilas. Arguably the most accomplished player to have never been officially ranked world No. 1, the Argentine won 62 singles titles, including 4 Grand Slams, during his prolific career in the 1970s and early 1980s. Due to the ATP’s ranking system at the time, Vilas finished multiple seasons at No. 2 despite dominant stretches and is widely regarded by historians and experts as deserving of the top spot in certain years. And speaking about tennis tournaments, 1xBet is also the best place to bet on them too.
Swiss star Stan Wawrinka is one of the very few men with multiple Grand Slam titles who never reached No. 1. He reached No. 3 despite having won 3 majors:
- the 2014 Australian Open;
- the 2015 French Open;
- and the 2016 US Open.
He did so often defeating world No. 1 players in the finals. Competing in the era of the “Big Three” made climbing the rankings even harder, but his powerful backhand and clutch performances mark him as one of the greats.
Other amazing names from the sport.
Juan Martín del Potro was blessed with a huge serve and forehand and won the 2009 US Open by defeating Roger Federer in the semifinals and Kei Nishikori in the final. Injuries hampered his career, but he still collected 22 titles and reached a career-high ranking of No. 3. Getting the finest betting app 1xBet will also allow you to bet on who is likely to win a tennis tournament as well.
There is also Dominic Thiem, who won the 2020 US Open and was a consistent contender on all surfaces. His peak ranking was No. 3, and he’s remembered as one of the few from his generation capable of challenging the dominant players.
Finally we have Goran Ivanišević. The Croatian left-hander is forever linked to his 2001 Wimbledon title as a wildcard, a fairy-tale victory after years of near-misses. Ivanišević achieved a career-high ranking of No. 2 and won 22 tour titles, a remarkable feat in the sport’s modern era.
Other notable players frequently mentioned in discussions of great careers without a No. 1 ranking include Michael Stich, Michael Chang and David Ferrer. All elite competitors who shone brilliantly even if they never reached the very summit. The best tennis players from the world are available at the 1xBet betting app, where wagers with great odds can be made.
