Ahead of the US Open, These 10 Tennis Rivalries Still Define the Sport

Tennis has always been a sport defined by clashes of talent and personality, whether we realize it or not. With the US Open right around the corner, fans are once again eager to see which rivalries might flare up on the court. The tournament is known for crowning champions and cultivating rivalries that last through decades of tennis history. Every match can become part of a bigger tennis narrative, which is why we're here to celebrate these rivalries ahead of the US Open.

This sport is full of iconic pairings that set the stage for how we understand competition today. Some of these players met dozens of times across multiple seasons, each battle adding another layer to their story. These rivalries shaped more than their careers; in many ways, they actually helped define entire eras of tennis.

In this piece, 247 Tempo revisits 10 unforgettable tennis rivalries that left an indelible mark on the game. As the US Open approaches, they serve as a reminder of why fans keep coming back: to witness the next great showdown that people will still be talking about decades from now.

This post was updated on August 17th, 2025, to reflect additional information.

Gonzales–Rosewall

Going back over 60 years, we have the Gonzales–Rosewall rivalry. Pancho Gonzales and Ken Rosewall were some of the best men's tennis players of the 1950s and 1960s. The two were pitted against each other constantly (at least over 200 matches). Gonzales won the most games at 117.

Brough Clapp–duPont

Louise Brough and Margaret Osborne duPont were tennis legends during the 1940s and 50s. They had a rivalry that spanned 40 games between 1942 and 1956. Although Brough won the most games (25), duPont was once the world No. 1 American female tennis player.

Laver–Olmedo

Have you heard of the Laver–Olmedo (Rod Laver and Alex Olmedo)tennis rivalry? This rivalry spanned from 1959 to 1971. They played a total of 30 meetings. Although considered a rivalry, Laver won 26 of the 30 games.

Connors–McEnroe

One of the more well-known tennis rivalries was the Connors–McEnroe rivalry. Between 1977 and 1991, these talented sportsmen played 34 times. McEnroe won 20 of their games. Still, both players were previously the world No. 1 in men's singles.

Evert/Navratiova

During the Evert–Navratilova rivalry, the two players were considered the best women's tennis players in the world. Their rivalry stretched from 1973–1988 and consisted of 80 games. Martina Navratilova won the majority of them (43).

Court–Bueno

For nine years, Margaret Court and Maria Bueno battled on the tennis courts. During their rivalry in the 1960s, the two played 24 games against each other, with Court winning 17 of them.

Edberg–Lendl

Tennis fans during the 1980s and 90s were constantly watching the Edberg–Lendl rivalry as they were always so close. Out of the 27 games they played, Edberg won 14, while Lendl won 13.

Graf–Sabatini

Around the same time as the Edberg-Lendl rivalry, there was the Graf–Sabatini rivalry in women's tennis. Steffi Graf and Gabriela Sabatini played against each other about 40 times in 10 years. Both were strong players with plenty of wins under their belt, but Graf won most of their games.

Agassi–Chang

From 1988 to 2003, Andre Agassi and Michael Chang played 22 games against each other. Both were incredible tennis players, although now retired. However, Agassi won the most games at 15-7.

Sharapova–S. Williams

Last but not least is the Sharapova–S. Williams rivalry. This one is one of the more recent tennis rivalries and was between Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams. During their rivalry, they played 22 games, where Williams won 20.