Tennis has always been a sport full of elegance, precision, and drama. While some players are known for their grit and grace, others have been known to steal the show for entirely different reasons.
We’re talking about the prima donnas. The racket smashers, the rule arguers, the ones who made press conferences must-see events. From epic meltdowns to diva behavior on and off the court, these 20 players brought the flair, whether anyone wanted it or not.
20. Ernests Gulbis
Always known for his talent and even more for his outlandish interviews, Gulbis never met a microphone he didn’t want to talk into. His love-hate relationship with tennis made him a walking contradiction—and a headline magnet.
19. Aryna Sabalenka
Powerful game, powerful presence, and definitely not afraid to speak her mind. She can flip the switch from competitor to controversy real quick.
18. Marat Safin
Safin’s game was electric, but his temper often stole the spotlight. Broken rackets became part of his brand—and there were a lot of them.
17. Victoria Azarenka
Fiery, intense, and never one to back down, Azarenka’s on-court antics could wear thin. Her medical timeout drama at the 2013 Australian Open? Pure diva energy.
16. Fabio Fognini
No one wears the “I can’t believe I’m still playing” face better than Fognini. From talking back to umpires to sarcastic claps, his matches are part tennis, part soap opera.
15. Jelena Ostapenko
Win or lose, Ostapenko is guaranteed to let you know how she’s feeling—loudly. Her complaints, glares, and constant muttering keep things entertaining and dramatic.
14. Andy Roddick
Behind the big serve was an even bigger mouth. Roddick never held back with umpires, press, or even fellow players when he felt wronged.
13. Bernard Tomic
Tomic often looked like he didn’t want to be on court, but heaven forbid you say it out loud. His odd behavior and lack of effort made him the poster child for tennis entitlement.
12. Caroline Wozniacki
Always polished and poised, but never far from the spotlight. Whether it was feuding with other players or making passive-aggressive comments, she knew how to stir the pot.
11. Daniil Medvedev
Unapologetically chaotic, Medvedev thrives in the villain role. He’ll mock the crowd, talk trash mid-match, and somehow still keep winning.
10. Jelena Dokic
Dokic’s game was often overshadowed by the off-court drama and headline-making interviews. She wasn’t afraid to call out the tennis establishment—or anyone else.
9. Gael Monfils
He’s beloved by many, but Monfils’ flair for the dramatic has made some question if he’s more performer than competitor. He’s the rare showman who sometimes takes it a bit too far.
8. Serena Williams
One of the greatest ever, but also no stranger to controversy. From arguing with umpires to making bold statements in post-match interviews, Serena has had plenty of prima donna moments.
7. Nick Kyrgios
The ultimate wildcard, Kyrgios, never met a tantrum he didn’t like. Whether tanking a match or trashing opponents, he’s always been as unpredictable as he is talented.
6. Martina Hingis
Brilliant and bratty all at once, Hingis had the game and the ego to match. Her smug demeanor rubbed plenty the wrong way—even when she was dominating.
5. Novak Djokovic
Djokovic walks the line between greatness and grievance constantly. His meltdowns, medical timeouts, and love of attention have often distracted from his brilliance.
4. Marcelo Ríos
Short fuse, big talent, and absolutely no interest in hiding his attitude. Ríos could be charming one moment and completely intolerable the next.
3. Ilie Năstase
The original tennis bad boy, Năstase, practically invented diva behavior in the sport. Between yelling at officials and taunting opponents, he left chaos wherever he played.
Read More: 10 Tennis Players Who Argued Like They Wrote the Rules
2. John McEnroe
You cannot be serious if he’s not near the top of this list. McEnroe’s tantrums and tirades made him both a legend and a headache.
Read More: The 20 Most Charismatic Figures in Tennis History
1. Andre Agassi
In his early years, Agassi was tennis’s ultimate rockstar diva. Flashy clothes, dramatic press drama, and a general “too cool for this” vibe made him the definitive prima donna of his era.
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