Tennis has long been a sport that captivates with its display of individual prowess and thrilling solo battles. Yet, there’s a distinct magic in the doubles arena, where teamwork, strategy, and on-court chemistry transform the game into an art form.
Over the years, numerous dynamic duos have left an indelible mark on tennis history, showcasing phenomenal skills and securing their spot among the legends of the sport. This article highlights some of the most successful and celebrated doubles teams, each bringing their unique flair and achievements to the tennis world.
15. Daniel Nestor and various partners
Daniel Nestor, a Canadian tennis legend, won 91 ATP doubles titles with 11 different partners. He achieved a career Golden Slam, winning all four majors, Olympic gold, and every ATP Masters 1000 event. Nestor held the world No. 1 doubles ranking for 108 weeks and retired in 2018 after a remarkable 28-year career.
14. Hsieh Su-wei and various partners
Hsieh Su-wei has dominated women’s doubles, winning nine Grand Slam titles with different partners since 2013. Known for her unorthodox two-handed style and tactical brilliance, Hsieh reached world No. 1 in doubles in 2014 and regained the top ranking in 2020. Her versatility and ability to excel with multiple partners solidify her status as one of the greatest doubles players in tennis history.
13. John Newcombe and Tony Roche
John Newcombe and Tony Roche formed one of the most formidable doubles partnerships in tennis history. The Australian duo won 12 Grand Slam titles together, including five Wimbledon championships. Their powerful serves, exceptional volleying skills, and seamless on-court chemistry made them a dominant force throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.
12. Martina Hingis and various partners
Martina Hingis dominated doubles tennis across three decades. She achieved the doubles Grand Slam in 1998 and returned to world No. 1 in 2017 at age 37. Hingis won 13 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles with different partners and completed the career Grand Slam in mixed doubles.
11. Jonas Björkman and Todd Woodbridge
After the “Woodies” era, Todd Woodbridge partnered with Jonas Björkman to continue his doubles dominance. The pair won five Grand Slam titles together, including three Wimbledons. Björkman’s versatility and Woodbridge’s net skills made them a formidable team, securing 16 ATP titles from 2001 to 2004.
10. Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova
This Czech duo has dominated women’s doubles in recent years, completing a Career Golden Slam in 2022. They’ve won nine Grand Slam titles together, including all four majors and an Olympic gold medal. Siniakova has finished as year-end World No. 1 in doubles four times, solidifying their place among the all-time greats.
9. Billie Jean King and Owen Davidson
Billie Jean King and Owen Davidson formed one of the most formidable mixed doubles partnerships in tennis history. Together, they won eight Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, including four at Wimbledon. In 1967, Davidson achieved a calendar year Grand Slam in mixed doubles, with three of those titles won alongside King. Their on-court chemistry and complementary playing styles made them a dominant force in the 1960s and 1970s.
8. Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi
The Indian duo dominated doubles tennis in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They won three Grand Slam titles together and reached the finals of all four majors in 1999. Known as the “Indian Express,” Paes and Bhupathi held a 303-103 career record and set a Davis Cup record with 24 consecutive doubles victories.
7. Margaret Court and Ken Fletcher
Margaret Court and Ken Fletcher formed one of the most dominant mixed doubles partnerships in tennis history. In 1963, they achieved a rare mixed doubles Grand Slam, winning all four major titles. The Australian duo went on to claim 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles together, including three consecutive French Open victories from 1963-1965.
6. Gigi Fernández and Natasha Zvereva
Gigi Fernández and Natasha Zvereva formed one of the most dominant doubles partnerships in tennis history, winning 14 Grand Slam titles together between 1992 and 1997. Their partnership is the second-most successful in Grand Slam history, behind only Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver. Fernández won a total of 17 Grand Slam doubles titles, while Zvereva claimed 18.
5. Serena and Venus Williams
The Williams sisters dominated women’s doubles for over two decades, winning 14 Grand Slam titles together with an unbeaten 14-0 record in finals. They also captured three Olympic gold medals as a team. Their combined 84% career win percentage in doubles showcases their exceptional skill and longevity as partners.
4. Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde
Known as “The Woodies,” this Australian duo dominated men’s doubles in the 1990s. They won 11 Grand Slam titles together, including a record six Wimbledon championships. The pair also claimed Olympic gold in 1996 and silver in 2000, cementing their status as one of the greatest doubles teams ever.
3. John McEnroe and Peter Fleming
John McEnroe and Peter Fleming formed one of the most dominant doubles partnerships in tennis history. They won 57 titles together, including seven Grand Slams (four Wimbledons and three US Opens). Their success spanned from 1977 to 1984, with Fleming once quipping, “The best doubles pair in the world is John McEnroe and anybody.”
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2. Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver
Navratilova and Shriver dominated women’s doubles in the 1980s, winning 20 Grand Slam titles together. They achieved a calendar year Grand Slam in 1984 and set a record of 109 consecutive match wins from 1983 to 1985. Their partnership is considered one of the most successful in tennis history.
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1. Bob and Mike Bryan
The Bryan brothers are widely regarded as the most successful doubles team in tennis history. They won a record 16 Grand Slam titles together, along with Olympic gold in 2012. The identical twins held the world No. 1 ranking for 438 weeks and amassed 119 tour-level titles before retiring in 2020.
