Back in the 1980s, wooden rackets were out, neon fashion was in, and tennis was in the middle of a stylistic shift. While many players were still playing a classic, finesse-heavy style, a few stood out by bringing serious heat to the court—well before today’s baseline brawlers made it the norm.
These were the players who crushed serves, ripped forehands, and played with the kind of aggressive power that wouldn’t look out of place in a modern Grand Slam final. From explosive groundstrokes to relentless baseline rallies, they were ahead of their time in every sense.
15. Mary Joe Fernández
She was smooth, but she packed a sneaky punch from the baseline when she got rolling. Her forehand in particular had the kind of depth and pop that screamed future WTA.
14. Kevin Curren
Curren served bombs and came in behind them like a freight train. His motion and pace looked like a preview of the modern power-server blueprint.
13. Hana Mandlíková
She could cover the whole court with ease, but when she stepped into her shots, you could see flashes of today’s big hitters. Her aggressive all-court game pushed the tempo in a way that felt ahead of schedule.
12. Brad Gilbert
Okay, so Gilbert wasn’t a human highlight reel, but he played with heavy, deep balls that made life miserable for opponents. He knew how to grind with controlled aggression before it was trendy.
11. Pam Shriver
She made her name at the net, but her serve and ground game had real power baked in. Shriver could blast through the court on a good day, especially on faster surfaces.
10. Johan Kriek
Compact, explosive, and totally fearless on the big points. His aggressive baseline play and quick-strike mentality would’ve earned him plenty of wins in the 21st century.
9. Andrea Jaeger
Don’t let the low-key demeanor fool you—Jaeger hit with serious intent. Her flat, fast groundstrokes took time away like the best modern players do.
8. Aaron Krickstein
Injuries might’ve slowed him down, but when healthy, Krickstein’s power off both wings was a sign of where the men’s game was headed. He was basically a prototype for the modern baseline grinder with pop.
7. Gabriela Sabatini
She had a one-handed backhand and still managed to bring serious firepower from the baseline. Her topspin-heavy forehand and athleticism gave off major 2000s vibes.
6. Yannick Noah
Noah had flair, charisma, and a powerful game that looked built for the highlight reel. His leaping serves and big forehands made him feel like a modern showman before that was a thing.
5. Zina Garrison
She was quick and creative, but could absolutely unload when she stepped in. Garrison had an aggressive streak in her game that would’ve fit right in on today’s WTA Tour.
4. Boris Becker
Becker turned heads by winning Wimbledon as a teenager, but it was his raw, fearless power that really stood out. His diving volleys and 130 mph serves were like a time machine to today’s tennis.
3. Steffi Graf
Graf’s forehand was a laser beam, and her footwork let her dictate rallies with ruthless efficiency. She hit the ball harder and cleaner than just about anyone, then or now.
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2. Ivan Lendl
Lendl didn’t just hit hard—he redefined what consistent power looked like from the baseline. His style was the blueprint for the power-centric approach that dominates the men’s game today.
Read More: Tennis Star Becker and Two Icons Break Down the Perfect Serve
1. Martina Navratilova
Navratilova was a fitness freak with a booming lefty serve and a fearless net game. She played with an intensity and physicality that made her feel like a time traveler from a more modern era.
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