Tennis might pride itself on tradition and etiquette, but let’s face it—some players have completely thrown the rulebook out the window.
From explosive tantrums and shady sportsmanship to personalities that just rubbed fans the wrong way, these 15 players have carved out their place on tennis’s most disliked list. Buckle up—this lineup has more drama than a five-set Grand Slam thriller.
15. Nick Kyrgios
Let’s start with the obvious: Nick Kyrgios is basically the human embodiment of a Twitter troll, but with a wicked forehand. He’s got more talent than most, but half the time he seems more interested in roasting his opponents and smashing rackets than actually winning matches. Love him or hate him (most ATP umpires fall into the latter category), he keeps things entertaining.
14. Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev is a walking contradiction—he plays like a genius but trolls the crowd like a villain from a bad action movie. From flipping off the U.S. Open crowd to sarcastically thanking them for their “support,” he’s made it clear that he thrives off being the bad guy.
13. Ilie Năstase
Old-school chaos. Năstase was the original tennis troublemaker, racking up fines and suspensions before it was trendy. From arguing with umpires to making inappropriate comments, his antics were legendary for all the wrong reasons.
12. Alexander Zverev
While Zverev has serious game, his off-court issues have left a permanent stain on his reputation. Accusations of domestic abuse, anger-fueled outbursts, and racket-smashing tantrums have made him one of the most polarizing figures in modern tennis.
11. Jimmy Connors
A Hall of Famer with the personality of a professional wrestling heel. Connors thrived on being the guy everyone wanted to lose, flipping off crowds, trash-talking opponents, and never missing an opportunity to remind you how great he was.
10. Novak Djokovic
Djokovic might be one of the greatest players of all time, but he’s also one of the most divisive. Whether it’s his vaccine stance, questionable medical timeouts, or his tendency to smash rackets when things don’t go his way, there’s always a reason for fans to either love or despise him.
9. Bernard Tomic
Tomic makes Kyrgios look like a hard worker. The dude has openly admitted he doesn’t care about tennis, tanked matches, and somehow thinks the world owes him a trophy. If there were a Hall of Fame for wasted potential, he’d be first-ballot.
8. Fabio Fognini
A hothead with a flair for the dramatic, Fognini has spent years screaming at umpires, breaking rackets, and dropping casual misogynistic comments. A supremely talented player, but his mouth runs at a higher RPM than his footwork.
7. Jeff Tarango
A lesser-known name but a legend in tennis tantrum history. Tarango once accused an umpire of being corrupt mid-match, refused to continue playing, and stormed off. His wife then took it up a notch by slapping the umpire after the match. Iconic levels of unhinged.
6. Ernests Gulbis
Gulbis was like a rich kid playing tennis for fun—because, well, he was. He once said he’d rather party than play tennis, and his career reflected that attitude. Few things annoy fans more than wasted talent, and Gulbis delivered that in spades.
5. Lleyton Hewitt
A scrappy player with a never-say-die attitude… and a face you just wanted to punch (figuratively, of course). Hewitt’s on-court screaming, cocky celebrations, and occasional accusations of bad sportsmanship made him one of the most annoying players of his era.
4. John McEnroe
The king of tantrums. If you say “bad boy of tennis,” McEnroe’s face pops up immediately. He was a phenomenal player, but his screaming matches with umpires and overall “I’m better than you” attitude made him an easy target for haters.
3. Serena Williams
A GOAT? Absolutely. But let’s be real—Serena has had some ugly moments, from threatening line judges to refusing to let things go after controversial calls. Some see her as a fierce competitor, others see her as a sore loser. Either way, she’s never been one to keep things low-key.
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2. Diego Schwartzman
This one is personal for some. Schwartzman has a knack for irritating opponents and fans alike with his gamesmanship, excessive grunting, and occasional court theatrics. Great player? Yes. Likable? Depends on who you ask.
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1. Marcelo Ríos
Ríos may not be a household name, but he’s arguably the most hated player in tennis history. A former world No. 1, he was known for his nasty attitude, open disdain for the media, and his refusal to even pretend to be nice. He once told reporters he wished he could be invisible so he wouldn’t have to talk to them—respect, but also, dude, relax.
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