Tennis may be a sport of elegance and etiquette, but let’s not kid ourselves—it’s also home to some of the pettiest athletes on the planet. Whether it’s snubbing handshakes, dragging opponents in press conferences, or throwing shade mid-match, some players just can’t help but keep the drama alive.
This list is a tribute to those glorious moments of on-court grudge-holding and off-court grumbling. From icy rivalries to full-blown tantrums, these 25 tennis players turned pettiness into an art form.
25. Ernests Gulbis
Gulbis never missed an opportunity to tell the media what he really thought—especially if it involved criticizing his peers. He had a flair for stirring up controversy just for fun.
24. Jelena Janković
If looks could kill, Janković would’ve racked up more titles. Her side-eyes, slow claps, and general vibe said, “I’ve got time to be petty today.”
23. Fabio Fognini
Fognini has treated the court like his personal soap opera stage for years. His meltdowns and mutterings often feel like they’re meant more for effect than strategy.
22. Marat Safin
Safin could smash a racket, throw a tantrum, and deliver a sarcastic press conference—all in one afternoon. He wore his pettiness like a badge of honor.
21. Victoria Azarenka
Azarenka’s mid-match medical timeouts and frosty post-match handshakes have raised more than a few eyebrows. She’s not afraid to ruffle feathers if it helps her win.
20. Andy Roddick
Roddick loved a sarcastic line or a passive-aggressive dig at officials and opponents alike. His pettiness was always delivered with a smirk and some serious sarcasm.
19. Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios doesn’t just play tennis—he performs petty. From impersonating opponents’ serves to trash-talking mid-match, he might be the most theatrical player of his generation.
18. Caroline Wozniacki
Wozniacki occasionally let rivalries spill into the public eye, especially when she felt slighted. She wasn’t afraid to throw a little shade off the court when needed.
17. Novak Djokovic
For someone with 20+ Grand Slams, Djokovic still plays like he’s out to prove something to every critic. The cold stares, the mock celebrations, the subtle digs—they’re all part of the Djokovic petty playbook.
16. Bernard Tomic
Tomic seemed to treat tennis—and everyone around it—with passive-aggressive contempt. Whether tanking matches or calling out coaches, he made pettiness look effortless.
15. Martina Hingis
Hingis didn’t just want to beat you—she wanted to make sure you knew who was boss. Her rivalries were laced with sass and side comments that never failed to stir the pot.
14. Marcelo Ríos
Ríos had all the talent and none of the patience, often letting minor annoyances turn into major attitude. He brought a simmering grudge to nearly every match he played.
13. Naomi Osaka
Osaka rarely gets outwardly fired up, but it’s low-key and laced with shade when she does. Her responses to the press or opponents who cross the line are polite, sharp, and definitely not forgettable.
12. Richard Gasquet
Gasquet rarely caused full-on drama, but it was subtle and frosty when he did. He could ice out an opponent without raising his voice or throwing a tantrum.
11. Stan Wawrinka
Wawrinka plays with a chip on his shoulder and isn’t shy about calling out nonsense. His quiet digs and sarcastic smirks let you know exactly where he stands.
10. Venus Williams
Venus doesn’t usually lash out, but when she feels wronged, the look alone is enough to let you know she’s holding onto that moment for life. She’s mastered the art of dignified pettiness.
9. Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev makes pettiness fun, from trolling crowds to poking officials with just the right amount of sarcasm. He’s tennis’s modern troll king, and he owns it.
8. Anna Kournikova
Kournikova may not have won big titles, but she knew how to create big drama. She was often in the spotlight for reasons beyond the game, from feuds to frostiness.
7. Jimmy Connors
Connors turned every match into a battle of wills, including yelling, gesturing, and refusing to give an inch to rivals. He played with old-school intensity and a petty streak a mile wide.
6. Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka isn’t shy about wearing her emotions on her sleeve and reacting to every slight with flair. Her stares and storm-offs have become part of her on-court personality.
5. Martina Navratilova
Navratilova never backed down from speaking her mind, especially when she felt wronged. Her rivalries were intense, and her pressers often included some well-placed digs.
4. Andre Agassi
Agassi’s petty phase came early, full of eye-rolls, attitude, and one epic hairpiece. Even in his later, wiser years, he still had a sharp tongue when the moment called for it.
3. Serena Williams
Serena is legendary, but she’s also not afraid to hold a grudge—especially if she feels disrespected. Her icy glares and clapbacks have made headlines nearly as often as her trophies.
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2. Ilie Năstase
If you looked up “petty tennis drama” in the dictionary, you’d find Năstase’s smirking face. He was a one-man chaos machine, always ready to stir things up just for fun.
Read More: 15 Tennis Stars Who Took Themselves Way Too Seriously
1. John McEnroe
Nobody tops McEnroe when it comes to legendary pettiness. From exploding at umpires to calling out entire tennis federations, he set the gold standard for petty behavior in tennis.
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