Tennis is a sport full of elegance, athleticism, and drama—but it’s also full of players who somehow became walking TED Talks without ever really trying. They weren’t always the most dominant, stylish, or predictable, but somewhere along the way, they turned into motivation machines and emotional gut-punches.
These tennis stars made us believe in grit, comebacks, late bloomers, and underdogs—even if they had no business being that inspiring in the first place. From journeymen to legends with more heartbreak than trophies, here are 15 players who hit us right in the feels.
15. Gaël Monfils
He was supposed to be a flashy, fun guy who never really broke through, and somehow became an emotional icon. Monfils turned raw athleticism and chaotic matches into something unexpectedly touching.
14. Ashleigh Barty
She quit the sport, played cricket, and returned to become World No. 1 like it was no big deal. Barty had a calmness that felt like a warm blanket in a sport full of chaos.
13. Marcos Baghdatis
He didn’t win a ton, but every time he played, you wanted to call your grandma and tell her you were proud of yourself. Baghdatis brought the energy of a lovable substitute teacher who almost made you cry during a pep talk.
12. Frances Tiafoe
Raised in a tennis center where his dad was a janitor, Tiafoe’s story feels like it was ripped from a movie script. Add in the charisma and clutch performances, and you’ve got a guy who makes you cheer even when he loses.
11. Jelena Dokic
Her tennis career had moments, but her brutal honesty and resilience off the court hit home. Dokic turned personal tragedy into public advocacy with a kind of raw courage you can’t fake.
10. David Ferrer
He was never the most talented guy, but he ran like his life depended on it. Ferrer made the effort look heroic, somehow making losing deep in a Slam feel like a spiritual triumph.
9. Li Na
She didn’t just win majors—she opened the floodgates for Chinese tennis and did it with wild humor and brutal honesty. Her journey from underdog to global icon felt like a sports movie we didn’t realize we needed.
8. Stan Wawrinka
Stan wasn’t supposed to win multiple Slams in the Big Four era, but here we are. His “fail better” tattoo and giant backhand became symbols of quiet, late-blooming defiance.
7. Victoria Azarenka
She’s battled injury, motherhood, public criticism, and somehow kept coming back like a stubborn phoenix. Vika’s fight goes way beyond the court, and it’s impossible not to root for her.
6. James Blake
A broken neck, shingles, the death of his father—all before making it to the U.S. Open quarterfinals. Blake’s resilience was so casually presented that it made his toughness even more admirable.
5. Kim Clijsters
She walked away, became a mom, and returned to win the U.S. Open like she never left. Kim made balancing life and sport both doable and deeply inspiring.
4. Andy Roddick
He spent most of his career getting overshadowed, but never stopped showing up with heart and humor. Roddick became the face of perseverance wrapped in sarcasm, and we loved him for it.
3. Ons Jabeur
The Tunisian trailblazer redefined what was possible for Arab women in sport—and did it with flair and humility. Her rise has been quietly revolutionary and emotionally gutting in the best way.
2. Juan Martín del Potro
His wrists betrayed him, but his spirit never did. Delpo’s run to the 2009 U.S. Open and every comeback attempt since felt like rooting for a gentle giant in a cruel world.
1. Andy Murray
A grumpy, sarcastic, metal-hipped legend who became the most emotional inspiration. Murray fought for equality, battled injury, and somehow made being stubborn feel noble.
Read More: The 15 Most Delusional Tennis Players of All Time
