Top 10 British Men’s Tennis Players in History

After Jack Draper's victory in Indian Wells, British tennis fans have regained hope. The young talent is rated by bookmakers as highly as no one has been since prime Andy Murray.

Jack Draper Grand Slam 2025 Odds

He is already the fourth favorite for SPOTY and will undoubtedly be in the top 2 if he wins a Grand Slam tournament this year.

Jack Draper to Win SPOTY 2025

Bonus £50

Bet

16/1

The Best British Men’s Tennis Players in History

With this in mind, we decided to look back at the most remarkable and successful British tennis players—from an academic genius and anti-fascist to a man whose name became a brand. Meet the Top 10 British Tennis Players of All Time.

10. Jeremy Bates

• Years Active: 1977–1996

• Highest ATP Ranking: 54 (1995)

• Titles: 2 ATP (Doubles)

• Grand Slam Titles: None

Jeremy Bates has not become a Grand Slam champion, but he was a cornerstone of British tennis in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He had a solid singles career and was a strong doubles player, winning two ATP titles. His most famous moment came at Wimbledon in 1992 when he reached the fourth round, becoming the first British man to do so in nearly 20 years. Bates later became the captain of the British Davis Cup team, helping to shape future stars.

Off the court, Bates was known for his composed demeanor and his later contributions to coaching and commentary. And in the spirit of modern times, he even became a motivational speaker.

9. Mark Cox

• Years Active: 1966–1981

• Highest ATP Ranking: 13 (1977)

• Titles: 3 ATP (Singles), 5 ATP (Doubles)

• Grand Slam Titles: None

Mark Cox was one of the first professional British tennis players, having played before the Open Era began. He is best known for being one of the few amateurs to defeat a professional when he beat Pancho Gonzales in 1967. His consistency and longevity helped keep British tennis competitive at a time when the sport was dominated by Americans and Australians. in 1975 he became the last British player to win back-to-back professional titles (at the Washington Indoor WCT and London WCT events) until Andy Murray repeated the feat in 2008

Beyond tennis, Cox was highly educated and balanced his career with academic pursuits, earning a degree in economics. After retiring, he transitioned into the business world and worked in sports management. 

8. Kyle Edmund

• Years Active: 2012–Present

• Highest ATP Ranking: 14 (2018)

• Titles: 1 ATP (Singles)

• Grand Slam Titles: None

Kyle Edmund broke into the spotlight at the 2018 Australian Open, where he reached the semi-finals. He became the first British man besides Andy Murray to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since John Lloyd in the 1970s. His powerful forehand and aggressive baseline play made him a formidable opponent, though injuries hampered his progress in later years.

Edmund is known for his quiet and humble personality, contrasting with many of the louder personalities on tour. He has often spoken about his love for football, particularly his support for Liverpool FC. His struggles with knee injuries have made him an advocate for sports rehabilitation. In addition to injuries, he is also targeted by haters who claim that his move to the Bahamas was motivated by a desire to avoid taxes.

7. Greg Rusedski

• Years Active: 1991–2007

• Highest ATP Ranking: 4 (1997)

• Titles: 15 ATP (Singles)

• Grand Slam Titles: None

Originally from Canada, Greg Rusedski switched allegiances to Britain in 1995. He was known for his booming left-handed serve, once holding the record for the fastest serve in the world. His best career moment came in 1997 when he reached the US Open final, narrowly losing to Pat Rafter. Despite being in the shadow of Tim Henman for much of his career, Rusedski was a consistent performer on the tour.

Rusedski’s transition to British nationality was met with mixed reactions, but he quickly won over fans with his commitment and performances. He later became a respected tennis analyst and commentator. Off the court, he married British TV presenter Lucy Connor, and they have two children.

6. Roger Taylor

• Years Active: 1962–1980

• Highest ATP Ranking: 8 (1970)

• Titles: 6 ATP (Singles), 10 ATP (Doubles)

• Grand Slam Titles: None

Roger Taylor was one of Britain’s top players in the 1960s and 1970s. He reached the Wimbledon semi-finals three times, famously defeating the legendary Rod Laver in 1970. Taylor also played a key role in Britain’s Davis Cup success and later worked as a coach, influencing future generations of players.

Taylor was known for his resilience, famously overcoming a five-set thriller against Stan Smith at Wimbledon in 1973. Off the court, he was admired for his sportsmanship and later became a vocal advocate for improving tennis facilities in Britain. He maintained a low profile in retirement, focusing on grassroots tennis initiatives.

5. Tim Henman

• Years Active: 1993–2007

• Highest ATP Ranking: 4 (2002)

• Titles: 11 ATP (Singles), 4 ATP (Doubles)

• Grand Slam Titles: None

The face of British tennis in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Tim Henman was known for his serve-and-volley game. He reached six Grand Slam semi-finals, including four at Wimbledon, but never quite managed to break through to a final. His famous battles on Centre Court inspired a generation of British players, and "Henman Hill" became a staple of British summer sport.

Henman comes from a wealthy family with a strong sports background—his great-grandmother was one of the first women to compete at Wimbledon. He is married to his childhood sweetheart, Lucy Heald, and they have three daughters. In retirement, he has remained active in tennis as a commentator and philanthropist.

4. Bunny Austin

• Years Active: 1926–1950

• Highest ATP Ranking: N/A (Pre-ATP Era)

• Titles: 30 Amateur titles

• Grand Slam Titles: None

Bunny Austin was a pioneer for British tennis, being the last British man to reach the Wimbledon final before Andy Murray, doing so in 1938. He was also instrumental in popularizing modern tennis attire, being one of the first players to wear shorts instead of traditional trousers.

Austin was deeply involved in charity work and politics, often using his platform to discuss global issues, making him a unique figure in tennis history. He was married to actress Phyllis Konstam and was a devout Christian, dedicating much of his later life to humanitarian efforts. It was only he and his friend Fred Perry who, at the time, spoke out against the Nazi ban on Jewish participation in the Davis Cup as part of the German national team.

3. Fred Perry

• Years Active: 1929–1956

• Highest ATP Ranking: N/A (Pre-ATP Era)

• Titles: 13 major titles

• Grand Slam Titles: 3 Wimbledon, 3 French Open, 3 US Open, 1 Australian Open

The most dominant British tennis player before the Open Era, Fred Perry won 10 Grand Slam titles and was the first player to complete a Career Grand Slam. Beyond his tennis achievements, he became a cultural icon with the Fred Perry clothing brand, which remains popular today.

Perry had a sharp wit and was known for his rivalry with the amateur tennis establishment, often clashing with authorities due to his professional approach to the sport. He married four times, including a marriage to American actress Helen Vinson.Perry managed to move to the United States, serve as a pilot during World War II, and later founded one of the most recognizable sports brands in the world.

2. Mike Davies

• Years Active: 1952–1969

• Highest ATP Ranking: N/A (Pre-ATP Era)

• Titles: 6 ATP (Singles), 12 ATP (Doubles)

• Grand Slam Titles: None

Mike Davies was instrumental in the formation of the professional tennis tour, which led to the Open Era. His work in tennis administration helped shape the modern game. The greatest player couldn't participate in Grand Slam tournaments because he turned professional. Such were the times.

Davies retired in 1967, one year before Wimbledon finally allowed professionals to play. However, he did come out of retirement to play in the first Open at Wimbledon. He had missed 28 Grand Slam events during the ban. Davies spent much of his later years in America, working as a tennis promoter. 

1. Andy Murray

• Years Active: 2005–Present

• Highest ATP Ranking: 1 (2016)

• Titles: 46 ATP (Singles)

• Grand Slam Titles: 3 (2 Wimbledon, 1 US Open)

Murray is one of the most determined tennis players in history, with a career marked by victories over the "Big Three" (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic) and historic achievements for British tennis. He became the first Briton in 76 years to win a Grand Slam singles title, defeating Novak Djokovic in a five-set final. He also became the first player in history to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in singles. In 2019, he underwent hip resurfacing surgery, then made a remarkable comeback by winning the title in Antwerp, showcasing his incredible will to win.

He is known for his dry humor and advocacy for gender equality in tennis. His resilience in overcoming injuries has solidified his status as a true legend of the sport. And of course, it’s impossible not to mention that he is the one who has won SPOTY the most times in history. Truly a national favorite.