Some tennis players seem to find an extra gear on grass. The best grass-court players can turn a serve into an attack, keep a low ball skidding with a slice, and move forward before an opponent has time to settle. Wimbledon is the sport’s most famous grass tournament, so its champions are often the first names fans think of.
From Martina Navratilova’s record nine Wimbledon singles titles to Roger Federer’s elegant all-court game, the greats have succeeded in different ways. Their careers show that grass rewards more than big serves: timing, balance, sharp decisions and the ability to adapt all matter.
What makes a great grass-court player?
Grass tends to produce a lower, less predictable bounce than clay or hard courts. That can make time feel short, especially when a player faces a fast serve or a ball hit close to the baseline. Grass is not identical everywhere, and modern courts can play differently from the lawns of past eras, but quick reactions and clean contact remain valuable.
Classic grass tactics include serving wide to open the court, following the serve to the net, and using a slice to keep the ball low. Strong returners and baseline players can thrive too. They need to take the ball early, stay balanced through awkward bounces and make opponents pay for short replies.
Famous men’s grass-court players
Roger Federer
Federer’s smooth movement and early ball-striking made grass look almost effortless. He could attack with a powerful serve, finish at the net or stay back and redirect the ball into open space. His eight Wimbledon singles titles are a record in the men’s event. His rivalry with Rafael Nadal also helped define modern grass-court tennis: Federer’s quick, precise attacking game against Nadal’s heavy left-handed spin and remarkable defence.
Pete Sampras
Sampras built his Wimbledon success around a huge first serve, confident volleys and a calm approach to big points. He won seven Wimbledon singles titles, including four in a row from 1997 to 2000. His serve-and-volley game is a clear example of how a player can use the first shot to control the whole rally. Opponents often had to make a difficult passing shot just to stay in the point.
Novak Djokovic
Djokovic has combined elite returning with exceptional balance and defence on grass. He can absorb a first serve, stretch rallies with deep groundstrokes and then attack when a chance appears. By the end of 2024, he had won seven Wimbledon singles titles. His success is a reminder that grass rewards more than traditional serve-and-volley tennis: a great returner can put the server under pressure from the first shot.
Björn Borg
Borg won five straight Wimbledon singles titles from 1976 to 1980, a remarkable run for a player best known for his heavy topspin and baseline endurance. He adjusted his game for grass by improving his serve and moving forward more often. The contrast between his Wimbledon success and his dominance on clay showed how well he could adapt his patterns to a different surface.
John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg
McEnroe’s left-handed serve and touch at the net helped him win three Wimbledon singles titles. Becker, another three-time champion, attacked with a powerful serve and fearless net play; his diving volleys became part of his reputation. Edberg won twice with a more flowing serve-and-volley style, built on footwork and precise volleys. Their different approaches show that there is no single way to play well on grass.
Famous women’s grass-court players
Martina Navratilova
Navratilova’s nine Wimbledon singles titles are the most by any player in the women’s event. She was a natural fit for grass: a left-handed serve, quick movement forward and sharp volleys let her seize control of points. Her rivalry with Chris Evert was especially compelling because it matched Navratilova’s attacking instincts against Evert’s consistency and court coverage.
Serena Williams
Serena’s serve was one of the most effective weapons grass tennis has seen. It could earn free points or set up a short reply to attack. She won seven Wimbledon singles titles, combining power with excellent movement and a strong ability to raise her level on the biggest points. Her game also shows why a powerful serve works best when it is backed by a reliable return and steady groundstrokes.
Steffi Graf and Venus Williams
Graf won seven Wimbledon singles titles with a fast, attacking game and a forehand that could finish points from almost anywhere. She was quick to move forward when an opponent’s reply sat up. Venus Williams won five titles, using her reach, speed and forceful serve to put opponents on the back foot. Her long Wimbledon rivalry with Serena produced several memorable finals.
Other champions worth knowing
Billie Jean King won six Wimbledon singles titles and was an accomplished all-court player. Ashleigh Barty’s 2021 title showed how effective variety can be: she mixed a strong serve and forehand with slices and changes of pace. These champions did not rely on one shot alone. They used their strengths to create a clear plan for each match.
Wimbledon singles titles among famous grass-court players
The figures below count Wimbledon singles titles, not every grass-court tournament a player won. Djokovic’s figure is stated through the end of 2024.
| Player | Wimbledon singles titles | Signature grass-court strength |
|---|---|---|
| Martina Navratilova | 9 | Left-handed serve and attacking volleys |
| Roger Federer | 8 | All-court variety and precise ball-striking |
| Novak Djokovic | 7 through 2024 | Returning, balance and defence |
| Pete Sampras | 7 | Serve-and-volley pressure |
| Serena Williams | 7 | Powerful serve and first-strike tennis |
| Steffi Graf | 7 | Fast footwork and attacking forehand |
| Björn Borg | 5 | Adaptable baseline play and composure |
| Venus Williams | 5 | Reach, speed and serve power |
How to learn from the greats on grass
Recreational players do not need a professional’s serve to borrow useful ideas. Aim your serve to create space, then look for a short reply. Practise a compact slice that stays low, and move forward only when your approach shot gives you time. On grass, rushing to the net behind a weak ball can leave an easy passing shot.
Footwork matters just as much. Short adjustment steps help you stay balanced when the bounce is uneven. Watch how Federer and Navratilova changed direction without overreaching, or how Djokovic used his legs to stay in rallies. Good positioning often matters more than trying to hit every ball harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has won the most Wimbledon singles titles?
Martina Navratilova holds the women’s record with nine titles. Roger Federer holds the men’s record with eight.
Is grass still a surface for serve-and-volley tennis?
Serve-and-volley remains effective, but it is not the only successful style. Powerful returners and baseline players can win by taking the ball early, keeping it deep and attacking short replies.
Who are the most famous modern grass-court players?
Federer and Djokovic are among the best-known men’s champions of the modern era, while Serena Williams and Venus Williams are major women’s grass-court figures. Each brought a different mix of power, movement and tactical skill.
Why does grass suit some players more than others?
Players who time the ball well, move confidently on a slippery surface and make quick decisions often adapt fastest. A reliable serve helps, but touch, balance and smart shot selection are just as important.
Final Thoughts
The famous grass-court players are not all serve-and-volley specialists. Navratilova and Sampras used attacking patterns to dominate, while Borg, Graf and Djokovic showed how baseline skill can succeed on grass. Federer and the Williams sisters brought their own blend of power, touch and movement. What links them is their ability to take control of short, demanding points—and to adjust when the surface does not give them a perfect bounce.
