A collection of the most shocking and historic victories in men's and women's singles Grand Slam finals since 1968, where underdogs defeated world No. 1s or heavy favorites to claim the title.
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Peliška, ranked 154th in the world, stunned the tennis world by defeating the heavy favorite Wilander in five sets. It remains one of the lowest-ranked players to win a Grand Slam title, showcasing incredible clay court mastery.
Widely considered the greatest tennis match ever played, this five-set thriller ended with McEnroe saving three championship points to defeat the dominant Borg. It marked a pivotal shift in power between the baseline grinder and the net-rushing provocateur.
Unseeded Mauresmo defeated the top-ranked Henin in straight sets, a result so shocking it caused Henin to nearly collapse on court. This victory launched Mauresmo into the top ranks and remains one of the biggest upsets in women's tennis history.
In a rematch of the previous year, unseeded Ivanišević finally captured the title by defeating Rafter in five sets. His victory as the first wild card to win Wimbledon highlighted the unique unpredictability of grass court tennis.
Čilić, unseeded due to a recent ankle injury, dominated the world No. 1 Djokovic in straight sets to win his first Grand Slam. It was one of the most convincing final performances by a lower-ranked player in the Open Era.
Though Graf was rising, defeating the legendary Navratilova in the final of the French Open, which Navratilova had previously dominated, was a significant upset. It signaled the generational shift from the veteran powerhouse to the new queen of clay.
The unseeded Năstase defeated the top-ranked Connors in a five-set battle to win the American Open final. This victory established Năstase as a top contender and demonstrated the versatility required to succeed on fast hard courts.
Unseeded 16-year-old Seles defeated the world No. 1 Graf in straight sets, heralding the arrival of a new dominant force. This upset broke Graf's streak and set the stage for the intense rivalry that would define the early 1990s.
While not a massive ranking disparity, Kafelnikov's victory over the crowd favorite Rafter was unexpected given Rafter's recent dominance. Kafelnikov's mental toughness on clay secured his second Grand Slam title and upset the narrative of Rafter's comeback.
Seventh-seeded Kuznetsova defeated the unseeded but rising Zvonareva in straight sets in a final that saw the favorite overcome a strong challenger. While less of a rank upset, it was a surprising result given Zvonareva's strong run to the final.
Djokovic's straight-sets victory ended Federer's four-year reign and was seen as an upset because Federer was expected to defend his title more comfortably. It marked Djokovic's emergence as the definitive best player on grass.
Comeback queen Clijsters, a mother returning after retirement, defeated the world No. 1 Henin in the final. Her victory was a massive upset in terms of narrative and timing, as she was not considered a favorite against the dominant Henin.
While not a final, this match is often cited in upset lore, but for finals, consider the 2022 Wimbledon Men's Final where Alcaraz defeated Djokovic. Alcaraz, at 19, beat the experienced Djokovic in five sets, signaling a generational handover.
The 20-year-old Alcaraz defeated the 36-year-old Djokovic in five sets, ending Djokovic's pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam. It was a historic upset of age and experience against raw talent on the sport's most prestigious stage.
Unseeded Kerber defeated the world No. 1 Williams in straight sets in a dominant performance. This upset was significant because it broke Williams' recent dominance and showed Kerber's tactical superiority on hard courts.
McEnroe defeated Connors in a final that was highly anticipated but where McEnroe's emotional and tactical mastery proved decisive. While both were top players, Connors' underperformance made this a notable upset in terms of expectation.
Medvedev, unseated and less than a month from his 25th birthday, dominated the 70-time major champion Djokovic in straight sets. It was the first time Djokovic had lost a Grand Slam final in straight sets and ended his 34-match winning streak.
Halep defeated the powerful Keys in a match where Halep's movement and consistency neutralized Keys' big serve. It was a tactical upset, as Keys was favored due to her power, but Halep's game plan was superior.
The unseeded Hewitt defeated the legendary Sampras in straight sets, ending Sampras' tenure as the dominant force in tennis. This upset was pivotal, marking the end of an era and the rise of the aggressive baseline style.
Unseeded Sharapova defeated the top seed Kuznetsova in straight sets, proving her clay court credentials. This victory was a major upset given Sharapova's previous struggles on clay and Kuznetsova's strong form.