A compilation of tennis players who achieved the pinnacle of the sport by winning a major title despite not being ranked in the top 10 of the world rankings at the time of their victory. These stories highlight resilience, tactical brilliance, and the unpredictable nature of Grand Slam tournaments.
Get targeted exposure with custom position pinning and highlighted placement.
In a stunning 1976 Australian Open upset, Mark Edmondson entered the tournament ranked World No. 271. He defeated top players like Roscoe Tanner and John Newcombe, proving that deep tournament runs are possible even from the lowest ranks.
Ranked World No. 15 at the time, Kiki Bertens captured the 2018 US Open title by defeating Madison Keys in the final. Her victory was particularly notable as she was the highest-ranked player among the finalists and broke through after years of consistent performance without a major.
Before becoming the World No. 1, John McEnroe won his first Grand Slam at the 1979 French Open while ranked No. 12. Although he was close to the top 10, his entry into the main draw and subsequent victory against Bjorn Borg remains a legendary underdog-style breakthrough moment early in his career.
At the 2001 US Open, Lleyton Hewitt was ranked No. 17 when he defeated Pete Sampras in the final. This victory catapulted him to the World No. 1 spot and marked his emergence as a dominant force in men's tennis after several years of near-misses.
Ranked World No. 12 at the start of the 2006 Australian Open, Amelie Mauresmo won her first Grand Slam title by defeating Justine Henin in the final. Her strategic mastery and mental fortitude allowed her to overcome higher-ranked opponents throughout the week.
Although often ranked higher, Stan Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam at the 2014 Australian Open while ranked No. 27. He defeated Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic in the final four rounds, showcasing incredible peak performance against the 'Big Three'.
Entering the 2016 French Open ranked No. 28, Garbiñe Muguruza defeated defending champion and World No. 1 Serena Williams in the final. This victory ended Serena's run and established Muguruza as a premier contender on the WTA tour.
Before her dominant era, Iga Swiatek won the 2020 French Open while ranked World No. 54. As a 19-year-old qualifier, she defeated Sofia Kenin in the final, marking a significant upset and the beginning of a new generation of champions.
Ranked World No. 24 at the time, Ashleigh Barty won the 2019 French Open by defeating Karolina Pliskova. Her victory was a surprise to many, as she had been away from the tour for a year and was not considered a top favorite for the clay-court title.
At the 2012 Australian Open, Victoria Azarenka was ranked No. 2, but her path to victory included beating higher-ranked players like Marion Bartoli in the semifinals. However, her 2013 Australian Open win saw her enter as No. 2, so a better example is her 2012 US Open where she was No. 2. Let's look at a clearer underdog: Madison Keys at the 2017 Australian Open, ranked No. 38, reached the final before losing.
Ranked World No. 38, Madison Keys reached the final of the 2017 Australian Open, defeating Venus Williams and Karolina Pliskova along the way. Although she lost to Sloane Stephens, her run was one of the most impressive underdog performances in recent history.
Ranked World No. 45 at the start of the 2011 Wimbledon Championships, Petra Kvitova won the title by defeating Li Na and Caroline Wozniacki. Her powerful left-handed game and aggressive style allowed her to overcome higher-ranked opponents on grass.
While not a Grand Slam winner, Jelena Jankovic reached the final of the 2006 Australian Open ranked No. 6. A true underdog winner is Anastasia Myskina, who won the 2004 French Open ranked No. 29, beating Justine Henin in the semifinals and Maria Sharapova in the final.
Anastasia Myskina won the 2004 French Open ranked World No. 29. She defeated Justine Henin in the semifinals and Maria Sharapova in the final, claiming her first and only Grand Slam title in a highly competitive field.
Ranked World No. 66, Danielle Collins won the 2022 Australian Open after winning a pre-tournament tournament. She defeated Maria Sakkari in the final, marking one of the biggest upsets in recent Grand Slam history and her first major title.
Maria Sakkari reached the final of the 2021 US Open ranked World No. 8. While she was just outside the top 10, her run included victories over top seeds. She lost to Emma Raducanu, who was an unseeded qualifier, making Raducanu the ultimate underdog.
An unseeded qualifier ranked World No. 150, Emma Raducanu won the 2021 US Open without dropping a set. Her victory was the most remarkable underdog story in modern tennis history, defeating Leylah Fernandez in the final.
Ranked World No. 21, Gaston Gaudio won the 2004 French Open after losing the first set in every match until the final, where he came back from two sets down against Mariano Puerta. His resilience and mental strength secured his only Grand Slam title.
Ranked World No. 13 at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships, Marion Bartoli won the title by defeating Serena Williams in the final. Despite being close to the top 10, her victory was unexpected as Williams was the heavy favorite, and Bartoli's tactical approach proved superior on grass.
Before his dominance, Novak Djokovic won his first Grand Slam at the 2008 Australian Open ranked World No. 4. While he was in the top 10, his breakthrough victory over Andy Murray signaled the start of his reign. A better underdog is Tim Henman, who never won a major.
Tim Henman was the highest-ever British player to reach the Wimbledon final (1996-2002) but never won a Grand Slam. This list focuses on winners, so we will look at other non-top 10 winners like Mary Pierce, who won the 1995 Australian Open ranked No. 26.
Ranked World No. 26, Mary Pierce won the 1995 Australian Open by defeating Monica Seles in the final. Her powerful game and tactical adjustment on hard courts allowed her to overcome the reigning champion and claim her first major title.