In an age where basic strength dominates the landscape of tennis, the game of action and volley remains one of the most beautiful and creative styles the game has ever seen. Characterized by deceptively accurate performances, aggressive play, and brilliantly quick bursts, this approach has produced some of the greatest players in tennis history. With insight from Bet442, here are five of the most prolific volleyball players of all time – each of whom understood the art and elevated it to a legendary level.
1. Pete Sampras
Few players have been characterized by the Wort-and-Volley ethos like Pete Sampras, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in tennis history. With a smooth, explosive serve, especially his devastating second serve, Sampras dominated the points from the first strike. His athleticism, overhead, and unique touch in the area made him irresistible in quick spots.
- Grand slams: 14
- Signature: “Slam dunk” overhead and a clutch that works under pressure
Sampras’ Mastery at Wimbledon, where he captured seven titles, remains one of the longest stretches the game has ever seen.
2. Boris Becker
Bursting onto the scene as a 17-year-old Wimbledon champion, Boris Becker defined a well-rounded diet. His climbing performance, acrobatic stunts, and fearless courting made him a spectacle on the grass courts.
- Grand slams: 6
- Style strengths: Great performance, aggressive court posture, and unmatched courage at the net
Becker’s willingness to charge forward at all points blessed him as one of the defining forces serving the armies of the 1980s and 1990s.
3. Martina Navratilova
Arguably the greatest volley player in the history of women’s tennis, Martina Navratilova brought a level of Athlesizism and artistic strategy that has not been seen before or since. His unflinching attacking style, illegal intensity, and soft hands at the net were almost unheard of.
- Grand slams (singles): 18
- Grand slams (doubles / combined): 41 combined, an unmatched record
Navratilova’s reign on grass, particularly her nine Wimbledon titles, has marked her as one of the all-time marks of the sport.
4. John McEnroe
With unparalleled finesse and artistry, John McEnroe turned the game of action and volleyball into an art form. His left hand created terrible angles, and his touch at the net remains a controversy in tennis history.
- Grand slams: 7
- Known for: Genius-Level Pheel, Advanced Shooting, and Advantageous Contrast
McEnroe’s combination of Athletic Flair and Tactical Brilliance made him one of the most entertaining and effective players to ever step onto the court.
5. Margaret Court
One of the most accomplished strikers in the sport, Margaret Cource had a versatile all-court game combined with strong performance and a strong diet. His plan, distribution of the court, and determination to complete the points in a certain area made him the first pioneer of the service style of the service.
- Grand slams (singles): 24 – Most in history
- Strengths: Powerful execution, CRISP volleys, and Forecort’s strategic command
Court Dominance in the 1960s and 1970s helped define the evolution of modern attacking tennis techniques.
Final thoughts
Serve tennis volley may not fly today, but the legends who knew it well left a lasting mark on the sport. The power of SAMPRAS’ ATHLETIC Genius, Mcenrova’s art, Bcenroe’s fear, Becker’s brilliance, and Becker’s beauty, the beauty of the court represent a reflection of the style that once dominated the world of tennis and remains timeless in its beauty.
