I'll get a haircut especially
1. Gustavo Kuerten
Highest Ranking: 1 (2000)
Career Titles: 20
Grand Slam Wins: 3 -French Open 1997, 2000, 2001
Masters 1000 Wins: 5 – Monte Carlo 1999, 2001 Rome 1999, Hamburg 2000, Cincinnati 2001
Win/Loss Record: 358/195
Career Prize Money: $14,807,000
Records: Kuerten won his first slam in his third attempt—the fastest of any player in the Open era.
My Verdict: His arrival into the big time was Becker-esque. Winning another 2 French titles and reaching year-end number 1
Pity the fool who denies me
2. Marcelo Rios
Highest Ranking: 1 (1998)
Career Titles: 18
Grand Slam Wins: 0
Masters 1000 Wins: 5
Win/Loss Record: 391/192
Career Prize Money: $9,713,771
Records: He was the first player in tennis history to win the three clay-court Masters Series tournaments (Monte Carlo, Rome, and Hamburg).
My Verdict: Close call since Marcelo did not win a Slam. If talent alone gets you into the Hall of Fame, then he’d be a shoe-in. I would let him in so long as he works on his gratitude!
Muchos Gracias
3. Sergi Bruguera
Highest Ranking: 3 (1994)
Career Titles: 14
Grand Slam Wins: 2 – French Open 1993, 1994
Masters 1000 Wins: 2
Win/Loss Record: 447/271
Career Prize Money: $11,632,199
Records: Bruguera is one of the few players to have a winning record against Sampras, winning three of their five matches: 1–0 on hardcourt, 2–1 on clay, and 0–1 on carpet
My Verdict: Back-to-back French Open titles is good enough for me
Watch him at the Newport Casino
4. Yevgeny Kafelnikov
Highest Ranking: 1 (1999)
Career Titles: 26
Grand Slam Wins: 2 – French Open, Australian Open
Masters 1000 Wins: 0
Win/Loss Record: 609/306
Career Prize Money: $23,883,797
Records: He is the last man to have won both the singles and men’s doubles titles at the same Grand Slam tournament, which he did at the 1996 French Open.
My Verdict: Ticks all the boxes plus he nabbed Olympic Gold in 1996, so for that it’s all gravy Yevgeny
A sleeveless suit ok?
5. Carlos Moya
Highest Ranking: 1 (1999)
Career Titles: 20
Grand Slam Wins: 1 – French Open 1998
Masters 1000 Wins: 3
Win/Loss Record: 573/314
Career Prize Money: $13,390,822
Records: He has won ATP Tour singles titles in 11 different countries: Argentina, Croatia, France, Italy, India, Mexico, Monaco, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United States.
My Verdict: Achieved more than your average clay courter and was the inspiration for a young Nadal. You’re in!
Trust me, my acceptance will be funny
6. Goran Ivanisevic
Highest Ranking: 2 (1994)
Career Titles: 22
Grand Slam Wins: 1 – Wimbledon 2001
Masters 1000 Wins: 2
Win/Loss Record: 599/333
Career Prize Money: $19,876,579
Records: Lowest ranked Wimbledon Champion ever at 125
My Verdict: He could have won at least 2 Wimbledons and the manner in which he finally won it, puts him in for me. His serve alone deserves it’s own place in Hall of Fame as well. Probably the best there ever was or will be.
Let me in or else
7. Thomas Muster
Highest Ranking: 1
Career Titles: 44
Grand Slam Wins: 1 – French Open 1995
Masters 1000 Wins: 8
Win/Loss Record: 626/271
Career Prize Money: $12,225,910
Records: Muster is one of only three players to win Masters titles on 3 different surfaces (clay, carpet, and hard court).
My Verdict: Muster’s clay record is really only matched by Nadal and Vilas. He put the Iron into Man.
I've been practicing my speech
8. Richard Krajicek
Highest Ranking: 4 (1999)
Career Titles: 17
Grand Slam Wins: 1 – Wimbledon 1996
Masters 1000 Wins: 2
Win/Loss Record: 411/219
Career Prize Money: $10,077,425
Records: Inflicted Sampras’ only singles defeat at Wimbledon between 1993 and 2000.
My Verdict: Richard has done loads for Dutch tennis during his playing days and in retirement. I was on the fence with Dicky here, but with his Sampras stopping run to the Wimbledon title – he’s in.
I don't give a Stich
9. Michael Stich
Highest Ranking: 2 (1993)
Career Titles: 18
Grand Slam Wins: 1- Wimbledon 1991
Masters 1000 Wins: 2
Win/Loss Record: 385/176
Career Prize Money: $12,592,483
Records: He is one of only five players of his generation to have a positive career head-to-head record against Sampras.
My Verdict: Michael had a pretty stellar career and was a fixture in the top 5 for years. He does a lot for the game off court now as well, so Michael, you’re in.
C'mon! Lemme in!
10. Lleyton Hewitt*
Highest Ranking: 1 (2001)
Career Titles: 29
Grand Slam Wins: 2- Wimbledon 2002, US Open 2001
Masters 1000 Wins: 2
Win/Loss Record: 546/197
Career Prize Money: $18,914,631
Records: Youngest No.1 player : Lleyton Hewitt (20 years, 8 months in 2001); Lowest-ranked singles title winner on the ATP Tour : Lleyton Hewitt (550th in the ATP rankings – Adelaide 1998)
My Verdict: Still playing, but for me, Lleyton earned his ticket a while ago. He was THE player of his generation in the early 2000s and has achieved most things in the game. Welcome in mate.
