To finish the year-end Number 1 is one of the best achievements for a tennis player. Yet to repeat this feat year after year continuously is an icing on the cake. In this article we look back at those great players who were able to finish most consecutive years as the World Number 1.
5. Ivan Lendl
The Czech born American won 8 Grand Slams in his illustrious career. He also ended Number 1 player in the World for 4 years.
In the period of 1985 t0 1987 Lendl finished the World Number 1 for 3 consecutive years. This places him at 5th in the all time consecutive year end Number finishers list.
4. Roger Federer
Federer is regarded as one of the greatest players ever to grace the game. He was at his peak from 2004 to 2010. In these years the great Swiss was able to finish the World Number 1 for 5 years.
In this was consecutive 4 year tenure from 2004 to 2007 where he continuously reigned as World Number 1, placing him at 4th place in the consecutive year end Number 1 finishers.
3. John McEnroe
This flashy American was as famous for his volatile temperament as his versatile talent. A master of serve and volley, McEnroe was at ease of fast hard courts and grass courts.
The winner of 7 Slams McEnroe finished World Number 1 for 4 years in a row from 1981 to 1984. This places him on the 3rd spot in the elite list of continuous year end Number 1 finishers.
2. Jimmy Connors
Connors still holds the record of most titles won by a singles player. He was the 2nd ever player to finish the year end Number 1 since the practice was started by the ATP.
Connors was World Number 1 for 5 years on the trot from 1974 to 1978. This record stood good for about 2 decades before being broken by his fellow American great Pete Sampras.
1. Pete Sampras
Few players have ever been as dominant on the court as Pete Sampras at his peak. This great player nicknamed as Pistol for his fast serve finished the World Number for a record of 6 years back to back.
This was during that amazing period of 1993 to 1998 when Pete was nearly unbeatable. This record of Sampras stands good even today after 20 years and not even the Big 3 have reached there.