Tennis history is filled with stars who seemed destined for greatness from a young age, but occasionally, the sport produces surprises. Those are players who defy expectations to reach the pinnacle of the rankings. Those great names are also available to bet once you make your 1xBet login too.
These unlikely number ones often overcame 3 things in order to achieve the top spot, which were:
- early struggles;
- physical limitations;
- and they even went through unconventional paths.
One notable example is Goran Ivanišević. Known primarily for his booming serve, Ivanišević’s career was marked by inconsistency and near misses. He reached 3 Wimbledon finals in the 1990s, only to fall short each time. Many questioned whether he could ever win a Grand Slam, let alone reach the world’s top ranking. And speaking about a Grand Slam, at 1xBet you can login to bet on those tournaments too.
Yet, in a stunning display of perseverance, he won Wimbledon in 2001 as a wildcard entry, a feat unheard of in modern tennis. Though he never officially held the year-end number one spot, his rise to the top of the rankings was still improbable given his uneven career trajectory.
Other figures who impressed the world
Another unlikely figure is Lleyton Hewitt. Known more for his tenacity and defensive play than for overwhelming power, Hewitt was often dismissed as too small to dominate the game. Yet his relentless energy, mental toughness, and counterpunching style propelled him to the world number one ranking in 2001 at the age of 20. This made him the youngest male to achieve this feat at the time. His success challenged the conventional notion that size and power were prerequisites for reaching the top.
On the women’s side, Jelena Janković presents another case of an unlikely champion. Often overshadowed by the more powerful players like Serena Williams and Venus Williams, Janković’s game was based on consistency and incredible court coverage. Despite not having a dominant serve or overwhelming power, Janković reached world number one in 2008. Her achievement came from a combination of mental resilience and exceptional movement, which allowed her to outlast opponents in long rallies. Janković’s rise proved that tennis is not just about excelling in a particular aspect, but about maximizing your strengths and outworking the competition.
These stories illustrate that tennis is not always predictable. While natural talent and early promise often indicate future champions, determination, mental resilience, and a unique style can elevate even the most unlikely contenders to world number one. They remind us that in sports, as in life, the improbable can and does happen.