The following post is dedicated to Diego Maradona in memory of his untimely death. Diego Maradona was not just well-known as a brilliant soccer talent, but he also enjoyed tennis, both as a spectator and participant. He was an outspoken fan of Argentine tennis players, often expressing his admiration for players like Diego Schwartzman and Juan Martin Del Potro on social media. Argentina has a long history of producing very brilliant tennis players that have been associated with Grand Slam titles throughout the years. Here are my picks for the greatest Argentinian footballers of all time.
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5. David Nalbandian
With five top-ten finishes, one ATP Finals victory, one Grand Slam final appearance, and four Grand Slam semifinal appearances, Nalbandian had a stellar career. It will be his participation in the 2005 ATP finals that he will be remembered for the most, in which he took Federer to a fifth set and then defeated him in the championship match. Federer was almost invincible in the year 2005. He would, on the other hand, travel down to the dirty Argentine.
4. Gaston Gaudio
It is possible that Gaston would not be on this list if it were not for his victory at the 2004 French Open. Rather than him, Guillermo Coria would take his position. Guillermo Coria was the King of Clay at this period, as well as the number three seed in the French Open, as many tennis fans would remember from their childhoods. It would be Gaston Gaudio who would come into this match as the 44th ranked player in the world and shock the world by defeating his countryman in the fifth set, 8-6. From then, he would finish in the top 10 twice more in his professional career. However, it is the French Open that has cemented his place among the greatest Argentine players of all time.
read also: Best Tennis Players from Italy
3. Juan Martin Del Potro
It's possible that Del Potro might have been the greatest player Argentina has ever produced if it weren't for his many injuries during his career. Having stated that, despite his many failures, he has still had an amazing career. This career has included two US Open finals, one US Open championship, five top 10 places, a Davis Cup victory, bronze and silver Olympic medals, and an Indian Wells Masters victory, among other accomplishments. Also, bear in mind that his professional life is not yet finished. After having knee surgery, he is now recuperating and is scheduled to return in 2021 (fingers crossed! ).
2. Gabriela Sabatini
Sabatini was one of the most consistent top players in the eighties and nineties, finishing in the top ten in women's tennis for a record ten consecutive years from 1985 to 1990. She won the US Open in 1990 and the Wimbledon doubles championship in 1988, as well as the Australian Open in 1989. In addition, she reached the Wimbledon final in 1991 and has been to the semifinals of 15 Grand Slam tournaments. Finally, she won two Year-End Championships as well as a silver medal in the Olympics. Sabatini is regarded as an Argentine legend.
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1. Guillermo Vilas
The fact that Vilas is the greatest Argentine tennis player of all time is undeniable. For nine years in a row, he finished in the top ten, winning four Grand Slam championships along the way, including two Australian Opens (in 1978 and 1979), a US Open title (in 1977), and a French Open title (in 1977). In 1974, he won the ATP finals for the second time. He won a total of 62 ATP singles championships throughout his career.
Nobody has ever won more singles championships in a single season than Vilas has in a single season (16 titles). It is a record that may never be equaled or exceeded. The fact that Rafa Nadal is regarded as the King of the French Open with his 13 victories does not diminish the fact that he has not yet surpassed Vilas' record of 49 clay-court titles. Vilas was a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court.
pic source: twitter.com
