Russia has been a powerhouse in the tennis world for years, producing some of the greatest players the sport has ever seen. If you’re a fan of tennis, then you’ve probably seen some of these greats in action. But who are the best of the best? Here are the top 5 Russian tennis players of all time.

5. Nikolay Davydenko

Nikolay Davydenko is a former world No. 3 player who won 21 singles titles during his career. He was also a member of Russia’s Davis Cup-winning team in 2006. Davydenko retired from tennis in 2014 after more than 13 years on the professional circuit.

4. Daniil Medvedev

Medvedev is the only active player on this list. However, he’s already a legend, having captured the 2021 US Open and held the number-one ranking. The future is bright for Medvedev. He is arguably the best player in the world on a hard court, and he’ll be terrorizing opponents for years to come with his brand of tennis. Daniil is sponsored by Lacoste, which is one of my favorite brands!

3. Yevgeny Kafelnikov

Yevgeny Kafelnikov was the first Russian man to be ranked world No. 1 by the ATP. He won two Grand Slam singles titles and four Grand Slam doubles titles during his career. Kafelnikov also helped Russia win Olympic Gold in 2000 and the Davis Cup in 2002. He retired from tennis in 2005 and now works as a television commentator.

2. Marat Safin

Arguably the most exciting tennis player to come out of Russia, Safin was as powerful on the court as he was entertaining. He exploded into the scene in 2000 by destroying Pete Sampras in the US Open final. He would go on to win the 2005 Australian Open for his second grand slam. He would hold the number one ranking briefly.

1. Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is one of the most popular tennis players of all time. She won five Grand Slam singles titles and is an Olympic silver medalist. She has also been ranked world No. 1 by the WTA. Sharapova earned over $325 million during her career, making her one of the highest-paid female athletes in history.

These are just a few of the great Russian tennis players who have graced the courts over the years. While many other talented players from Russia, these five stand out as some of the best to ever play the game. If you’re a fan of tennis, then be sure to check out some highlights from their careers—you won’t be disappointed!

Like always, don’t forget to jump on to the TennisPAL app to stay up to date on tennis news, find groups of friends to play with, and get a virtual coach to help with your tennis game.