The 5 men with the most Grand Slam finals played: Novak Djokovic with 37, Rafael Nadal 3rd

Ewan West
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer celebrate Grand Slam titles
(L-R) Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer with their last/most recent Grand Slam trophies

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all feature on the list of men who have played in the most Grand Slam finals.

There are 13 men who have contested 10 or more major championship matches, but the Big Three are the only players to reach the milestone of 20 finals.

Here, we look at the male players who have reached the most Grand Slam singles finals in the Open Era.

5. Pete Sampras – 18

Pete Sampras competed in 18 Grand Slam championship matches and overcame Andre Agassi in both his first and last major finals — at the US Open in 1990 and 2002.

The American reached eight US Open finals and triumphed in all seven of his Wimbledon finals, while he also contested three title matches at the Australian Open.

4. Ivan Lendl – 19

Ivan Lendl featured in 19 major singles finals. He lost to Bjorn Borg in his maiden final at the 1981 French Open, while he fell to Boris Becker in his final championship match at the 1991 Australian Open.

The Czech-American played eight finals at the US Open — all in successive years — while he reached five at Roland Garros, four at the Australian Open and two at Wimbledon.

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3. Rafael Nadal – 30

Rafael Nadal played in 30 Grand Slam title matches. He defeated Mariano Puerta in his first at the 2005 French Open and downed Casper Ruud in his last at the 2022 edition of Roland Garros.

The Spaniard won all 14 of his French Open finals, while he contested six finals at the Australian Open and five at both Wimbledon and the US Open.

2. Roger Federer – 31

Roger Federer reached 31 major finals, beating Mark Philippoussis in his first at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships and losing to Novak Djokovic in his last at the same tournament in 2019.

The Swiss featured in 12 championship matches at Wimbledon, seven at both the Australian Open and the US Open, and five at Roland Garros.

1. Novak Djokovic – 37

Novak Djokovic has contested more Grand Slam singles finals than any other player in tennis history with a staggering 37, and he has claimed a record 24 titles.

The Serbian was beaten by Federer in his maiden major final at the 2007 US Open, while he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in his most recent one at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships.

Djokovic has reached 10 finals at each of the Australian Open, the US Open and Wimbledon, while he has played in seven at the French Open.

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