How Tall Are Tennis Players? [Male & Female]
How tall are tennis players? Tennis players are pretty tall – that’s the first thing we’ll mention when we start this conversation.
David Goffin, at 5ft 11 (180cm), is the shortest man in the top ten with an average height of 5ft 9 inches (175cm).
The situation is similar for women.
There is an inch-and-a-half difference between the average woman in the US and Ashleigh Barty (165cm), the shortest woman in the top ten.
Based on the average height of the top ten male players, who measure 6ft 2 inches (188cm), and the average height of the top ten female players, who measure 5ft 8 12.5 inches (174cm).
In order to make it as a top tennis player, you should have height on your side.
It does not require a tall person to succeed in tennis, as there have been many examples throughout history.
Our tallest athletes from the men’s and women’s games are compared.
Tennis players who have made it to the biggest stage include some of the tallest and shortest of them.
How Tall are the Tennis Players
It can be challenging to judge a player’s height when watching tennis on TV. Their real-life size, however, is often much greater than what you expect.
Over the past few decades, all of the most successful players have been over six feet tall.
A similar height is shared by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, who have all won most of the majors in recent years.
Roger Federer – 6’1” [185cm]
He is 6’1″ tall, and is known as “the GOAT” for his suaveness and unbelievable tennis skills. Tennis players usually wear this size, but it’s very standard for most guys.
Rafel Nadal – 6’1” [185cm]
In real life, Rafa is a big and imposing man who appears shorter on TV.
In addition to his great tennis, he also measures 6’1″ tall, which makes him one of Federer’s strongest competitors over the years.
Novak Djokovic – 6’2” [188cm]
Despite being a bit taller than his two eternal rivals, Novak Djokovic stands 6 ft 2 inches tall.
In terms of Grand Slam wins, Djokovic is on par with Nadal and Federer with 17 each, so we’ll see what the future holds for the Serb.
Andy Murray – 6’3” [191cm]
With a height of 6ft 3 inches, Andy Murray is the tallest of the four players. His height is well above average, despite what he looks like on TV.
Despite the fact that Fed and Nadal are no longer youngsters, we’ll continue to refer to them as such. It’s true, these guys are pretty tall as well!
Dominic Thiem – 6’1” [185cm]
Even though Thiem is 26 years old, he is beginning to challenge the top players.
With a height of 6’1″, the Austrian is currently ranked number three in the world.
Daniil Medvedev – 6’6” [198cm]
We’re starting to see some really tall guys here! It appears that Russian Medvedev will remain at the top of the rankings for some time to come after a breakthrough year in 2019.
Stefanos Tsitispas – 6’4” [193cm]
Medvedev doesn’t appear particularly tall next to him, but you soon notice when he stands next to Nadal or Fed.
In the near future, the 21-year-old is expected to become a Grand Slam champion, having won the ATP Tour year-end trophy last year.
Alexander Zverev – 6’6” [198cm]
This group of youngsters is pretty tall, as an NBA basketball player averages 6’7″.
Zverev, 23, is another German with major potential, like Tsitsipas.
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Players to watch out for in the near future
- Matteo Berrettini – 6’5” [196cm]
- Andrey Rublev – 6’ 2” [188cm]
- Karen Khachanov – 6’6” [198cm]
- Denis Shapovalov – 6’ 1” [185cm]
- Felix Auger-Aliassime – 6’4” [193cm]
- Jannik Sinner – 6’2″ [188cm]
- Casper Ruud – 6’0″ [183cm]
- Lorenzo Musetti – 6’1″ [185cm]
- Carlos Alcaraz – 6’1″ [185cm]
- Seb Korda – 6’4″ [196cm]
What Is the Average Height of Tennis Players?
There is an average height of 185.5 centimeters (6 feet-1) among the top 500 male tennis players in the world. The average height of professional tennis players is 183 cm to 188 cm, which means 222 of them measure between 183 cm and 188 cm.
The Tallets Tennis Players and the Shortest
Tennis can be played by players of all heights, and the world rankings demonstrate this.
There are giants at the top, but there are also shorter guys who have achieved significant success.
Tennis players with tallets on tour, and top-level tennis players who are shortest, are listed below.
Diego Schwartzman – 5’6” [170cm)
In spite of being about a foot shorter than Zverev and Medvedev, Diego Schwartzman is still able to compete.
World ranking number thirteen belongs to the Argentine.
John Isner – 6’10” [208cm)
John Isner is an American who always comes across as a nice guy, but he is hard-working.
With his unbelievable serve, Isner has spent a considerable amount of time in the world’s top ten.
His height has made him one of the best tennis players around!
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Does Height Matter in Tennis?
As you can see, the heights of professional tennis players vary widely. 211 cm players are successful, and 170 cm players are also successful.
Tennis is a sport where height matters. A shorter player will generally move better, but a taller player will get better angles and serve faster. The optimal height range is between 185 – 190 cm, where players at either end of the spectrum will excel in one area and fail in another.
In the chart below, we compare the average heights of players in different ranking ranges. The trend is that taller players are more likely to rank higher as the rankings go up.
Tennis’ tallest and shortest players
Reilly Opelka – 6’11” (211cm)
Ivo Karlovic – 6’11” (211cm)
David Ferrer – 5’9” (175cm)
Olivier Rochus – 5′ 5″ (168cm)
Heights of Top Female Players
Women tennis players are similarly tall when asked how tall they are. They tend to be tall in general. A quick look at some of the current players will give you a better idea of their height.
Serena Williams – 5’9” [175cm]
Despite her short stature, Serena Williams is a 23-time grand slam champion.
Although she is not particularly tall compared to other ladies on the tour, she is not particularly short either.
Ashleigh Barty – 5’5” [166cm]
Ashleigh Barty, the current world number one, is the shortest woman among the top ten in the world.
In recent years, she has been tearing things apart despite it.
Karolina Pliskova – 6’1” [186cm]
Whenever it comes to women’s tennis, Plilskova is usually there or thereabouts and is on the taller side.
The Czech Republic currently ranks third in the world after being ranked number one for a brief period of time.
Naomi Osaka – 5’11” [180cm]
In real life, this person is tall enough, despite not seeming so tall on TV.
At the end of 2018 and at the beginning of 2019, the Japanese player enjoyed great success, but now ranks 10 in the rankings.
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How Tall Are Tennis Players of the Past? [Mens]
We know that modern golf is dominated by guys over six feet tall, but how did it used to be? What is the average height of some of tennis’ past greats?
Andre Agassi – 5’11” [179cm]
A career Grand Slam and eight Grand Slam titles were among Agassi’s many accomplishments as a player. In addition to measuring under 6 feet tall, he was also a great ex-player.
Pete Sampras – 6’1” [185cm]
“Pistol” Pete Sampras comes to mind when you think of Agassi. Compared with today’s players, Sampras was not huge, although he was known for excellent serves.
Boris Becker – 6’3” [190cm]
One more man with a great Wimbledon record and a big serve. With a height of 6’3″ and a great physique, the German won 6 grand slam titles during the 1980s and 1990s.
John McEnroe – 5’11” [180cm]
The legendary John McEnroe measures 5’11” and is often found doing commentary on the big matches. In the 1970s and 1980s, the American won seven grand slam titles.
Bjorn Borg – 5’11” [180cm]
As a 5’11” player, Borg and McEnroe had one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history.
A total of 11 grand slam titles were won by the Swede, including five straight Wimbledon titles and four straight French Open titles.
Rod Laver – 5’8” [174cm]
A bit further back, we have Rod Laver, an all-time great. In addition to his 11 grand slam titles, the Australian is 5’8″ tall and has won the Grand Slam twice.
The Other Men’s Greatest Players of the Past
- Lleyton Hewitt – 5’10” (178cm)
- Jimmy Connors – 5’10” (178cm)
- Ivan Lendl – 6’2” (188cm)
- Stefan Edberg – 6’2” (188cm)
- Arthur Ashe – 6’1” (185cm)
- Roy Emerson – 6’0″ (183cm)
- Fred Perry – 6’0″ (183cm)
- Michael Chang – 5’9″ (175cm)
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How Tall Are Tennis Players of the Past? [Womens]
Would the women’s game be the same as the men’s game, where many of the past greats weren’t as tall as the modern players?
Billie Jean King – 5’5” [164cm]
Tennis legend Billie Jean King played a crucial role in establishing the WTA. Her height of 5’5″ puts her on the shorter side of the game today.
Martina Navratilova – 5’8” [173cm]
With a height of 5’8″, Martina Navratilova was one of Billie Jean’s greatest rivals. He is still a popular television pundit despite a stellar career.
Steffi Graf – 5’9” [175cm]
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Steffi Graf was the other half of the Agassi – Graf partnership.
It’s no surprise that she wouldn’t have been out of place today on the tour, since she’s the same height as Serena Williams.
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The Other Womens Greatest Players of the Past
- Chris Evert – 5’6” (168cm)
- Monica Seles – 5’10” (178cm)
- Martina Hingis – 5’7” (170cm)
- Venus Williams – 6’1” (185cm)
- Margaret Court – 5’9″ (175cm)
The Future of Height in Tennis
Tennis continues to evolve, so the significance of height may also change as the game evolves. As a result of new training techniques and methods, height may no longer be one of the defining factors of success.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some of the most common height and weight questions asked online, along with my response.
How tall are male tennis players?
It is said that tall men excel in tennis too – 6 feet 2 inches is the average height of the top 500 men’s tennis players, with Rafael Nadal measuring over 6 feet tall, Daniil Medvedev measuring more than 6 feet, and Carlos Alcaraz measuring more than 6 feet.
Do you have to be tall to play tennis?
No, absolutely not. In addition to taller players having better court coverage and angles when serving, taller players also have a greater wingspan. Some short players, however, have achieved outstanding results.
He was only 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) tall, but he won the French Open and placed in the finals of the US Open and Australian Open. In addition to Diego Schwartzman, who is shorter than most players, there are many examples of shorter players who have achieved success. Tennis racquets with extended lengths are better for you if you are shorter.
Is there a height requirement for tennis?
As long as you’re good enough, you can play collegiate tennis regardless of your height. Although Rod Laver was 5’8″, I think most top-level males today are between 6’4″ and 6’4″ tall. I’ve seen plenty of people around 5’7″ or even smaller who are really good at the sport.
How tall are female tennis players?
Female tennis players on the pro tour are typically 5′ 9′′ or 1.74m tall, but averages can be misleading, so it’s important to dig deeper.
How much weight do tennis players lose in a match?
In the Australian Open, IBM data shows that players typically lose five to six pounds during a match, which isn’t surprising since they sweat heavily and run anywhere between 2.5 to 6.2 miles (4,000 to 10,000 meters).
Who is the tallest male tennis player of all time?
Tennis players Ivo Karlovic and Reilly Opelka tie for the record for being the tallest in recorded history with heights of 6′ 11″ (2.11 m). They are both known for their big serves, which are aided by their extreme heights.
Who is the shortest male tennis player of all time?
Until recently, Oliver Rochus was the world’s shortest professional tennis player at 5’6″ (1.68 m). As of October 2005, he was ranked No. 24 in the world.
Who is the tallest man in tennis?
Inactive professional tennis player Reilly Opelka was born on August 28, 1997. It is estimated that he is the tallest ATP-ranked player ever, and that he can hit serves over 140 miles per hour.
Conclusion
Tennis players’ heights are an intriguing aspect of the sport. In spite of the fact that height can offer advantages, it does not determine success on its own.
Regardless of a player’s stature, tennis is still a sport where skill, determination, and hard work are essential.
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