29 Most Popular Greece Tennis Players of All Time

Max Schnur

Greece has produced some of the most talented tennis players in the world. From the legendary Stefanos Tsitsipas to the great Maria Sakkari, the Greek tennis scene is full of stars.

We’ll take a look at some of the best tennis players in Greece and their accomplishments. From their Grand Slam titles to their impressive rankings, we’ll explore the history of these remarkable athletes.

So, let’s get started and learn more about the best tennis players in Greece!.

1. Stefanos Tsitsipas

Stefanos Tsitsipas is a highly successful Greek professional tennis player. He has achieved remarkable success in the sport, and his hard work and dedication have been rewarded. On 9 August 2021, Tsitsipas was ranked world No.

3 by the Association of Tennis Professionals, making him the highest-ranked Greek player in history. This is a milestone accomplishment, and it puts Tsitsipas in the same league as Maria Sakkari, who also achieved this feat.

Tsitsipas has been incredibly consistent throughout his career, and his successes have inspired many young tennis players in Greece. His achievements are an example of what hard work and dedication can do, and it is a reminder for all of us that anything is possible.

2. Konstantinos Economidis

Konstantinos Economidis is a retired professional tennis player from Greece. He was once the number-one-ranked Greek tennis player. In 2007, he achieved an impressive feat by qualifying for the French Open, one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world.

This enabled him to make a name for himself in the international tennis community. In the first round of the tournament, he was able to defeat Australian Chris Guccione, a strong opponent.

However, in the second round, he was unable to overcome Spanish player Tommy Robredo, who ultimately advanced to the next round.

Despite not being able to progress further, Konstantinos Economidis’ achievement of qualifying for the French Open is a testament to his skill as a tennis player.

3. Maria Sakkari

Maria Sakkari is an incredibly talented tennis player from Greece. She is the highest-ranked Greek player in history, achieving a WTA ranking of 3 on March 21st, 2022.

This achievement is shared with the great Stefanos Tsitsipas, who also achieved a world ranking of 3 at the same time. Sakkari is an experienced tennis player, having competed in multiple tournaments throughout her career.

She has won several titles both on the WTA and ITF tours, including the 2018 WTA Elite Trophy, the 2019 Palermo Ladies Open and the 2020 Abierto Mexicano Telcel.

She has also reached the quarterfinals of a number of Grand Slams, including the Australian Open, French Open and US Open. Sakkari is widely celebrated in her native Greece for her success on the court.

She is an inspiration to aspiring tennis players everywhere, showing that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Her achievements make her a role model for young athletes everywhere who dream of making it to the top.

4. Eirini Georgatou

Eirini Georgatou is a former professional tennis player from Greece. She had a very successful career, achieving her highest singles ranking of 176 on May 16, 2011.

However, her greatest success came in the doubles game, where she achieved her highest ranking of 171 on January 31, 2011. Throughout her career, Eirini had a lot of success in tournaments located in Greece, Israel, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.

She was able to achieve many victories on the courts located in these countries, and her success was evident in her high rankings in both the singles and doubles games.

Her skill and determination led her to become one of the top players in the region, and her career highlights will serve as an inspiration to other aspiring tennis players.

5. Eleni Daniilidou

Eleni Daniilidou is a former professional tennis player from Greece, who hails from the island of Crete. She is widely renowned as one of the greatest Greek tennis players of all time, having achieved remarkable success on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour.

During her career, Daniilidou won five singles titles and three doubles titles on the WTA Tour.

This is a testament to her skill and determination, as well as her ability to compete with some of the best players in the world. Throughout her career, Eleni Daniilidou competed in a variety of tournaments, including the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

She also represented Greece in the 2004 Olympic Games, where she advanced to the quarterfinals. In addition to her impressive singles and doubles titles, Daniilidou also reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2008.

This remarkable feat makes her the only Greek tennis player to have ever achieved such a feat. Eleni Daniilidou retired from professional tennis in 2016, but her legacy lives on. She is remembered fondly by her peers and fans alike for her impressive performances on the court.

Her achievements are an inspiration to all aspiring Greek tennis players, and she will forever be remembered as one of the greatest players of the Open Era.

6. Anna Gerasimou

Anna Gerasimou is a retired Greek tennis player who has played an impressive career in the sport. She was born in Kavala, a small city in northern Greece, but moved to Athens at a young age to pursue her tennis career.

Anna had a great passion for the game and was determined to reach the top of the sport. She worked hard and trained tirelessly in order to become the best tennis player she could be.

Her dedication and commitment paid off and she achieved success on the international stage, winning multiple titles and earning a place in the history of Greek tennis. Anna is now a retired professional, but her legacy still lives on in the sport.

She has inspired many young players to follow in her footsteps and pursue their dreams. She is an excellent example of how hard work and dedication can help anyone achieve their goals.

7. Alexandros Jakupovic

Alexandros Jakupović is a former professional tennis player who is of Greek heritage. He was born to a Greek mother and a Bosniak father. In November 2015, he received a life-long ban from the Tennis Integrity Unit.

This ban is due to his violation of the regulations and rules set forth by the association. He was found guilty of match-fixing and betting on matches, which is a violation of the organization’s code of conduct.

The Tennis Integrity Unit is an international body that works to uphold the integrity of the sport of tennis. It is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the rules and regulations of tennis.

The organization’s main focus is on ensuring fair play and preventing any form of corruption or cheating. They have the power to investigate any suspected cases of match-fixing or betting on matches.

In the case of Alexandros Jakupović, he was found to have violated these regulations and was subsequently given a life-long ban.

Alexandros Jakupović’s lifelong ban is a reminder to all professional tennis players that the Tennis Integrity Unit takes its job seriously and that any violation of their rules and regulations will not be tolerated.

It also serves as a warning to other players that any form of match-fixing or betting on matches is strictly prohibited and will result in serious consequences. 

8. Michail Pervolarakis

Michail Pervolarakis is a professional tennis player who was born in Cyprus but has Greek citizenship. He is currently ranked in the top 400 players in the world in singles and the top 200 in doubles.

His highest singles ranking so far was achieved on 10 January 2022, when he was ranked World No. 366. He achieved his highest doubles ranking of World No. 157 on 14 November 2022.

Pervolarakis has had a successful career as a tennis player, proving that he is one of the most talented players in the game today. He is continuing to make strides in the professional tennis world and is sure to rise even higher in the rankings with each passing tournament.

9. Angeliki Kanellopoulou

Angeliki Kanellopoulou was a successful Greek former tennis player who competed on the WTA Tour. She achieved a great career-high ranking of No. 43 in April 1987. This was a significant accomplishment for her, as it demonstrated her hard work and dedication to her sport.

During her career, Angeliki had the honor of reaching the third round of the French Open twice. This is an impressive feat, considering the amount of talent and competition at the world-renowned tennis tournament.

The fact that she was able to make it to the third round twice is a testament to her skills as a player. Angeliki’s success on the court is a reminder of the importance of hard work and dedication in the pursuit of one’s dreams.

10. Valentini Grammatikopoulou

Valentini Grammatikopoulou is a highly accomplished tennis player from Greece. On 22 August 2022, she achieved her highest individual ranking of world No. 143. This placed her among the top tennis players of her time and made her a household name in Greece.

On 28 February 2022, Valentini Grammatikopoulou reached her peak ranking of No. 118 in the WTA doubles rankings. This was an incredible feat considering that doubles is a more challenging game than singles.

Valentini Grammatikopoulou is an inspiration to many, with her dedication to her sport and her commitment to excellence. Her accomplishments show the world that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

11. Stefanos Sakellaridis

Stefanos Sakellaridis is a professional tennis player from Greece. As of July 7, 2023, he holds a career-high ATP singles ranking of 459. This is an impressive achievement, considering the high level of competition in the sport.

Sakellaridis also holds a career high ATP doubles ranking of 445, which he achieved on June 6, 2023. This is another testament to his skill and dedication as a tennis player. He continues to work hard and strive for even higher rankings in both singles and doubles.

12. Eleni Christofi

Eleni Christofi is a professional tennis player from Greece. She is currently ranked 518th in the world in singles tennis and has been competing in tournaments since 2015. She has won two singles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit, the most recent of which was in 2019.

She has also won two doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit. She has been a regular competitor on the WTA Tour since 2017 and has achieved a career-high ranking of 203rd in the world in singles.

In addition, she has reached the quarterfinals of an ITF Women’s Circuit tournament as well as the semifinals of two WTA 125K series events. She has also been part of the Greek Fed Cup team since 2017 and has won two matches.

Eleni is an inspiring young player who has shown that with hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve their goals.

13. Anastasios Bavelas

Anastasios Bavelas is a former professional tennis player from Greece. He is a male athlete who represented his country in the doubles competition at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Bavelas partnered with George Kalovelonis, and the two were eliminated in the first round.

Bavelas also competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics, though the results of that competition are unknown. Throughout his career, Bavelas was a successful tennis player, representing Greece in international competitions.

His presence in the doubles competition at the 1988 Olympics shows his level of skill and the respect he had earned in the sport.

Despite the pair’s early exit at the 1988 Olympics, Bavelas’ commitment to the sport was still evident through his participation in the 1992 Olympics. Although the results of his 1992 appearance are unknown, it is a testament to Bavelas’ dedication to the game.

14. Nicholas Kalogeropoulos

Nicky Kalo is a retired Greek tennis player who made a name for himself in the sport during his playing career. He won a bronze medal at the 1971 Mediterranean Games in the singles tournament, and he was the runner-up in the doubles tournament at the 1968 Italian Open.

He was considered the best Greek tennis player from 1962 to 1974, and he was a part of the Greek Davis Cup team for an impressive 18 years, from 1963 to 1981. During his time playing tennis, Kalo proved himself to be one of the most talented players to come out of Greece.

His accomplishments on the court are a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport.

15. Konstantinos Paspatis

Konstantinos Paspatis was a Greek tennis player who competed in the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens. He was born in Liverpool, England and died in Athens. Paspatis was a successful athlete, winning a bronze medal in the singles tournament.

In the first round of the tournament, he defeated George S. Robertson of Great Britain and Ireland. This was an impressive accomplishment, considering he was competing against athletes from the host country.

Paspatis was a talented tennis player and his success in the Olympics was an example of his skill and dedication to the sport. He was a great representative of the Greek team at the games and his performance inspired many other athletes to strive for excellence.

16. Aristidis Akratopoulos

Aristidis Akratopoulos was a Greek tennis player who was part of the first modern Olympic Games, which took place in 1896 in Athens. He was one of the competitors in the tennis tournament, which was held at the Zappeion in Athens.

Akratopoulos was one of two Greek players competing, and he faced off against opponents from Great Britain, France, and Germany. Unfortunately, Akratopoulos was defeated in the second round of the tournament by an Englishman, Edgar Lubbock.

Despite the loss, Akratopoulos had the honor of representing Greece at the inaugural Olympic Games and playing a part in the history of the Olympics. He is remembered as one of the first Greek tennis players to compete in the modern Olympics.

17. George Kalovelonis

George Kalovelonis was a professional tennis player from Greece who had the honor of representing his country in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He was one of two lucky losers chosen to participate in the event, the other being Bong-Soo Kim from South Korea.

Unfortunately, Kalovelonis was unable to advance past the first round, as he was defeated by his fellow lucky loser Kim.

Despite not achieving success in this event, Kalovelonis’ presence at the Olympics was highly symbolic of Greece’s commitment to international sporting excellence.

His performance is a reminder of the hard work and dedication of all athletes who strive to represent their nation in the Olympic Games.

18. Konstantinos Efraimoglou

Konstantinos Efraimoglou is a former professional tennis player who hails from Greece. He was given the opportunity to represent his country at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Partnering with Anastasios Bavelas, Efraimoglou competed in the doubles competition.

Unfortunately, the duo was eliminated in the second round of the tournament, preventing them from advancing any further. Despite the outcome, Efraimoglou was still honored to have been able to represent his nation at such a prestigious event.

This was a proud moment for him and a testament to his skill as a tennis player. Moreover, it was a testament to his country, showing that Greece’s athletes are capable of competing with the best in the world.

Even though Efraimoglou and Bavelas were eliminated, it was still an incredible achievement.

19. Augustos Zerlendis

Augustus Zerlendis was a renowned Greek tennis player who first made his mark at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp. His remarkable performance earned him a spot in the fourth round of the 1920 Wimbledon Championships singles competition.

He also left a lasting impression by representing the Greek Davis Cup team in seven ties between 1927 and 1931. This solidified his status as one of the greatest Greek tennis players of his time. Augustus Zerlendis was a natural athlete with exceptional speed and agility.

He possessed a remarkable ability to read the game and anticipate his opponents’ next moves.

His unwavering determination, fierce competitiveness, and remarkable talent often gave him the edge in difficult matches. Throughout his career, Augustus Zerlendis was a champion of sportsmanship on and off the court.

He was known for his positive attitude and his strong belief in fair play.

He was an inspiration to many aspiring tennis players and an example of what it takes to become a successful professional. Augustos Zerlendis was a pioneer for Greek tennis and a role model for young athletes everywhere.

His legacy will continue to live on through the generations of Greek tennis players who have followed in his footsteps.

20. Pantelis Moschoutis

Pantelis Moschoutis is a former professional tennis player from Greece. He was born in Athens, the capital city of Greece. In his career, Moschoutis achieved great success by earning two runner-up titles in Greece’s National Championships.

Additionally, he represented Greece in six Davis Cup rubbers during the 1990s. The Davis Cup is an international competition between teams from different countries, and it is one of the most prestigious events in tennis.

It gives players from all over the world a chance to represent their countries and compete against one another. Pantelis Moschoutis played for Greece in six rubbers of the Davis Cup, demonstrating his commitment to the sport and his country.

Overall, Pantelis Moschoutis had a successful tennis career, as he was able to represent his country in the Davis Cup and finish runner-up in Greece’s National Championships multiple times. His accomplishments are a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport.

21. Pantelis Papadopoulos

Pantelis Papadopoulos was a Greek tennis player who made his mark in the sporting world. He rose to fame through his participation in the 1924 Summer Olympics, where he competed in both the men’s singles and doubles events.

He was one of the first Greek athletes to make an international name for himself, and his success in the tournament demonstrated the potential of his country’s athletes. Papadopoulos was a formidable player who possessed a powerful serve and volleys.

He was well known for his aggressive playing style, which often caught his opponents off guard. His skill and prowess on the court earned him the admiration of many.

He was able to reach the second round of the men’s singles event at the Olympics, before being eliminated by eventual champion Vincent Richards.

He also reached the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles event, where he and his partner were defeated by the top-seeded French duo. Despite not winning any medals, Pantelis Papadopoulos made a huge impact on the world of tennis.

His success at the 1924 Summer Olympics was a testament to the talent of Greek athletes and provided a source of inspiration for many aspiring players.

Even today, he remains a revered figure in the Greek tennis community and is remembered as one of the country’s most successful athletes.

22. Konstantinos Akratopoulos

Konstantinos Akratopoulos was a Greek tennis player who competed at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens. He was one of the first tennis players to compete at the Olympics.

Akratopoulos was given a bye in the first round of the singles tournament, meaning he was not required to play. In the second round, he faced Dionysios Kasdaglis of Greece. Unfortunately, Akratopoulos lost the match, but his opponent went on to win the silver medal.

This shows that Akratopoulos was a talented player, despite not winning the match. He may not have won a medal, but Konstantinos Akratopoulos was an important part of the early Olympic tennis scene.

23. Evangelos Rallis

Evangelos Rallis was a Greek tennis player who competed in the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens. He won the first round of the singles tournament when he defeated his fellow Greek, Demetrios Petrokokkinos.

In the second round of the tournament, Rallis faced John Pius Boland of Great Britain and Ireland. Unfortunately, he was unable to beat the eventual gold medallist and was eliminated from the competition.

Despite this loss, Rallis still had a successful Olympic experience, and he remains a respected figure in the world of tennis.

24. D. Frangopoulos

D. Frangopoulos was a Greek tennis player who competed at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens. He was one of thirteen players in the singles tournament at the games. Unfortunately, Frangopoulos was defeated in the first round by Momcsilló Tapavicza of Hungary.

This put him in a six-way tie for eighth place in the field of thirteen players, meaning he did not advance any further. Frangopoulos’ loss to Tapavicza was a disappointment, as the Greek player had hoped to do well in his home Olympics.

It was an even bigger disappointment for the host nation of Greece, who had hoped to see a native athlete perform well in the tennis tournament.

Despite his defeat, Frangopoulos remains an important figure in the history of the Olympics, as he was one of the first athletes to represent his country in the Games. He is also remembered for his courage and determination in competing against some of the world’s top players.

25. Demetrios Petrokokkinos

Demetrios Stephen Petrokokkinos was a Greek tennis player who competed in the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens. He was part of a thirteen-man field in the singles tournament and unfortunately lost in the first round to another Greek athlete, Evangelos Rallis.

As a result of this, he finished in a six-way tie for eighth place in the tournament. Petrokokkinos’ loss in the first round meant that he did not advance any further in the tournament.

Despite this, he still managed to obtain a respectable finish in the competition, which shows his dedication to the sport of tennis.

26. Nicolas Kelaidis

Nicolas Kelaidis is a former professional tennis player from Greece. He was born in Athens and started playing tennis at an early age. Growing up, he was very passionate about the game and worked hard to develop his skills.

He competed in various tournaments throughout his youth and eventually earned a spot on the Greek National Team. Kelaidis had a successful career as a professional tennis player. He won several international tournaments and achieved a high ranking in the world rankings.

He reached the quarter-finals in the French Open and the semi-finals in the Australian Open. He also represented Greece in the Davis Cup and the Olympic Games. Kelaidis retired from professional tennis in 2002 and is now a coach and mentor to aspiring tennis players.

He has been involved in developing the sport in Greece, and often gives talks and presentations about the importance of tennis.

He is also a regular contributor to various magazines and newspapers, offering his insights and expertise on the sport. Overall, Nicolas Kelaidis is a great example of a successful former professional tennis player.

He has achieved a high level of success throughout his career and continues to be involved in the sport today. He is an inspiration to many young players, and his story serves as a reminder of the importance of hard work and dedication.

27. Markos Kalovelonis

Markos Kalovelonis is a unique tennis player, as he is both Greek and Russian. He has had a successful career on the professional tour, having achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of World No. 445 on June 13th, 2016.

His doubles ranking has also been impressive, reaching a career-high of World No. 187 on June 20th, 2022. In addition to his impressive ATP rankings, Markos has won 21 ITF doubles titles, cementing his status as a successful professional tennis player.

His impressive career has been a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.

28. Petros Tsitsipas

Petros Tsitsipas is a talented Greek professional tennis player. He has achieved some impressive rankings over the course of his career, reaching a career-high ATP doubles ranking of No. 108 on 26 June 2023 and a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 727 on 30 August 2021.

Tsitsipas is also a dedicated representative of Greece in the Davis Cup, where his record stands at 10 wins and 9 losses. His commitment to the sport and his country is apparent, as evidenced by his impressive rankings and Davis Cup record.

Tsitsipas is a formidable opponent in both singles and doubles, and his skill as a tennis player is undeniable.

29. Vasileios Iliopoulos

Vasileios Iliopoulos is a professional tennis player from Greece. He competes in both singles and doubles tournaments on both the ATP and ITF circuit. His highest ITF singles ranking of 270 was achieved in January 2016.

In addition to his success in adult tournaments, he has also won one ITF juniors singles title and four ITF doubles titles.

Iliopoulos has achieved notable success on the court, having reached a career-high ITF singles ranking of 270, as well as winning one ITF juniors singles and four doubles titles.

His ranking is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport, having put in countless hours of practice and training over the years. His impressive record proves that he is a formidable player on the court.

Iliopoulos has the potential to make a real impact on the tennis world. He has the skill and the ambition to rise up and make a name for himself in the sport.

With his impressive rankings, he has already gained respect and recognition from his peers, and if he continues to work hard and remain dedicated to his craft, he could very well become a top-tier professional tennis player.

Conclusion

Greece has produced some of the best tennis players in the world. From Stefanos Tsitsipas to Maria Sakkari, these players have represented their country on the world stage and have achieved great success.

With the emergence of new talent, Greece is sure to remain a force in the tennis world for years to come.

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Max Schnur

I am a professional tennis player on the ATP Tour. I am currently ranked at #29 in the world and have been playing for more than ten years. I started practicing tennis when I was five years old and quickly became obsessed with the sport. I started playing competitively at age 10, and after turning pro in 2004, I was able to compete on the ATP Tour for a decade. As an international athlete, my life has always been about travel and my love of traveling has led me to explore different cultures around the world. When not on tour, I can be found traveling around Europe or living it up in Las Vegas with friends from all over the globe! LinkedIn