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What are the greatest shots in tennis history? We pick out the game’s most fearsome weapons stroke by stroke, concentrating on the Open Era (since 1968).

But more recently, I’ve come to see this topic more broadly. To be sure, Borg and Evert were possessed abundant qualities of self-knowledge, rarely if ever attempting shots they didn’t own.

But perhaps a great tennis mind stretches further, pushing the boundaries of skill by creating game plans, making adjustments and grasping the emotional and tactical flow of a match just enough to alter it subtly. 

John McEnroe and Martina Hingis possessed savant-like court management skills. It’s easy to let McEnroe’s breathtaking drop volleys and acute angles cloud the fact that his tennis game was based on logic and skill at never overplaying a shot and delicately probing for weaknesses.  In an era of ascending Big Babe tennis, Hingis too reminded us of tennis’ chess-like qualities. 

Sadly, though, as each of these players aged, neither was able to adjust as well to upgrades in power.  After all, implementing a tactic also requires enough fitness and strength to execute it with frequency.

So here’s my choice for the keenest mind in tennis history: Billie Jean King. 

Over the long haul, well aware of what she could and couldn’t do, able to preside over the court like a field marshal, King understood everything from the mental to the tactical, from managing her energy between points to grasping what would unravel an opponent – and was capable of that special quality champions possess, the ability to surprise. 

One of her trademark phrases is that “the ball tells me what to do with it.”  But only if you’re paying as much attention as possible.

Joel Drucker is a contributing editor at TENNIS magazine. The author is grateful for the assistance of many experts and former pros, including Brent Abel, John Barrett, Steve Flink, Mary Carillo, Trey Waltke, Chris Lewis, John Newcombe, Owen Davidson, Fred Stolle and Brian Gottfried. >> Return to The Greatest Shots