Winning a grand slam is the ultimate tennis dream. Simply playing in one is an aspiration for many, since only 128 make each tournament, in a game that has more than a billion players the world over.
Of those 128, the champion is the only one who wins seven best-of-five matches over a two-week period, which requires immense physical and mental skill.
There are however many who, though being super players, have not had a breakthrough grand slam win.
Eddie Dibbs
Born in Brooklyn, York, in 1951, Dibbs learnt his tennis skills on the slow, clay courts of Miami.
Winning 586 matches on the ATP tour makes him number 28 on the all-time list of matches won – Jimmy Connors is at the top, with 1256. But with illustrious names like Mats Wilander, Jim Courier, Vitas Gerulaitis and Andres Gomez behind him, 586 wins is a lot more impressive.
Yet Dibbs only reached the semi-finals levels at grand slams – both at the French Open.
As the 10th seed in 1975, Dibbs lost to Guillermo Vilas, while in 1976 he lost to eventual champion Adriano Panetta – Panetta having defeated defending champion Bjorn Borg in the quarters.
Dibbs also reached the quarters of the US Open three times, won 22 titles, and was runner up 20 times.
While he only reached an all-time high of world No.5, for around five years from 1976 to 1980 he was consistently in the top ten.
Dibbs settled in Florida, where he owns racehorses. At 5’7″, he tried to be a jockey as well after his tennis days were over.
Brian Gottfried
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Gottfried was a junior under-18 national champion, who went on to win 25 ATP titles and reach a world ranking of three.
He also reached 26 other finals, only to be runner-up, and won 680 ATP matches to be No.15 on the list. That puts the likes of Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt and Bjorn Borg behind him for matches won.
However, at grand slam level, Gottfried reached only one final – the 1977 French Open. That day, Guillermo Vilas played a magical game to win 6-0, 6-3, 6-0.
Regardless, Gottfried was one of the respected opponents on the court. His work ethic was amazing, and Arthur Ashe is on record saying the only day Gottfried missed practice was the day of his marriage – so he practiced for twice as long the next day.
David Ferrer
Ferrer is 12th on the all-time winners’ list, with 714, which is one win more than Boris Becker. The only three current players ahead of Ferrer are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – with 1115, 854 and 783 respectively.
Born in Xabia, Spain, Ferrer is probably the best player not to win a Grand Slam. Ferrer reached his highest ranking, three, in 2013, however he reached the top five way back in 2007.
He has won 27 titles and has also reached the finals on 25 occasions.
Federer, who has a 17-0 career record against Ferrer, considers the Spaniard to have the best return of serve in history.
At the French Open in 2013, Ferrer reached the finals without losing a set, only to go down in straight sets to Rafa.
He reached the Australian Open semi-finals in 2011 – defeating Rafa in the quarters – only to lose to Murray. In 2013, he again reached the Australian Open semi-finals, only to lose to Djokovic.
At the US Open, Ferrer reached semis in 2007 and 2012. As for Wimbledon, Ferrer reached the quarters in 2012 and 2013, Murray and Juan Martín del Potro getting the better of him.
At 35, Ferrer is unlikely to win a grand slam, but he will be remembered for his tenacity, agility, fitness, and determination.
Priyank Shah
Guest
I think Tim Henman is best ever player not to win grandslam.
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Roar Guru
Davydenko got close to reaching a Grand Slam final at the 2005 French Open; from memory he led Mariano Puerta by two sets to one before capitulating in the final two sets. He was also considered unlucky to have met Roger Federer in his other three Major semi-finals - twice at the US Open (2006 and 2007) and another time at the French (2007). He has however won the ATP World Tour Finals once, in 2009, and held a winning record against Rafael Nadal.
clipper
Guest
Phillippoussis was up one set and in control, tore something in his knee. Definitely had the potential to win a GS. Tommy Hass also had Federer on the ropes the year Fed won the FO.
Johnno
Guest
Mark Phillipouous definatley had the ability to win a grand slam. The way he blasted Sampras in his prime off the court in 1996 as a 19 yr old was awesome stuff. I think he was 11 set up at some wimbledon semi vs him and had to pull out retired hurt.. Tommy Haas would have to be unlucky to, he reached a career high ranking of world no 2 and never won a GS. Injuries at crucial times cost him, also he had Safin on the tight rope and was exahusted he was, then a rain delay happened and Safin was able to rest and re-focus while the roof wnet up at the OZ open, that 30 minutes refreshed him and he beat Haas. These been other talented players to eg Thomas Enqvist , Jonas Bjorkmann, Guy Forget all reached world no 4 but no cigar, Henri Leconte as well.
clipper
Guest
Nalbandian and Davydenko where players who had the style and game to win a GS, Nalbandian beat Federer at the year end finals in 2005. Guillermo Coria was the one who probably came closest to winning a GS - was up 2 sets, but went down to unseeded Gaudio at the FO, and got to no. 3. Agree with others on Mecir - a threat to anyone on his day.
Ritesh Misra
Roar Guru
Hoad has won 4 Grand Slam titles/. Rosewall has won 8
Ritesh Misra
Roar Guru
Mecir was a terrific player. The Big Cat could devour anyone he wanted whenever he wanted to
Ritesh Misra
Roar Guru
Good points. Yes Berdych is in fact number 4 on the list To be honest i chose on the basis of number of ATP matches won .
Ritesh Misra
Roar Guru
Thanks a lot
WEK
Guest
What about Lou Hoad and Ken Rosewell. Hoad if he had not had a nite out and wanted to win was unbeatable. He just was too interested in playing for fun, not fame, glory and money
duecer
Guest
The obvious choice is Marcelo Rios, the only player to reach no. 1 and not get a GS. Agree with Brians trust on other choices, especially Mecir, who could and did beat the very best, but was hampered by injury. Ferrer, as noted, will be known for his fitness and determination, he may have snagged a GS back through the 90's. but to get one now means having to get through a couple of Fed, Nadal, Novak, Stan or Murray - a very hard task.
BrainsTrust
Guest
DId you look at the list of number of matches won and picked those who didn't win a grand slam? If that was the case you missed Berdych. I don't see that as a good criteria it really suits those who didn;t have injury problems and lasted longer. Philoupousis would have to be the one who had the most ability to win them if his body had held up. He made two finals in an injury filled career. I would think number of grand slam finals would be a better criteria. Philoupousis,Mecir,Soderling. Those three all had their problems that limited their matches.
The Grafter
Guest
Nice write up Ritesh. Thank you. Crtainly some food for thought in there. I would have to agree. David Ferrer, a beast on clay. HUge heart, never gives in sadly played through the Fed/Nadel/Joker era. He would have to be the best non winner of a grand slam (glad you never included Tim Henman).