10 World No. 1 tennis players who failed to win the French Open

#4 John Newcombe (Australia)

The seven-time Grand Slam singles’ champion never progressed beyond thequarter-final stage at the French Open.

John Newcombe was among the most prominent stars of the early Open Era. A natural athlete, Newcombe was a highly successful player in both the singles and the doubles circuit, attaining the top ranking in both.

Along with Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall, Newcombe ushered in an era of Australian domination in men’s tennis. He and Laver are the only players to have won the US Open both as amateurs and professionals.

Although he enjoyed success at the French Open in the doubles, winning three titles, Newcombe failed to progress beyond the quarterfinal round in the singles – a feat he achieved on two occasions.

He ascended to the top of the ATP rankings in June 1974.