Top 10 rivalries in tennis' Open era

The rivalries in a sport always enhance a game as the players and teams involved continually push the other towards playing better and better. Tennis is no different and it has had it's fair share of teeming rivalries that have always drawn the attention of tennis fans the world over. Here's a look at the top rivalries in the sport in the Open era (most number of matches played against each other).

#10 Bjorn Borg v Jimmy Connors

Borg v Connors was a rivalry that was as much fierce on court as it was friendly off it. The two players dominated the game in the 70s and were World No.1 and 2 for most part.

They played each other 23 times against each other over 8 years.

Head to Head :

Overall : Borg 15 - 8 Connors

Slams : Borg 5 - 3 Connors

#9 Stefan Edberg vs Ivan Lendl

A clash of playing styles as well with Edberg's serve and volley approach against the destructive 'power tennis' of Ivvan Lendl

Head to Head :

Overall : Edberg 14 - 13 Lendl

Slams : Edberg 5 - 4 Lendl

#8 Roger Federer v Novak Djokovic

Federer and Djokovic's rivalry has been a little understated due to the other contemporary rivalries of the time. The two however have played out some classics of their own.

The two matches at the US open and the semifinals of the French Open in 2011 are some of their best matches.

Head to Head :

Overall : Federer 17 - 16 Djokovic

Slams : Federer 5 - 5 Djokovic

#7 Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal

The two most dominant players of their generation, Federer and Nadal have clashed 33 times since their first meeting in 2004.

Nadal was one puzzle that Federer found ridiculously difficult to solve as the man from Mallorca made this rivalry his own, often pummelling the Swiss into submission, after having lost the initial few matches between the two.

The Wimbledon finals from 2007 & 2008 rank amongst the best matches of all time.

Head to head:

Overall: Federer 10 - 23 Nadal

Slams: Federer 2 - 9 Nadal

#6 Pete Sampras v Andre Agassi

Another all American rivalry which was at the forefront of tennis in the 90s was the one between Sampras and Agassi. The rivalry lasted for 13 years from 1989-2002.

The two did not really get along with each other and that probably translated into a greater desire to beat each other at all costs.

Head to Head :

Overall : Sampras 20 - 14 Agassi

Slams : Sampras 6 - 3 Agassi

#5 Jimmy Connors v John McEnroe

Considered to be one of the most bitter rivalries in the sport, the Connors v McEnroe rivalry started in 1977 and carried on till 1991.

The two Americans played each other 34 times and most of their matches were believed to be intense affairs with tempers ofte boiling over.

Head to Head:

Overall : Connors 14 - 20 McEnroe

Slams : Connors 3 - 6 McEnroe

#4 Boris Becker v Stefan Edberg

Becker v Edberg was one of the softer rivalries of the Open era, personality wise.

The two shared no aminosity against each other and were always respectful. That did not take away from their battles on the courts as the two played out some memorable matches.

The duo clashed 3 times at Wimbledon and produced some breathtaking moments for the fans.

Head to Head :

Overall : Becker 25 - 10 Edberg

Slams : Becker 1 - 3 Edberg

#3 Jimmy Connors v Ivan Lendl

Connors v Lendl rivalry lacked the spice of the other rivalries of the era mainly because of the age difference between the two.

They still played each other 35 times in a rivalry that spanned from 1979 - 1992.

Head to Head :

Overall : Lendl 21 - 14 Connors

Slams : Lendl 4 - 3 Connors

#2 Ivan Lendl v John McEnroe

The contrasting games of Lendl and McEnroe made for a great rivalry. Lendl was a methodical Czech baseliner whereas McEnroe was a fiery net-rusher.

Like many other rivals of their era, Lendl and McEnroe did not like each other very much at all. That translated into 36 battles for slams,other tournaments and most importantly, pride.

Their most memorable match was in Roland Garros in 1984, when Lendl came from two sets down to win the final.

Head to Head :

Overall : Lendl 21 - 15 McEnroe

Slams : Lendl 7 - 3 McEnroe

#1 Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic

Two of the toughest competitors out on court today who never know when they're beaten; they've been going at it since 2006 and have produced some of the most exhaustive, gut-wrenching contests in recent times, like the French Open semifinal of last year and the Australian Open final from 2012.

Head to Head:

Overall : Nadal 22 - 17 Djokovic

Slams : Nadal 7 - 3 Djokovic