[Brian Swartz]

It's now time to hearken back to one of the first few posts I made in this dynasty.

All-Time Greats

Until recently, there were four who distinguished themselves in the history of this world as being head and shoulders above the rest. There is now a fifth member of the club, which I loosely define as anyone with double-digit Slam titles(there is nobody who has won more than 7 and less than 11). Here's what I wrote then about the top players ever, slightly edited and updated:


1. Eric Gorritepe(ESP). Gorritepe knows no rival, contemporary or historic. He combines the durability and competitiveness of a Davydenko or Nadal with the skill of a Federer, the best of all possible combinations. His reign of terror only recently abated just before this dynasty commenced, in the late 2030s. 2027-2037 looks like his era spread, with the last great ride being a final at the Australian just this past season. While nobody before him actually achieved the CYGS, he did it four times('29, '30, '32, and '33) and came one match short at the '31 Wimbledon. American Johnny Napier beat him in a five-set classic, coming from down 2-1 to provide the only major blemish in a five-year run the likes of which tennis has never seen before and will likely never see again. On both sides of that loss, Gorritepe won 10 straight Slams and won all five tour finals in those years as well. The final numbers for his unmatched career:

Slams: 23(1st, six more than Sullivan)
Tour Finals: 6(1st, one more than Prieto)
Masters: 52(1st, 20!! more than Sullivan)
500: 18(2nd, though only half of Prieto's number)


2. Martin Prieto(ESP). In the early years of the tour, there was Prieto and then there was everyone else. He also was a force for an 11-year period, 1995-2005. For decades it looked as if nobody would touch him. Twice he had three Slams, the tour finals, and a semifinal Slam loss as the only blemish on the big events. Overall he took home 16 Slams, one fewer than Sullivan. 30 Masters also ranks him third, just behind the Irishman, but Martin's 36 titles in 500 events put him over the top in my estimation, along with his 5 tour finals which is also second-best. No other player has won more than half that many. You can make an argument either way, but I place Prieto here.

3. Nicholas Sullivan(IRE). This is the one controversial spot on the list. Sullivan's 17 Slams place him second all-time, prompting some to think he should be up a spot. There are good reasons to place him here though. No question he was a great, great player. Sullivan was making appearances in the second week of Slams from 2016-2026, an impressive period of longevity. He came even closer than Haresign to the CYGS but did not quite make it in 2019. After dropping the Australian final in four sets, to Carl Hamilton, the longtime #2 during his reign and also from Ireland, Sullivan swept the remaining three Slams and the tour finals, taking the last four Masters titles for good measure. He is second in all-time Masters with 32, but like Haresign did not do much at the smaller events.

4. Oliver Haresign(USA). Haresign flourished from 2022-2029, winning 11 Slams(4th) and two tour finals(T-5th). He is not nearly as accomplished as the three above him on this list, but far better than anyone not on it. In 2026 he won the first three Slams and lost in the final at the USO, nearly sweeping the season. Countryman Jason Coxetter, himself a fine player and ranking third at the time, stopped him in straight sets. Haresign has 23 Masters titles(also 4th all-time) though he did not do much at smaller events.


A New Legend

The much-discussed Antonin Iglar, who still has time to increase his portfolio, now clearly belongs on this list. In fact, over the past few months his achievements have grown to the point where we can comfortably knock Haresign down to 5th. Here's how their careers compare:

** Slam Titles: Iglar 13(4th), Haresign 11(5th)
** Tour Finals Titles: Iglar 3(T-4th), Haresign 2(T-6th)
** Masters Titles: Iglar 24(4th), Haresign 23(5th)
** Olympics Titles: Haresign 1, Iglar 0
** Weeks at #1: Haresign 228(4th), Iglar 198(5th)
** Prize Money: Haresign $84M(3rd), Iglar $50.8M(not in Top 10)

When it comes to longevity, Haresign has the upper hand, but in winning the big titles he's behind in everything except the Olympics. With the massive lead Iglar has in the rankings, he'll overtake at least the Weeks at #1 spot as well. Haresign's won more 500-level events(5-1) but fewer 250s(15-1 Iglar). If you look at dominance, Iglar is the only man other than Gorritepe to lose six or fewer matches in a season -- and he's done it three times now.

He hasn't won enough at RG or Wimbledon to have a prayer at catching the unapproachable Spaniard, but Iglar has a good chance to threaten Prieto and Sullivan on this rundown as well before he hangs it up. The total body of work is scary-good, and worth taking a moment to recognize. It will be a long time, and maybe never, before there is another member of this club.