“Talent-wise, Marcelo Rios leads the way”: Mardy Fish rules out Alexander Zverev and picks the greatest players without a Grand Slam
ATP
After Alexander Zverev’s loss in his third Grand Slam final to Jannik Sinner, former world No. 7 Mardy Fish weighed in on the debate about the greatest player without a Grand Slam title. Many consider ‘Sascha’ a top contender due to his remarkable career, which includes seven Masters 1000 titles and two ATP Finals crowns.
However, the American, a silver medallist in Athens 2004, proposed three players for this title. Fish’s top candidate—aside from himself—is former World No. 1 Marcelo Rios, the only player to have reached the top of the rankings without ever winning a major title.
Fish’s picks for greatest without a major
After World No. 1 Sinner dashed Zverev’s dream in Australian Open, the debate on the best players in history without a major resurfaced. This time, it was former World No. 7 Fish who sparked the discussion and replied to several users on X.
“Besides me (obvi), who is the greatest player to never win a major on the men’s side? Talent-wise, I’ll go with Rios. Zverev slide into that spot now? Guy has been so damn good. Ferrer? Mecir? #fishytennisthoughts,” Fish posted.
Besides me (obvi), who is the greatest player to never win a major on the men’s side? Talent wise, I’ll go with Rios. Zverev slide into that spot now? Guy has been so damn good. Ferrer? Mecir? #fishytennisthoughts
— Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) January 26, 2025
Chile’s Ríos is one of only 29 players to have reached World No. 1—but the only one without a Grand Slam title. He achieved the feat at just 21 after reaching the 1998 Australian Open final (losing to Petr Korda) and winning three Masters titles that year, including the Sunshine Double. The controversial player retired at 28 after struggling with injuries for several seasons.
Meanwhile, Spain’s David Ferrer is widely regarded as one of the best players without a major title, having been a leading figure in Spanish tennis before Rafael Nadal’s emergence. Ferrer reached World No. 3 and spent seven consecutive seasons in the top 10.
He won 27 titles in total, including the Paris Masters—his only Masters 1000 title. The current captain of Spain’s Davis Cup team reached one Grand Slam final at the 2013 French Open, where he lost to Nadal, and made five other major semifinals.
Finally, perhaps the most underrated candidate is Slovakia’s Miloslav Mecir. A standout in the 1980s, Mecir won Olympic gold in Seoul 1988 and reached two major finals, the 1986 US Open and 1989 Australian Open, losing both to Ivan Lendl. He’s remembered as the only player to defeat Mats Wilander in a Grand Slam match (Wimbledon quarterfinals) during Wilander’s dominant 1988 season.
Journalist Bastien Fachan also argued for Zverev as the best player without a major, citing his achievements: “That’s Zverev: two ATP Finals + seven Masters + Olympic gold + career-high World No. 2 + twice a set away from winning a Major,” Fachan posted.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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