Tennis Top 100 Evolution (1970-2024)

See how the ATP Top 100 and Top 10 have shifted across countries over five decades.

Animation map

  • The global spread of tennis talent has accelerated: in the 1980s, ATP Top 100 players hailed from just over 30 countries—today, nearly 80 nations are represented.
  • Europe’s ascent has reshaped the tennis landscape, with Spain and France emerging as new powerhouses, while the USA’s dominance has steadily waned.
  • The ATP Top 100 is more internationally diverse than ever: in 1980, the elite came from 30 countries; now, that number has climbed to around 45.

Major countries and Top 100

  • Spain and France have surged as tennis powerhouses. Argentina, after a period of decline, is making a notable comeback.
  • The USA’s has lost its dominance as tennis globalizes, while Sweden’s dramatic fall stands out. Italy is a winner post 2000 as it climbs the ranks
  • The rise of Roger Federer (Switzerland) and Novak Djokovic (Serbia) highlights how even smaller tennis nations can produce all-time greats—true outliers in the modern era.
Top Tennis Nations in the ATP Top 100 Over Time

Global Tennis Diversity Over Time

  • The ATP Top 100 is more internationally diverse than ever: in 1980, players came from 30 countries; today, that number is closer to 45.
  • The Top 10 remains concentrated among a handful of nations though.
  • The emerging tennis talent is coming from smaller and less traditional European and adjacent nations.
Growth of Country Representation in the ATP Top 100

New Country Entries into Top 100

  • Any country appearing in the Top 100 from 1980 onward, but absent in 1970 and 1975, is considered a new entry. Our data tracks these debuts since 1970.
  • Each dot on the chart marks the year a nation first placed a player in the ATP Top 100.
  • Many of these new entries come from Eastern Europe and North Africa.
First-Time Top 100 Nations