In tennis, height translates directly into serving power and court coverage. Taller players generate steeper angles on serves and can reach volleys that shorter opponents simply cannot. The sport has seen a wave of towering athletes who turned their height into a devastating weapon, racking up aces at record-breaking rates.
⚡ Quick Facts:
- The tallest tennis player ever is Ivo Karlovic at 6 ft 11 in (211 cm)
- This list covers the top 10 tallest tennis players of all time
- Heights are shown in both feet/inches and centimetres
Complete List: Top 10 Tallest Tennis Players
| Rank | Player | Height | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivo Karlovic | 6 ft 11 in (211 cm) | Croatia |
| 2 | Reilly Opelka | 6 ft 11 in (211 cm) | United States |
| 3 | John Isner | 6 ft 10 in (208 cm) | United States |
| 4 | Chris Guccione | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | Australia |
| 5 | Kevin Anderson | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | South Africa |
| 6 | Juan Martin del Potro | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | Argentina |
| 7 | Marin Cilic | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | Croatia |
| 8 | Alexander Zverev | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | Germany |
| 9 | Daniil Medvedev | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | Russia |
| 10 | Milos Raonic | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | Canada |
1. Ivo Karlovic — 6 ft 11 in (211 cm)
Country: Croatia
Ivo Karlovic is the tallest player in ATP history and holds the all-time record for career aces with over 13,700. The Croatian served at speeds exceeding 155 mph and reached a career-high ranking of world No. 14 in 2008. Karlovic competed professionally until age 42, winning eight ATP titles across his remarkable career.
2. Reilly Opelka — 6 ft 11 in (211 cm)
Country: United States
Reilly Opelka matches Karlovic as one of the tallest ATP players ever at 6 ft 11 in. The American reached a career-high ranking of No. 17 in 2022 and won three ATP titles. Opelka is known for his booming serve and has recorded multiple matches with 20 or more aces.
3. John Isner — 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)
Country: United States
John Isner is famous for playing the longest match in tennis history at Wimbledon 2010 against Nicolas Mahut, which lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes. The American reached a career-high ranking of No. 8 and won 16 ATP titles. Isner holds records for most aces in a single match with 113.
4. Chris Guccione — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: Australia
Chris Guccione was an Australian professional tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 67 in 2008. He found greater success in doubles, reaching the Australian Open final in 2014. Guccione was known for one of the fastest serves on tour during his career.
5. Kevin Anderson — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: South Africa
Kevin Anderson reached the Wimbledon final in 2018 and the US Open final in 2017, achieving a career-high ranking of No. 5. The South African won seven ATP titles and was known for his powerful serve and baseline game. Anderson retired in 2022 after a distinguished career spanning over a decade.
6. Juan Martin del Potro — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: Argentina
Juan Martin del Potro won the 2009 US Open by defeating Roger Federer in the final, becoming one of the most beloved players in tennis history. The Argentine reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 and won 22 ATP titles. Del Potro was renowned for his devastating forehand, one of the most powerful shots in the sport.
7. Marin Cilic — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: Croatia
Marin Cilic won the 2014 US Open and reached the finals of the Australian Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2017. The Croatian achieved a career-high ranking of No. 3 and won 20 ATP titles. Cilic was also instrumental in leading Croatia to the Davis Cup title in 2018.
8. Alexander Zverev — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: Germany
Alexander Zverev won the Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games and has been a consistent top-five player. The German has won multiple ATP Masters 1000 titles and reached the 2020 US Open final. Zverev reached the French Open final in 2024 and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 2.
9. Daniil Medvedev — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: Russia
Daniil Medvedev won the 2021 US Open by defeating Novak Djokovic in the final and reached the world No. 1 ranking in 2022. The Russian is known for his unorthodox playing style, exceptional court coverage, and flat groundstrokes. Medvedev has won 20 ATP titles and reached multiple Grand Slam finals.
10. Milos Raonic — 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Country: Canada
Milos Raonic reached the Wimbledon final in 2016 and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 3, the highest ever by a Canadian male player at the time. The Canadian was known for one of the most lethal serves in tennis history, regularly clocking above 150 mph. Raonic won eight ATP titles during his career.
📏 Want to see how you compare?
Use our free Height Converter to convert your height, or try the Height Comparison Tool to visually compare yourself with these tennis giants. Browse our Celebrity Heights database or check out Average Height by Country for more data.
Final Thoughts
Height in tennis provides a clear advantage on serve, but the greatest tall players have combined their physical gifts with movement, touch, and tactical intelligence. These towering athletes have reshaped how the modern game is played, making the power serve an essential weapon at every level of the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the tallest tennis player ever?
Ivo Karlovic and Reilly Opelka share the record as the tallest ATP players ever at 6 ft 11 in (211 cm). Karlovic holds the all-time record for career aces with over 13,700.
Does height help in tennis?
Height provides a significant advantage in tennis, particularly on serve. Taller players can generate steeper angles and more power on their serves. However, height can be a disadvantage for movement and returning low balls.
What is the average height of a professional tennis player?
The average height of a male ATP player is approximately 6 ft 1 in (185 cm). The women’s WTA average is approximately 5 ft 8 in (173 cm).