Tennis has long been called a gentleman’s game, or more recently, a sport of grace and discipline where fierce competition is ideally matched with mutual respect. Yet, every so often, the white lines blur. Civilities are dropped. Eye-rolls replace handshakes. And post-match press conferences sound more like verbal volleys than thoughtful reflections.
Danielle Collins’ recent pointed comments about the victory over Iga Swiatek are the latest reminder that not all rivalries are born out of admiration. Some are fuelled by friction. While history celebrates Federer versus Nadal for its elegance, or Barty against Halep for its quiet class, it’s often the ice-cold encounters that spark real fan intrigue.
Here’s a look at five modern tennis rivalries where the tension was unmistakable and, often, deeply personal.
- Danielle Collins vs Iga Swiatek
Status: Currently simmering
Danielle Collins has always worn her emotions on her sleeve, but her feud with Iga Swiatek has added an entirely new dimension to women’s tennis drama. What started as tactical competition has escalated into a personal grudge.
After losing to Swiatek at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Collins labelled her “insincere” in a post-match interview. Things became frostier during the 2025 United Cup in Sydney. As the teams from the United States and Poland met at the net for the traditional handshake, Collins rolled her eyes — mid-handshake — at Swiatek. The moment was caught on camera, and the clip quickly went viral.
Collins didn’t let it slide. She posted a screenshot of the eye-roll on her Instagram Stories, writing, “Didn’t know if you guys noticed this but… New year, same me,” — with the track “Be Real” by Kid Ink and DeJ Loaf playing in the background. She later zoomed into her own face, posted it again, and made it her new Instagram profile photo.
And when she defeated Swiatek at the 2025 Italian Open — a major upset — she took the opportunity to air her frustration.
“I didn’t get a ton of credit… it’s just more about how poorly she played,” she told Tennis Channel. “So yeah, dealing with that wasn’t as fun as I imagined.”
For Collins, it wasn’t just about winning. It was about being heard.
- Novak Djokovic vs Andy Roddick
Status: Historic, but the quotes endure
In 2008, Novak Djokovic was climbing fast, but his reputation for taking medical timeouts and appearing physically vulnerable often drew criticism. Ahead of their US Open quarter-final, Andy Roddick delivered a biting press conference.“He’s got a back and a hip and a cramp… bird flu, anthrax, SARS, common cold,” Roddick smirked. (ESPN, 2008)
Djokovic didn’t laugh. After defeating Roddick in four sets, he used his on-court interview to respond.
“I had enough of his nonsense.” (BBC Sport)
Roddick later clarified that he had been joking, but the moment had already landed. The handshake that followed was quick and cold, and the sting lingered for years.
- Maria Sharapova vs Serena Williams
Status: Cold war from start to finish
Maria Sharapova’s 2004 Wimbledon final win over Serena Williams was a career breakthrough, but it also ignited one of the chilliest rivalries in modern tennis. While their on-court encounters were intense, the off-court barbs became even more memorable.
In a 2013 Rolling Stone profile, Serena commented, “She begins every interview with ‘I’m so happy. I’m so lucky’… and talks about her boyfriend who was married.”
This was a clear reference to Bulgarian tennis star Grigor Dimitrov, who had previously dated Serena and later dated Sharapova.
Sharapova fired back in her memoir Unstoppable, writing, “Maybe Serena should talk about her own boyfriend.”
Their handshakes remained strained over the years, and their press interactions were filled with subtext. Although Serena dominated their head-to-head record (20–2), Sharapova made her words just as sharp as her forehand.
- Daniil Medvedev vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Status: Young blood, old wounds
This next-gen rivalry is defined not just by contrasting playing styles — Medvedev the metronomic grinder, Tsitsipas the elegant shotmaker — but by the open dislike between the two.
Their first major flashpoint came at the 2018 Miami Open. Tsitsipas was allegedly overheard muttering “bullsh*t Russian” after losing. Medvedev marched to the net and shouted,“You better shut the f*** up.” (ATP Tour video archive)
That wasn’t the end of it. In 2021, Tsitsipas told Tennis World USA,“His game is boring. One-dimensional tennis.”
Medvedev responded via Eurosport, “Not everyone can like each other. I’m not his best friend, for sure.”
Even their coaching teams and families have had tense moments during matches. There’s little room for diplomacy when these two face off.
- Martina Hingis vs Justine Henin
Status: Passive-aggressive pioneers
Martina Hingis was never afraid to speak her mind, and her rivalry with Justine Henin carried a tone of cold competitiveness rather than outright hostility.
In a 2006 Sports Illustrated interview, Hingis dismissed Henin’s dominance, saying, “I don’t think Henin is the real No. 1. She’s winning because of Serena’s injuries.”
Henin, who rarely engaged in trash talk, responded via Reuters, “I respect everyone’s opinion, but I prefer to speak with my racquet.”
There was also controversy surrounding Hingis’ comments to Le Monde, “She’s small, but never seems tired.”
The implication sparked speculation, though Hingis never elaborated. Their matches, though rarely emotionally explosive, were laden with tension — more simmer than spark, but unmistakably tense.
Final Set: More Than Just a Game
Not every rivalry in tennis is destined to be respectful. Some are shaped by jabs in press conferences, by social media slights, and by subtle acts like an eye-roll caught on camera. Danielle Collins’ saga with Iga Swiatek is a vivid reminder that authenticity, even when abrasive, still grabs attention.
When players trade cold glances instead of friendly nods, the line between sport and spectacle begins to blur. These rivalries prove that tennis, for all its poise and precision, is also deeply human. And sometimes, defeats are taken far more seriously, and personally, than they ever should be.