Have you ever imagined getting an ace against Rafael Nadal or Serena Williams in a high-stakes match? Well, according to a fresh survey from The Action Network, tons of U.S. tennis fans might just be living in that dream. We asked 2,267 fans to estimate their tennis prowess against the pros and other interesting questions, revealing surprising confidence in self-proclaimed skills and some playful preferences.
Fans tackled these questions:
- How many games could they win in a best-of-three-set match against a pro?
- How does their serve measure up against a tennis superstar’s?
- Who do they see as the most overrated player in the top 10?
- Which tennis star would they most like to date?
In a best-of-three-set tennis match, how many games would you get against a professional tennis player?
It seems like some fans have been hitting the optimism juice, with 64% believing they could snag at least one game against a professional. But let's keep it real, 36% are convinced the scoreboard might not favor them.
Interestingly, 70% of Gen Z fans believe they could win at least one game against a pro — call it youthful enthusiasm or a TikTok-induced adrenaline rush. Meanwhile, confidence takes a nosedive with fans aged 55 and up, as only 41% anticipate winning any games.
You might have seen our previous survey looking at this question. Former Wimbledon winner Frederik Løchte Nielsen offered his thoughts on the same question:
“That's madness. I think it's because they might have a hard time relating to what it takes."
"Let me turn it around and say that, of course, it's difficult to win 6-0 and 6-0 if the opponent can play tennis, but if the opponent is an ‘average Joe’, they wouldn't even get the ball in play."
"They might have never seen a video of a pro player playing against an amateur, but that's like saying you can play in the Premier League just because you've played a little soccer."
"They simply don't understand. It's ignorance."
"It's quite insane, really. It's like half of them believing they can kick a ball as hard as Cristiano Ronaldo."
"Tennis is perhaps the most challenging sport in the world. Maybe they've hit the ball around a bit with a pro player and think they can keep up."
"But in a match, they wouldn't even get the chance to get the ball in."
How do you think your serve compares to that of a professional tennis player?
Confidence is never lacking, with 40% of fans thinking they serve at pro-level speeds, maybe even faster. Within this group, 17% think they're running the speedometer into overdrive, while 14% match up with the pros, and 9% say they’re almost there.
| How Do You Think Your Serve Compares to a Professional Tennis Player? | Tennis Fan Response |
| I think I serve faster than a pro | 17% |
| I think I serve at the same speed | 14% |
| I think I serve at almost the same speed | 9% |
| I think I serve slower | 60% |
Yet, 60% admit their serves might not break any records outside the neighborhood court.
Generational confidence is alive and well, with half of Gen Z folks believing their serve is pro-worthy.
| How Do You Think Your Serve Compares to a Professional Tennis Player? | Gen Z Tennis Fan Response |
| I think I serve faster than a pro | 17% |
| I think I serve at the same speed | 19% |
| I think I serve at almost the same speed | 14% |
| I think I serve slower | 50% |
Who is the most overrated player in the current top 10?
The great Novak Djokovic leads as the "most overrated," capturing 16.4% of skepticism despite his legendary status. Holger Rune and Jannik Sinner follow closely—proof that once you're at the top, critics come with the territory.
Even rising stars like Carlos Alcaraz and veterans like Daniil Medvedev attract some skepticism, showing that fans are a tough crowd when it comes to ranking the elites.
| Most Overrated Player in the Men’s Top 10? | Tennis Fan Response |
| Novak Djokovic | 16.4% |
| Holger Rune | 11.4% |
| Jannik Sinner | 11.1% |
| Ben Shelton | 10.0% |
| Lorenzo Musetti | 9.8% |
| Alexander Zverev | 9.6% |
| Taylor Fritz | 9.2% |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 8.0% |
| Jack Draper | 7.7% |
| Daniil Medvedev | 6.8% |
Which tennis player would you like to date the most?
When it comes to off-court appeal, Carlos Alcaraz takes the crown for male players, capturing 24% of the fan vote with his mix of charm and talent. Taylor Fritz and Stefanos Tsitsipas aren't far behind, showing that charisma isn’t just in the backhand.
| Most Dateable Tennis Player | Tennis Fan Response |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 24% |
| Taylor Fritz | 19% |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | 16% |
| Ben Shelton | 14% |
| Jack Draper | 14% |
| Tommy Paul | 11% |
On the women's side, Coco Gauff steals the spotlight with 29% choosing her as the most dateable, blending skill with an engaging personality that appeals to fans.
| Most Dateable Tennis Player | Tennis Fan Response |
| Coco Gauff | 29% |
| Jasmine Paolini | 17% |
| Aryna Sabalenka | 17% |
| Emma Raducanu | 16% |
| Paula Badosa | 11% |
| Iga Swiatek | 9% |
Methodology
The research was carried out by One8Y and was conducted between June 18th 2025 and June 23rd 2025. The sample comprises 2,267 tennis fans across the United States of America.
The raw data can be found here.
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