Sport in Slovenia has experienced a true renaissance in the second and early third decade of the 21st century. It is remarkable that a country with just over 2 million people has produced global stars such as Luka Doncic, Goran Dragic (basketball), Tadej Pogacar, Primoz Roglic (cycling), Tina Maze (skiing), Peter Prevc (ski jumping), Benjamin Sesko, Jan Oblak (football), and other prominent Slovenian athletes, alongside notable results in volleyball, handball, and ice hockey.
Unlike these sports, tennis—especially men’s tennis—has not achieved such remarkable results. So far, only four Slovenian male players have managed to break into the ATP Top 100. However, reaching the third round of a Grand Slam has remained an insurmountable barrier for any Slovenian singles player, while Slovenia’s Davis Cup team has not advanced beyond the World Group I play-offs.
5. LUKA GREGORC (#172)
We start our list with Luka Gregorc, who reached a career-high ATP ranking of 172 on August 3, 2009. That same year, he played his only Grand Slam match, losing in the first round of Wimbledon to Tommy Robredo as a qualifier.
4. BLAZ ROLA (#78)
Although still active, it is unlikely that Blaz Rola will surpass his career-high ranking of 78, achieved on January 5, 2015. Rola reached the second round at the Australian Open and Wimbledon but never advanced past the first round at the other two Slams. He also won two gold medals for Slovenia at the 2013 Mediterranean Games in Mersin (singles and doubles).
3. BLAZ KAVCIC (#68)
Blaz Kavcic was the first Slovenian in history to enter the ATP Top 100 and the first to win a match at one of the four major tournaments. His career-high ranking was 68, reached on August 6, 2012. He reached the third round at the Australian Open and US Open, while reaching the second round at the other two Slams. Kavcic also represented Slovenia at the 2012 London Olympics, advancing to the second round.
2. ALJAZ BEDENE (#43)
Although Bedene competed under the British flag from 2015 to 2017, his career-high ranking of 43 was achieved on February 19, 2018, representing Slovenia once again. He reached the third round at the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, while at the Australian Open he reached the second round.
1. GREGA ZEMLJA (#43)
Topping our list is Grega Žemlja, who reached the same career-high ranking of 43 on July 15, 2013. His best Grand Slam results include the third round at Wimbledon and the US Open, second-round appearances twice at the French Open, and never advancing past the first round at the Australian Open.
Grega Žemlja v imenitnem slogu zaključil bogato profesionalno kariero. Grega je pionir uspehov slovenskega tenisa #daviscup #atp #mojster pic.twitter.com/xzYYv3ObrR
— Tenis Slovenija (@Teniskazveza) August 11, 2017
