It's 2026, and the debate over the greatest of all time—the GOAT—is arguably more chaotic than it was five years ago. If you ask a casual fan who won the most Grand Slams, they’ll probably shout Novak Djokovic's name before you can even finish the sentence. And honestly? They aren't wrong. But they also aren't exactly right.
Tennis history is messy. It’s split between the "Open Era" and the amateur days, and the numbers look a lot different depending on whether you're talking about just the men, just the women, or every human being who ever picked up a racket.
As we sit on the doorstep of the 2026 Australian Open, the record books are basically a shared apartment. Right now, the magic number is 24.
The Current Leaders: A Two-Way Tie at 24
Novak Djokovic and Margaret Court. That’s the answer. Both have 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
Djokovic reached this peak at the 2023 US Open, and while he’s been hunting for number 25 for what feels like an eternity in tennis years, the Serbian remains tied with Court for the all-time lead across both genders. At 38 years old, Novak is still the fourth seed in Melbourne this year. He’s chasing that elusive 25th title to finally stand alone at the top of the mountain.
But Margaret Court’s 24 titles often come with an asterisk in modern conversations.
🔗 Read more: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
You've gotta remember that she won 13 of those before the Open Era began in 1968. Back then, the Australian Open was a bit of a local affair—many of the world's best players didn't even make the trip to Australia because travel was a nightmare. Serena Williams, who finished her career with 23, is widely considered the Open Era queen for that very reason. She did it when everyone showed up to every tournament.
The Men’s Leaderboard (As of January 2026)
- Novak Djokovic: 24
- Rafael Nadal: 22 (Retired in late 2024)
- Roger Federer: 20 (Retired in 2022)
- Pete Sampras: 14
- Roy Emerson: 12
Rafa Nadal’s retirement at the end of 2024 really signaled the end of the "Big Three" era. We're now watching the aftermath. It’s weird seeing a draw without Federer or Nadal, but Djokovic is the last man standing from that titan group.
Why 24 Isn’t the Only Number That Matters
If you want to get technical—and tennis fans love getting technical—the "most" can mean different things.
Take Martina Navratilova. If you look at singles, she has 18. Great, but not the record. But if you look at total Grand Slams (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles), she has a staggering 59.
Margaret Court actually beats her there, too, with 64 total majors.
💡 You might also like: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
Honestly, the sheer physical toll of winning 64 titles is hard to wrap your head around. It’s a different sport now. Players today rarely play all three categories because the singles game is so brutal on the body. Can you imagine Carlos Alcaraz or Iga Świątek playing a mixed doubles match right after a five-set singles marathon? Not happening.
The New Guard: Can They Catch Up?
People are already asking if the "Sincaraz" duo—Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz—can catch the 24-title mark.
Alcaraz is entering the 2026 Australian Open as the World No. 1. He’s already won three of the four majors. If he wins in Melbourne this month, he’ll complete the Career Grand Slam at just 22 years old. That is terrifyingly fast.
Sinner is right there with him. He’s the two-time defending champion in Australia.
But even if they win two Slams a year, they’d need to maintain that level for over a decade to reach Djokovic. Tennis is a game of health as much as skill. One bad knee injury and the "race" is over.
📖 Related: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
On the women’s side, Iga Świątek has 6 titles and she’s only 24. She’s the favorite for every French Open until further notice. Then you have Aryna Sabalenka, who has been the most consistent hard-court player on the planet for the last two years. She’s currently the World No. 1 and is looking for a "Calendar Slam" in 2026, which would involve winning all four in one year. Only three women have ever done that in the singles category: Maureen Connolly, Margaret Court, and Steffi Graf.
The Serena Factor
We can’t talk about who won the most Grand Slams without talking about the "almosts."
Serena Williams stayed at 23 for years. She made four major finals after returning from giving birth to her daughter, Olympia, but lost all of them. It was a heartbreaking stretch for fans. She was so close to that 24th title, but the "Mom Slam" just wouldn't happen.
Still, her 23 titles are all in the Open Era. Many experts argue that 23 in the 2000s is worth more than 24 in the 1960s. It’s a debate that will never actually end because you can't compare eras fairly.
Actionable Insights for Tennis Fans
If you're following the records this season, here is what you need to watch for:
- Check the Australian Open results this week. If Djokovic wins, he hits 25 and officially becomes the winningest singles player in history, breaking the tie with Court.
- Watch Carlos Alcaraz's trajectory. If he bags a Career Grand Slam this year, he’s officially on a faster pace than Federer or Djokovic were at his age.
- Don't ignore the doubles. While singles gets the glory, the all-time records for most trophies still belong to the legends like Navratilova and Mike Bryan (who has 18 in men's doubles).
- Surface matters. Remember that 14 of Nadal's 22 titles came at the French Open. When looking at who has the "most," consider who was the most well-rounded across grass, clay, and hard courts.
The race for 25 is the biggest storyline in sports right now. Whether Novak gets it or a youngster like Sinner blocks him again, the record of 24 is the mountain everyone is trying to climb.