Short men can dominate the tennis court, too. In this post, we’ll share a round up of the shortest men’s tennis players.
Height isn’t nearly as much of a barrier to entry for professional tennis as it is for other pro sports. In fact, some of the shortest men’s tennis players have racked up as many career wins as their taller competitors.
Inspired by the athletic accomplishments of the shortest men’s tennis players, we’ve put together this list to honor them. Let’s take a closer look at the 9 men’s tennis players who have shown that height is no obstacle to their desire for competitive greatness.
The Shortest Men’s Tennis Players
Here they are from shortest to tallest…
1. Olivier Rochus
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Turned Pro: 1999
Retired: 2014
Total Winnings: $4,809,475
The shortest pro tennis player to have made it big, Olivier Rochus is the younger brother of another famous player, Christophe Rochus. His biggest claim to fame is having won the 2004 French Open doubles title with Xavier Malisse.
2. Yoshihito Nishioka
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Turned Pro: 2014
Retired: Still playing
Total Winnings: $2,933,128
Though he was born right-handed, Nishioka has successfully used a left-handed backhand throughout his career. Combined with his remarkable work ethic, this has even led him to securing an ATP Tour singles title and a ranking as the number 48 tennis player in the world.
After suffering a knee injury in 2017, he spent a year in rehab before winning his first ATP title — a feat that he’s looking to repeat in the near future.
3. Diego Schwartzman
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Turned Pro: 2010
Retired: Still playing
Total Winnings: $9,553,262
Argentinian phenom Diego Schwartzman is one of the shortest men’s tennis players to crack the top 10 in world rankings, coming in at number 8 in October of 2020. His return game is one of the best in the sport, especially if he’s playing on his favorite clay courts.
After being the shortest player to reach the 2017 US Open quarterfinals, Schwartzman is quoted as saying “It’s not just for the big guys here.”
4. Rod Laver
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Turned Pro: 1963
Retired: 1979
Total Winnings: $1,565,413
As old school as it comes, Rod Laver is regarded by many as one of the best tennis players of all time. During nine different years in his career, he was the top ranked player in the entire world!
Racking up 200 singles titles — including more than ten titles per year in seven consecutive years — his legend is enduring.
5. Damir Džumhur
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Turned Pro: 2011
Retired: Still playing
Total Winnings: $4,384,893
Bosnian-born Damir Džumhur was the first man from his country to be selected for play in the Olympics. As he has steadily risen through the ranks of pro tennis, he has become a hero in his home country.
And with years left to go in his career, he is eyeing a top-10 finish in the worldwide rankings for men’s tennis players.
6. David Ferrer
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Turned Pro: 2000
Retired: 2019
Total Winnings: $31,483,911
As the 7th all-time leader in career earnings, David Ferrer proved without a doubt that height was no obstacle to tennis greatness. He’s won tournaments at every level of the sport, specializing in clay court play and using his wicked backhand to secure many victories.
Now in retirement from playing, he is continuing to influence the development of the sport through his role as a professional coach.
7. Ričardas Berankis
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Turned Pro: 2007
Retired: Still playing
Total Winnings: $3,74,560
The only Lithuanian player to ever enter the ATP top 50, Ričardas Berankis is an Eastern European hero. Despite his success in tennis, his mother and father still retain their humble professions as a post office working and taxi driver.
And in a funny twist of fate, the last name “Berankis” translates to “armless” — something that the muscular Ričardas is absolutely not guilty of!
8. Michael Chang
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Turned Pro: 1988
Retired: 2003
Total Winnings: $19,145,632
The youngest man to ever win a Grand Slam tournament, Michael Chang is known for his agility and powerful defensive style. This is a direct result of being shorter than almost all of his opponents, leading to a unique game that taller competitors could not reproduce.
He’s now a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, forever enshrined as one of the best players of all time.
9. Marcelo Ríos
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Turned Pro: 1994
Retired: 2004
Total Winnings: $9,713,771
Hailing from Chile, El zurdo de Vitacura is the first Latin American men’s tennis player to earn the number one spot on the ATP singles ranking list. Were it not for a back injury that led him to retirement, he was on track to win upwards of five Masters titles.
Though constantly embroiled in controversies, his aggressive play style led to much respect from the professional tennis world.
Parting Thoughts
Unlike basketball or American football, tennis doesn’t require the same exaggerated heights to be a great player. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the accomplishments of tennis’s shortest players, and found inspiration to continue your own sporting journey!
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