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14 best players to never win the French Open

By Nathaniel Reeves

25 May 1999: Pete Sampras of the USA in action during Round One of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France. Sampras won in 5 sets. \ Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill /Allsport
25 May 1999: Pete Sampras of the USA in action during Round One of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France. Sampras won in 5 sets. \ Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill /Allsport /
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3 Jun 1996: Stefan Edberg of Sweden serves during today’s straight sets defeat by Marc Rosset of Switzerland in the fourth round of the French Open Tennis Championships at Roland Garros in Paris . Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill/ALLSPORT
3 Jun 1996: Stefan Edberg of Sweden serves during today’s straight sets defeat by Marc Rosset of Switzerland in the fourth round of the French Open Tennis Championships at Roland Garros in Paris . Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill/ALLSPORT /

8. Stefan Edberg

Much like Becker, Edberg excelled at the serve-and-volley and often dominated his opponents on grass and hard courts, but could never quite win the title at Roland Garros.

Edberg also picked up six career Grand Slam singles titles including wins against Becker in Wimbledon finals in 1988 and 1990. His success on grass courts led to Australian Open championships in 1985 and 1987, just before the surface was switched to hard courts, as well as consecutive US Open titles from 1991-1992.

The clay at the French Open would keep Edberg from finishing off a career Grand Slam. After beating the second-seeded Becker in five sets in the 1989 semifinals, Edberg looked to be in great shape entering the final against 17-year-old Michael Chang.

However, Chang became the youngest male Grand Slam singles winner ever with a five-set win over Edberg. Edberg entered the following two French Opens as the top seed, but was upset in the first round in 1990 and only made the quarterfinals in 1991.

Doubles didn’t go much better for Edberg, as he lost his only career finals appearance in 1986. Edberg is now coaching Roger Federer, who isn’t participating in the 2016 French Open, snapping a streak of 65 straight Grand Slam appearances.

Next: 7. Bill Tilden

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