The standout ATP duo that are yet to win a tennis grand slam

Modern professional tennis is played at a remarkably competitive level, which means that winning a grand slam event has been a tougher ask than ever in the ongoing era. 

Achieving success at one of the four major events is the sporting pinnacle that all top players dream of. However, there are a host of remarkable ATP players who have yet to secure any major success in their lengthy careers so far. 

These players could potentially get over that hurdle during 2024, but who are the standout stars that have yet to secure the ultimate glory within the sport? 

Stefanos Tsitsipas 

Stefanos Tsitsipas stands out significantly when considering the leading players who don't have a grand slam title to their name. He's already appeared in four semi-finals and two finals despite being just 25 years old.

The Greek star could have a realistic chance of breaking his duck in the opening event of 2024. The Australian Open betting odds offer Tsitsipas as a +5000 outsider, although he was in a similar position in 2023, and managed to make his way to the final. 

As it stands, free tennis betting tips suggest the competition will be Novak Djokovic's to lose, and he's coincidentally the man who has prevented glory for the Greek in both of his final appearances.

Tsitsipas will ambitiously hope to make it three times lucky against arguably the greatest player that has ever lived. A win against Djokovic would represent Tsitsipas' career highlight so far and would secure the perfect start to 2024.

Tsitsipas has certainly regressed from his magnificent year in 2021 when he ranked as high as third place in the world. However, he's poised to enter his prime shortly, which means his strongest form may yet await. 

At the turn of the year going into 2024, he was ranked seventh in the ATP rankings, meaning he's undoubtedly still regarded as one of the best players on the planet. He's well positioned to rekindle his early career peak and perhaps go one further with a landmark major success in 2024 or beyond. 

Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev is another European tennis player who has significant experience in the latter stages of grand slams but has never quite secured success. 

The German has reached the final four of a major event on five occasions and has played in one final - which was at the 2020 US Open where he lost to Dominic Thiem. 

He, like Tsitsipas, reached impressive heights early in his career, which means he still has plenty of time remaining to secure the grand slam success that has consistently eluded him. 

Zverev historically performs best at Roland Garros - historically, he's reached the semi-final on three consecutive occasions between 2021 and 2023. Perhaps this year could be the time he goes one better and reaches the final - as any keen tennis fan knows, in that setting, truly anything could happen.

The clay-court master Rafael Nadal will struggle to return to peak fitness ahead of the French Open, and that could leave the door wide open for another player who excels on clay surface to take advantage. 

This duo will certainly be strong outsiders for all of the major events in 2024, although their greatest chances of finally achieving grand slam success may arrive when retirement finally arrives for the likes of Djokovic and Nadal. 

Based on talent alone, it's fascinating that this pair has yet to win any major titles despite competing at the latter stages for the best part of five years now.

Ultimately, though, at the ages of 25 and 26 - at the beginning of 2024 - they have an abundance of time to write eternal legacies for themselves in the sport. Their time will surely come. 

Cover Credits: ATPofficial.com