These Might Be The Most Controversial Tennis Stars Of All Time

Plenty of people might view tennis as one of the more respectable sports out there, alongside things like golf. You don't tend to see fans of this getting overly passionate and causing a lot of problems the way you sometimes do with football or soccer. However, even if that is the case, that doesn't mean tennis isn't without its bad moments.

Over the years, there have been quite a few players who have caused a fair amount of controversy. They've become so polarizing that they tend to be remembered not for their skill on the court but rather for the way they rile people up. In fact, we are left with those who might be the most controversial tennis stars of all time.

Martina Hingis has seemingly never been afraid of expressing controversial remarks

When your life is in the spotlight, you have to be careful about the things that you say. If you don't think carefully about the words you use, it will come back to bite you. Martina Hingis found that out numerous times during her tennis career. Along with reportedly calling Amelie Maurseno "half a man," Hingis claimed that Venus and Serena Williams had advantages because of the color of their skin. She stated that their sponsorships were largely down to being Black and suggested they could accuse people of racism when they didn't get what they wanted. Controversial remarks like these meant it wasn't uncommon for Martina to get booed. The fact she tested positive for certain substances before her 2007 retirement also didn't help her reputation.

Bill Tilden's trouble with the law really tarnished his reputation

Bill Tilden isn't a name that necessarily many modern fans of tennis will know, given he was a big figure in the 1920s and '30s. Even if they are familiar with him, it might not be because he was such a dominant force during these decades. It's more likely because he was arrested several times in the 1940s for inappropriate behavior with young males. Even before this, though, plenty of people at the time considered Tilden to be controversial. He could allegedly be quite arrogant on the court and was nearly banned by the US Lawn Tennis Association during his career. He's definitely someone who's hard to forget, but not always for the right reasons.

John McEnroe's outbursts were some of the most divisive tennis has ever seen

We could never sit here and try to argue against the skill that John McEnroe possessed during his playing career. He was ranked number one in the world for a reason, and his seven Grand Slam singles titles are a big part of that. Unfortunately, while he might have been exceptional on the court, he wasn't afraid of an outburst. His heated words against fans and officials frequently captured media attention, making him one of tennis' most polarizing figures. Referred to in the past as 'SuperBrat' and a "vain, ill-tempered petulant loudmouth," his behavior was undoubtedly polarizing. Even those who found it entertaining would probably agree he was hugely controversial.

Suzanne Lenglen's early departure from a US Championships game earned many boos

Someone else who was a big name around the 1920s was Suzanne Lenglen, whose impressive winning streak was something to be celebrated. She won nearly every game she played in, with her biggest loss coming in her final US Championship appearance. She faced off against Molla Mallory at the 1921 tournament and left the game after losing the first set. Her decision received jeers from the crowd, resulting in her leaving in tears. This ultimately prompted her to never play in the US Championships again, but was everyone sad about that? Given her supposed tendency to drink, swear, and enjoy the company of men, her absence wasn't considered a loss by everyone.

Jennifer Capriati's early success was followed by a lifetime of controversial issues

Jennifer Capriati has seemingly been surrounded by controversy for most of her life. The star was quick to earn attention for her tennis skills, being on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 13 and winning an Olympic gold medal at 16. Unfortunately, success wasn't the only thing to come early in life, as Capriati was also getting into trouble for shoplifting and possessing illegal substances by 18. Although this might have spelled the end of her career, she later made an incredible comeback, winning three Grand Slam singles titles and becoming the world number one in 2001. However, substance abuse issues also returned, like when she was hospitalized in 2010 for supposedly taking too much of something. It's hard to say what she's better known for now - her tennis skills or her personal issues.

All of these tennis stars were amazing on the court during their playing careers. Unfortunately, it's hard to focus on that sometimes when they become one of the most controversial tennis stars of all time. Sometimes, you want to separate the art from the artist, but with these five, that's sometimes easier said than done.