The Ten Most Important People in Tennis History

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3 – Gladys Heldman

The period from the '50s into the '70s were years of growth and controversy. As founder and publisher of World Tennis magazine, Heldman was the game's conscience, celebrating every aspect of the sport in all corners of the globe while also constantly tilting at the windmills of orthodoxy that hindered its growth. In 1970, she was the one who got Virginia Slims come along to sponsor the fledgling women's circuit.

2 – Billie Jean King

A catalyst for half the planet's entrance into sports, King was also a great champion and first-rate competitor. Hankering for personal and collective legitimacy, she led the charge for women's tennis – and aided the entire sport. She also proved she could win big in all situations, ranging from traditional Wimbledon (where to this day she holds the record for most titles) to the innovative, smoking of Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" and the creation of the one-of-its-kind World Team Tennis league.

1 – Jack Kramer

Imagine being both Michael Jordan and David Stern: dominant player and visionary leader. Such was the case for Big Jake. Consider just a few of his innovations. He pioneered the serve-volley "Big Game" that dominated the game for more than 30 years, lent his name to one of the greatest-selling pieces of equipment in sports history (Wilson's Jack Kramer Autograph racket) and, most importantly, tirelessly directed the barnstorming pro game in hopes that one day the sport would be open and thoroughly professional. He is tennis' George Washington, a battle-scarred general who in large part is the contemporary pro game's Founding Father.

Which of the players listed above would you vote as the most influential? See the HOFN Poll and vote today.