Marcelo Ríos reached the pinnacle of the tennis world in the late 1990s, becoming the first South American to claim the ATP’s No. 1 ranking. The Chilean left-hander, known for his unique style both on and off the court, made history. Yet, his time at the top was often accompanied by provocative comments.

“The Chino,” as he was nicknamed, frequently voiced sharp criticism of the ATP during his playing days. He also took aim at tennis icons Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, describing them as “boring.” Despite these remarks, Ríos built an impressive résumé, with victories over greats like Andre Agassi, Carlos Moyá, and Tommy Haas.

Ríos first gained international attention when, at just 18 years old, he faced Pete Sampras in the second round of the 1994 Roland Garros. Though he lost, the match proved that his dominance in junior tennis was no fluke. The following year, he claimed his first ATP title in Bologna and went on to amass 18 career trophies before retiring in 2004