The best female tennis players of all time dominates at the top tennis tournaments around, including the Australian Open, the French Open, the US Open, and Wimbledon.
In this article, we’ll explore the achievements, records, and impact of these 9 best female tennis players.
Greatest female tennis players TOP 9
Steffie Graf
Stefanie Maria Graf, better known as Steffi Graf, started playing tennis at 3.
After winning the German and European Junior Cups, she started playing professionally on October 18, 1982. The next day, she lost to Tracy Austin (4-6, 0-6).
Steffi Graf participated in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 84 (aged 15) and won the gold medal by defeating Yugoslavian Sabrina Goles 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the final.
However, her medal did not count in the official medal tally as tennis, in this competition, was still an exhibition sport.
She was ITF world champion 7 times: in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995 and 1996.
In 1999, the Associated Press named her “best tennis player of the 20th century”. She won 22 Grand Slam singles titles between 1987 and 1999.
Martina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova, at the age of fourteen, won her first national tournament, and at sixteen, she was the best in the Czechoslovak ranking.
From 1974 to 1994, Martina Navratilova dominated the tennis courts with speed, strength, and brilliant tactics.
Undoubtedly the best player of the 1980s, she held the number one spot in women’s world rankings from 1982 to 1987.
Her exceptional career led the USA to win the Fed Cup in 1981, 1982, 1986, 1989, and 1990, two years before she lost to Jimmy Connors.
Chris Evert
Chris Evert was a well-balanced player who became a favorite of journalists and spectators, drawing large audiences and winning major awards for women’s tennis.
Professional since 1972, having already won the Virginia Slims Masters (1971, 1972) and the U.S. Clay Court Championship (1972).
At 19, she won the singles titles at Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and the Italian Open.
In 1975, she won it again, winning the U.S. Open singles title for the first time by defeating Evonne Goolagong at Forest Hills.
Chris Evert is one of the best female tennis players who defeated Goolagong again in 1976 at Wimbledon. Also, you could read about the best men’s tennis players.
She continued her triumphs in the most important international tournaments: 5 times at the US Open, 5 times at Roland Garros, 2 Wimbledon titles, and 2 Australian Opens.
She retired from competition in 1989 and worked as a television commentator.
Martina Hingis
The next greatest female tennis playeris a former Swiss professional tennis player of Czechoslovakian origin.
She has been the number 1 player in the world in the WTA ranking in both singles and doubles.
She has won five Grand Slam singles tournaments (three Australian Opens, one Wimbledon, and one U.S. Open) and was a finalist in seven others, including twice at Roland Garros.
She also won thirteen Grand Slam titles in women’s doubles, winning the Grand Slam (all four tournaments in the same year) in 1998 and seven in mixed doubles.
Serena Williams
Serena Jameka Williams Price is an American professional tennis player who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
She won her first tournament at the age of four and a half. By age 10, Williams had triumphed in 46 out of 49 tournaments she participated in.
At one point, she replaced her sister Venus as the No. 1 player under 12 in California.
Serena turned professional in September 1995 at the age of 14. Because of her age, WTA-sponsored tournaments did not permit her participation, initially restricting her to non-WTA events.
She lost in less than an hour in her first pro match at the Bell Challenge in Quebec. But she didn’t give up, eventually starting to win matches.
She continued playing but did not find much success until 1997, when she jumped from No. 453 in the world ranking to No. 304.
Gabriela Sabatini
In 1985, at just 15 years and three weeks old, Sabatini became the youngest player to reach a Grand Slam singles semifinal at Roland Garros. The five-time champion eliminated her, Chris Evert.
Weeks earlier, despite being ranked 38th, she surprised the world by reaching her first final at the Hilton Head tournament.
Monica Seles
Seles was born in Yugoslavia (in present-day Serbia), but emigrated to the United States at an early age to turn professional.
1990, at just 16 years old, she became the youngest player in history to win a Grand Slam title at Roland Garros.
At 17 in 1991, she solidified her status as a tennis star, winning three of four Grand Slam tournaments and the WTA Tour Championships.
Venus Williams
Venus Ebone Starr Williams Price is an American professional tennis player. She quickly became one of California’s best young tennis players. For a long time, she shared the top of the rankings with her sister Serena Williams.
Venus became a professional player in the 1990s and had a very lucrative career. She has won many major championships, including three Olympic gold medals (singles and doubles at Sydney 2000; doubles at Beijing 2008).
Justine Henin
Justine Henin is a former tennis player. During her professional career, Henin won seven Grand Slam titles: 4 Roland Garros, 1 Australian Open, and 2 U.S. Opens. Her only outstanding Grand Slam was Wimbledon, and therefore, she did not win the career Grand Slam.
As the No. 1-ranked tennis player in the world, she announced on May 14, 2008, at a press conference her retirement from the professional tennis circuit with immediate effect at 25.1. Henin remained retired from the WTA circuit for almost 2 years.
However, on January 4, 2010, she returned to the professional circuit at the Brisbane tournament.
Six months after her return, Justine was ranked No. 13 in the world rankings before the 2011 Australian Grand Slam. On January 26, 2011, she announced her definitive retirement from tennis due to a serious injury to her elbow.
“The medical examinations are clear, and so are the doctors. My elbow is too damaged and fragile to continue to practice my passion and my craft at the highest level,” Henin, 28, wrote in a letter published in several newspapers and on her website.
Final Words
These 9 best female tennis players are incredibly talented and have not only broken records and inspired countless people worldwide but have also helped advance the sport.
Who is considered the best female tennis player of all time❓
Multiple Grand Slam champions, Olympic gold medalists, and pioneers in the sport make up the list. These players have dominated tournaments such as the Australian Open, French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon.
What makes Steffi Graf stand out among the best female tennis players❓
Steffi Graf’s exceptional career includes 22 Grand Slam singles titles and an Olympic gold medal. She was also named the “best tennis player of the 20th century” by the Associated Press.
Martina Navratilova’s dominance in the 1980s, winning numerous titles and holding the top world ranking, solidifies her place among the best. She’s renowned for her speed, strength, and tactical brilliance on the court.
What achievements distinguish Chris Evert in women's tennis history❓
Chris Evert’s illustrious career includes multiple Grand Slam titles, including Wimbledon, French Open, and US Open victories. She was known for her balanced gameplay and wide-ranging success across major tournaments.
Who is the #1 female tennis player in the world❓
Iga Swiatek is the current singles world No. 1.