10 Best Women Tennis Players of All Time: A Definitive List

Tennis has been one of the most popular sports in the world for decades, and the women’s game has produced some of the most inspiring and dominant athletes in sports history.

From the early days of tennis to the present day, there have been countless remarkable female players who have left their mark on the sport. In this article, we have compiled a definitive list of the top 10 best women’s tennis players of all time. Whether you’re a seasoned tennis fan or just starting to get into the sport, this list will showcase some of the greatest players to have ever picked up a racket. So let’s dive in and celebrate the amazing talent and achievements of these legendary women! Here are the best women tennis players of all time.

10. Caroline Wozniacki

Born: 11 July 1990
Nationality: Denmark
Career titles: 30
Grand Slams: 1 (1 AUS)
Total Weeks at No.1: 71 (49 Consecutive)

Wozniacki’s ability to control the game is remarkable, often attributed to her choice of equipment. For those interested in achieving a similar level of control in their game, exploring the best tennis rackets for control can be a great start. With 30 WTA singles titles from 2008 to 2011, she holds the record for the most by any player on the tour during that time. Wozniacki is also an advocate for young tennis players, earning her the Danish Sportsperson of the Year award in 2010. Despite playing in the same era as the Williams sisters, her impressive career and reputation should not be overlooked.

9. Venus Williams

Born: 17 June 1980
Nationality: United States of America
Career Titles: 49
Grand Slams: 7 (5 Wimbledon, 2 US)
Total Weeks at No.1: 11

The Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, have had a tremendous impact on women’s tennis, ushering in a new era of athleticism and power. Venus, with her 7 Grand Slam titles, is a formidable player in her own right. Though many believe she would have won more if not for Serena, Venus’ achievements are impressive. In the early 2000s, she dominated the WTA tour, winning four Grand Slam titles in just two years and reaching No. 1 status in 2002. As the first African American woman to achieve this status in the Open era, it was a significant moment in history. Wimbledon is her favorite Grand Slam tournament, having won it five times between 2000 and 2008. Known for her all-court game and aggression, Venus held the record for the fastest serve on the WTA Tour for seven years, with a serve of 129mph at the 2007 US Open.
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8. Justine Henin

Born: 1 June 1982
Nationality: Belgium
Career titles: 50
Grand Slams: 7 (1 AUS, 4 FRA, 2 US)
Total Weeks at No.1: 117 (61 Consecutive)

Ranked at number 8 on our list, Justine Henin’s impressive 7 Grand Slam titles include 4 victories at The French Open, where she won three titles in a row from 2005 to 2007. Her first French Open win in 2003 made history as the first Grand Slam Singles title for Belgium. Henin’s one-handed backhand, footspeed, and mental toughness earned her high praise from fellow tennis greats, with Billie Jean King naming her the best player of her generation and John McEnroe calling her backhand the best in both men’s and women’s tennis. Her versatile style, featuring variety in her shots, was often compared to Roger Federer’s. Despite retiring in 2011 due to a chronic elbow injury, Henin remains an inspiration to many.

7. Billie Jean King

Born: 22 November 1943
Nationality: United States of America
Career Titles: 129 (67 during Open Era)
Grand Slams: 12 (1, AUS, 1 FRA, 6 Wimbledon, 4 US)
Total Weeks at No.1: n/a

Now this addition is cheating slightly, as much of this legend’s success came before the Open era, however, we couldn’t possibly write this article without giving the great Billie Jean King an honorary mention.

Billie Jean King has been consistently named as, arguably, the single most important female athlete of all time. As an advocate of gender equality, BJK changed the game for women’s tennis, and she was the founder of the Women’s Tennis Association (the WTA) and the Women’s Sports Foundation. On the court, she was hailed as the Queen of women’s tennis; King owned Wimbledon for the period 1966 to 1975, as she took home the crown a whopping six times in the period. What’s more, King well and truly disposed of Bobby Riggs in 1973, after she triumphed in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ tennis match – up the girls!

Billie Jean King’s speed and aggression has been noted, and account for her playing style. Without doubt, King well and truly changed the game for women in tennis, and sport in general, and we have confidence in saying that women’s tennis would, arguably, not be what it is today without her wisdom, encouragement and drive for change.

6. Monica Seles

Born: 2 December 1973
Nationality: United States of America
Career Titles: 54
Grand Slams: 9 (4 AUS, 3 FRA, 2 US)
Total Weeks at No.1: 178 (91 Consecutive)

Monica Seles had an impressive career representing Yugoslavia (now Serbia) and the United States, winning a total of 9 Grand Slam titles, including 8 for Yugoslavia and her final one for the US. At just 16, she became the youngest-ever French Open champion in 1990 and went on to dominate the women’s tour in the early 1990s, reaching World No.1 ranking at 18 years old in March 1991. Unfortunately, her career was interrupted by an attack in 1993 by an obsessed fan of her rival, Steffi Graf, which limited her potential to win more Grand Slam titles. Despite this, Seles made a successful comeback, winning the 1996 Australian Open and retiring in 2008. Her talent and potential to be the best of all time make her a deserving addition to our list of the greatest women’s tennis players of all time.

5. Martina Hingis

Born: 30 September 1980
Nationality: Switzerland
Career titles: 43
Grand Slams: 5 (3 AUS, 1 Wimbledon, 1 US)
Total Weeks at No.1: 178 (91 Consecutive)

Martina Hingis takes the number 5 spot on our list for good reason. She was the first Swiss tennis player, male or female, to win a major title and attain the World No. 1 ranking. Hingis achieved this feat at just 17 years old in 1997, becoming the youngest-ever No.1 in history. That same year, she won the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, making her the youngest-ever Grand Slam champion. Hingis went on to win two more Australian Open titles, securing five Grand Slam titles in her teenage years. Despite early retirement due to injury in 2003, Hingis made two comebacks before retiring for the final time in 2017. Known for her consistency at the baseline and intelligent play, Hingis compensated for her lack of power and frightened her opponents with her knowledge of the game.

4. Chris Evert

Born: 21 December 1954
Nationality: United States of America
Career titles: 157
Grand Slams: 18 (2 AUS, 7 FRA, 3 Wimbledon, 6 US)
Total Weeks at No.1: 260 (113 Consecutive)

At number 4 on our list is the legendary Chris Evert, who dominated women’s tennis in the Open era from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s. Evert holds the record for reaching the most Grand Slam singles finals, an impressive 34, of which she won 18. She has won every major at least twice, and her ferocious two-handed backhand was a breakthrough move in a time when one-handed play was the norm. This gave her a great advantage in longer rallies. Evert’s career winning percentage in singles matches is an enviable 90%. Her on-court rivalry with Martina Navratilova is unforgettable and will be remembered for decades to come. Evert’s impressive record of Grand Slam victories is too good to miss out on this list.

3. Martina Navratilova

Born: 18 October 1956
Nationality: Czech Republic (pre-1975), United States of America (post-1975)
Career titles: 167
Grand Slams: 18 (3 AUS, 2 FRA, 9 Wimbledon, 4 US)
Total Weeks at No.1: 332 (156 Consecutive)

At number 3 on our list is Martina Navratilova, arguably Chris Evert’s greatest rival. Navratilova boasts an impressive 332 weeks at No.1, making her the second greatest player in women’s tennis history regarding rankings. Her big serves and volleys made her one of the toughest competitors for her rivals, with a whopping 167 career titles – the current record in the Open Era. Navratilova also holds the title for the most titles at Wimbledon, an incredible 9 championships won between 1978 and 1990. The Navratilova-Evert rivalry is widely regarded as the greatest in the history of women’s tennis. Their 1985 French Open final is still hailed as the best women’s match of all time, with Navratilova leading Evert in total matches, Grand Slams, and Grand Slam finals. It’s easy to see why this tennis icon ranks in the top three.

2. Steffi Graf

Born: 14 June 1969
Nationality: Germany
Career titles: 107
Grand Slams: 22 (4 AUS, 6 FRA, 7 Wimbledon, 5 US)
Total Weeks at No.1: 377 (186 Consecutive)

At number 2, we have Steffi Graf, who boasts one of the greatest resumes in sporting history. Graf’s outstanding 22 Grand Slam wins are remarkable, but her most incredible achievement is the Calendar Golden Slam, where she won all four Grand Slam titles and Olympic gold in the same calendar year – a feat unmatched by any male or female player in history. Her overall record of 56 Grand Slam events gives her a 90% win rate. Graf dominated women’s tennis from the late 80s to the mid-90s, remaining the top player in the world for over three years. Her collective total weeks at the top spot is a record for any male or female player. Even after nearly three decades since her retirement, Graf continues to inspire millions, making her an iconic tennis player who will be remembered for years to come.

1. Serena Williams

Born: 26 September 1981
Nationality: United States of America
Career titles: 73
Grand Slams: 23 (7 AUS, 3 FRA, 7 Wimbledon, 6 US)
Total Weeks at No.1: 319 (186 Consecutive)

At the top spot, we have the queen of tennis, the one and only Serena Williams. Her staggering 23 Grand Slam wins make her the Open Era record holder for most Grand Slam wins in tennis history, male or female. Serena’s power, sheer determination, and strength are skills every tennis player wishes to possess. Her serve is widely considered the greatest in women’s tennis history, and her ability to come back from set and break deficits in Grand Slam matches is described by legend John McEnroe as a gift. Serena’s 27-year career, with a high level of play throughout, including her 23 Grand Slam titles and 23-10 record in Grand Slam finals, make it extremely difficult to achieve stats as good, or greater, than hers. She’s the only player, male or female, to achieve a Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles. All hail the queen, Serena Williams!

Summary

The page explores the greatest women’s tennis players of all time, with a focus on their achievements, skills, and impact on the game. The list includes icons such as Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, and more. The players are ranked based on their Grand Slam titles, ranking, and overall impact on the game. The page highlights their incredible achievements, unique playing styles, and the rivalries that defined their careers. From record-breaking Grand Slam wins to dominating the top spot in the rankings, these Best Women Tennis Players have left an indelible mark on tennis history and continue to inspire millions around the world. You can also see our review of Best Pressureless Tennis Balls here

FAQ

What are the criteria for ranking the best women’s tennis players?

The criteria for ranking the best women tennis players include factors such as Grand Slam titles won, overall career achievements, ranking positions, and impact on the sport. Other considerations may include longevity, consistency, playing style, and contributions to the game’s development. The rankings aim to acknowledge players who have excelled in multiple aspects and made significant contributions to the sport.

Who is known for having the greatest serve in women’s tennis history?

Serena Williams is widely regarded as having the greatest serve in women’s tennis history. Her powerful and accurate serve has consistently posed a formidable challenge to her opponents. Throughout her career, Serena’s serve has been a crucial weapon, allowing her to dominate matches and secure numerous victories. Her ability to hit aces and maintain a high service game win percentage has cemented her legacy as one of the best women tennis players.

What was the greatest rivalry in women’s tennis history?

The rivalry between Serena Williams and Venus Williams is widely considered one of the greatest in women’s tennis history. As sisters, they faced each other multiple times in Grand Slam finals, showcasing their exceptional talent and creating intense matches. Their matches were highly anticipated, and their contrasting playing styles added an extra layer of excitement. The Williams sisters’ rivalry has significantly contributed to the popularity and growth of women’s tennis.

Which women’s tennis player has the highest winning percentage in singles matches?

With an outstanding winning percentage in singles matches, the legendary player Steffi Graf holds one of the highest records in women’s tennis history. Throughout her career, Graf achieved remarkable success, winning 22 Grand Slam singles titles and holding the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 377 weeks. Her exceptional skills, athleticism, and consistency allowed her to maintain a remarkable winning percentage and establish herself among the best women tennis players.

Who has the fastest serve in women’s tennis history?

The fastest serve in women’s tennis history was recorded by the German player Sabine Lisicki, who unleashed a lightning-fast serve clocked at 131 mph (210.8 km/h) during a match at Wimbledon in 2014. This remarkable feat earned Lisicki the distinction of hitting the fastest serve ever recorded in women’s tennis, showcasing her exceptional power and serving ability. Her record-breaking serve remains a testament to her formidable skills on the court.