Look at the Best Women’s Tennis Players of All Time

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 03 June 2024

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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The Best Tennis Women’s Players of All Time

• Greatest Women Tennis Players
• What Makes the Best Women’s Tennis Player of All Time?
• Serena Williams: Powerful Domination
• Steffi Graf: Unmatched Excellence
• Martina Navratilova: Versatile Legend
• Margaret Court: Record Breaker
• Chris Evert: The Ice Maiden

Throughout the history of tennis, numerous female players have left their mark on the sport with their incredible skills, determination, and passion. From the early pioneers to modern-day superstars, these athletes have captivated audiences worldwide and inspired generations of players. But who is the best woman tennis player ever?

In this blog, we’ll explore the greatest women tennis players of all time, looking at what makes them stand out, why they deserve to be called one of the best famous women’s tennis players in history, and showcasing their remarkable achievements.

Greatest Women Tennis Players

When discussing the greatest women tennis players, it’s impossible not to mention names like Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, Margaret Court, and Chris Evert. These extraordinary athletes have not only dominated their respective eras but have also left an undeniable mark on the sport.

We will be looking at each of these tennis players in more depth throughout this article. Don’t forget, if you want to bet on tennis matches, you can check our recommended online sportsbooks to find the most trusted and reputable sports betting sites!

What Makes the Best Women’s Tennis Player of All Time?

Determining the best women’s tennis player of all time is no easy feat, as it requires a careful look at several factors. One key aspect is undoubtedly the number of Grand Slam singles titles won throughout a player’s career. These titles are the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, and they’re considered the most prestigious in the sport – a true test of a player’s ability to perform under pressure on the biggest courts, against the best players.

Another crucial factor is a player’s consistency at the top of the game. Maintaining a high level of performance over an extended period, particularly in the modern-day era, where competition is more intense than ever, is a key indication that a player is truly great.

Being able to adapt across different playing surfaces is also a key consideration. The best women’s tennis players have demonstrated their ability to be versatile on different court surfaces, including clay, grass, and hard courts.

Beyond on-court achievements, the greatest women tennis players also show exceptional mental strength, resilience, and the ability to rise to the challenge in the most pressure-filled moments.

Serena Williams: Powerful Domination

Serena Williams, one of the most well-known names in tennis, has undeniably earned her place among the best tennis women’s players of all time. With an astonishing 23 Grand Slam singles titles to her name, Serena has showcased her unrivaled power, athletic abilities, and mental toughness on the court for over two decades.

Born on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan, Serena began her tennis journey alongside her older sister, Venus, under the guidance of their father, Richard Williams. From a young age, Serena’s natural talent and determination were evident, and she quickly began to make her mark on the professional circuit.

Serena’s career is full of remarkable achievements. She has won an impressive 73 singles titles, including 23 Grand Slams, cementing her status as one of the most successful players in the history of the sport. Her Grand Slam victories span an incredible 18 years, showing she’s anything but a one-hit wonder and is constantly capable of taking on the best in the sport.

One of Serena’s most outstanding qualities is her ability to dominate opponents with her powerful serve and groundstrokes. Her stamina and court coverage skills allow her to defend against even the most formidable opponents.

Beyond her individual success, Serena has also formed a formidable partnership with her sister Venus in doubles. Together, they have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals, putting making them one of the most successful doubles teams in history.

Off the court, Serena has become a cultural icon and role model for aspiring athletes around the world. She has used her platform to advocate for gender and racial equality and has also made significant investments and contributions to fashion, business, and philanthropy.

Steffi Graf: Unmatched Excellence

Steffi Graf is still regarded as one of the best female tennis players of all time – and that’s why she’s ranked number two on today’s list of the best tennis women’s players.

Born on June 14, 1969, in Mannheim, Germany, Graf’s journey to the height of the sport is an impressive feat, and shows her exceptional talent, unwavering dedication, and relentless determination to become one of the sport’s best.

Graf’s career is marked with an astounding 107 singles titles, including 22 Grand Slam victories. Her ability to dominate on all surfaces, alongside her mental toughness and strategic court abilities, set her apart from many modern players!

Graf’s versatility and adaptability were unmatched, and she effortlessly transitioned from the clay courts of the French Open to the grass of Wimbledon, often defeating opponents in straight sets, and quickly making a name for herself as one of the world’s best.

One of Graf’s most remarkable achievements is her Golden Slam in 1988. She became the first and only player in history to win all four Grand Slam singles titles and the Olympic gold medal in the same year!

In addition, her rivalry with Monica Seles during the early 1990s is considered one of the most exciting and competitive in the history of women’s tennis. Their intense battles on the court brought female tennis into the spotlight – and many, even today, consider this to be an iconic moment for the sport.

In a career spanning nearly two decades, Graf set the bar for what it means to be a champion, both on and off the court. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of tennis players, and if you speak to many female players today, they’ll often cite her as their main source of inspiration.

Martina Navratilova: Versatile Legend

When you hear the name Martina Navratilova, you can’t help but think of a true superstar of women’s tennis. Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, on October 18, 1956, Navratilova’s journey to becoming one of the greatest players of all time is nothing short of incredible. Few players – even today – have been able to match her on-court feats, and she’s easily one of the greatest female tennis players of all time.

Navratilova’s career successes are mind-blowing – she won a giant 167 singles titles, including 18 Grand Slams! It didn’t matter if she was playing on grass, clay, or hard courts, she dominated everywhere. Her aggressive serve-and-volley style was a game-changer, combining power, precision, and finesse in a way that left her opponents scratching their heads.

One of the most impressive things about Navratilova is her record at Wimbledon. She won the singles title there an astonishing nine times. Some even started joking that she had a special connection with the grass courts. When playing on grass, she was able to anticipate her opponent’s shots better than almost any other player and could cover virtually every inch of the court!

But Navratilova wasn’t just a singles star – she was also an incredible doubles player. She won 31 Grand Slam doubles titles and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, which is far more than most players. Her partnerships with players like Pam Shriver and Billie Jean King showed that she was a team player who could bring out the best in her partners.

Off the court, Navratilova was also seen as a well-liked figure. She fearlessly stood up for LGBT rights and used her platform to fight for equality and social justice. She also came out in 1981, back in an era where it was still widely considered to be taboo. Here’s a look at some of her key career achievements:

Margaret Court: Record Breaker

Margaret Court, an Australian tennis superstar, is another iconic female tennis player – easily among the greatest women tennis players of all time. Born on July 16, 1942, in Albury, New South Wales, Court’s career was built around her unparalleled dominance and record-breaking achievements, creating a long-lasting legacy that remains even today.

With an impressive list of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, Court holds the record for the most major wins by a tennis player (male or female) in the history of the sport. Her Grand Slam success is further highlighted by her achievement of the coveted calendar-year Grand Slam in 1970, a feat she shares with only a few other tennis legends.

Court’s playing style was characterized by her powerful serve and volley game, exceptional athletic abilities, and a fierce competitive spirit. Her abilities weren’t limited to singles, either, as she also excelled in doubles and mixed doubles, amassing a total of 64 Grand Slam titles across all formats.

Off the court, her impact extends beyond her playing days. She became a Christian minister and founded the Margaret Court Ministries. However, her views on social issues sparked controversy and debate in recent years, and some Australian organizations severed ties with her due to her personal views on same-sex marriage.

Despite this, her records have stood the test of time, and her name has gone down in the history books as one of the greatest female tennis players of all time.

Chris Evert: The Ice Maiden

Chris Evert, commonly known as the Ice Maiden of tennis, is a name that many tennis fans associate with consistency and remarkable court abilities. Born on December 21, 1954, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Evert’s journey in tennis is one marked by extraordinary achievements and a legacy that has inspired countless players.

Evert’s career includes an impressive 18 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record seven French Open titles and six US Open titles. Her remarkable consistency is further displayed by her 34 consecutive Grand Slam semifinal appearances, a record that speaks volumes about her abilities to remain focused during tournaments, even when facing the best female players in the world.

One of Evert’s most notable rivalries was with Martina Navratilova, which captivated the tennis world and led to some of the most memorable matches in the sport’s history. Their contrasting styles and personalities made each point incredibly interesting to watch – and these matches often attracted millions of viewers worldwide.

Evert’s playing style was characterized by her impeccable baseline play, her ability to play shots with insane levels of precision, and mental toughness that allowed her to stay focused during the most intense matches. Her two-handed backhand, in particular, was sometimes called her secret weapon, and she used it to great effect – often leaving her opponents physically unable to return her shots.

Off the court, Evert’s impact on the sport continued as she transitioned into a successful career as a tennis commentator and coach. Her insights and expertise have provided valuable guidance to the next generation of players, and she has easily cemented her place as one of the best women’s tennis players of all time.