The 10 Best Women's Tennis Players of All Time

Women's tennis has had its fair share of icons and legends who have left a lasting impact on the sport. In this article, we will be looking at the top 10 women's tennis players of all time, based on their achievements, records, and legacy.

A Brief History of Women's Tennis

​The history of women's tennis dates back to the late 19th century, when tennis became a popular sport in England and the United States. At first, women were not allowed to play in the same tournaments as men, and were limited to playing in mixed doubles matches. However, in the early 20th century, women's tennis started to gain recognition as a separate and competitive sport, and the first women's tennis championship was held in 1884 at the All England Club, the site of the famous Wimbledon tournament.

The early years of women's tennis

​During the early years of women's tennis, the sport was dominated by pioneers such as Charlotte Cooper, Suzanne Lenglen, and Helen Wills. These women helped shape the sport by introducing new techniques, such as the serve-and-volley and the topspin, and by challenging gender stereotypes and social norms.

The rise of professional women's tennis

​It wasn't until the late 1960s that women's tennis started to become a professional sport, with players such as Billie Jean King, Margaret Court, and Chris Evert leading the charge. These players not only broke new ground in terms of prize money and sponsorship deals, but also played a crucial role in promoting gender equality and social justice.

The impact of women's tennis on sports and society

​Over the years, women's tennis has become a global phenomenon, with millions of fans tuning in to watch their favorite players compete in high-stakes tournaments such as the Grand Slams and the Olympics. Women's tennis has also inspired countless young girls and women to pursue their dreams and break down barriers in other areas of life.

The Criteria for the Best Women's Tennis Players

​So what makes a great women's tennis player? There are several criteria that we will be taking into account, including:

Grand Slam titles

​Grand Slam tournaments are the most prestigious events in tennis, and winning one is a major accomplishment for any player. We will be looking at how many Grand Slam titles each player has won, and how dominant they were during their peak years.

Weeks spent as world No. 1

​Being ranked as the world No. 1 player is a reflection of a player's consistency and dominance over a prolonged period of time. We will be looking at how many weeks each player has spent as the world No. 1, and how they performed in the big tournaments during their reign.

Career achievements and records

​While Grand Slam titles and world No. 1 rankings are important, they are not the only indicators of a player's greatness. We will be looking at each player's overall career achievements, including their win-loss record, their performance in other major tournaments, and any notable records they may hold.

Impact on the sport and legacy

​Last but not least, we will be looking at each player's impact on the sport of tennis, and their legacy both on and off the court. This includes their contribution to the development of the sport, their influence on future generations of players, and their impact on wider society.

The Top 10 Women's Tennis Players

10. Maria Sharapova

​Maria Sharapova is a retired Russian player who was a dominant force in the sport in the mid-2000s. With five Grand Slam singles titles, including two at the French Open, she also held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 21 weeks. Sharapova was known for her powerful groundstrokes and her fierce competitiveness on the court. Off the court, she has been active in promoting education and sports programs for children, and has also built a successful business career in the fashion and beauty industries. Sharapova's impact as a star athlete and entrepreneur has made her a unique and fascinating figure in tennis history.

9. Justine Henin

​Justine Henin is a retired Belgian player who was known for her elegant and precise playing style. With seven Grand Slam singles titles, including four at the French Open, Henin also held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 117 weeks. Henin was especially noted for her backhand, which many consider to be one of the best in tennis history, as well as her mental toughness and ability to come back from deficits in matches. Henin's legacy as a dedicated, graceful, and skilled athlete has made her a favorite of fans and players alike.

8. Venus Williams

​Venus Williams is an American player and sister of Serena Williams who has enjoyed a successful career in her own right. With seven Grand Slam singles titles, including five at Wimbledon and two at the US Open, Venus has also won four Olympic gold medals and has held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 11 weeks. Her powerful serve and aggressive net play have made her a feared opponent on grass courts, and her off-court work promoting fashion and wellness has made her a multifaceted and influential figure in sports and popular culture.

7. Margaret Court

​Margaret Court is a retired Australian player who is arguably one of the most successful tennis players of all time. With 24 Grand Slam singles titles, including 11 at the Australian Open, five at the French Open, three at Wimbledon, and five at the US Open, Court holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles of any player, male or female. Court also held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 332 weeks, and won a total of 64 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events. Court's classic playing style and her longevity in the sport have made her a revered figure in tennis history.

6. Monica Seles

​Monica Seles is a retired Serbian-American player who was widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in tennis in the early 1990s. With nine Grand Slam singles titles, including three at the Australian Open, three at the French Open, two at the US Open, and one at Wimbledon, Seles had a dominant period of play in the early part of the decade. Her trademark two-handed strokes and her powerful baseline game made her a difficult opponent for any player, and she also held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 178 weeks. Seles unfortunately had her career interrupted by a stabbing incident in 1993, but she made a successful comeback and remains an inspiration to tennis fans everywhere.

5. Billie Jean King

​Billie Jean King is a retired American player and advocate for social justice who had a significant impact on the sport of tennis and beyond. With 12 Grand Slam singles titles, including four at the US Open, King was a pioneer in the sport, both in terms of her aggressive playing style and her push for gender equality and diversity. King famously defeated Bobby Riggs in the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" match, which helped further promote women's tennis and bring attention to gender issues more broadly. She has also founded numerous organizations and initiatives aimed at advancing women's rights and promoting social change.

4. Chris Evert

​Chris Evert is a retired American player who is often regarded as one of the greatest clay-court players in history. With 18 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven at the French Open and three at the US Open, Evert was a consistent performer throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and also held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 260 weeks. Evert's trademark two-handed backhand and her mental toughness and consistency in high-pressure situations made her a formidable opponent on any surface. Off the court, she has been a vocal advocate for breast cancer awareness and other charitable causes.

3. Martina Navratilova

​Martina Navratilova is a retired Czech-American player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female athletes of all time. With 18 Grand Slam singles titles, including nine at Wimbledon, Navratilova was a dominant force in the 1980s, and also held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 332 weeks. Navratilova was known for her versatile and aggressive playing style, as well as her outspoken advocacy for LGBT rights and other social causes. She has continued to inspire future generations of athletes through her coaching and commentary work, and her legacy as a trailblazer in sports and activism will endure for years to come.

2. Steffi Graf

​Steffi Graf is a retired German tennis player who dominated the sport in the late 1980s and early 1990s. With 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including four at the Australian Open, six at the French Open, seven at Wimbledon, and five at the US Open, she is one of the most successful players in the Open Era. Graf also held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 377 weeks, and won the Golden Slam in 1988, which is the rare feat of winning all four Grand Slam titles and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year. Graf's fluid, all-court game and her sportsmanship and grace off the court have made her a legend of the sport.

1. Serena Williams

​Serena Williams is widely considered to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time, male or female. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven at the Australian Open, seven at Wimbledon, six at the US Open, and three at the French Open, she holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles in the Open Era. In addition to her Grand Slam success, Serena has spent a total of 319 weeks as the world No. 1 player, and has also won four Olympic gold medals. Her powerful serve, aggressive baseline game, and clutch performances in big matches have made her a fan favorite and a role model for aspiring athletes around the world.

Final Thoughts

​These 10 women's tennis players represent a diverse range of playing styles, personalities, and achievements, but they all share a common legacy of excellence and inspiration. From Serena Williams' unparalleled dominance and impact on the sport of tennis, to Billie Jean King's trailblazing efforts for gender and social justice, to Margaret Court's record-breaking success spanning multiple decades, these players have shown us what is possible when talent, hard work, and passion combine. As we continue to celebrate and honor these and other legends of women's tennis, we also look forward to the new generation of young players who will continue to push the boundaries and inspire us in the years to come.

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