Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world and has seen many great players throughout its history. While the men’s game has traditionally been more popular and widely followed, women’s tennis has also produced some exceptional players over the years. From the early pioneers of the sport to the modern-day stars, female tennis players have made an indelible mark on the game and left an inspiring legacy for generations to come.
In this article, we will be discussing the top 10 greatest female tennis players of all time. These players are widely regarded as the best of the best and their legacies will continue to inspire and motivate future generations of female tennis players.
10. Lindsay Davenport
A former world No. 1, Lindsay Davenport won three Grand Slam singles titles during her career. Known for her powerful serve and aggressive style of play, Davenport was one of the most dominant female tennis players of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
9. Justine Henin
A former world No. 1, Justine Henin won seven Grand Slam singles titles during her career. Known for her exceptional movement and touch on the court, Henin was a dominant force in women’s tennis during the early 2000s.
8. Venus Williams
Venus has won seven Grand Slam singles titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles during her career. Her athleticism, versatility, and competitive spirit have made her one of the most successful female tennis players of all time.
7. Billie Jean King
A pioneer of women’s tennis, Billie Jean King won 12 Grand Slam singles titles during her career. She was also a vocal advocate for gender equality in sports and helped to establish the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
6. Monica Seles
A former world No. 1, Monica Seles won nine Grand Slam singles titles before her career was cut short by a knife attack in 1993. She was known for her aggressive style of play and her powerful two-handed groundstrokes.
5. Martina Navratilova
One of the most successful tennis players of all time, Martina Navratilova won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and 31 Grand Slam doubles titles during her career. Her athleticism, versatility, and competitiveness made her a dominant force on the court.
4. Chris Evert
Known for her exceptional consistency and competitiveness, Chris Evert won 18 Grand Slam singles titles during her career. She was particularly dominant on clay courts and is widely regarded as one of the best clay-court players of all time.
3. Serena Williams
Widely regarded as one of the greatest female tennis players of all time, Serena has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most of any player in the Open Era. Her powerful serve and athleticism make her one of the most feared players on the court.
2. Steffi Graf
One of the most successful female tennis players of all time, Graf won 22 Grand Slam singles titles during her career. She was also the first player to win the Golden Slam, which involved winning all four Grand Slam singles titles and an Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year.
1. Margaret Court
She is widely considered the greatest female tennis player of all time and holds the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles won by any player in history, with 24. The court dominated the sport in the 1960s and early 1970s, and her impact on women’s tennis is still felt today.