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Female Tennis Players

Most Famous (Active & Retired)
Female Tennis Players

Jon Crim Author

By Jon Crim
TennisCompanion

If you’re getting into tennis or beginning to follow the sport more closely, you may find yourself developing a curiosity for the game’s most influential female tennis players.

I’m fascinated by the top female athletes in tennis, and I find my familiarity with retired players helps me gain a deeper appreciation for the women who helped shape our sport and their accomplishments. At the same time, learning about active players enables me to navigate the WTA Tour and conversation surrounding players more confidently.

In this article, I’ll introduce you to some of the most famous female tennis players in our sport, current and past, and discuss what distinguishes them from the rest of the field. I’ll also provide you with lists of former world No. 1s and Grand Slam champions whose achievements cemented their place in history and are fun to explore.

While you’re here, be sure to check out my list of famous male tennis players if you’re curious to explore that side of the tour.

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Selection Criteria

By definition, a large number of people must know or have known about a given female tennis player to make them famous.

As a result, many players I’ve included are the most accomplished women in our sport whose results naturally elevated their exposure.

Beyond success on the court, many female tennis players become famous for various additional reasons, including their actions off the court, media coverage, and appearance.

With that in mind, I’ve considered those factors when selecting various players to discuss in this resource.

Hopefully, you’ll find those I’ve included interesting and helpful in learning more about the sport or becoming familiar with the women who have had a dramatic influence on shaping the sport.

Active Players

The following female tennis players are active and currently playing on the WTA tour.

However, keep in mind that some players may be playing on reduced schedules or making fewer appearances due to injury.

Venus Williams

Although Venus never reached the same level of accomplishment as her younger sister, Serena, her achievements are substantial, and she’s left an enormous impact on the game and is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable names in our sport.

During her career, she’s amassed 21 Grand Slam titles, reached world No. 1, and won four Gold medals at the Olympics.

Highest Rank 1
Country United States
Birthday June 17, 1980
Grand Slam Titles 7 singles / 14 doubles
Career Titles 49 singles / 22 doubles
Olympic Medals Gold singles / Gold x3 doubles
Instagram @venuswilliams / 1.4m followers

Naomi Osaka

Although Naomi Osaka only has seven titles to her name, four are Grand Slam victories. Based on her success and worldwide appeal, Naomi has received lucrative endorsement deals resulting in her becoming the highest-paid female athlete in 2021.

However, beyond her success on the court, Naomi has earned recognition as an activist, showcasing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, and in 2021 she became the first tennis player to light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony in Tokyo, Japan.

Without a doubt, Naomi Osaka is one of the most recognizable names in tennis and female sports more broadly.

Highest Rank 1
Country Japan
Birthday October 16, 1997
Grand Slam Titles 4 singles
Career Titles 7 singles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @naomiosaka / 2.8m followers

Simona Halep

If there’s one word that comes to mind when I think of Simona Halep, it’s consistency.

Despite not having accumulated massive results in Grand Slam tournaments or the Olympics, she did win the French Open and Wimbledon.

Furthermore, she’s owned the world’s No. 1 ranking for a total of 64 weeks during her career and is the first Romanian ever to do so.

Beyond her results on the court, Simona is well-liked among her peers and fans, having won the WTA Most Popular Player of the Year twice and WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player of the Year three times.

Highest Rank 1
Country Romania
Birthday September 27, 1991
Grand Slam Titles 2 singles
Career Titles 22 singles / 1 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @simonahalep / 1.6m followers

Victoria Azarenka

In 2012, Victoria Azarenka became the first Belarusian player to win a Grand Slam singles title, which she defended in 2013 for her second and helped elevate her name worldwide.

Beyond that, Vika made it to the US Open finals three times and became world No. 1 on January 30, 2012, which she’s held for a total of 51 weeks throughout her career.

Combined with lucrative endorsements from a range of high-profile companies, including Nike, Red Bull, and American Express, to name a few, Victoria Azarenka is undoubtedly one of the most famous female tennis players in the world.

Highest Rank 1
Country Belarus
Birthday July 31, 1989
Grand Slam Titles 2 singles
Career Titles 21 singles / 9 doubles
Olympic Medals Bronze Singles
Instagram @vichka35 / 700k followers

Eugenie “Genie” Bouchard

A few years after turning pro, Genie reached the semi-finals at the 2014 Australian and French Open for an excellent start to the year.

However, she’d take things one step further that year, earning a spot in the finals at Wimbledon before falling to Petra Kvitová. Her results eventually netted her a career-high ranking of No. 5 on October 20, 2014.

After a successful year, Bouchard struggled in 2015 but managed a solid appearance at the US Open before suffering a concussion in the locker room, which forced her to withdraw from the fourth round and effectively ended her season.

Since then, her career has been up and down. She did win her first doubles and singles titles in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Off the court, Bouchard has attracted a massive fan following on social media, and she’s been featured in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit edition on two separate occasions. In 2021, she worked as a commentator for The Tennis Channel.

Highest Rank 5
Country Canada
Birthday February 25, 1994
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles 1 singles / 1 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @geniebouchard / 2.1m followers

Emma Raducanu

Bursting onto the scene in 2021, Emma Raducanu became the youngest British woman to reach the round of 16 at Wimbledon after receiving a wildcard into the tournament. Unfortunately, she retired due to breathing difficulties.

Later that year, Emma earned her way into the US Open main draw through the qualifiers and managed to reach the tournament’s final without dropping a set. As a result, she became the youngest woman to reach the final since Maria Sharapova did so in 2002.

Emma defeated Leylah Fernandez in the finals to become the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam tournament in the Open Era, which resulted in her meteoric rise and overnight stardom.

Although it’s very early in her career, Emma has already earned sponsorships from Nike, Wilson, Tiffany & Co., and Dior, which will undoubtedly increase her worldwide exposure.

Highest Rank 19
Country Great Britain
Birthday November 13, 2002
Grand Slam Titles 1 singles
Career Titles 1 singles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @emmaraducanu / 2.1m followers

Angelique Kerber

German tennis player, Angelique Kerber, is a successful female tennis player with three Grand Slam titles to her name and thirteen titles overall.

On September 12, 2016, she ascended to world No. 1 for the first time, and she won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Beyond her success on the court, she’s inked various endorsements over the years, including Adidas and Yonex for tennis. However, her fame has grown further as she’s become a global ambassador for Porche, along with others, including insurance company Generali, Bare Minerals cosmetics, and Rolex.

Highest Rank 1
Country Germany
Birthday January 18, 1988
Grand Slam Titles 3 singles
Career Titles 13 singles
Olympic Medals Silver singles
Instagram @angie.kerber / 675k followers

Petra Kvitová

Lefty Petra Kvitová started her career on the WTA tour in 2006 and has achieved substantial success, winning 28 titles.

Her two most significant achievements came in 2011 and 2014 as the champion of Wimbledon. However, she also had an opportunity as the finalist at the Australian Open in 2019.

On top of her international exposure coming from her success on the court, Petra has earned many endorsement deals from Nike, Wilson, ALO diamonds, to name a few.

Highest Rank 2
Country Czech Republic
Birthday March 8, 1990
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles 28 singles
Olympic Medals Bronze singles
Instagram @petra.kvitova / 625k followers

Cori “CoCo” Gauff

Teenage tennis star CoCo Gauff first burst onto the scene in 2019 when she defeated Venus Williams in the first round at Wimbledon after earning her way into the tournament through qualifying at the age of 15.

Her results at Wimbledon received significant media attention, resulting in her matches receiving the highest viewership the days ESPN covered them.

CoCo has consistently achieved results on the WTA tour, including her first two singles titles and a handful of doubles titles. As a young athlete, she’s received a handful of endorsements from Head, New Balance, and Barilla.

Highest Rank 19
Country United States
Birthday March 13, 2004
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles 2 singles / 3 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @cocogauff / 734k followers

Karolína Plíšková

Although Karolína Plíšková hasn’t won any Grand Slam titles, she’s come close on several occasions. She’s reached the finals of the US Open and Wimbledon and the semi-finals of the Australian Open and French Open.

Her consistent performance during her career has netted her 16 singles titles, which combined helped her to reach the world No. 1 ranking on July 17, 2021, a position she held for eight weeks.

Highest Rank 1
Country Czech Republic
Birthday March 12, 1992
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles 16 singles / 5 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @karolinapliskova / 441k followers

Sloane Stephens

At the relatively young age of 19, Sloane Stephens burst onto the scene when she reached the Australian Open semi-finals in 2013, which was unique because she defeated world No. 3, Serena Williams, en route.

Since then, Sloane Stephens has performed consistently on the WTA tour and won six titles while gaining a substantial fan base. She also made it to the finals of the French Open in 2018.

During her career, she’s reached a world No. 6 ranking and accumulated several strong endorsements from companies like Nike, Mercedes-Benz, and American Express.

Highest Rank 6
Country United States
Birthday March 20, 1993
Grand Slam Titles 1 singles
Career Titles 6 singles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @sloanestephens / 528k followers

Bianca Andreescu

Along with her success as a young athlete, Bianca Andreescu became the highest-ranked Canadian tennis player on the WTA tour in October of 2019 as world No. 4.

Her ranking came from her success that year, where she defeated Serena Williams twice on her way to winning the Canadian Open and US Open. At 18 years old, she was the first teenage Grand Slam champion since Maria Sharapova in 2006.

Bianca Andresscu receives strong fan support in Canada, where she was born and Romania, due to her heritage in that country.

Highest Rank 4
Country Canada
Birthday June 16, 2000
Grand Slam Titles 1 singles
Career Titles 3 singles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @biancaandreescu_ / 701k followers

Sofia Kenin

Like many players, Sofia Kenin started playing tennis early, but she drew attention to her skills from the age of five, which is unique.

However, what put Kenin on the map was winning the Australian Open in 2020 at 21 years old, making her the youngest American woman to win a Grand Slam since Serena Willimas in 2002.

Despite some ups and downs, Sofia Kenin remains a strong competitor on tour, and endorsements from companies like Fila, Nike, Babolat, and Motorola have helped increase her fame and exposure throughout her career.

Highest Rank 4
Country United States
Birthday November 14, 1998
Grand Slam Titles 1 singles
Career Titles 5 singles / 2 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @sofia.kenin / 210k followers

Iga Świątek

Breaking onto the WTA tour in 2019 and making it to the French Open’s fourth round, Iga debuted in the top 50 at the age of 18.

However, in 2020, Iga managed to take things a step further, winning the French Open. She also earned WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player of the Year, which helped raise her exposure.

As a result of her relatively quick success on tour, Iga has earned several endorsements from companies like Asics, Red Bull, Xiamoi, and Lexus, further increasing her fame.

Highest Rank 4
Country Poland
Birthday May 31, 2001
Grand Slam Titles 1 singles
Career Titles 3 singles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @iga.swiatek / 460k followers

Leylah Fernandez

At the 2021 US Open, Leylah Fernandez made it to the finals but eventually lost to Champion and fellow teenager Emma Raducannu.

Despite the loss, Leylah Fernandez achieved international recognition, especially considering she defeated three top-5 players on her way to the finals of that tournament.

Leylah’s career is still in its infancy, but she’s quickly made a name for herself and already owns one title, which she won earlier in 2021 at the Monterrey Open in Mexico.

Highest Rank 24
Country Canada
Birthday September 6, 2002
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles 1 singles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @leylahannietennis / 316k followers

Ajla Tomljanovic

In December 2009, Ajla turned pro, initially playing for her birth country of Croatia. However, she eventually established a permanent residence and citizenship in Australia and has played for the country since February 2018.

Ajla has delivered consistent results on the court, earning her regular appearances in virtually all Grand Slam tournaments since 2014.

However, despite her success, she hasn’t claimed any WTA titles. Her best result is at Wimbledon, where she reached the quarterfinals in 2021. Outside of that, she’s found her way to the finals at four different tournaments.

One factor that has increased her exposure is her relationships with high-profile ATP athletes, including Nick Kyrios and Matteo Berrettini, who have career-high rankings of 13 and 7, respectively.

Highest Rank 39
Country Australia
Birthday May 7, 1993
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles –
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @ajlatom / 193k followers

Madison Keys

American Madison Keys first joined the WTA tour in 2009 and since then has delivered consistent results on the WTA Tour.

In Grand Slam tournaments, she’s made it deep into the events on numerous occasions, including a finals appearance at the 2017 US Open, where she lost to fellow American and Sloane Stephens.

In 2016, Madison debuted in the top 10 rankings for the first time, and she remains one of the strongest competitors on tour.

Of the court, Madison has boosted her exposure through endorsements with Nike, Wilson, Evian, Acuvue, and others.

Highest Rank 7
Country United States
Birthday February 17, 1995
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles 5 singles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @madisonkeys / 201k followers

Donna Vekic

Croatian Donna Veckic turned pro in September 2012 and, since 2013, has consistently appeared in nearly all Grand Slam tournaments.

In 2019 and 2021, she reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon and the Australian Open, respectively. Donna has also won three titles during her career, including her most recent at the Courmayeur Open in Italy.

As a result of her success in 2019, she finished the year ranked No. 19, the highest during her career.

Off the court, Donna’s appearance has provided her with several endorsement opportunities, including Nike, Yonex, and most recently Peugeot.

Highest Rank 19
Country Croatia
Birthday June 28, 1996
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles 3 singles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @donnavekic / 207k followers

Su-Wei Hsieh

In 2001, Su-Wei Hsieh turned pro, but it wasn’t until 2008, when she made it to the fourth round of the Australian Open, that she’d make a name for herself as the first Taiwanese player to go that far.

Since then, she’s claimed three singles titles and is well known as a challenging opponent with an unorthodox style of play.

However, beyond singles, Su-Wei Hsieh has made a name for herself in doubles with thirty titles, including four at the Grand Slam tournaments.

Overall, she’s a WTA tour veteran and well-respected by her peers.

Highest Rank 23
Country Taiwan
Birthday January 4, 1986
Grand Slam Titles 4 doubles
Career Titles 3 singles / 30 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @sw.hsieh / 30.7k followers

Svetlana Kuznetsova

A highly accomplished player in singles and doubles, Svetlana Kuznetsova is a tour veteran who reached a career-high ranking of No. 1 on September 10, 2007.

At Grand Slam tournaments, she’s delivered some fantastic results, including a singles title at the US and French Open in 2004 and 2009, respectively. She also has two doubles Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open.

Although it’s been a while since some of her milestone achievements, Svetlana remains a highly competitive athlete and one of the best known on tour.

Highest Rank 2
Country Russia
Birthday June 27, 1985
Grand Slam Titles 2 singles / 1 doubles
Career Titles 18 singles / 16 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @svetlanak27 / 157k followers

Katie Boulter

Hailing from the UK, Katie Boulter isn’t one of the game’s top competitors, but she did break into the top 100 in 2019 and has amassed a sizable fan base.

Her best results have come at Grand Slam tournaments, with a few second-round finishes, one a the Australian Open and two at Wimbledon.

Highest Rank 82
Country United Kingdom
Birthday August 1, 1996
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles –
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @katiecboulter / 134k followers

Colleen “CoCo” Vandeweghe

American Coco Vandeweghe is a former top 10 player who’s delivered solid results throughout her career.

During her best year on tour, CoCo made it to the Australian Open and the US Open semi-finals and appeared in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.

Beyond singles, CoCo has performed well in doubles winning the 2018 US Open with partner Ashleigh Barty, one of four doubles titles she owns.

A 2019 ankle injury slowed her results, but in 2021 she found her way into the main draw at Wimbledon and the US Open.

Highest Rank 9
Country United States
Birthday December 6, 1991
Grand Slam Titles 1 doubles
Career Titles 2 singles / 4 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @cocovandey / 68.8k followers

Peng Shuai

Tour veteran Peng Shuai is a tour veteran who’s seen great results in singles and doubles.

Peng became extremely well-known in China when she reached the No. 1 ranking in doubles on August 22, 2011. In doing so, she became the first Chinese player to achieve that ranking.

Peng won doubles at Wimbledon and the French Open in 2013 and 2014, respectively, and has posted consistent results in singles throughout her career.

In 2021, Peng Shuai received global media attention when she accused a former government official of sexual assault.

Highest Rank 14
Country China
Birthday January 8, 1986
Grand Slam Titles 2 doubles
Career Titles 2 singles / 23 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram n/a

Bethanie Mattek-Sands

American Bethanie Mattek-Sands has achieved excellent results in singles and doubles.

Although she never won a singles title, she’s been a solid competitor over the years with a handful of deep runs at Grand Slams, including the fourth round at the French Open and Wimbledon.

However, for many, Bethanie is better known for her doubles results. She’s a former world No. 1 and has five doubles and four mixed doubles Grand Slam titles to her name.

Bethanie’s bubbly personality and eccentric fashion choices, along with her excellent on-court performance, have made her a highly recognizable player with a dedicated fan base.

Highest Rank 30
Country United States
Birthday March 23, 1985
Grand Slam Titles 5 doubles / 4 mixed doubles
Career Titles 27 doubles
Olympic Medals Gold mixed doubles
Instagram @matteksands / 161k followers

Retired Players

The following tennis players are retired from the sport, and many are no longer with us.

Hopefully, resources like this one do their small part to help keep their memory, accomplishments, and influence on our sport alive.

As a side note, although I’ve included Olympic accomplishments for each player, tennis was dropped as a sport in 1924 and added back in 1988, so many players in this list never had the opportunity to compete.

Serena Williams

As one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Serena Williams likely needs no introduction.

Since turning pro in 1995, Serena has dominated the sport and accumulated 39 Grand Slam titles. For 319 weeks throughout her career, she’s held the No. 1 ranking and has four Olympic Gold medals, 1 in singles and 3 in doubles.

Highest Rank 1
Country United States
Birthday September 26, 1981
Grand Slam Titles 23 singles / 14 doubles
Career Titles 73 singles / 23 doubles
Olympic Medals Gold singles / Gold x3 doubles
Instagram @serenawilliams / 13.9m followers

Steffi Graf

One of the greatest female tennis players of all time, Steffi Graf, is a legend of the sport.

In October 1982, she went pro, and throughout her career, she broke numerous records and claimed one of the highest title counts of any player in history.

Steffi won 107 singles titles, 22 of which were Grand Slam tournaments. She’s also one of only five players to complete a Grand Slam, winning all five majors in a single season.

On top of it all, she ended up marrying Andre Aggasi, one of the greatest male tennis players of all time and is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable players in history.

In 2004, Steffi Graf was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country Germany
Birthday June 14, 1969
Grand Slam Titles 22 singles / 1 doubles
Career Titles 107 singles / 11 doubles
Olympic Medals Gold and silver singles, Bronze doubles
Instagram @(fan page) / 21.9k followers

Margaret Court

Margaret Court is considered by many to be the greatest female tennis player of all time, and for a good reason.

She holds the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles at 23 and earned 19 victories at Grand Slam events. In total, Margaret has 192 titles to her name.

One factor that makes her accomplishments unique is that her records span the amateur and open eras, which tends to lead to some debate regarding whether she’s truly the best player ever to play the sport or not.

At the Australian Open, she even has a stadium named after her. In recent years, Margaret has received significant media attention due to her negative LGBTQ views.

In 1979, Margaret Court was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country Australia
Birthday July 16, 1942
Grand Slam Titles 23 singles / 19 doubles / 21 mixed doubles
Career Titles 192 (92 Open Era)
Olympic Medals n/a
Instagram n/a

Martina Navratilova

Like Steffi and Margaret, Martina’s achievements in tennis are staggering, and she’s one of the most famous female tennis players as a result.

She holds 18 singles and 31 doubles Grand Slam titles, a fraction of her total titles in both disciplines. She’s also a former world No.1 in singles and doubles.

These days, Martina makes regular appearances commentating for tennis tournaments and remains actively involved in and around the sport, which has helped her maintain exposure to fans worldwide.

In 2000, Martina Navrativola was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country Czechoslovakia
Birthday October 18, 1956
Grand Slam Titles 18 singles / 31 doubles / 10 mixed doubles
Career Titles 167 singles / 177 doubles
Olympic Medals n/a
Instagram @martinanavratilova / 36.1k followers

Chris Evert

American Chris Evert is a former world No. 1 tennis player and sports broadcaster whose significant achievements are some of the greatest in history.

She won 157 titles during her career, including 18 Grand Slam tournaments, and was accomplished in doubles too.

For 11 years, Chris Evert was the president of the WTA, and she’s a sports analyst and broadcaster.

In 1995, Chris Evert was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country United States
Birthday December 21, 1954
Grand Slam Titles 18 singles / 3 doubles /3 mixed doubles
Career Titles 157 singles / 32 doubles
Olympic Medals n/a
Instagram @chrissieevert / 45.8k followers

Billie Jean King

For several reasons, Billie Jean King is one of the most recognizable names in tennis.

First, she recorded some of the best results in tennis, including 12 Grand Slam singles titles and a world No. 1 ranking.

In 1970, Billie Jean King was also a member of the Original 9 who stood against the disparity in prize money for female tennis players.

Furthermore, in 1973, Billie defeated Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes, garnering thousands of spectators and millions watching on TV.

These days Billie Jean King remains heavily involved with the sport and has continually pushed for gender equality and equal prize money for women.

In 2006, the USTA National Tennis Center rebranded as the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, helping to give her name even wider recognition.

In 1987, Billie Jean King was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country United States
Birthday November 22, 1943
Grand Slam Titles 12 singles / 16 doubles /11 mixed doubles
Career Titles 129 singles
Olympic Medals n/a
Instagram @billiejeanking / 109k followers

Monica Seles

Monica Seles officially retired in 2008 with a stellar career.

She holds 10 Grand Slam singles titles and ascended to world No. 1 for the first time in March of 1991.

Her skills were arguably some of the best, but a tragic stabbing event in 1993 derailed her career. Although she did return to tennis in 1994, she never quite regained her prior form that was so incredibly consistent before the attack.

Despite that, she continued to play for years and made many deep runs at the Grand Slam events.

In 2009, Monica Seles was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country Yugoslavia
Birthday December 2, 1973
Grand Slam Titles 10 singles
Career Titles 53 singles / 6 doubles
Olympic Medals Bronze singles
Instagram @monicaseles10s / 15k followers

Justine Henin

Belgium tennis star Justine Henin remains one of the best to play the game and delivered consistent results throughout her career.

She’s a seven-time Grand Slam winner in singles and reached the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in October of 2003.

Justine is particularly well known for her one-handed backhand, during a time when the two-handed backhand was taking over.

Highest Rank 1
Country Belgium
Birthday June 1, 1982
Grand Slam Titles 7 singles
Career Titles 43 singles / 2 doubles
Olympic Medals Gold singles
Instagram @justineheninacademy (academy) / 8k followers

Evonne Goolagong

Australian Evonne Goolagong is a highly successful female tennis player who retired in 1983.

As a former world No. 1, she won seven Grand Slam singles events and six in doubles.

In 1988, Evonne Goolagong was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country Australia
Birthday July 31, 1951
Grand Slam Titles 7 singles, 6 doubles, 1 mixed doubles
Career Titles 86 singles, 46 doubles
Olympic Medals n/a
Instagram n/a

Martina Hingis

Former world No. 1, Martina Hingis, is an exceptional player from Switzerland who enjoyed strong results in singles and doubles.

Martina won five Grand Slam tournaments in singles and thirteen in doubles. In total, she accumulated 43 singles and 64 doubles titles.

In 2007, Martina made headlines when she tested positive for a banned substance, which despite very low levels, she subsequently received a two-year ban from the sport.

Furthermore, Martina’s career is noteworthy because she retired twice and officially left the game in 2017.

In 2013, Martina Hingis was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country Switzerland
Birthday September 30, 1983
Grand Slam Titles 5 singles / 13 doubles / 7 mixed doubles
Career Titles 43 singles / 64 doubles
Olympic Medals Silver doubles
Instagram @martinahingis80 / 298k followers

Lindsay Davenport

American Lindsay Davenport had a long career that started in 1993 and lasted until 2010.

During her time as a professional athlete, she reached the world No. 1 ranking and won six Grand Slam titles, three in singles and doubles.

Linsday Davenport also gained national recognition during her 1996 triumph at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, winning gold in singles.

Lindsay has remained visible in recent years through her coaching career with active player Madison Keys.

Highest Rank 1
Country United States
Birthday June 8, 1976
Grand Slam Titles 3 singles / 3 doubles
Career Titles 55 singles / 38 doubles
Olympic Medals Gold singles
Instagram n/a

Garbiñe Muguruza

Throughout her career, Garbiñe Muguruza has made it to three Grand Slam finals and won two of them, at the French Open in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2017.

On September 11, 2017, Muguruza reached the world No. 1 ranking, which she held for four weeks. Along with lucrative endorsements that feature her in marketing materials from Adidas, Babolat, Rolex, and Mazda, to name a few, she’s become one of the most famous tennis players.

Highest Rank 1
Country Spain
Birthday October 8, 1993
Grand Slam Titles 2 singles
Career Titles 10 singles / 5 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @garbimuguruza / 886k followers

Ashleigh Barty

Australian tennis player, Ashleigh Barty, is the second female tennis player to achieve a world No. 1 ranking, which she reached on June 24, 2019, and has held for a total of 109 weeks.

As a result of her consistent performance, Barty has won three Grand Slam titles, two in singles and one in doubles.

Notably, Barty is well-known for taking a hiatus from tennis in 2014 due to her hectic schedule and constantly being away from the sport. During the break, she played cricket professionally but eventually returned to tennis in 2016.

Highest Rank 1
Country Australia
Birthday April 24, 1996
Grand Slam Titles 2 singles
Career Titles 13 singles / 11 doubles
Olympic Medals Bronze mixed doubles
Instagram @ashbarty / 372k followers

Caroline Wozniacki

Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki retired recently during the 2020 season after a successful career on the WTA tour that started in 2005.

Her only singles title came at the Australian Open in 2018, but she came close to winning the US Open twice as a finalist in 2009 and 2014. In October 2010, Caroline ascended to world No. 1.

Caroline is also well known for her multiple stints as a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. Furthermore, her relationships have garnered attention, including her engagement to Rory Mcllroy, which he broke off.

Caroline eventually married former NBA basketball player David Lee.

Highest Rank 1
Country Denmark
Birthday July 11, 1990
Grand Slam Titles 1 singles
Career Titles 30 singles / 1 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @carowozniacki / 1.4m followers

Amélie Mauresmo

French tennis player Amélie Mauresmo turned pro in 1993 and eventually retired in 2009.

She’s a two-time Grand Slam winner at the Australian and US Open and reached the No. 1 ranking in the world in 2004.

In total, she won 25 singles titles and came close to winning in doubles at Wimbledon, reaching the finals in 2005.

Highest Rank 1
Country France
Birthday July 5, 1979
Grand Slam Titles 2 singles
Career Titles 25 singles / 3 doubles
Olympic Medals Silver singles
Instagram @amemauresmo79 / 28k followers

Dinara Safina

In 2000, Dinara Safina turned pro, and her consistent performance over the years brought her most significant achievement of world No. 1 in 2009.

Dinara never managed to win a Grand Slam, but she came close on several occasions, reaching the finals of the Australian Open once and the French Open twice.

However, in 2007, Dinara did win the US Open doubles with partner Nathalie Dechy. In 2008, she won a silver medal at the Olympics.

Highest Rank 1
Country Russia
Birthday April 27, 1986
Grand Slam Titles 1 doubles
Career Titles 12 singles / 9 doubles
Olympic Medals Silver singles
Instagram @dinarasafinaofficial / 30k followers

Tracy Austin

American Tracy Austin had an excellent career, seeing her capture two Grand Slam victories at the US Open in 1979 and 1981.

Not long after her first US Open triumph, Tracy reached the world No. raking in April 1980.

Since retiring, Tracy has gained additional exposure as a commentator at many Grand Slam events, including the French, US, and Australian Open.

Highest Rank 1
Country United States
Birthday December 12, 1962
Grand Slam Titles 2 singles
Career Titles 30 singles / 5 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @tracyaustin_ / 5k followers

Maria Sharapova

Russian Maria Sharapova made a name for herself in tennis, but her influence extends far beyond the sport.

Maria is a five-time singles Grand Slam Champion who reached the world No. 1 ranking in 2005. In 2012, she captured a silver medal at the Olympics in London.

On the back of her tennis results and physical appearance, Maria received some of the most lucrative sponsorships of any female athlete in history. As a result, she became the world’s highest-paid female athlete for 11 consecutive years. In 2006, Sports Illustrated also featured her in their Swimsuit Issue.

Toward the end of her career, Maria tested positive for a banned substance, leading to a 15-month suspension from professional tennis. Although she returned to the sport, her best results were behind her, and she eventually retired in 2020.

Highest Rank 1
Country Russia
Birthday April 19, 1987
Grand Slam Titles 5 singles
Career Titles 36 singles / 3 doubles
Olympic Medals Silver singles
Instagram @mariasharapova / 4.1m followers

Jelena Janković

Serbian tennis player Jelena Janković is a former world No. 1 tennis player who enjoyed significant success throughout her career.

Although she never captured a Grand Slam title in singles, she came closest in 2008 as a US Open finalist, where she lost to Serena Williams. However, it’s worth noting that Jelena did win one Grand Slam event in mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2007 with Jamie Murray.

From 2004 to 2017, Jelena participated in every Grand Slam tournament, with her best years from 2006 to 2010. She also reached over 600 wins throughout her career, ending at 644.

Back surgery in 2017 effectively ended her career as she has not played a professional match since.

Highest Rank 1
Country Serbia
Birthday February 28, 1985
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles 15 singles / 2 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @jjelicious / 60k followers

Jennifer Capriati

American Jennifer Capriati was a successful female tennis player who went pro in 1990 and stayed on tour until 2004.

She won three Grand Slam titles during her career, including the Australian Open twice and the French Open once.

In October 2001, her most successful year on tour, she reached the world’s No. 1 ranking.

Off the court, Jennifer has a few odd events that made headlines, including a drug overdose in 2010.

In 2012, Jennifer Capriati was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country United States
Birthday March 29, 1976
Grand Slam Titles 3 singles
Career Titles 14 singles / 1 doubles
Olympic Medals Gold singles
Instagram n/a

Arantxa Sánchez Vicario

Spanish tennis player Arantxa Sánchez Vicario had an early start when she defeated world No. 1, Steffi Graf, at the French Open at only 17 years old in 1989.

Arantxa would claim a total of four singles titles, but she was also a finalist in an additional four Grand Slam events. Furthermore, she would achieve the world No. 1 ranking in February of 1995.

Outside of singles, Arantxa was also highly accomplished in doubles with a total of 69 titles, including six Grand Slam victories.

In 2007, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country Spain
Birthday December 18, 1971
Grand Slam Titles 4 singles / 6 doubles / 4 mixed doubles
Career Titles 29 singles / 69 doubles
Olympic Medals Silver singles and doubles / Bronze singles and doubles
Instagram n/a

Ana Ivanovic

Serbian tennis player Ana Ivanovic is a former world No. 1 tennis player who won 15 singles titles throughout her career.

Her most significant win came a few years after turning pro in 2003 when she won the French Open in 2008. She was a finalist at the tournament the prior year and also made the finals of the Australian Open in 2008.

From 2005 to 2016, Ana didn’t miss a Grand Slam event for a total of 48 appearances.

Beyond the court, Ana has made various appearances in magazines, which have helped increase her exposure. Examples include Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, FHM, and Vanity Fair.

Highest Rank 1
Country Serbia
Birthday November 6, 1987
Grand Slam Titles 1 singles
Career Titles 15 singles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @anaivanovic / 1.4m followers

Li Na

Chinese tennis player Li Na led a successful career as a professional tennis player from 1999 to 2014.

In 2011, she became the first Grand Slam singles champion from Asia when she won the French Open. In 2014, she won her second at the Australian Open.

Due to her success as an Asian tennis player, she became one of the most famous athletes in the world with broad marketability.

In 2013, she appeared on the cover of Time magazine, recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the world. Forbes also named her to their Celebrity 100 list, recognizing the highest-paid athletes in the world.

In 2019, Li Na was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 2
Country China
Birthday February 26, 1982
Grand Slam Titles 2 singles
Career Titles 9 singles / 2 doubles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @lina_tennis / 1k followers

Johanna Konta

Although Johanna Konta never captured some of the most significant achievements in the sport, she’s well known as former British No. 1 who reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 in 2017.

Her best result at a Grand Slam is the semi-finals, which she reached at every tournament except the US Open, where she made it to the quarters on one occasion.

Johanna is the most recent retiree on our list of players, leaving the sport in December 2021.

Highest Rank 4
Country Great Britain
Birthday May 17, 1991
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles 4 singles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @johannakonta / 154k followers

Anna Kournikova

Although Anna Kournikova received harsh criticism over the years for her off-court endeavors and modeling, she made a strong name for herself and is one of the most recognizable names in tennis.

Anna started her career in 1995 and delivered decent performances in singles with a career-best semi-final appearance at Wimbledon in 1997. She was never able to win a title in singles. However, despite that, she did achieve a top 10 ranking.

Her most notable results came in doubles while partnered with Martina Hingis. Together they won the Australian Open in 1999 and 2002.

Outside of tennis, Anna appeared in several magazines, including Sports Illustrates Swimsuit Issue, People, and FHM, to name a few.

Anna is also well known for having a long-term relationship with Enrique Iglesias.

Highest Rank 8
Country Russia
Birthday June 7, 1981
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles –
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @annakournikova / 1.7m followers

Helen Wills Moody

You have to look back quite a ways to recognize Hellen Willis’ achievements, but she goes down as one of the most prolific female tennis players in history.

She won 31 Grand Slam tournaments across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Furthermore, she became the No. 1 tennis player and held that position for an astonishing nine years.

During that period, she had a 180 match winning streak, which is somewhat hard to fathom.

As a result of her success, she became a global celebrity and went down as one of the best in history.

In 1959, Helen Wills Moody was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country United States
Birthday October 6, 1905
Grand Slam Titles 19 singles / 9 doubles / 3 mixed doubles
Career Titles Unknown
Olympic Medals Gold singles / Gold doubles
Instagram n/a

Maureen Connolly

American Maureen Connolly’s career as an amateur tennis player goes down as one of the most successful, despite her career being cut short by a horseback riding accident.

Maureen won nine singles Grand Slam events, two in doubles and one in mixed doubles. She also was recognized as the world’s No. 1 female tennis player in 1952.

Furthermore, Maureen Connolly is one of only five players to complete a Grand Slam, where she won every major tournament in 1953. Her dominance was significant and undoubtedly would have extended further if not for the riding accident.

In 1968, Maureen was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country United States
Birthday September 17, 1934
Grand Slam Titles 9 singles / 2 doubles / 1 mixed doubles
Career Titles Unknown
Olympic Medals n/a
Instagram n/a

Molla Mallory

Norwegian tennis player Malloa Mallory is one of the tennis’ first celebrities, having played in the early 1900s.

At the time, the Australian Open hadn’t begun, and during some of her most successful years of the tour, the French Open and Wimbledon didn’t occur due to World War 1.

By far, her most significant accomplishments occurred at the US Open, then called the US National Championships. She won the tournament eight times, including four consecutive from 1915 to 1918.

In 1958, Molla Mallory was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country Norway
Birthday March 6, 1984
Grand Slam Titles 8 singles / 2 doubles / 3 mixed doubles
Career Titles Unknown
Olympic Medals Bronze singles
Instagram n/a

Suzanne Lenglen

French tennis player Suzanne Lenglen is famous for her success on the court and her decision to turn pro in 1926.

During her career, she won eight singles and eight doubles Grand Slam events and became recognized as the No. 1 player in 1921.

In 1926, Suzanne Lenglen played the Match of the Century, defeating Helen Willis. Suzanne prevailed, winning in straight sets.

After a series of misunderstandings at Wimbledon in 1925, she decided to turn pro to earn money playing tennis, a decision that led to significant criticism.

In 1978, Suzanne Lenglen was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country France
Birthday July 4, 1983
Grand Slam Titles 8 singles / 8 doubles / 5 mixed doubles
Career Titles 83 singles / 74 doubles
Olympic Medals Gold singles / Bronze doubles
Instagram n/a

Maria Bueno

Maria Bueno is the most successful South American female tennis player in history, which doesn’t surprise most when they consider her achievements on the court.

Maria’s success kicked off in 1958, but she didn’t win her first major until 1959 at Wimbledon, which she followed up with a title at the US Open.

One of Maria’s most unique achievements came in 1960 when she won a Grand Slam in doubles, the first woman ever to achieve the feat. She also became the No. 1 ranked female tennis player in 1959.

In 1978, Maria Bueno was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 1
Country Brazil
Birthday October 11, 1939
Grand Slam Titles 7 singles / 11 doubles / 1 mixed doubles
Career Titles Unknown
Olympic Medals n/a
Instagram n/a

Gabriella Sabatini

Argentinian Gabriella Sabatini turned pro in 1985 and enjoyed a successful, albeit somewhat short, career on tour before retiring in 1996.

Although her Grand Slam count doesn’t show it, she was highly successful at these events with nine semi-final appearances and a finals appearance at Wimbledon.

Her success lifted her ranking to a career-high of No. 3 in 1989, the year before she’d win the title at the US Open in 1990.

In 2006, Gabriella was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 3
Country Argentina
Birthday May 16, 1970
Grand Slam Titles 1 singles / 1 doubles
Career Titles 27 singles / 14 doubles
Olympic Medals Silver singles
Instagram @sabatinigaby / 258k followers

Jana Novotná

In 1987, Jana Novotná joined the professional tour, which she continued until 1999.

Her best result in singles came in 1998 at Wimbledon, but she made a handful of additional deep runs at the other Grand Slam events.

However, Jana’s most significant achievements came in doubles as a 12 time Grand Slam Champion who amassed 76 titles in the discipline.

In 2005, Jana Novotná was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Highest Rank 2
Country Czech Republic
Birthday October 2, 1968
Grand Slam Titles 1 singles / 12 doubles
Career Titles 24 singles / 76 doubles
Olympic Medals Silver x2 doubles, Bronze singles
Instagram n/a

Camila Giorgi

In 2006, Camila Giorgi turned pro, and for a few years, she achieved moderate results on tour.

However, fast forward to 2012, Camila made it to the fourth round of Wimbledon, her second appearance at the Championships. The result would push her into the top 100 rankings.

In 2014, Camila found her way into the top 50 rankings after reaching the finals at two tournaments. Then in 2015, she debuted in the top 30 along with her first singles title at the Topshelf Open in Rosmalen, Netherlands.

Camila has continued her consistent performance throughout her career and logged her most impressive win at the Canadian Open, a WTA 1000 event, defeating Karolína Plíšková.

Off the court, Camila is well-known for her appearance and has a solid social media following, which has helped increase her awareness on and off the tour.

Highest Rank 26
Country Italy
Birthday December 30, 1991
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles 3 singles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @camila_giorgi_official / 511k followers

Catherine “CiCi” Bellis

Still early in her career, CiCi Bellis is an American tennis player who has a career-high ranking of No. 35, which she achieved on August 14, 2017, after a promising season.

In 2016, CiCi claimed her first and only WTA title at the Bank of West Classic in Stanford, CA.

During 2017, she reached the third round of the French Open and first round at Wimbledon and nearly defended her title at the Bank of West Classic. Based on her performance, the WTA awarded her Newcomer of the Year.

CiCi has struggled with injuries and in 2018 had surgery on her wrist, arm, and elbow.

Highest Rank 35
Country United States
Birthday April 8, 1999
Grand Slam Titles –
Career Titles 1 singles
Olympic Medals –
Instagram @cicibellis / 102k followers

List of Singles No. 1s

Reaching the No. 1 ranking in tennis doesn’t happen by chance. A player needs to earn it through consistent performance for an extended period, enabling them to accumulate enough points to reach the top spot.

In 1975, the WTA started using computers for rankings, and since then, only 27 female tennis players have achieved that ranking. Considering the time frame, it’s a relatively shortlist. However, that’s primarily due to the women who reach wold No. 1 dominating so heavily.

Here’s a complete list of former and active female No. 1s in singles. Of course, by reaching the No. 1 ranking, a player receives massive exposure, making these women some of the best-known in the history of our sport.

Player Country Total Weeks at No. 1
Steffi Graf Germany 377
Martina Navratilova United Sates 332
Serena Williams United Sates 319
Chris Evert United Sates 260
Martina Hingis Switzerland 209
Monica Seles United Sates 178
Justine Henin Belgium 117
Ashleigh Barty Australia 109
Lindsay Davenport United Sates 98
Caroline Wozniacki Denmark 71
Simona Halep Romania 64
Victoria Azarenka Belarus 51
Amélie Mauresmo France 39
Angelique Kerber Germany 34
Dinara Safina Russia 26
Naomi Osaka Japan 25
Tracy Austin United Sates 21
Maria Sharapova Russia 21
Kim Clijsters Belgium 20
Jelena Janković Serbia 18
Jennifer Capriati United Sates 17
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Spain 12
Ana Ivanovic Serbia 12
Venus Williams United Sates 11
Karolína Plíšková Czech Republic 8
Garbiñe Muguruza Spain 4
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Australia 2

List of Doubles No. 1s

Although more ladies have reached the top spot in doubles than singles, it remains a fairly shortlist, with only 45 players hitting the top spot since 1975 when computerized rankings kicked in.

However, the world’s No. 1 ranking is unique in doubles because players can achieve it by playing with various partners.

Here’s a complete list of former and active female No. 1s in doubles. As you’ll notice, many of the former world No. 1 players in singles also achieved the feat in doubles.

Player Country Total Weeks at No. 1
Martina Navratilova United States 237
Liezel Huber United States 199
Cara Black Zimbabwe 163
Lisa Raymond United States 137
Natasha Zvereva Belarus 124
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Spain 111
Roberta Vinci Italy 110
Sania Mirza India 91
Martina Hingis Switzerland 90
Sara Errani Italy 87
Paola Suárez Argentina 87
Gigi Fernández United States 80
Helena Suková Czech Republic 68
Jana Novotná Czech Republic 67
Virginia Ruano Pascual Spain 65
Samantha Stosur Australia 61
Pam Shriver United States 48
Hsieh Su-wei China 47
Ai Sugiyama Japan 45
Kateřina Siniaková Czech Republic 41
Latisha Chan China 34
Lindsay Davenport United States 32
Bethanie Mattek-Sands United States 32
Barbora Strýcová Czech Republic 27
Gisela Dulko Argentina 24
Peng Shuai China 20
Barbora Krejčíková Czech Republic 19
Flavia Pennetta Italy 18
Julie Halard-Decugis France 14
Tímea Babos Hungary 13
Elise Mertens Belgium 13
Kristina Mladenovic France 12
Anna Kournikova Russia 10
Květa Peschke Czech Republic 10
Katarina Srebotnik Slovenia 10
Serena Williams United States 8
Venus Williams United States 8
Corina Morariu United States 7
Lucie Šafářová Czech Republic 6
Aryna Sabalenka Belarus 6
Ekaterina Makarova Russia 5
Elena Vesnina Russia 5
Kim Clijsters Belgium 4
Larisa Neiland Latvia 4
Rennae Stubbs Australia 3

Although doubles tennis doesn’t get as much attention as singles, these women are still some of the most famous ever to play the sport.

Grand Slam Champions

The Grand Slam tournaments, including the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, are some of the most significant sporting events in the world.

As a result, when a player wins one of these events, they achieve lots of attention that garners overnight fame for many, especially first-timers.

With that in mind, you’ll likely recognize many players on our past Grand Slam Champions list. However, depending on how closely you follow the sport, many may not be familiar.

Regardless, these women are some of the finest athletes ever to play the sport and are well worth checking out.

Year Australian Open French Open Wimbledon US Open
1884 – – Maud Watson –
1885 – – Maud Watson –
1886 – – Blanche Bingley Hillyard –
1887 – – Lottie Dod Ellen Hansell
1888 – – Lottie Dod Bertha Townsend
1889 – – Blanche Bingley Hillyard Bertha Townsend
1890 – – Helen Rice Ellen Roosevelt
1891 – – Lottie Dod Mabel Cahill
1892 – – Lottie Dod Mabel Cahill
1893 – – Lottie Dod Aline Terry
1894 – – Blanche Bingley Hillyard Helen Hellwig
1895 – – Charlotte Cooper Sterry Juliette Atkinson
1896 – – Charlotte Cooper Sterry Elisabeth Moore
1897 – Adine Masson Blanche Bingley Hillyard Juliette Atkinson
1898 – Adine Masson Charlotte Cooper Sterry Juliette Atkinson
1899 – Adine Masson Blanche Bingley Hillyard Marion Jones
1900 – Yvonne Prévost Blanche Bingley Hillyard Myrtle McAteer
1901 – Suzanne Girod Charlotte Cooper Sterry Elisabeth Moore
1902 – Adine Masson Muriel Robb Marion Jones
1903 – Adine Masson Dorothea Lambert Chambers Elisabeth Moore
1904 – Kate Gillou Dorothea Lambert Chambers May Sutton
1905 – Kate Gillou May Sutton Elisabeth Moore
1906 – Kate Gillou-Fenwick Dorothea Lambert Chambers Helen Homans
1907 – Comtesse de Kermel May Sutton Evelyn Sears
1908 – Kate Gillou-Fenwick Charlotte Cooper Sterry Maud Barger-Wallach
1909 – Jeanne Matthey Dora Boothby Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman
1910 – Jeanne Matthey Dorothea Lambert Chambers Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman
1911 – Jeanne Matthey Dorothea Lambert Chambers Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman
1912 – Jeanne Matthey Ethel Thomson Larcombe Mary Browne
1913 – Marguerite Broquedis Dorothea Lambert Chambers Mary Browne
1914 – Marguerite Broquedis Dorothea Lambert Chambers Mary Browne
1915 – World War I World War I Molla Bjurstedt Mallory
1916 – World War I World War I Molla Bjurstedt Mallory
1917 – World War I World War I Molla Bjurstedt Mallory
1918 – World War I World War I Molla Bjurstedt Mallory
1919 – World War I Suzanne Lenglen Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman
1920 – Suzanne Lenglen Suzanne Lenglen Molla Bjurstedt Mallory
1921 – Suzanne Lenglen Suzanne Lenglen Molla Bjurstedt Mallory
1922 Margaret Molesworth Suzanne Lenglen Suzanne Lenglen Molla Bjurstedt Mallory
1923 Margaret Molesworth Suzanne Lenglen Suzanne Lenglen Helen Wills Moody
1924 Sylvia Lance Harper Julie Vlasto Kathleen McKane Godfree Helen Wills Moody
1925 Daphne Akhurst Suzanne Lenglen Suzanne Lenglen Helen Wills Moody
1926 Daphne Akhurst Suzanne Lenglen Kathleen McKane Godfree Molla Bjurstedt Mallory
1927 Esna Boyd Robertson Kornelia Bouman Helen Wills Moody Helen Wills Moody
1928 Daphne Akhurst Helen Wills Moody Helen Wills Moody Helen Wills Moody
1929 Daphne Akhurst Helen Wills Moody Helen Wills Moody Helen Wills Moody
1930 Daphne Akhurst Helen Wills Moody Helen Wills Moody Betty Nuthall
1931 Coral McInnes Buttsworth Cilly Aussem Cilly Aussem Helen Wills Moody
1932 Coral McInnes Buttsworth Helen Wills Moody Helen Wills Moody Helen Jacobs
1933 Joan Hartigan Margaret Scriven Helen Wills Moody Helen Jacobs
1934 Joan Hartigan Margaret Scriven Dorothy Round Helen Jacobs
1935 Dorothy Round Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling Helen Wills Moody Helen Jacobs
1936 Joan Hartigan Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling Helen Jacobs Alice Marble
1937 Nancye Wynne Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling Dorothy Round Anita Lizana
1938 Dorothy Cheney Simonne Mathieu Helen Wills Moody Alice Marble
1939 Emily Hood Westacott Simonne Mathieu Alice Marble Alice Marble
1940 Nancye Wynne Bolton Tournament cancelled World War II Alice Marble
1941 World War II Alice Weiwers World War II Sarah Palfrey Cooke
1942 World War II Alice Weiwers World War II Pauline Betz
1943 World War II Simone Iribarne Lafargue World War II Pauline Betz
1944 World War II Raymonde Veber Jones World War II Pauline Betz
1945 World War II Lolette Payot World War II Sarah Palfrey Cooke
1946 Nancye Wynne Bolton Margaret Osborne Pauline Betz Pauline Betz
1947 Nancye Wynne Bolton Patricia Canning Todd Margaret Osborne Louise Brough
1948 Nancye Wynne Bolton Nelly Landry Louise Brough Margaret Osborne
1949 Doris Hart Margaret Osborne Louise Brough Margaret Osborne
1950 Louise Brough Doris Hart Louise Brough Margaret Osborne
1951 Nancye Wynne Bolton Shirley Fry Doris Hart Maureen Connolly
1952 Thelma Coyne Long Doris Hart Maureen Connolly Maureen Connolly
1953 Maureen Connolly Maureen Connolly Maureen Connolly Maureen Connolly
1954 Thelma Coyne Long Maureen Connolly Maureen Connolly Doris Hart
1955 Beryl Penrose Angela Mortimer Louise Brough Doris Hart
1956 Mary Carter Reitano Althea Gibson Shirley Fry Shirley Fry
1957 Shirley Fry Shirley Bloomer Althea Gibson Althea Gibson
1958 Angela Mortimer Zsuzsa Körmöczy Althea Gibson Althea Gibson
1959 Mary Carter Reitano Christine Truman Maria Bueno Maria Bueno
1960 Margaret Court Darlene Hard Maria Bueno Darlene Hard
1961 Margaret Court Ann Haydon-Jones Angela Mortimer Darlene Hard
1962 Margaret Court Margaret Court Karen Hantze Susman Margaret Court
1963 Margaret Court Lesley Turner Margaret Court Maria Bueno
1964 Margaret Court Margaret Court Maria Bueno Maria Bueno
1965 Margaret Court Lesley Turner Margaret Court Margaret Court
1966 Margaret Court Ann Haydon-Jones Billie Jean King Maria Bueno
1967 Nancy Richey Françoise Dürr Billie Jean King Billie Jean King
1968 Billie Jean King Nancy Richey Billie Jean King Virginia Wade
1969 Margaret Court Margaret Court Ann Haydon-Jones Margaret Court
1970 Margaret Court Margaret Court Margaret Court Margaret Court
1971 Margaret Court Evonne Goolagong Evonne Goolagong Billie Jean King
1972 Virginia Wade Billie Jean King Billie Jean King Billie Jean King
1973 Margaret Court Margaret Court Billie Jean King Margaret Court
1974 Evonne Goolagong Chris Evert Chris Evert Billie Jean King
1975 Evonne Goolagong Chris Evert Billie Jean King Chris Evert
1976 Evonne Goolagong Sue Barker Chris Evert Chris Evert
1977 Kerry Melville Reid (Jan)
Evonne Goolagong (Dec)
Mima Jaušovec Virginia Wade Chris Evert
1978 Chris O’Neil Virginia Ruzici Martina Navratilova Chris Evert
1979 Barbara Jordan Chris Evert Martina Navratilova Tracy Austin
1980 Hana Mandlíková Chris Evert Evonne Goolagong Chris Evert
1981 Martina Navratilova Hana Mandlíková Chris Evert Tracy Austin
1982 Chris Evert Martina Navratilova Martina Navratilova Chris Evert
1983 Martina Navratilova Chris Evert Martina Navratilova Martina Navratilova
1984 Chris Evert Martina Navratilova Martina Navratilova Martina Navratilova
1985 Martina Navratilova Chris Evert Martina Navratilova Hana Mandlíková
1986 Tournament date changed Chris Evert Martina Navratilova Martina Navratilova
1987 Hana Mandlíková Steffi Graf Martina Navratilova Martina Navratilova
1988 Steffi Graf Steffi Graf Steffi Graf Steffi Graf
1989 Steffi Graf Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Steffi Graf Steffi Graf
1990 Steffi Graf Monica Seles Martina Navratilova Gabriela Sabatini
1991 Monica Seles Monica Seles Steffi Graf Monica Seles
1992 Monica Seles Monica Seles Steffi Graf Monica Seles
1993 Monica Seles Steffi Graf Steffi Graf Steffi Graf
1994 Steffi Graf Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Conchita Martínez Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
1995 Mary Pierce Steffi Graf Steffi Graf Steffi Graf
1996 Monica Seles Steffi Graf Steffi Graf Steffi Graf
1997 Martina Hingis Iva Majoli Martina Hingis Martina Hingis
1998 Martina Hingis Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Jana Novotná Lindsay Davenport
1999 Martina Hingis Steffi Graf Lindsay Davenport Serena Williams
2000 Lindsay Davenport Mary Pierce Venus Williams Venus Williams
2001 Jennifer Capriati Jennifer Capriati Venus Williams Venus Williams
2002 Jennifer Capriati Serena Williams Serena Williams Serena Williams
2003 Serena Williams Justine Henin Serena Williams Justine Henin
2004 Justine Henin Anastasia Myskina Maria Sharapova Svetlana Kuznetsova
2005 Serena Williams Justine Henin Venus Williams Kim Clijsters
2006 Amélie Mauresmo Justine Henin Amélie Mauresmo Maria Sharapova
2007 Serena Williams Justine Henin Venus Williams Justine Henin
2008 Maria Sharapova Ana Ivanovic Venus Williams Serena Williams
2009 Serena Williams Svetlana Kuznetsova Serena Williams Kim Clijsters
2010 Serena Williams Francesca Schiavone Serena Williams Kim Clijsters
2011 Kim Clijsters Li Na Petra Kvitová Samantha Stosur
2012 Victoria Azarenka Maria Sharapova Serena Williams Serena Williams
2013 Victoria Azarenka Serena Williams Marion Bartoli Serena Williams
2014 Li Na Maria Sharapova Petra Kvitová Serena Williams
2015 Serena Williams Serena Williams Serena Williams Flavia Pennetta
2016 Angelique Kerber Garbiñe Muguruza Serena Williams Angelique Kerber
2017 Serena Williams Jeļena Ostapenko Garbiñe Muguruza Sloane Stephens
2018 Caroline Wozniacki Simona Halep Angelique Kerber Naomi Osaka
2019 Naomi Osaka Ashleigh Barty Simona Halep Bianca Andreescu
2020 Sofia Kenin Iga Świątek Tournament cancelled Naomi Osaka
2021 Naomi Osaka Barbora Krejčíková Ashleigh Barty Emma Raducanu

Wrapping Up

Tennis is truly a worldwide sport, so many of the top female athletes who perform well become some of the most well-known names in the world.

Of course, like anything, if you’re not paying close attention, there’s likely more than a handful of players that you’ll have missed.

Hopefully, my list of female tennis players helps fill in those gaps and gives you exposure to some of the biggest names that I think are worth learning more about or, at the very least, becoming familiar with them.

Home > Players > Female Tennis Players

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10-Min Dynamic Tennis Warmup Routine

A gentle yet effective warmup routine to reduce injury and enhance performance.

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