Most Famous (Active & Retired)
Female Tennis Players
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.
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 |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 |
| @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 |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| 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 |
| @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 |
| @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 |
| @(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 |
| 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 |
| @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 |
| @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 |
| @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 |
| @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 |
| @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 |
| 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 |
| @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 |
| 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 | – |
| @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 |
| @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 | – |
| @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 |
| @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 |
| @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 | – |
| @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 |
| @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 | – |
| @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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| @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 |
| 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 | – |
| @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 | – |
| @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.
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