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She was tennis own child star and reached the top 10 in the rankings at just 14 years old. Angela Mortimer Althea Gibson By Associated Press / Public domain Florence Angela Margaret Mortimer Barrett is a 4. Bottom line: Players from Russia are now a common part of the tennis landscape, but it was not always the case. She won her first Grand Slam in doubles at age 15 and her first in singles at age 16, taking home the Australian Open. WebShe is the face of womens tennis in the UK and took home a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. Here is the full list of the greatest female tennis players of all time. Her first Grand Slam victory came in 1968 at the US Open, and shed go on to win 55 singles titles throughout her career. Martina Navratilova boasted perhaps the greatest serve-and-volley game that womens tennis has ever seen. Osaka showed that even at her young age her groundstrokes had the power to outmatch Serena strength for strength. Female athletes continue to fight for equality in sports, and tennis players have been at the forefront of that struggle for decades. Graf, the only player to have won all four majors at least four times, finished with 22 Grand Slam singles titles despite playing about a decade less than Williams. Godfree won two Wimbledon singles titles. Sam Stosurs game stood out for the sheer power of her serve and heavy topspin forehand. 2 Nadal, No. A popular tennis player, Jones won eight Grand Slam titles during her career. Billie Jean King has had the biggest influence on womens tennis in the past 50 years. Bottom line:Pauline Betz played Grand Slams selectively during her career, but when she did, she tended to win, and in historically dominant fashion. She won seven grand slams and an Olympic gold medal in a hugely competitive era in the womens game. She was calm and had a game that was advanced far beyond her years. She has eight ITF career titles, including three singles titles, under her belt. Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. Born: July 5, 1979, Saint-Germain-En-Laye, France. WebTop British Female Tennis Players 1: Angela Mortimer. She then shocked the tennis world again by coming back and reaching new heights, winning three more Grand Slam titles. The TenWho are the 10 best women's tennis players of all time? Some weeks later she reached the finalof Wimbledon. Once known as a media darling, Maria Sharapova has fallen on hard times in the last few years. Her victory in the Olympics semi-final against Anastasia Myskina in 2004 also stands out, as well as her many battles with Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters. In 2012, she became the first British female player to win a WTA singles title since 1988. Steffi Graf. WebEasily one of the most successful female British tennis players, Virginia Wade is a three-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. Steffi Graf had the most graceful game of any female player in history. 10 Rosewall. The Greatest of All Time is Margaret Court. Bottom line:Evonne Goolagong Cawley was one of two Australians to dominate the game early in the Open Era, along with her countrywoman Margaret Court. In the early 1950s, she took the tennis world by storm, winning six straight Grand Slam singles titles between 1952 and 1953. She has grand slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, and shes most remembered for her runs at the Australian Open. In doing so, she elevated herself from great to greatest. Female athletes continue to fight for equality in sports, and tennis players have been at the forefront of that struggle for decades. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. She burst onto the scene by winning the U.S. Open at 17 in 1951, and over the next three years, Connolly won nine Grand Slams, including all four in a single year, the first woman to win the "Calendar Slam. No tennis match had been seen by so many. Vote for Your Favourite British Female Tennis Players, (British Former Professional Tennis Player), (Former British Professional Tennis Player), (Former British Tennis Player and Television Presenter), (British Former Professional Tennis Player Who Formerly Represented Australia), (British Former Table Tennis and Lawn Tennis Champion), (Former Tennis Player and Television Host), (English Former Professional Tennis Player), (English Fashion Designer and Former Professional Tennis Player), (British Tennis Player and the Youngest Ladies Singles Champion), (British Tennis and Badminton Player and the Second Most Decorated Female British Olympian). Godfree won two Wimbledon singles titles. She won four times at her home Australian Open and seven Grand Slam titles total, as well as leading Australia to three Fed Cup titles. But Graf won her 22 slams within a 12 years range, Serena needed 17 years to equal this mark and 18 years to go ahead. Amelie Mauresmos game was a unique blend of power and elegance. Only she and one other woman have ever done that in tennis history. This feat, winning an entire set while losing zero points, has only been recorded 14 known times across the entire history of mens or womens tennis. For years, however, the title most befitting a serve-and-volley player, Wimbledon, eluded her. At full flight in her imperious pomp, she embodied what was possible with a tennis racket, doing so with incomparable poise while dragging her sport forward into the modern era. Here is the full list of the greatest female tennis players of all time. She won seven grand slams and an Olympic gold medal in a hugely competitive era in the womens game. The United States was credited with the most great players (38), followed by Australia (17), France (7), Great Britain (6) and Czechoslovakia (5). More than 500 of you have been in touch to argue your case and as with our writers it has proven to be a game of opinions. She has grown up in the Alnwick Castle, which was featured as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. So taking all this in consideration, for me its no question that these singular achievements plus the over all carerer picture not only equalize Serenas one win advantage at the Majors. Seles took the initiative in every single match she played, hitting the lines and depriving her opponents of time. Not only did she win 12 Grand Slam titles in singles, but she took home the career Grand Slam, winning all four majors. Ann Shirley Jones is a tennis legend and easily one of the greatest of all time, playing at a time 3: Virginia Wade. Chris Evert won 90% of the singles matches she played, a record for men or women. Angela Mortimer was certainly one of the greatest British female tennis players alive during the 1950s and early 1960s. Samantha Smith is a British retired professional tennis player. While there are certain advantages to being tall, these players have not exactly dominated the game, Read More 10 Tallest Tennis Players In The WorldContinue, Speed makes a big difference in tennis, especially in the modern game. This guy was the tennis pro of the 90s. She also won to U.S. Open and became a great doubles partner with her sister when they felt like it. Here is the full list of the greatest female tennis players of all time. Many of her records remain unbroken. 6 Borg, No. For those who arent quite convinced Serena Williams is number one all-time just yet, the most mentioned name is Steffi Graf. Its hard for people to rap their minds around the fact that a black girl from humble beginnings out of Compton could lead this list. Its an achievement that even most of the greatest of all times failed. ", Plays: Left-handed (two-handed both sides). She leveraged her position as a top player to spearhead the formation of the Womens Tennis Association in 1973 and her achievements on the court were matched by her accomplishments off it. Despite barely being 55 tall, she could hang in with just about any player on tour. In 2016, she won the mixed-doubles at Wimbledon, becoming the first British player to win at Wimbledon since Joanna Mary Durie in 1987. 10 Rosewall. The French Open paid tribute to Lenglen's legacy by naming one of its show courts after her, and it stands to this day in memory of what she achieved. Its a big psychological difference to win those four within the career, not within a year or that to withstand the pressure and fear not to fail just once at all the matches of the four Grand Slams which are hold within one season. WebMonica Seles is a part-Hungarian, part-Yugoslavian, and part-American former womens tennis pro who had all the makings of one of the greatest tennis players to ever live. She also won two US Open doubles titles and three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. She was able to have a lot of success with her volley at the net, and her speed was tough for opponents to overcome when combining with her height. Post-retirement, she has been working as a coach and a BBC and Eurosport commentator. Born: Oct. 18, 1956, Prague, Czechoslovakia. Seles started her career young, turning pro in 1989, aged just 16. Without a doubt, her struggles and success paved a path to be followed by Venus and Serena Williams, who often have paid tribute to Gibson as an inspiration. WebAn international panel of tennis experts determined this ranking of 62 men and 38 women. 12 She also showed her fighting qualities in her epic victory against Jennifer Capriati in the US Open semi-final, when she overcame cramp and exhaustion to win not only that match but the title. Graf, the only player to have won all four majors at least four times, finished with 22 Grand Slam singles titles despite playing about a decade less than Williams. In 2016, she won the mixed-doubles at Wimbledon, becoming the first British player to win at Wimbledon since Joanna Mary Durie in 1987. There were so many great Graf matches. And after beating Serena to win the French, she became the first woman to best both Williams sisters in Grand Slam finals. At 23, she was only ranked No. In 2016, she won the mixed-doubles at Wimbledon, becoming the first British player to win at Wimbledon since Joanna Mary Durie in 1987. Conchita Martinez played a decisive role in different Wimbledon championships more than two decades apart. Born: March 8, 1990, Bilovec, Czhechoslovakia. Post-retirement, she has stepped into a broadcasting career and has also appeared on ITVs Interceptor and Channel 4s Treasure Hunt. He was right. Evert gave American fans an incredible champion to cheer for as she won 157 titles and 18 Grand Slams. All rights reserved. Evonne Goolagong was the most notable female tennis player at the launch of the open era, as she was consistently winning single double and mixed double Grand Slam titles. Konta has won four singles WTA Tour titles. Her range of volleys was exceptional as was her determination to play her game in her style and impose her will upon her opponent and upon the court, no matter which surface it was. Played: Right-handed (two-handed backhand). Her efficient, counterpunching game style has served her well over a long career. She had most of her success at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, winning a total of 10 titles between the two. In her short time as a top-level player, she had seemingly no weaknesses in her game. Maria Sharapova became an international icon by winning her first Wimbledon title at 17. When looking across her career resume, its hard to find a more well-rounded player. Graf was 29 when she won her last Major. Often well known for falling apart in big matches, she has nonetheless found enough toughness and consistency to win the champions trophy at both the U.S. Open and the French Open. Justine Henin is one of the last great tennis champions in the women's game to use a one-handed backhand. And she has transcended her sport. 2, Wade won three Grand Slam singles titles, including the famous 1977 Wimbledon, which was attended by Queen Elizabeth II. She had a very modern power game, relying on groundstrokes from both wings to pound opponents from the baseline. Her career never really recovered, but she added one more Grand Slam to her mantle at the 1996 Australian Open. From trailblazing legends like Billie Jean King to champions like Serena Williams, dominant athletes on the tennis court have elevated womens sports to new heights. Bottom line: The 1960s and 1970s saw the peak of Australian tennis with Margaret Court and Rod Laver, whose names are commemorated on two of the Australian Open show courts today. However, in 2001, she went on an absolute tear, making the semifinals of all four grand slams. Helen Wills was the undisputed greatest player of her era. First, she came out of nowhere at Wimbledon in 2007 to make the final in a huge upset over Justine Henin in the semis. Vote up the best women's tennis players ever. She is the only player in womens tennis history to be number one at singles and doubles for over 200 weeks. After retiring at 21, she launched her fashion brand. Dorothea Douglass Lambert Chambers was a British tennis player who won seven Wimbledon singles titles in an illustrious career that spanned more than 25 years. Seles started her career young, turning pro in 1989, aged just 16. Victoria Azarenka put the tiny, post-Soviet republic of Belarus on the tennis map, winning the Australian Open back to back in 2012 and 2013. Without her pioneering spirit, there would be no equality in sports. Who is the best of the best? That record still stands today as the most ever won by a woman. Virginia Wade is a British former tennis player. But she was more than just marketing hype. Evonne Goolagong was the most notable female tennis player at the launch of the open era, as she was consistently winning single double and mixed double Grand Slam titles. The left-hander had nearly every shot in the game, and in many ways, she had a style of play that was well ahead of her time. She has risen from humble beginnings in Compton a world away from the privileged start of many tennis players and has overcome overt racism to become an active voice for equal rights for women and men on and off the court. Martinez then helped Garbine Muguruza win the title in 2017, passing on championship insights to her countrywoman as a mentor and coach. If she was a little more dedicated to fitness early in her career, she might be higher on the list. This period included her best Grand more Birthplace: Sydney, Australia Nationality: Australia 98 I loved the mens game & got to see many of the greats in person up in NH. Often overshadowed by some of the other great players of her era, Lindsay Davenport put together a very solid career of her own. Jacobs amassed five titles of her own over the course of her career and brought a Jazz Age flappers sensibility to the stuffy world of 1920s tennis. If it was not for elbow injury issues that simply wouldnt go away, Henin likely wouldve played a few more years. Murrays tally of 46 singles titles is good for 14th on the all-time list, just behind Boris Becker and ahead of greats including Arthur Ashe and Stefan Edberg. Injuries piled up for her early on in her career, and an automobile accident, in particular, put a damper on making any serious come back. She won all four majors for the career Grand Slam, only the second woman to achieve that feat. One of the defining rivalries of tennis early era was between Helen Jacobs and Helen Wills, with the two meeting seven times in Grand Slam play. Number 2 of the greatest female tennis player and most tennis Grand Slams womens division winners we have Steffi Graf. Evonne Goolagong Cawley was not just a phenomenal tennis player, she was also a person of colour from Australia who succeeded in a sport that was and is still dominated by the white, middle classes. In 2012, Laura Robson reached the fourth round of the US Open singles championship, becoming the first British woman to do so at a Grand Slam tournament since Samantha Smith in 1998. She also won two US Open doubles titles and three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. In 2020, she announced yet another return to the game, hoping to add more titles to her mantle. Williams is a trailblazer. Kim Clijsters was often overshadowed by her fellow Belgian Justine Henin, but they both deserve a spot on this list. By doing so, she broke her countrys Grand Slam title drought, becoming the first Australian woman to win once since Evonne Goolangong Cawley in 1980, Born: Feb. 28, 1985, Belgrade, Yugoslavia. She had the consistency to remain at world No.1 for 64 consecutive weeks and the tenacity to win big individual matches, coming from behind to win her first French Open title against Sloane Stephens. I position for the first time at the age of nineteen. She was just 16 years old when she won the U.S. Open in 1979, and she would follow up that seat was a win in 1981. Your email address will not be published. She still prefers to stay near the baseline, but she can play many different styles depending on who she is facing. Jelena Jankovic was part of a wave of players that established Serbia as a tennis powerhouse for the womens game while Novak Djokovic led the charge for the Serbian men. And she went to any lengths to make sure she stayed at the top, including practicing with men when that was frowned upon by the tennis establishment. She previously won a junior title at Wimbledon. Other than the Williams sisters, she is the defining player of her generation. Her first Grand Slam victory came in 1968 at the US Open, and shed go on to win 55 singles titles throughout her career. Her career has been up and down since then, but she still has the talent to repeat that level of excellence. Coming from an Aboriginal Australian background, she overcame an environment of discrimination much similar to that faced by Althea Gibson in the United States. And the greatest women's tennis player of all time. She also demonstrated incredible overall consistency at the majors, reaching a then-record 26 consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals between 1959 and 1960. WebHeather Watson is a professional tennis player who has won nine career titles so far, including four singles titles. She was able to have a ton of success in the 1990s in particular, but it was 1988 where she first made a huge splash. 1 Federer, No. Female athletes continue to fight for equality in sports, and tennis players have been at the forefront of that struggle for decades. Born: March 11, 1923, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Died: Feb. 3, 2014, Vista, California (Age 90). She was such a happy, joyful person; you could not help but love her. She won all four of her Grand Slam titles on hard courts, with three coming at the U.S. Open. WebMonica Seles is a part-Hungarian, part-Yugoslavian, and part-American former womens tennis pro who had all the makings of one of the greatest tennis players to ever live. Wills got the better of Jacobs six times, but the seventh time, at the 1933 U.S. Open, Jacobs came away the victor. (VOTE) There was agreement on five players: No. This feat puts her in lofty company, as only six female players have ever won a Slam title without dropping a set. However, in her time, she was a dominant player who could win on any surface. Serena Williams; Steffi Graf; Martina Navritolova; Chris Evert; Margaret Court; Monica Seles; Billie Jean King; Venus Williams; Evonne Goolagong Cawley; Justine Henin; Martina Hingis; Helen Wills Moody; Maureen Connolly; Lindsay Davenport; Kim Clijsters; Jennifer Below is a look at the 20 best tennis players of all time. From trailblazing legends like Billie Jean King to champions like Serena Williams, dominant athletes on the tennis court have elevated womens sports to new heights. It helped her win a record nine Wimbledon singles titles and helped her to the record for both total singles and doubles titles in the Open Era. Forty-three players made the list from the Americas, 39 from Europe and 18 from Oceania. (VOTE) There was agreement on five players: No. She has been world No 1 for 319 weeks. When considering singles and doubles, Martina Navratilova has had a ton of success in her career. But different to Navratilova and Serena, Graf made (putting her aside of Margaret Court and Maureen Conolly): in 1988, she won the real Grand Slam and withstood the immense pressure that was put on her by the media and the public. 2, Jones managed to establish herself as a praiseworthy player despite playing in a highly competitive era; she played against some of the all-time greats like Margaret Court and Billie Jean King. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Her career was cut short due to injuries, but her trailblazing impact on the game remains significant. She was slowing down before she even turned 30 years old, and had to step away from the game. Anastasia Myskina was part of the first wave of young women who helped put the worlds largest country on the map, with her French Open win in 2004, the first singles title for a Russian player. She never won the Australian Open, but that tournament was not the same level back then, so it should not be held against her. The second-most successful female British Olympian, Godfree won five Olympic medals in two Olympic Games. Forty-three players made the list from the Americas, 39 from Europe and 18 from Oceania. At just 56 tall, she has a very well-rounded game compared to other modern players. The game has had many great female players, pioneers and trailblazers, but only one gets the all-time top ranking. Being the greatest is not simply a case of having the numbers (though any way you spin it, Graf is in the conversation). To prove her milestone victory was not a fluke, she won the Australian Open title in 2014. Even the great Serena Williams would have struggled to get the ball past a prime Navratilova at the net. Many of the women on this list were teenage sensations, finding championship success instantly on the tour. At her best, she was unbeatable. Top 5 British Tennis Players of All Time 1. Ann Shirley Jones is a tennis legend and easily one of the greatest of all time, playing at a time 3: Virginia Wade. WebAn international panel of tennis experts determined this ranking of 62 men and 38 women. The Belgium one-hander could win points at any time by ripping backhands from all angles. The best women's tennis players of all time are multiple Grand Slam champions, Olympic tennis gold medalists and simply the best ladies to ever Not only do countries embrace the sport at the recreational level, but fans follow their favorite players. Konta achieved a steep rise in her ranking from the spring of 2015 to late 2016, climbing from 150 to inside the world's top ten, thereby becoming the first Briton to be ranked amongst the WTA's top ten since Jo Durie over 30 years previously. She won 12 of the final 13 games. Though the daughter of a tennis coach mother, Katie Boulter had initially focused on playing the piano before she deviated to tennis as a career. WebShe is the face of womens tennis in the UK and took home a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. Oh, and her backhand wasnt bad either. Born: June 1, 1982, Liege, Belgium (Age 37). Many believed that she retired way too early in 2007, but she was back on tour in two years. In an epic match against her frequent doubles partner Louise Brough, the battle between the two of them went to Osborne by a score of 15-13 in the third set. Due to an error during editing, Martina Navratilovas grand slam titles were listed as being between 1975 and 2003, rather than the actual dates of 1974 and 2006. If Virginia Wade was the last great British womens champion of the 20th century, Dorothy Round was one of the first. At only 22 years, Naomi Osaka has established herself as an iconic tennis star and champion. Died: June 2, 1997, East Hampton, New York (Age 88). As we get ready for the 2020 season, heres how things look. Florence Angela Margret Mortimer Berret, better known as simply Angela Mortimer, is the 2: Ann Jones. She also won two US Open doubles titles and three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles were all popular with our readers. Wills finished her career with 19 Grand Slam titles. This was due to a kick serve and deadly volleys that made her the best of her era on grass. She certainly left a great impression on a young 11-year-old schoolboy when she won Wimbledon for the first time in 1971. Suzanne Lenglen is the greatest tennis champion that France has ever produced. Now 53 years old, she is a former professional player who ranked World No.1 for a record 377 weeks. Known as The Little Wonder, Lottie Dod gained fame as a remarkable tennis player and a five-time Wimbledon Ladies' Singles champion. Winning four French Open, eight Wimbledons and seven U.S. Open titles is truly remarkable, regardless of era. Evonne Goolagong was the most notable female tennis player at the launch of the open era, as she was consistently winning single double and mixed double Grand Slam titles. Serena who is listed as #1 23 & 72 titles less than 1/2 of M Court. She also beat Venus Williams to win the crown at Wimbledon. When the open era first started taking off in womens tennis, Evonne Goolagong Cawley was one of the first to start winning consistently. The best women's tennis players of all time are multiple Grand Slam champions, Olympic tennis gold medalists and simply the best ladies to ever 2 who turned pro in 1968 and retired in 1986. But Id have to go with her first Wimbledon victory, in 1988 over the great Martina Navratilova. Its widely known the stabber was a Steffi Graf fan. Died: July 4, 1938, Paris, France (Age 39). WebTop British Female Tennis Players 1: Angela Mortimer. Serena Williams continues to try to tie that record, but she has been unsuccessful so far in her attempts. Its pure logic: A slam means a hit. 1 Federer, No. Number 2 of the greatest female tennis player and most tennis Grand Slams womens division winners we have Steffi Graf. She retired in 2008, picking up a hugely impressive 53 career titles, including 9 Grand Slams. Robby J. Justine Henin is one of the greatest and most underrated players in womens tennis. After retiring as a player, Samantha Smith started working as a commentator for various sports networks. WebAn international panel of tennis experts determined this ranking of 62 men and 38 women. She also won 12 doubles titles, including the WTA Austrian Open. 2. She first gained attention after winning the Lemon Bowl at 11 and now has five singles and four doubles titles in her kitty. But clay is not the only surface where she shines. But basically the invention of this new term had and has only objective: to cover the fact that these players woud have wished to win the Grand Slam so badly. Based on 2022 results, Iga Swiatek has entered the top 20. She returned the ball like a human backboard, manipulating her opponent around the court. 9 Agassi and No. A journeywoman for the first few years of her career, she showed she belonged at the top by winning the U.S. Open in 2011 over Serena Williams.