The roar of the crowd, the tension of match points, and the thrill of victory—female tennis players have brought drama and excitement to the sport for decades. With their groundbreaking performances and record-breaking wins, these athletes have become legends. Let’s look closer at the 15 best female tennis players of all time, whose contributions continue to elevate the game.
Mary Ewing Outerbridge
Considered the mother of American tennis, Mary Ewing Outerbridge introduced the game to the US after learning it in Bermuda. She brought back equipment and set up the first tennis court at the Staten Island Cricket Club in 1874. Her efforts led to the creation of the US National Lawn Tennis Association, today’s USTA, which paved the way for the US Open.
Serena Williams
Probably the greatest female player of all time, this legend was coached by her father at a young age alongside her sister Venus. Growing up in Compton, California, they trained rigorously, often on public courts. Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes, with 23 Grand Slam singles titles—more than any other player in the Open Era.
Ellen Hansell
Ellen Hansell began playing tennis in her teens, and by 1887, she became the first-ever US Women’s National Singles Champion at the tender age of 17. As the first woman to win the US National Championships, Ellen Hansell holds a key place in the history of American tennis. Though her career was brief, she set a precedent for female athletes in the US.
Steffi Graf
Born on June 14, 1969, Steffi Graf started playing tennis when she was just three. By age 13, she had already turned professional. With 22 Grand Slam singles titles, Steffi Graf is one of the most successful players in tennis history. She is the only player to have achieved the Golden Slam by winning all four titles and an Olympic gold medal in the same year, 1988.
Lottie Dod
Lottie Dod began playing tennis as a teenager and won her first Wimbledon title at 15 in 1887, making her the youngest-ever champion, a record that still stands. She won Wimbledon singles titles between 1887 and 1893. In addition, she competed in archery, field hockey, and golf. Notably, Lottie took part in the 1908 Olympics for archery and finished second.
Suzanne Lenglen
A few women revolutionized sports the way Suzanne Lenglen did with her athleticism, agility, and style. Lenglen started playing tennis at age 11, and her striking style on the court made her an instant star. She won six Wimbledon singles titles and two Olympic gold medals. Moreover, she was one of the first women to turn professional.
Billie Jean King
Known for winning the “Battle of the Sexes” against Bobby Riggs, Billie Jean King started playing tennis at 11 after borrowing a racket and realizing her passion for the sport. Coached by Clyde Walker, she worked hard to improve and became a competitive player. She went on to claim an astounding 39 Grand Slam titles, cementing her place as one of the most decorated players in the sport’s history.
Chris Evert
Chris Evert showed exceptional talent early on. By the age of 16, she had made it to the semifinals of the US Open. A champion, she won 18 Grand Slam singles, including a record seven French Open titles. Evert dominated women’s tennis during the 1970s and early 1980s by spending 260 weeks ranked as the world’s No. 1 player.
Martina Navratilova
Her dominance across multiple decades made her one of the most versatile and successful players in tennis history. Winning her final Grand Slam mixed doubles title at the US Open in 2006 at age 49, Martina Navratilova learned tennis from her stepfather. She won 18 Grand Slam singles and holds 59 major titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Justine Henin
Justine Henin began playing tennis at age 5. Her mother, who passed when Henin was 12, took her to the French Open, where Henin fell in love with the game and aspired to become a champion. Her incredible one-handed backhand made her one of her generation’s most technically gifted players, leading her to win seven Grand Slam singles titles.
Martina Hingis
Named after Martina Navratilova, she began her tennis career at just 2, coached by her mother. She earned five Grand Slam singles titles before injuries cut her career short. At 15, she made history as the youngest Grand Slam champion of the Open Era by winning the Wimbledon doubles title and later became the youngest singles champion at the Australian Open at 16.
Venus Williams
Like her sister Serena, Venus Williams was coached by her father, Richard Williams. She turned professional at 14 and quickly made a name for herself with seven Grand Slam singles titles, including five Wimbledon titles and four Olympic gold medals. In 2007, Venus was key in convincing Wimbledon to equalize prize money to male and female players.
Margaret Court
Margaret Court is the winner of an all-time record for Grand Slam titles, with an astounding 19 doubles, 24 singles, and 21 mixed doubles winnings. She was the first woman in the Open Era to win the calendar-year Grand Slam in singles. Additionally, she is also the only player to have won a singles Grand Slam title in three decades.
Monica Seles
Famous for her aggressive playing style, Monica Seles won her first title at the French Open in 1990. Her powerful two-handed strokes on both sides revolutionized women’s tennis, and she won nine Grand Slam singles titles before her career was disrupted in 1993. Despite the setback, Seles made a remarkable comeback and remained dominant in the sport.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova’s family moved from Russia to the US so she could train at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, where she quickly rose through the junior ranks. At 17, Sharapova stunned the world by defeating the legendary Serena Williams to win the 2004 Wimbledon title, becoming the third-youngest female champion in history.
15 Iconic Female Players in Tennis History