10 Greatest Female Tennis Players of All-Time [Ranked]

As tennis experiences a resurgence, the performances of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Iga Swiatek have captivated fans and brought the sport back into the spotlight.

With the era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Novak Djokovic winding down, the top 10 male tennis players of all time have been debated and ranked. While comparing different styles and eras isn't always straightforward, an accurate list has emerged. Now, it's time to turn our attention to ranking the top 10 female tennis players of all time.

Ranking factors:

• Grand Slam titles
• Playing style
• Performance on all surfaces
• Quality of opponents faced

10. Martina Hingis

Grand Slams: 5

Kicking off the top 10 is Martina Hingis. Hingis had an illustrious career that spanned over two decades, during which she secured 45 career titles and five Grand Slam singles championships. While she made her mark in doubles tennis as well, her early retirement in 2003 was followed by an impressive comeback. The Swiss star finally retired in 2017, having added three Grand Slam doubles titles to her remarkable legacy.

9. Justine Henin

Grand Slams: 7

Known for her incredible power despite her size, Justine Henin reached the peak of tennis in 2003 when she was ranked world number one. Over her career, she claimed 50 titles, including seven Grand Slam singles championships. Though her career was relatively short, Henin's impact was immense. Burnout ultimately took its toll, leading to her retirement in 2011, just 11 years into her professional journey.

8. Venus Williams

Grand Slams: 7

As one half of the incredibly talented Williams sisters, Venus, the older sibling, was somewhat unfortunate to play in an era dominated by her sister, which limited her opportunities to win even more. Nevertheless, Venus has still claimed seven Grand Slam titles, four of which came in a remarkable run between 2000 and 2001, when she was virtually unstoppable. Still competing today, Venus will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport, whenever she decides to retire.

7. Billie Jean King

Grand Slams: 12

Turning professional in the same year as other tennis legends like Evonne Goolagong, Billie Jean King dominated the sport for nearly a decade, making the 1960s and '70s her era. Most famously, she won Wimbledon six times between 1966 and 1975. With an astonishing 129 career titles and 12 Grand Slam singles titles, King's aggressive playing style brought a much-needed shift to the women's game during her time.

6. Monica Seles

Grand Slams: 9

Monica Seles' career will always be defined by the shocking moment in 1993, when a fan of her rival ran onto the court and stabbed the Yugoslavian-born star. This tragic incident remains one of tennis' biggest "what ifs," leaving fans to wonder how much more successful Seles could have been. Nevertheless, her career is still remarkable, with 53 titles and nine Grand Slam singles victories, seven of which came between 1990 and 1992. A member of the Tennis Hall of Fame, her intense rivalries with Steffi Graf were some of the sport's most iconic matchups.

• Novak Djokovic is 'King': The Unwavering Reign of Tennis Royalty
• Novak Djokovic vs. Daniil Medvedev Tennis Match Highlights (3-0) - US Open 2023

5. Chris Evert

Grand Slams: 18

It would be incomplete not to mention one of Billie Jean King's fiercest rivals, Chris Evert, who secures the fifth spot on this list. Turning pro in 1972, Evert quickly established herself as a dominant force in tennis, amassing 157 career titles and 18 Grand Slam singles victories. Having won each major at least twice, she holds the record for most Grand Slam final appearances with 34, winning 18 of them. With a career win rate of over 90% in singles matches, Evert was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995, solidifying her legacy as one of the sport's greatest.

4. Margaret Court

Grand Slams: 24

With a name synonymous with tennis greatness, Margaret Court holds the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles, with an impressive 24 to her name, a feat that has led many to regard her as the greatest of all time. Competing through the 1960s and into the 1970s, Court's remarkable career spanned nearly two decades, during which she won 192 career titles. Her dedication to fitness and off-court recovery set new standards in the tennis world, and she is often credited as a pioneer in the emphasis on rest and recovery in the sport.

3. Martina Navratilova

Grand Slams: 18

Born in Czechoslovakia, Martina Navratilova enjoyed a stellar 20-year career, amassing 167 career titles and 18 Grand Slam singles titles. Inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2000, her dominance throughout the 1980s helped her set the record for the most career titles in the Open Era (1968 onwards). Navratilova also excelled in doubles, capturing 31 Grand Slam doubles titles and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, cementing her legacy as one of the most accomplished players in tennis history.

2. Steffi Graf

Grand Slams: 22

Steffi Graf, one of Monica Seles' most notable rivals, secures the number two spot thanks to her remarkable ability to dominate on all surfaces, which helped her achieve a long and successful career. Graf holds the record for the longest reign as world number one, at an astounding 377 weeks. Her 22 Grand Slam singles titles are impressive, but her most remarkable achievement came when she became the first-ever Golden Slam champion, winning all four major titles and an Olympic gold medal in the same year. Inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2004, Graf’s career solidified her legacy as a trailblazer who helped elevate women’s tennis to new heights.

1. Serena Williams

Grand Slams: 23

Unsurprisingly, the unanimous choice for the number one female tennis player of all time is Serena Williams. The younger sister of Venus Williams, Serena had a career that eclipsed her sibling's achievements, with 73 career titles and 23 Grand Slam singles titles. While she and Venus also dominated in doubles, it is Serena's singles accomplishments that earn her the top spot. Over an 18-year career, Serena consistently adapted and triumphed over emerging competition. Retiring in 2022, her remarkable Grand Slam final record of 23-10 is considered one of the greatest achievements in tennis history.