10 Best Female Tennis Stars Of All Time

Women's tennis has a long history of dominant players, and if you love discussing who the best was, check out this list of the 10 best female tennis stars of all time. It's difficult to compare the best female tennis players from different eras, since prior to 1968, only amateurs were allowed to compete in the major tournaments. Some of the best players remained amateurs though, and amassed some amazing records during that time.

1. Martina Navratilova, 18 Grand Slam Singes Titles. Navratilova’s historic career include grand slam wins starting in 1975 and continuing to a mixed doubles title in 2006. She held rivalries with both Graff and Evert, during different periods of her long career. She also once went on an amazing 74-match winning streak.
2. Steffi Graff, 22 Grand Slam Singles Titles. Many lists would have Graff as the top player, and there certainly is a case for that. From 1987 until 1999, she won 22 of the 31 grand slams that she entered, for a ridiculous 71 winning percentage.
3. Chris Evert, 18 Grand Slam Singles Titles. While she was one of the most dominant tennis stars of all time, her three wins in thirteen finals against Martina Navratilova keep her from being the all time number one. She holds the record for most French and U.S Opens.
4. Margaret Court, 24 Grand Slam Singles Titles. Margaret Court has won more grand slam singles titles than anyone else, and only the fact that she played  some of those before the Open Era keeps her from being higher on this list. From 1969 till the Australian Open in 1971, she won eight of the nine major championships.
5. Serena Williams, 13 Grand Slam Singles Titles. When her career is over, Serena may very well rank higher on this list of best female tennis stars. After winning four majors in a row between 2002 and 2003, she remained as one of the most dominant players in the sport ever since.
6. Billie Jean King, 12 Grand Slam Singles Titles. While her tennis accomplishments place her on this list of best female tennis stars of all time, she also took center stage in the fight for gender equality. She beat Bobby Riggs in 1973’s Battle of the Sexes and won one for women everywhere.
7. Helen Wills Moody, 19 Grand Slam Singles Titles. Moody won a remarkable run of grand slam singles titles stretched from 1923 until 1938. This is especially impressive since she only entered 24 grand slam tournaments during that stretch.
8. Monica Seles, Nine Grand Slam Singles Titles. Monica Seles was the most dominant women in tennis from 1990 until 1993. She was the victim of an on-court stabbing in 1993 that cost her two years of her prime.
9. Venus Williams, Seven Grand Slam Singles Titles. If it weren’t for losing to her sister in six of eight grand slam finals, she would certainly rank higher on this list of the best female tennis stars.
10. Maureen Connolly, Nine Grand Slam Singles Titles. Maureen Connolly was the first women to win all four major tournaments is a single calendar year. She collected nine grand slam titles, even though a horseback riding accident ended her career at the age of nineteen.