Top 4 Most Successful Female Tennis Players Of All-Time

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Women’s tennis has evolved beyond measure over the years and has witnessed numerous legendary female tennis players ruthlessly dominating their opponents and claiming coveted tennis titles. Well, long before the likes of Serena Williams and Steffi Graf became prominent names, a group of trailblazers revolutionised the world of women’s tennis.

From Martina Hingis, who became the youngest-ever World No.1 in tennis at the young age of seventeen, to Billie Jean King, who came into the limelight after clinching the infamous “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match against Bobby Riggs in 1973, female tennis players have been a cornerstone behind the ever-growing popularity of tennis on a global level.

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In this article we will take a look at the top four most successful female tennis players of all-time who have undoubtedly revolutionised the sport of tennis over the years.

Top 4 Most Successful Female Tennis Players Of All-Time

• Martina Hingis

At the first spot in our list of the top four most successful female tennis players of all-time, we have Swiss former professional tennis player, Martina Hingis. Martina Hingis made highlights and established a series of “youngest-ever” records during the 1990s, including youngest-ever Grand Slam champion and youngest-ever world No. 1.

Martina Hingis was ranked “World No.1” in women’s singles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for a record-total of 209 weeks and “World No.1” in women’s doubles for 90 weeks. Additionally, Martina Hingis also clinched 43 WTA Tour-level singles titles and 64 doubles titles, including a total of 25 major titles. Owing to her dominance in world tennis, Martina Hingis was the highest-paid female athlete in the world for five consecutive years, 1997 to 2001. Unfortunately, Martina Hingis’ flourishing tennis career was cut short due to a severe hip injury, and she announced her sudden retirement in November 2007.

• Billie Jean King

Often hailed as “BJK”, American former World No.1 tennis player Billie Jean King is at the second spot in our list of the top four most successful female tennis players in the world. Widely regarded as the most dominant and successful tennis player of all-time, Billie Jean King clinched 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles. Additionally, Billie Jean King was also a crucial member of the triumphant United States team in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups.

At the age of 29, Billie Jean King clinched the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match against the 55-year-old Bobby Riggs in 1973. Owing to her successful exploits in the world of tennis, Billie was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987 and was also honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year lifetime achievement award. Furthermore, Billie Jean King was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Federation Cup was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup in her honor in 2020. Recently, in 2024, Billie received a Congressional Gold Medal.

• Steffi Graf

German professional tennis player Steffi Graf is at the third spot in our list of the top four most successful tennis players of all-time. Steffi Graf was ranked as the world No. 1 in women’s singles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for a record 377 weeks, displaying her dominance in the world of tennis. Additionally, Steffi Graf clinched a record total of 107 singles titles on the WTA Tour, including 22 major women’s singles titles, the second-most since the start of the Open Era in 1968 and the third-most of all time.

Steffi Graf appeared in the main draw of a major at the 1983 French Open and became the youngest-ever tennis player to achieve the feat. Owing to her success, Steffi Graf was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2004 and the German Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. As of February 2025, Steffi Graf is the only tennis player in the world to have won each major singles tournament at least four times — a quadruple career Grand Slam.

• Serena Williams

Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four most successful female tennis players of all-time we have American former professional tennis player, Serena Williams. Over the years, Serena Williams has clinched a record total of 73 WTA Tour-level singles titles, including 23 major women’s singles titles. Additionally, as of February 2025, Serena Williams is the only player to accomplish a career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles.

Owing to her successful exploits on the court, Serena Williams was the highest-paid athlete in 2016 with an annual earning of almost $29 million. At the 2017 Australian Open, Serena Williams successfully clinched her 23rd major singles title, surpassing Steffi Graf’s Open Era record. In 2020, the Tennis Channel appropriately ranked Serena Williams as the greatest female tennis player in history.

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