The Greatest WTA Singles Champions of the Open Era
Women’s tennis has produced some of the world’s most iconic and influential athletes. The Open Era, beginning in 1968, transformed the landscape of women’s sports, and a select group of champions have dominated with their skills, resilience, and charisma. Here are the ten most successful WTA singles players by titles—plus a look at more legends who just missed the Top 10.
Top 10 Greatest WTA Singles Players of All Time
1. Martina Navratilova (USA/Czechoslovakia)
Martina Navratilova stands as one of the greatest athletes ever, with an unmatched 167 WTA singles titles. Her all-court style, physical fitness, and longevity helped her win 18 Grand Slams and dominate both singles and doubles. Navratilova’s rivalry with Chris Evert defined an era, and her open advocacy off court made her a global role model. She won an Olympic silver medal in doubles but never competed in singles due to timing. Her legacy is truly unique.
2. Chris Evert (USA)
With a cool demeanor and deadly baseline game, Chris Evert captured 157 WTA singles titles and 18 Grand Slam singles crowns. She reached 34 Grand Slam finals—a record—and her consistency on clay is legendary. Evert spent 260 weeks as world No.1 and inspired a generation. Though she missed out on Olympic singles due to the boycott and scheduling, her influence remains profound.
3. Serena Williams (USA)
Serena Williams redefined power and athleticism in tennis, amassing 73 singles titles and 23 Grand Slam victories—the most in the Open Era. She won four Olympic golds (one in singles, three in doubles). Serena’s dominance spanned two decades, inspiring millions with her resilience and presence on and off court. Her legacy transcends sport and inspires women worldwide.
4. Steffi Graf (Germany)
Steffi Graf is the only player ever to achieve a Golden Slam—winning all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold in the same year (1988). She won 107 singles titles, 22 Grand Slams, and held No.1 for a record 377 weeks. Graf’s speed, forehand, and focus made her unstoppable at her peak. Her rivalry with Monica Seles, and later with Hingis and Williams, helped elevate the game.
5. Virginia Wade (Great Britain)
Virginia Wade, a symbol of British tennis, captured 55 WTA singles titles and three Grand Slam crowns—including her emotional Wimbledon triumph in 1977. She was a model of elegance and consistency during a competitive era. Although Olympic medals eluded her due to timing, her achievements remain legendary, especially in the UK.
6. Margaret Court (Australia)
Though much of her success was before the Open Era, Margaret Court claimed 64 WTA singles titles during it and finished with a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles overall. She dominated on all surfaces and set a standard few have matched. Court never won an Olympic medal, as tennis was not on the program during her prime, but her name remains in the record books.
7. Evonne Goolagong Cawley (Australia)
Evonne Goolagong Cawley was one of tennis’s most graceful champions, winning 68 WTA singles titles and seven Grand Slam singles trophies. She was the first Indigenous Australian to win a Grand Slam and inspired generations with her style and sportsmanship. Though never an Olympic medalist, her achievements on and off court are widely celebrated.
8. Billie Jean King (USA)
A true pioneer, Billie Jean King claimed 67 singles titles, 12 Grand Slams, and became a leading voice for equality and women’s rights. She played a key role in founding the WTA and inspired with her famous “Battle of the Sexes” victory. King did not win an Olympic medal, as tennis was not an official Olympic sport during her career, but her impact transcends medals.
9. Monica Seles (Yugoslavia/USA)
Monica Seles, known for her fierce two-handed strokes and intensity, won 53 WTA singles titles and nine Grand Slams—eight before age 20. Her career was tragically interrupted by an on-court attack, but her comeback and resilience inspired millions. She won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, capping her legendary career.
10. Venus Williams (USA)
Venus Williams, a trailblazer in her own right, captured 49 WTA singles titles and seven Grand Slams. With four Olympic gold medals (one singles, three doubles) and a silver, Venus helped redefine women’s tennis with her power, athleticism, and longevity. She remains a role model on and off the court.
Honorable Mentions: WTA Legends Ranked 11–20
11. Justine Henin (Belgium): The Belgian star won 43 WTA singles titles, seven Grand Slams, and the Olympic gold in 2004. Her one-handed backhand and fighting spirit made her a fan favorite.
12. Lindsay Davenport (USA): With 55 WTA singles titles and three Grand Slams, Davenport was known for her powerful baseline game and consistency. She also earned an Olympic gold in 1996.
13. Martina Hingis (Switzerland): The Swiss prodigy won 43 WTA singles titles and five Grand Slams before age 22. Though never an Olympic medalist, her court sense and finesse were unmatched.
14. Kim Clijsters (Belgium): Clijsters claimed 41 singles titles and four Grand Slams, returning from retirement to win three of them. She also won two Olympic bronze medals in doubles and mixed.
15. Arantxa Sánchez Vicario (Spain): The Spanish clay-court queen earned 29 singles titles, four Grand Slams, and two Olympic silver medals and a bronze.
16. Maria Sharapova (Russia): One of the sport’s biggest stars, Sharapova won 36 singles titles, five Grand Slams, and an Olympic silver in 2012.
17. Simona Halep (Romania): Halep’s tenacity led her to 24 singles titles and two Grand Slam victories, along with a Wimbledon win in 2019. She’s one of Romania’s most successful athletes.
18. Hana Mandlíková (Czechoslovakia/Australia): Mandlíková captured 27 singles titles, four Grand Slams, and helped Czechoslovakia win three Fed Cups. She never won an Olympic medal, as tennis was not always an Olympic sport.
19. Amélie Mauresmo (France): The French star won 25 singles titles, two Grand Slams, and Olympic silver in 2004, famous for her powerful all-court game.
20. Petra Kvitová (Czech Republic): With 31 WTA singles titles and two Wimbledon crowns, Kvitová remains a force on tour. She also won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics.
Top 20 WTA Singles Title Leaders
| Rank | Player | WTA Titles (Singles) | Grand Slams | Olympic Medals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martina Navratilova | 167 | 18 | 1🥈* |
| 2 | Chris Evert | 157 | 18 | – |
| 3 | Serena Williams | 73 | 23 | 1🥇 3🥇 (doubles) |
| 4 | Steffi Graf | 107 | 22 | 1🥇 |
| 5 | Virginia Wade | 55 | 3 | – |
| 6 | Margaret Court | 64 | 24 | – |
| 7 | Evonne Goolagong Cawley | 68 | 7 | – |
| 8 | Billie Jean King | 67 | 12 | – |
| 9 | Monica Seles | 53 | 9 | 1🥉 |
| 10 | Venus Williams | 49 | 7 | 1🥇 3🥇 (doubles) 1🥈 |
| 11 | Justine Henin | 43 | 7 | 1🥇 |
| 12 | Lindsay Davenport | 55 | 3 | 1🥇 |
| 13 | Martina Hingis | 43 | 5 | – |
| 14 | Kim Clijsters | 41 | 4 | 2🥉* |
| 15 | Arantxa Sánchez Vicario | 29 | 4 | 2🥈 1🥉 |
| 16 | Maria Sharapova | 36 | 5 | 1🥈 |
| 17 | Simona Halep | 24 | 2 | – |
| 18 | Hana Mandlíková | 27 | 4 | – |
| 19 | Amélie Mauresmo | 25 | 2 | 1🥈 |
| 20 | Petra Kvitová | 31 | 2 | 1🥉 |
Legend:
🥇 = Gold | 🥈 = Silver | 🥉 = Bronze | “–” = No Olympic medal or opportunity (tennis not always Olympic)
*Navratilova’s Olympic silver and Clijsters’ bronzes are in doubles/mixed, not singles.
Conclusion
The Open Era has been a golden age for women’s tennis, raising the level of play and the global profile of the sport. These top 10 champions—and the legends who nearly joined them—have inspired generations and left behind a legacy of greatness, rivalry, and unforgettable moments. As the WTA continues to evolve, these names will forever be remembered as icons of the game.
