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WTA Mount Rushmore – The four that defined women’s tennis

By Brandon Daniels

Jun-Jul 1989: Steffi Graf of West Germany plays a backhand return during the Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon in London. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport
Jun-Jul 1989: Steffi Graf of West Germany plays a backhand return during the Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon in London. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport /
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NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 1986: Martina Navratilova attacks the net against Steffi Graf during the Women’s Singles Semifinals of the 1986 US Open at the USTA National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows in the New York City borough of Queens. (Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 1986: Martina Navratilova attacks the net against Steffi Graf during the Women’s Singles Semifinals of the 1986 US Open at the USTA National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows in the New York City borough of Queens. (Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images) /

2. Martina Navratilova

Years Active: 1973-2006

Grand Slam titles: 59 (18 singles, 31 doubles, 10 mixed)

Navratilova is possibly the most dominant female tennis player that ever played. She’s one of the greatest singles players in women’s tennis and is possibly even better in doubles. After turning pro in 1973, she quickly made a name for herself by winning the 1978 Wimbledon Championship over American Chris Evert.

She compiled arguably the greatest season in tennis history in 1983 as she finished with an 86-1 record (only losing in the 4th round of Roland Garros). In that year she lost a total of 9 sets in 87 matches. After winning her 18 major titles, she retired in 1994 but continued her immense doubles success until 2006.

Navratilova’s career screamed domination. From 1982-1984 she lost only 6 matches. Her singles career alone ranks among the greatest of all time in women’s tennis, and her doubles career only adds to her lengthy profile. She won a record 9 Wimbledon singles events, including 6 consecutively from 1982-87.

Margaret Court is the only player with more total Grand Slam victories (62). She held the record of weeks spent at #1 with 331 until Steffi Graf it. She also put together the longest streak of consecutive match wins (78), a record that still stands today.

Navratilova’s takeover of women’s tennis was extraordinary. She pioneered the serve-and-volley tactics that eluded the baseline-heavy women’s game and turned it into her unrivaled strength. Her on this list is completely deserving and it’s no question that she was the queen of tennis in her era.

Next. #3 - Steffi Graf. dark

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