Women in Tennis Racing for History

At Tennis Race for History (TRH), we committed to including women in our website, and we've now fulfilled that commitment. Similar to the men's data, we've included only the period from 1990 to 2023, as it allows for easier standardization of tournaments and scoring systems. However, we're excited to announce that we'll soon expand our race to include data from the beginning of the Open Era, dating back to 1968.

Currently, the Williams sisters dominate the rankings, and it's expected that changes will occur as we incorporate data, rather than relying on the current performance of the players. Unlike the immovable podium of the TRH Ranking for men (Djokovic-Federer-Nadal), the women's ranking is not same.

Serena Williams could face a substantial challenge from players like Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova in retaining her top spot, and Venus Williams is certain to relinquish her current second place in the ranking.

As we delve into the rankings, we'll observe how players with varying qualities are positioned. It's important to note that determining the greatest women's tennis player in history (the tennis GOAT) is subjective and depends on numerous factors, including statistics (with the number of Grand Slam titles being the most popular), career longevity, playing style, and, above all, personal preferences.

Some may opt for the elegant and classy styles of players like Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Justine Henin, Evonne Goolagong, or the legendary Brazilian, María Bueno.

Others may favor the determination, fighting spirit, and ability to overcome adversity displayed by Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, or Chris Evert.

There are those who admire the aggressiveness of Monica Seles and, in contrast, the patience of Lindsay Davenport.

Off the court, Billie Jean King stands out for her advocacy for women's rights in tennis and her courage in the fight for gender equality in sports. In recognition of her achievements, the Federation Cup, often referred to as the "women's Davis Cup," was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup in 2020.

Venus Williams is another off-court trailblazer, known for her leadership in the fight for gender equality in tennis and her commitment to social causes, charitable initiatives, and philanthropic activities. As a curious note, she has even designed her own line of sportswear, introducing innovative and avant-garde fashion designs to tennis.

In closing, we must also acknowledge the commendable performance of two Spanish women:

Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, celebrated for her tenacity and unwavering determination to fight for every point and retrieve challenging balls, earning her the nickname "La Mosquita."

Conchita Martínez, renowned for her elegant style, proficiency in net play as a volley specialist, and her ability to remain composed under pressure.