Top Women’s Singles Players With Most Weeks at World No. 1 in WTA Rankings
Women’s tennis has seen some of the most incredible players overpower the sport, achieving greatness by staying at the top of the WTA rankings for extended periods. Among these icons, Steffi Graf holds the all-time record for the most weeks at World No. 1. Her record is most likely to stand the test of time.
Now let’s dive into the top 10 women players who have spent the most weeks at No. 1 in the WTA rankings.
1. Steffi Graf – 377 Weeks
Steffi Graf first ascended to No. 1 in August 1987 and remained there until March 1991, a remarkable 186 weeks, tied for the longest sequential streak with Serena Williams. After trading the top spot with Monica Seles for several years, Graf regained control and gathered a total of 377 weeks at No. 1 by March 1997. This record remains undefeated in women’s tennis.
2. Martina Navratilova – 332 Weeks
Navratilova first asserted the top position in July 1978 and enjoyed a series of successful runs at the top over the upcoming decade. Her longest continuous era at No. 1 lasted 156 weeks, from June 1982 to June 1985. Navratilova ultimately retired with a total of 332 weeks at No. 1, establishing her legacy in the sport.
3. Serena Williams – 319 Weeks
Serena Williams, one of tennis’ greatest icons, first reached No. 1 in July 2002, shortly after winning Wimbledon. While her initial stint lasted only 57 weeks, her prolonged span came later, from February 2013 to September 2016, a span of 186 sequential weeks. Williams’ career total stands at 319 weeks at No. 1.
4. Chris Evert – 260 Weeks
Chris Evert was the first-ever World No. 1 when the WTA rankings were presented in November 1975. She held the position for many stints throughout her career, with her longest being 113 weeks from 1976 to 1978. Evert’s overall time as No. 1 reached 260 weeks, representing her consistent dominance during her span of time.
5. Martina Hingis – 209 Weeks
Martina Hingis broke onto the tennis scene in 1997, winning three Grand Slam titles and swiftly rising to World No. 1 in March of that year. Her final spell at the top lasted 73 sequential weeks. By the end of her career, Hingis had amassed a total of 209 weeks at No. 1.
6. Monica Seles – 178 Weeks
Monica Seles became No. 1 in March 1991, ending Graf’s record-breaking 186-week streak. Regrettably, Seles’ career was unbroken in 1993 when she was stabbed on the court, preventing her from adding more weeks to her tally. In spite of the tragedy, she somehow managed to return to the top in 1995, finishing with 178 weeks at No. 1.
7. Iga Swiatek – 122 Weeks (and counting)
Iga Swiatek took over the No. 1 spot after Ashleigh Barty’s resignation in 2022 and has proven her worth as a dominant force in tennis. By November 2023, Swiatek had spent 122 weeks at the top, and with her ongoing success, it’s likely that her tally will grow substantially in the upcoming years.
8. Ashleigh Barty – 121 Weeks
Barty became No. 1 in June 2019 and stayed there for most of her career until her surprise withdrawal in 2022. Her longest unbroken streak was 114 sequential weeks. Barty finished her career with a total of 121 weeks at No. 1, ranking her among the elite.
9. Justine Henin – 117 Weeks
Justine Henin first took the No. 1 spot in October 2003, and over the course of her career, she spent a total of 117 weeks at the top. Her longest stint lasted 61 sequential weeks, from 2007 to 2008. Henin’s talent and consistency ensured her place among tennis legends.
10. Lindsay Davenport – 98 Weeks
Lindsay Davenport, a three-time Grand Slam champion, had various brief stints at No. 1 between 1998 and 2006. Her longest consecutive stretch at the top lasted 44 weeks. She finished her career just short of the 100-week milestone, with a total of 98 weeks.
These women not only held the No. 1 spot but also left a long-lasting mark on tennis. While Graf’s record may seem undefeated, rising stars like Iga Swiatek continue to make waves, and it will be captivating to see if anyone can challenge her legacy in the years to come.
Cover Credits - US Open
Leave a Reply