Women’s Tennis Grand Slam Champions: Complete History, Records & Rising Stars (2025-2026)
From Margaret Court’s untouchable 24 titles to Serena Williams’ 23 Grand Slams across three decades, women’s tennis has produced some of sport’s greatest champions. Madison Keys just shocked the tennis world at the 2025 Australian Open, and Iga Świątek captured her sixth Grand Slam with a historic 6-0, 6-0 victory at 2025 Wimbledon, joining an elite group of major champions that includes legends like Steffi Graf’s Golden Slam and Martina Navratilova’s 18 titles.
The women’s tennis Grand Slam tournaments remain the ultimate measure of greatness in professional tennis. Across more than a century of competition and 57 years of the Open Era, these four events have defined legacies, shaped tactical evolution, and provided the statistical benchmarks by which champions are judged.
This comprehensive guide presents verified, research-backed history of the women’s tennis majors, combining official records from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and tournament archives.
It explores the players who set the standards, the data behind their dominance, and the contemporary forces shaping the next era.
What Are the Women’s Tennis Grand Slam Tournaments?
The four women’s tennis majors are:
- Australian Open – January (hard court, GreenSet surface since 2020)
- French Open – May-June (clay)
- Wimbledon – July (grass)
- US Open – August-September (hard court, Laykold surface since 2020)
Each singles champion earns 2,000 WTA ranking points and multi-million-dollar prize money. The term “Grand Slam” refers collectively to these four tournaments. Winning all four in a single calendar year constitutes a calendar-year Grand Slam, an achievement last accomplished in women’s singles by Steffi Graf in 1988.
The Open Era: When Professionalism Redefined Women’s Tennis
In 1968, tennis entered the Open Era, allowing professionals and amateurs to compete together at Grand Slam events. According to ITF historical records, this shift transformed prize structures, ranking systems, and global participation.
Since 1968:
- 61 different women have won at least one Grand Slam singles title
- Players from more than 25 countries have captured majors
- The United States leads the Open Era with over 90 women’s singles titles
Recent Grand Slam Winners (2020-2025)
| Year | Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open |
| 2025 | Madison Keys | Coco Gauff | Iga Świątek | Aryna Sabalenka |
| 2024 | Aryna Sabalenka | Iga Świątek | Barbora Krejčíková | Aryna Sabalenka |
| 2023 | Aryna Sabalenka | Iga Świątek | Markéta Vondroušová | Coco Gauff |
| 2022 | Ash Barty | Iga Świątek | Elena Rybakina | Iga Świątek |
| 2021 | Naomi Osaka | Barbora Krejčíková | Ash Barty | Emma Raducanu |
| 2020 | Sofia Kenin | Iga Świątek | Cancelled (COVID-19) | Naomi Osaka |
The Defining Champions of Women’s Tennis
1. Serena Williams – 23 Grand Slam Titles (Open Era Record)
Serena Williams holds the Open Era record with 23 Grand Slam singles titles (1999-2017). Only Margaret Court, with 24 total majors (including pre-1968 titles), has more overall.
Williams’ major distribution:
- 7 Australian Open
- 7 Wimbledon
- 6 US Open
- 3 French Open
She reached 33 Grand Slam singles finals, the most in the Open Era, and won majors across three decades. According to WTA statistics, she held the world No. 1 ranking for 319 weeks, including 186 consecutive weeks (tied with Graf for the longest consecutive streak).
Williams’ 2017 Australian Open victory at age 35 made her the oldest woman to win a major in the Open Era.
2. Steffi Graf – 22 Grand Slam Titles and the Golden Slam
Graf’s 1988 season remains unmatched in tennis history. She won all four Grand Slams plus Olympic gold (Seoul 1988), completing the unique “Golden Slam.”
Graf finished her career with:
- 22 Grand Slam singles titles
- 377 total weeks at world No. 1 (record)
- 186 consecutive weeks at No. 1
According to ITF records, her 1988 season included a 72-3 match record. Her inside-out forehand and footwork revolutionized baseline aggression on faster surfaces.
3. Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert – 18 Titles Each
Navratilova and Evert defined consistency and rivalry at the women’s tennis majors.
Navratilova:
- 18 Grand Slam singles titles
- 9 Wimbledon singles titles (Open Era record for a single major)
- 332 weeks at world No. 1
Evert:
- 18 Grand Slam singles titles
- 7 French Open singles titles
- Career clay win percentage of 94.3% (record in Open Era)
They played each other 80 times, including 14 Grand Slam finals. Their rivalry shaped tactical diversity and raised professional standards in fitness and preparation.
4. Margaret Court – 24 Total Grand Slam Titles
Court’s 24 singles majors remain the all-time record. She achieved a calendar-year Grand Slam in 1970.
It is important to contextualize that 11 of her titles came before the Open Era. Nonetheless, her record stands officially recognized by the ITF.
2025-2026: Current Champions & Rising Stars
- Iga Świątek (6 Grand Slams)
Iga Świątek has emerged as one of the most dominant players in women’s tennis, winning 6 Grand Slam titles, including four French Opens and the 2025 Wimbledon championship.
At age 24, she has won:
- Four French Open titles (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024) – tied for third-most in Open Era
- One US Open title (2022)
- One Wimbledon title (2025) – her first grass court major, won with a historic 6-0, 6-0 victory
According to WTA performance analytics, she posted a 37-match winning streak in 2022 and held the No. 1 ranking for 125 weeks total. Her heavy topspin forehand and elite court positioning mirror structural patterns seen in historic clay-court champions.
Świątek became the eighth woman in tennis history to win a major on all three surfaces (clay, grass, and hard court). Her 2025 Wimbledon victory was only the second 6-0, 6-0 women’s final in the Open Era, cementing her place among the elite versatile champions.
2. Aryna Sabalenka (4 Grand Slams)
Aryna Sabalenka has established herself as one of the most dominant forces in women’s tennis with 4 Grand Slam singles titles:
- Two Australian Open titles (2023, 2024) – back-to-back champion
- Two US Open titles (2024, 2025) – back-to-back champion
Known for her powerful serve regularly exceeding 190 km/h and aggressive baseline game, Sabalenka reached three consecutive Australian Open finals (2023-2025), winning two before losing to Madison Keys in 2025. At age 26, she’s currently ranked World No. 1 and has won all four of her Grand Slam finals, becoming the third woman to win her first four Grand Slams on hard courts.
Biomechanical adjustments to her service motion in 2022 significantly reduced double faults, according to Hawk-Eye statistical breakdowns cited by WTA analysts. She finished 2024 and 2025 as the year-end World No. 1, demonstrating remarkable consistency at the highest level.
3. Coco Gauff (2 Grand Slams)
Coco Gauff captured her second Grand Slam title at the 2025 French Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4. This victory came two years after winning the 2023 US Open, where she became the first American teenager to win the title since Serena Williams in 1999.
At age 20, Gauff has demonstrated remarkable versatility, winning majors on both hard courts and clay. Her improved forehand strike efficiency and net point conversion, developed under coach Brad Gilbert’s guidance, have made her a threat on all surfaces. With already 2 Grand Slam titles, she’s positioned as one of the leading contenders for future majors.
4. Madison Keys (1 Grand Slam)
After 11 attempts at the Australian Open, Madison Keys finally captured her first Grand Slam title in 2025, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. At 29, Keys became the second-oldest player to win her maiden major at the Australian Open in the Open Era.
Her powerful groundstrokes and improved mental toughness helped her defeat both Iga Świątek (saving a match point in the semifinals) and Sabalenka in consecutive rounds. Keys became the first player to defeat the top two players in the final two rounds of a Grand Slam since Venus Williams did it at Wimbledon in 2005. She joins fellow American Coco Gauff as recent Grand Slam champions.
5. Barbora Krejčíková (2 Grand Slams)
The Czech player won her second Grand Slam singles title at 2024 Wimbledon, defeating Jasmine Paolini in the final, adding to her 2021 French Open victory. Known primarily as a doubles specialist (with 7 Grand Slam doubles titles), Krejčíková’s complete game translates well to grass courts.
Her 2024 Wimbledon run as an unseeded player showcased her tactical intelligence and all-court ability. At 28, she represents the depth and quality of talent in the current women’s game.
6. Elena Rybakina (1 Grand Slam)
Elena Rybakina claimed the 2022 Wimbledon title, defeating Ons Jabeur in the final. Her flat groundstrokes and high first-serve percentage (over 70% in key matches during that run) allowed her to dominate shorter grass-court rallies.
Her style represents the continuation of power-first tennis adapted for faster surfaces. She remains a consistent threat at Grand Slams and reached the 2023 Australian Open final.
Historic Milestones in Women’s Tennis Majors
- Martina Hingis became the youngest Open Era Grand Slam champion at 16 years and 3 months (1997 Australian Open)
- Emma Raducanu won the 2021 US Open as a qualifier, winning 10 consecutive matches without dropping a set
- Monica Seles won eight majors before age 20, one of the most accelerated championship trajectories in Open Era history
- Iga Świątek’s 2025 Wimbledon final (6-0, 6-0) was only the second double bagel in a women’s major final in the Open Era
These cases demonstrate the range of pathways to major success: early dominance, breakthrough runs, and tactical evolution.
Statistical Benchmarks That Define Grand Slam Greatness
According to WTA and ITF records:
- Most Grand Slams (all-time): Margaret Court (24)
- Most Open Era singles titles: Serena Williams (23)
- Most Wimbledon singles titles (Open Era): Martina Navratilova (9)
- Most total weeks at world No. 1: Steffi Graf (377)
- Most consecutive weeks at No. 1: Steffi Graf (186)
Grand Slam performance correlates strongly with year-end No. 1 finishes. Every player with 18 or more majors finished multiple seasons ranked first.
Tactical Evolution Across Surfaces
Each surface shapes championship patterns:
- Clay (French Open)
Longer rallies, higher physical demands, heavier topspin. Champions often lead return-game statistics. Iga Świątek’s dominance with 4 French Open titles exemplifies modern clay-court mastery.
- Grass (Wimbledon)
Lower bounce, faster points. Serve efficiency and first-strike tennis matter most. Martina Navratilova’s 9 Wimbledon titles remain the benchmark.
- Hard Courts (Australian Open, US Open)
Balanced conditions rewarding adaptable baseline power and movement. Serena Williams won 13 of her 23 majors on hard courts.
Data from the 2024-2025 seasons shows that return games won percentage is a stronger predictor of French Open success, while first-serve points won correlates more closely with Wimbledon performance.
Why Grand Slam Titles Define Tennis Greatness
Grand Slam titles determine:
- Hall of Fame eligibility
- Historical ranking placement
- Endorsement valuation
- Legacy debates
Economically, Grand Slam visibility drives commercial impact. Serena Williams’ career earnings exceeded $94 million in prize money, with significantly higher off-court revenue tied to major success.
From a governance perspective, Grand Slams are co-run by national associations under ITF authority, ensuring consistent global standards.
The Greatest That Never Was: Lost Potential
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova told Sports Illustrated in 2013 that if Monica Seles hadn’t been stabbed, “We’d be talking about Monica with the most Grand Slam titles [ahead of] Margaret Court or Steffi Graf.”
Before the 1993 attack, Seles had won 8 of the last 11 Grand Slams she entered. At just 19 years old, she was completely dominating tennis. The Monica Seles stabbing shows how one person’s obsession can destroy greatness and reminds us that safety in sports requires constant attention.
The True Legacy of Women’s Tennis
The history of the women’s tennis Grand Slam tournaments is defined by measurable excellence. From Margaret Court’s 24 titles to Serena Williams’ Open Era record of 23, from Steffi Graf’s Golden Slam to the modern dominance of Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka, the women’s tennis majors provide the sport’s most authoritative benchmarks.
The legacy of these champions is not just the Grand Slams they won, but also their courage in facing unimaginable challenges. Records, weeks at No. 1, surface versatility, and sustained excellence separate champions from contenders. The numbers matter. The context matters more.
As the competitive field continues to evolve with rising stars like Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, and others, the four majors remain the definitive stage where tennis history is written.
