In tennis, winning a Grand Slam is the pinnacle of success, a dream every player aspires to achieve. This dream is realized multiple times for some, but for others, it is a rare and singular accomplishment.
This article celebrates the most remarkable women’s tennis players who captured only one Grand Slam title despite their immense talent and hard work in their illustrious careers. Each player has left an indelible mark on the sport, providing unforgettable moments that inspire fans and future generations of athletes.
Their stories are a testament to the perseverance, skill, and dedication required to reach the highest levels of tennis, even if only for one magical moment.
1. Kerry Melville Reid – 1977 Australian Open
Kerry Melville Reid excelled in front of her home crowd in 1977, winning the Australian Open by beating Austria’s Dianne Fromholtz in two sets.
Reid’s victory was significant during a transitional period in women’s tennis, with the Australian Open beginning to gain prominence as a major tournament.
Her consistent baseline play and tactical acumen were crucial to her success. Despite not winning another Grand Slam, Reid’s Australian Open victory remains a highlight of her career and a proud moment for Australian tennis.
2. Christine O’Neil – 1978 Australian Open
In the late 1970s, Australian Christine O’Neil prevailed in Melbourne for her career’s only Grand Slam victory. O’Neil’s win in 1978 was significant as she became the first Australian woman to win the Australian Open since 1964.
She defeated Betsy Nagelsen in the final, showcasing her strong baseline game and mental fortitude. Despite not achieving similar success in other majors, O’Neil’s victory remains a proud moment in Australian tennis history. Her triumph is a reminder of the depth of talent in Australian women’s tennis during that era.
3. Virginia Ruzici – 1978 French Open
The 1978 French Open was won by Virginia Ruzici of Romania, who would play one more final in Paris two years later. Ruzici’s victory was historic as she became the first Romanian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title.
She defeated Mima Jausovec in straight sets in the final, showcasing her strong baseline game. Ruzici’s win was a breakthrough for Romanian tennis and remains a significant achievement in her career.
Despite not winning another prominent, her French Open triumph is celebrated as a landmark moment in the sport.
4. Barbara Jordan – 1979 Australian Open
Barbara Jordan made a significant mark in tennis history with her win at the 1979 Australian Open. She is one of the lesser-known champions, yet her victory remains notable. Jordan defeated Sharon Walsh in the final, showcasing her skill and determination.
Apart from her triumph in Melbourne, she struggled to make a significant impact in other Grand Slams, often falling in the early rounds. Despite her brief moment in the spotlight, Jordan’s Australian Open victory remains a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport.
5. Gabriela Sabatini – 1990 US Open
Buenos Aires-born Gabriela Sabatini won the US Open in 1990, her only Grand Slam title. Sabatini’s victory came against Steffi Graf, one of the greatest players ever. In the final, Sabatini displayed her powerful forehand and all-around game to win in straight sets.
This win was a significant milestone in her career, as she had previously reached multiple Grand Slam finals without success. Sabatini’s US Open triumph remains celebrated in Argentine tennis history, highlighting her talent and determination.
6.Conchita Martinez – 1994 Wimbledon
Spain’s Conchita Martinez played three Grand Slam finals in her career, of which she won only one, in 1994 at Wimbledon. Martinez’s victory was historic as she became the first Spanish woman to win the Wimbledon singles title.
In the final, she defeated Martina Navratilova, who was seeking her tenth Wimbledon crown. Martinez’s baseline game and strategic play were crucial to her success. Her win was a significant achievement for Spanish tennis and remains a career highlight.
Despite not winning more majors, Martinez’s Wimbledon triumph is celebrated as a landmark victory.
7. Iva Majoli – 1997 French Open
Croatia’s Iva Majoli had her moment of glory in 1997 when she bagged the French Open. In a stunning final, she defeated Martina Hingis, who was then the world number one and a heavy favorite.
Majoli’s victory was characterized by her decisive baseline game and mental toughness. This win was her only appearance beyond the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament, making it a standout achievement in her career.
Despite not reaching similar heights again, Majoli’s French Open win remains a significant milestone in Croatian tennis history.
8. Jana Novotná – 1998 Wimbledon
Wimbledon was Jana Novotná’s playground 1998 when the former Czech tennis heroine defeated Nathalie Tauziat in the final. Novotná’s victory was a redemption story, as she had previously lost in the 1993 Wimbledon final after a dramatic collapse.
1998, she displayed her experience and skill, winning in straight sets to secure her only Grand Slam title. Known for her serve-and-volley game, Novotná’s win was celebrated as a triumph of perseverance and resilience. Her emotional reaction after winning remains one of the most memorable moments in tennis history.
9. Anastasia Myskina – 2004 French Open
Anastasia Myskina was a top player in her prime, reaching world No. 2 in 2004, the year she won the French Open.
Myskina’s victory in Paris was historic as she became the first Russian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title. She defeated Elena Dementieva in the final, demonstrating her strong defensive skills and strategic play.
Myskina’s win paved the way for other Russian players to succeed internationally. Despite her short-lived peak, her 2004 French Open victory remains a highlight of her career and a significant moment in tennis history.
10. Ana Ivanovic – 2008 French Open
Ana Ivanovic was once one of her generation’s best players, translating into just one Grand Slam triumph for the Serb. Ivanovic clinched the French Open title in 2008, defeating Dinara Safina in the final.
Her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive play were crucial to her success on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Ivanovic’s win propelled her to the world number one ranking, but she struggled with consistency in the following years.
Despite not winning another major, Ivanovic’s French Open victory remains a highlight of her career and a significant achievement in Serbian tennis history.
11. Francesca Schiavone – 2010 French Open
Francesca Schiavone made her way to Grand Slam fame in 2010, defeating Australian Samantha Stosur in two sets to win the French Open. Schiavone’s victory was a testament to her perseverance and skill on clay courts.
She became the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open Era. Schiavone’s aggressive style and one-handed backhand were crucial to her success.
Her win was celebrated across Italy, and she remains an inspiration for many young Italian tennis players. Despite not winning another major, Schiavone’s French Open triumph remains a highlight of her illustrious career.
12. Samantha Stosur – 2011 US Open
Samantha Stosur had to wait another year to take home her first and only Grand Slam trophy at the 2011 US Open. Stosur’s victory came against Serena Williams in the final, where she delivered a dominant performance to win straight sets.
Known for her powerful serve and forehand, Stosur’s game was ideally suited to the hard courts of Flushing Meadows. This win was a career-defining moment for the Australian, who had previously struggled to convert her potential into significant titles. Stosur’s US Open triumph remains the pinnacle of her career, showcasing her talent and determination.
13. Marion Bartoli – 2013 Wimbledon
France’s Marion Bartoli won eight titles in her career, including the most important in 2013 at Wimbledon. Bartoli’s victory at the All England Club was the pinnacle of her career, as she defeated Sabine Lisicki in straight sets in the final.
Known for her unorthodox playing style and fierce determination, Bartoli’s win was celebrated across France. Her journey to the title included victories over top-seeded players and showcased her resilience and tactical prowess. Bartoli retired shortly after her Wimbledon triumph, making it a fitting end to her career.
14. Flavia Pennetta – 2015 US Open
Flavia Pennetta made Italian tennis history in 2015 when she came out on top at the US Open. Pennetta defeated her compatriot Roberta Vinci in straight sets in an all-Italian final.
This victory was particularly emotional as she announced her retirement from professional tennis during the trophy presentation.
Consistent performances and resilience had marked Pennetta’s career, and her US Open win was the perfect culmination of her hard work. Her victory remains a proud moment for Italian tennis and a fitting end to her career.
15. Sloane Stephens – 2017 US Open
Sloane Stephens turned pro in 2009 and has regularly showcased her exceptional talent ever since. The highlight of her career came in 2017 when she won the US Open in front of her home crowd.
Ranked 83rd in the world at the time, Stephens defeated Madison Keys in the final, completing a remarkable comeback after foot surgery earlier that year. Her journey to the title included victories over top-seeded players like Venus Williams and Anastasija Sevastova.
This triumph marked her as one of the elite players in women’s tennis, but despite her continued presence in the sport, she has not yet replicated this success in other Grand Slam tournaments.
16. Jeļena Ostapenko – 2017 French Open
Jeļena Ostapenko’s biggest win came at the 2017 French Open when she dashed Simona Halep’s hopes. Ostapenko’s victory was remarkable as she became the first unseeded player to win the French Open since 1933.
Known for her aggressive baseline game, Ostapenko defeated Halep in three sets, showcasing her fearless style of play. This win catapulted her into the spotlight, but she has struggled to maintain the same level of success since. Despite this, Ostapenko’s French Open triumph remains a significant moment in her career and a testament to her potential.
17. Caroline Wozniacki – 2018 Australian Open
Caroline Wozniacki is a big name in modern tennis, but she only managed to win one Grand Slam: the 2018 Australian Open. Wozniacki’s victory came after years of being one of the top-ranked players in the world.
She defeated Simona Halep in a thrilling three-set match in the final, showcasing her defensive skills and tenacity. This win was particularly emotional for Wozniacki, as it marked the culmination of her long and successful career.
Despite not adding more Grand Slam titles to her name, Wozniacki’s Australian Open triumph is a testament to her consistency and perseverance.
18. Bianca Andreescu – 2019 US Open
Canadian Bianca Andreescu turned pro in 2017, just two years before winning her first (and only) Grand Slam. Andreescu’s 2019 US Open victory was groundbreaking, as she became the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam singles title.
She defeated Serena Williams in the final, showcasing her decisive game and mental toughness. Despite her young age, Andreescu displayed maturity and composure on the court.
Her win captured the tennis world’s attention, marking her a rising star. However, injuries have since hampered her career, and she has yet to add another Grand Slam to her resume.
19. Sofia Kenin – 2020 Australian Open
Sofia Kenin conquered the tennis world at 22 in 2020 when she won the Australian Open. Her resilience and tactical prowess marked Kenin’s run to the title. In the final, she defeated Garbiñe Muguruza in three sets, displaying nerves of steel and a high tennis IQ.
Kenin reached the final at Roland Garros later that year but could not replicate her Australian Open success. Despite her early promise, Kenin has struggled with consistency and injuries since then. Her 2020 Australian Open victory remains a highlight of her young career.
Final thoughts
These exceptional women’s tennis players have each won a Grand Slam title, a testament to their skill, perseverance, and determination. While they may have only secured one major victory, their triumphs remain significant milestones in the sport’s history.
Each player has left an indelible mark on tennis, inspiring future generations with their achievements. For daily sports news, profiles, and analysis, follow us here!
