5 Greatest Rivalries in Women's Tennis History

Tennis is the fourth most popular sport in the world. Women’s tennis was introduced in 1900 at the Paris Olympics. Fans love to see fierce competition on the tennis court. Over the years there were lots of great women's tennis players who raised the bar of women’s tennis so high. Players like Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Serena and Venus Williams and many others changed the game of women’s tennis over the years. In this article, let us discuss the top five greatest tennis rivalries in women’s tennis history.

Here are the top five greatest tennis rivalries in women’s Tennis history:

5. Graf v Sabatini

Former German player Steffi Graf and Argentine star Gabriela Sabatini had one of the greatest rivalries in women’s tennis history. Graff and Sabatini had played 40 matches together between 1985 to 1995, including 12 Grand Slams, 4 WTA tour championships, 22 WTA tour events, 1 Federation Cup and 1 Olympic match. Graff won 29 out of 40 matches. On the other hand, Sabatini has won only 11. 

4. Evonne Goolagong v Sarah Wade

The former British tennis player Sarah Wade and Australian maestro Evonne Goolagong were two good friends off the court and they had one of the greatest rivalries in tennis. Goolagong and Wade met each other 40 times in tennis between 1970 to 1983 including all the Grand Slams and other tournaments. Goolagong won 30 out of 40 matches, and Wade won only 10 of them.

3. Martina Navratilova v Pamela Shriver

Former Czech-American tennis star Martina Navratilova is considered one of the legends in women’s tennis history. She had won every tournament in her illustrious career. The great Navratilova faced the former American tennis professional Pamela Shriver 43 times in her career. Navratilova won 40 out of 43 matches between them. Pamela has won only three.

2. Christine Evert vs Sarah Wade

Former American tennis star Chris Evert was considered one of the greatest tennis players in women’s tennis history. Evert and British tennis professional Sarah Wade played 46 matches together between 1971 to 1982. Christine Evert dominated over Sarah Wade by 40-6. Evert won 157 titles in her career.

1. Christine Evert vs Martina Navratilova

Christine Evert and Martina Navratilova were once the all-time greatest tennis player in women’s tennis history. Both of the Titans have played 80 matches against each other between 1973 to 1988. Navratilova won 43 out of 80 matches whereas Evert won 37. They faced each other 22 times in Grand Slams, where Navratilova won 14 matches out of 22.