Top 10 Best Female Athletes of All Time
When it comes to talking about the greatest female athletes of all time, you're entering into a rich and inspiring history that spans decades and crosses just about every sport imaginable. These women have redefined what it means to be a competitor and have achieved a level of excellence that commands respect from fans, peers, and even their toughest critics.
Martina Navratilova is a Czech-American tennis player who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and a record 31 Grand Slam doubles titles. She was known for her dominance on both grass and hard courts during the 1970s and 1980s. Amazing tennis player.
Top ten, period!
Serena Williams is an American tennis player who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era. She has held the No. 1 ranking in the world for 319 weeks, including a record 186 consecutive weeks. She was the it girl for tennis and all athletics, with the most wins in the Open Era. She was everything. She ushered in a new era for female tennis players and made tennis what it became. She played from October 1995 to September 2022. She'll never be matched by any other player or athlete in any sport.
Easily the best female athlete and tennis player, and probably the second-best athlete of all time.
More of a tennis player than an all-around athlete, but in her profession, she's unstoppable!
Janica Kostelić is a Croatian alpine skier who won four Olympic gold medals and five World Championship titles, making her one of the most successful female skiers in history. She is the only woman to win four gold medals in alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics.
Mia Hamm is an American soccer player who won two FIFA Women's World Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals. She was a key figure in popularizing women's soccer globally.
Babe Didrikson Zaharias was an American athlete who excelled in multiple sports, including golf, track and field, and basketball. She won two gold medals in track and field at the 1932 Olympics and later became a dominant golfer. Babe Didrikson is the female Jim Thorpe, and Thorpe is the greatest athlete who ever lived.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee is an American track and field athlete who won three Olympic gold medals in the heptathlon and long jump. She is considered one of the greatest female athletes in track and field history. The only one who deserves to be in this top ten.
Female legends that should be in this top ten:
- Babe Didrikson Zaharias
- Margaret Court
- Larisa Latynina
- Florence Griffith Joyner
- Nadia Comăneci
- Martina Navratilova
Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as "Flo-Jo," is an American track and field athlete who holds the world records in the 100 meters and 200 meters, set in 1988. She won three gold medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The fastest female runner of all time. 21.32 mph. She lived a great but short life, only 38. R.I.P.
Nadia Comaneci is a Romanian gymnast who became the first athlete to score a perfect 10 at the Olympic Games, achieving this feat at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. She won five Olympic gold medals during her career.
Ronda Rousey is an American mixed martial artist and judoka who became the first female champion in UFC history. She won an Olympic bronze medal in judo and helped popularize women's MMA. Greatest female athlete of all time.
She is badass.
Gabby Douglas is an American gymnast who became the first African American woman to win the individual all-around gold medal at the 2012 Olympics. She was also part of the "Fierce Five" team that won gold in the team competition. As a gymnast, I know gymnasts have to work super hard, and I do too, but Gabby is just on another level.
Greatest female athlete of all time.
The Newcomers
Probably the greatest fencer of all time. A six-time Olympic champion and the most winning female fencer of all time. Simply the best.
Bonnie Blair is an American speed skater who won five gold medals in the Winter Olympics, making her one of the most decorated female speed skaters in Olympic history. She excelled in short-distance races, particularly the 500 and 1,000 meters.
Joan Joyce was an American softball player who achieved legendary status as a pitcher, setting numerous records throughout her career. She also excelled in basketball and golf, becoming one of the most versatile athletes in history.
Billie Jean King is an American tennis player who won 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. She is also known for her advocacy for gender equality, notably through her victory in the "Battle of the Sexes" match in 1973.
Maria Sharapova is a Russian tennis player who won five Grand Slam singles titles. She is one of the few female athletes to have completed a career Grand Slam by winning all four major tournaments. Why isn't she the best?
Alex Morgan is an American soccer player who has won two FIFA Women's World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. women's national team. She has consistently ranked among the top scorers in international women's soccer. Best female soccer player on earth and also very beautiful. Obviously, first place!
She should be first!
Danica Patrick is an American racing driver who became the first woman to win an IndyCar race in 2008. She also had a successful career in NASCAR, achieving the highest finish by a woman in the Daytona 500. She raced against men and was great. Also, a successful businesswoman and a stunning beauty.
Venus Williams is an American tennis player who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic gold medals. She played a key role in advocating for equal prize money in tennis, particularly at Wimbledon. Wow, amazing woman.
Steffi Graf is a German tennis player who won 22 Grand Slam singles titles and is the only player to achieve a Golden Slam, winning all four majors and an Olympic gold medal in a single year (1988). She held the No. 1 ranking for 377 weeks, the most by any player. Are you kidding? She should be at the top by far. Her speed and ability to change direction will never be topped. The benchmark. I miss her like crazy.
Best athlete ever. These lists are pathetic. Sharapova is a poor mover, Serena is cumbersome, but Steffi was supreme. All the coaches agree.
Truly the best. Ridiculously quick around the court.
Chloe Kim is an American snowboarder who won her first Olympic gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in the halfpipe event at the age of 17. She is the youngest woman to win gold in snowboarding at the Winter Olympics.
Caroline Wozniacki is a Danish tennis player who was ranked world No. 1 for 71 weeks and won the 2018 Australian Open. She is the first Danish player to win a Grand Slam singles title. One of my favorite tennis players.
Annika Sorenstam is a Swedish professional golfer who is considered one of the greatest female golfers in history, with 10 major championships and 72 LPGA Tour wins. She was the first woman to compete in a men's PGA Tour event in over 50 years.
Kim Clijsters is a Belgian tennis player who won four Grand Slam singles titles and was ranked world No. 1 in both singles and doubles. She made a successful comeback after retiring, winning the U.S. Open in 2009.
Claudia Gadelha is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC's strawweight division, known for her powerful grappling and striking skills. She became the first woman to represent Brazil in a UFC title fight.
Candace Parker is an American basketball player who has won two WNBA championships and two MVP awards. She has also earned two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women's national basketball team. Candace Parker is my hero.