Like the men, the ladies of tennis have not had it easy, what with the enormous competition and numerous skilled players. We bring your five of the best women players of all time, though each of them is as good as the others, and there are many more who deserve to be on this list.

Billie Jean King

With 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles, and 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles under her belt, American player Billie Jean King is one of the most important women in the history of the game. Besides founding the Tennis Women’s Association, she dominated the late ’60s and early ’70s, winning six Wimbledon titles, four US Open titles and one each of the Australian and French Opens. Known for her aggressive techniques, King is counted among the greatest women tennis players ever.

Chris Evert

She won 18 Grand Slam titles, achieving a Career Grand Slam, and ranked number one for almost seven years – more than enough to add her to this list. With three Wimbledon titles, six US Opens, two Australian Opens and a record seven French Open titles, Chris Evert was poised to become the best ever, had it not been for rival Marina Navratilova. Her two-handed backhand shot, baseline play and passing shots made her a cult figure in the game of tennis.

Margaret Smith Court

Almost throughout the ’60s, Margaret Smith Court dominated the tennis court, winning 24 Grand Slam single titles. Add 38 doubles titles to that, thereby bringing her tally to a whopping 62 titles, and the Australian’s presence here is more than justified. The original all-rounder, she won the Australian Open 11 times, the Wimbledon thrice and the US and French Open five times each. One of the three to ever win a career ‘boxed set’ of Grand Slam titles, Court achieved pole position in women’s tennis seven times.

Steffi Graf

After her breakthrough in the 1987 French Open, German-born Steffi Graf followed it up by becoming the first ever tennis player in 1988 to win the Calendar Year Golden Slam. Graf dominated the sport in the ’90s like no other woman, beating the likes of Navratilova and Evert and remaining on top longer than anyone else in the game. Her seven Wimbledon titles, five US Open titles, four French titles and six Australian Open titles rank her among the best all-rounders ever. Graf ’s powerful forehand shots earned her the nickname ‘Fraulein Forehand’.

Martina Navratilova

From 1975 to 2003, with her achievements and longevity in the sport, Martina Navratilova surpasses everyone on this list. The breast cancer survivor brought the concept of power game in women’s tennis. Her 18 Grand Slam singles titles include nine Wimbledon wins, four US Open, two French and three Australian Open titles, hence achieving a Career Grand Slam and a Career Box Set in 1978. Among the best volleyers in court, Navratilova’s deadly serve helped her to win 74 matches in a row and 41 doubles titles. One word – dominance!