The Australian Open, one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, has seen some of the most dominant and impressive performances in the sport’s history. Among the greatest to have ever played, several women stand out not only for their career achievements but also for their extraordinary victory percentages at this prestigious event. These women have established themselves as legends, with their success on the hard courts of Melbourne solidifying their places in tennis history. Here are the seven women with the highest victory percentages at the Australian Open, including Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, and Monica Seles.
### 1. **Serena Williams**
Serena Williams is arguably one of the greatest female tennis players in history, and her dominance at the Australian Open is a testament to her greatness. With an unmatched combination of power, athleticism, and mental fortitude, Williams has secured a staggering 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any player in the Open Era. At the Australian Open, she boasts a career win rate of around 85%. Her success in Melbourne is marked by a record of 7 singles titles, including victories in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2017, showcasing her ability to compete at the highest level across different stages of her career.
### 2. **Steffi Graf**
Steffi Graf is another icon of tennis, known for her versatility and her historic achievement of winning all four Grand Slam titles in a calendar year in 1988, completing the “Golden Slam.” At the Australian Open, Graf’s career win percentage stands at 87.5%. She claimed four singles titles in Melbourne, in 1988, 1994, 1996, and 1999, marking her as one of the most dominant forces in tennis during the late 80s and 90s. Graf’s ability to blend her powerful forehand with quick footwork allowed her to thrive on the hard courts of the Australian Open, and her remarkable consistency made her a formidable opponent for any player.
### 3. **Monica Seles**
Monica Seles was a dominant figure in women’s tennis during the 1990s. Known for her aggressive baseline play and the emotional intensity she brought to the court, Seles captured 9 Grand Slam singles titles, including 4 Australian Open crowns. Her win percentage at the Australian Open stands at approximately 87%, reflecting her success at this tournament. Seles won the Australian Open in 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1996, showcasing her ability to perform well on hard courts early in her career. Although her career was tragically interrupted by a stabbing incident in 1993, Seles remains one of the most beloved figures in the history of the sport.
### 4. **Chris Evert**
Chris Evert is often regarded as one of the greatest clay-court players in tennis history, but her success on other surfaces, including hard courts, is equally impressive. Evert achieved a career win percentage at the Australian Open of 86%, thanks in part to her consistency and mental toughness. She won the title twice, in 1982 and 1984, during a career that spanned over 17 years at the top of the game. Evert’s impressive ability to stay calm under pressure, combined with her incredible footwork and shot placement, made her a formidable opponent on all surfaces.
### 5. **Billie Jean King**
Billie Jean King is another legendary figure in women’s tennis, known for her advocacy for gender equality in sports and her incredible achievements on the court. While King is perhaps best known for her victory in the “Battle of the Sexes” against Bobby Riggs in 1973, she also enjoyed significant success at the Australian Open. King’s career win percentage at the Australian Open is an impressive 82%, and she secured 4 singles titles in Melbourne, winning in 1968, 1972, 1974, and 1975. Known for her tactical intelligence and aggressive net play, King was a major force in women’s tennis during her era.
### 6. **Martina Navratilova**
Martina Navratilova is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, with a career that includes a record 9 Wimbledon singles titles. At the Australian Open, her win percentage is around 80%. Navratilova won the Australian Open in 1981, 1983, and 1985. Although her success at the tournament was not as frequent as some of her contemporaries, her all-around game, exceptional fitness, and tactical brilliance allowed her to consistently challenge for titles on all surfaces. Navratilova’s performances in Melbourne were marked by her attacking style and mental resilience.
### 7. **Margaret Court**
Margaret Court is a tennis legend and one of the most successful players in history, with a total of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in history for any player, male or female. Court’s win percentage at the Australian Open is an astounding 89%, one of the highest of any player, and she won the tournament 5 times, in 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, and 1965. Court was known for her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, which helped her dominate the women’s game during the early 1960s. Her dominance on home soil in Melbourne cemented her as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
### Conclusion
The women listed here have set incredibly high standards at the Australian Open, each with their own unique attributes that contributed to their success. Whether through raw power, mental resilience, tactical brilliance, or a combination of all three, Serena Williams, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Chris Evert, Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, and Margaret Court have left indelible marks on the history of the tournament. Their remarkable victory percentages and achievements at the Australian Open continue to inspire generations of tennis players around the world.
