Career Timeline of Martina Navratilova: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Martina Navratilova made an impact.

Martina Navratilova, a Czech-American former professional tennis player, achieved remarkable success, holding the world No. 1 singles ranking for 332 weeks and No. 1 in doubles for a record 237 weeks. She boasts an Open Era record of 59 major titles: 18 in singles, 31 in women's doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles. Her nine Wimbledon singles titles are an all-time record. Navratilova, along with rival Chris Evert, dominated women's tennis during the 1980s.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1968: Winning Percentage Record

In 1983, Martina Navratilova achieved the best winning percentage for a post-1968 professional tennis player.

1972: Czechoslovakia National Tennis Championship

In 1972, at the age of 15, Martina Navratilova won the Czechoslovakia national tennis championship.

1973: Professional Tour Debut

In 1973, at the age of 16, Martina Navratilova debuted on the United States Lawn Tennis Association professional tour.

1974: First Major Title

In 1974, Martina Navratilova won her first major title.

1974: First Professional Singles Title

In 1974, at the age of 17, Martina Navratilova won her first professional singles title in Orlando, Florida.

1975: Turned Professional

In 1975, Martina Navratilova turned professional.

1975: Runner-Up at Major Tournaments and Defection

In 1975, Martina Navratilova was the runner-up at the Australian Open and the French Open. She also defected from communist Czechoslovakia to the United States, seeking political asylum.

1976: Wimbledon Women's Doubles Title

In 1976, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert won the Wimbledon women's doubles title, defeating Billie Jean King and Bette Stove.

1977: Ranked in World's Top 3

Between 1977 and 1993, Navratilova was ranked in the world's top 3 in singles for 15 years.

1978: First Major Singles Title at Wimbledon

In 1978, Martina Navratilova won her first major singles title at Wimbledon, defeating Chris Evert in three sets and becoming the world No. 1 on the WTA computer.

January 1979: World No. 1 Ranking

In January 1979, Chris Evert took back the world No. 1 ranking from Martina Navratilova.

1979: Defended Wimbledon Title

In 1979, Martina Navratilova successfully defended her Wimbledon title, again defeating Chris Evert in the final, and earned the World No. 1 ranking at the end of the year for the first time.

1980: Wimbledon Quarterfinal Victory

In 1980, Martina Navratilova defeated six-time Wimbledon champion Billie Jean King in a two-day quarterfinal match at Wimbledon, with a scoreline of 7–6, 1–6, 10–8.

April 1981: Loss to Evert at WTA Championships

In April 1981, Chris Evert defeated Martina Navratilova in the finals of the Women's Tennis Association championships at Amelia Island, 6–0, 6–0.

1981: Coach Renée Richards

In 1981, Renée Richards became one of Navratilova's coaches.

1982: Winning Streak

From 1982 through 1984, Martina Navratilova lost a total of only six singles matches, including a run of 13 consecutive victories over Chris Evert.

1982: Wimbledon Singles Final Appearance

In 1982, Martina Navratilova began a streak of reaching the Wimbledon singles final 12 times, including nine consecutive years from 1982 through 1990.

1982: Won Wimbledon and French Open

In 1982, Martina Navratilova won both Wimbledon and the French Open.

1983: Dominance in Women's Tennis

After losing in the fourth round of the French Open in 1983, Martina Navratilova captured the year's remaining major titles and established an 86-1 record, the best winning percentage for a post-1968 professional tennis player.

1983: Career Grand Slam

In 1983, Martina Navratilova completed the career Grand Slam by winning the US Open title, becoming the seventh woman in history to achieve this feat.

1983: Dominant Season

In 1983, Martina Navratilova had an exceptional season, achieving a winning percentage of 98.9% with a record of 86 wins and only 1 loss. She also began a 74-match winning streak.

1983: Coach Renée Richards

In 1983, Renée Richards coached Navratilova.

1983: Doubles Winning Streak

Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver began a record 109-match winning streak in doubles between 1983 and 1985.

1984: Winning Streak

From 1982 through 1984, Martina Navratilova lost a total of only six singles matches, including a run of 13 consecutive victories over Chris Evert.

1984: Avenged Double Bagel Loss

In 1984, Martina Navratilova avenged her earlier double bagel loss to Chris Evert by defeating her 6–2, 6–0 in the finals of the Amelia Island event.

1984: Calendar Grand Slam in Women's Doubles

In 1984, Martina Navratilova completed a calendar Grand Slam in women's doubles, partnering with Pam Shriver. This was part of a record 109-match winning streak that the pair achieved between 1983 and 1985.

1984: Grand Slam in Doubles

In 1984, Martina Navratilova won a record six consecutive singles majors across 1983 and 1984 while simultaneously winning the Grand Slam in doubles.

1984: Holding All Four Major Singles Titles Simultaneously

In 1984, Martina Navratilova won the French Open, thus holding all four major singles titles simultaneously. She also extended her major singles tournament winning streak to a record-equalling six following wins at Wimbledon and the US Open.

1985: French Open Final

In 1985, Martina Navratilova played in what many consider to be the best woman's match of all time, the French Open final against Chris Evert, ultimately losing 6–3, 6–7, 7–5.

1985: Doubles Winning Streak

Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver's record 109-match winning streak in doubles continued between 1983 and 1985.

1986: Coach Mike Estep

In 1986, Mike Estep was Navratilova's coach.

1986: US Open Victory and Number One Ranking

In 1986, at the US Open, Martina Navratilova defeated Steffi Graf in the semifinals and Helena Suková in the final. She also won the women's doubles title with Pam Shriver and earned the number-one ranking for the fifth consecutive year with an 89–3 record.

1986: Dominant Spell

Martina Navratilova's reign from 1982 to 1986 is considered the most dominant unbroken spell in the professional era.

1987: Major Tournament Finals

From 1985 through 1987, Martina Navratilova reached the women's singles final at all 11 major tournaments held during those three years, winning six of them.

1987: Grand Slam Finals and Year-End Ranking

In 1987, Martina Navratilova reached all four Grand Slam finals, winning Wimbledon and the US Open. However, Steffi Graf's superior performance throughout the year earned her the year-end world No. 1 ranking ahead of Navratilova.

1988: Coach Craig Kardon

In 1988, Craig Kardon became one of Navratilova's coaches.

1988: Wimbledon Final Loss to Graf

In 1988, Steffi Graf won all four major singles titles, including a victory over Martina Navratilova in the Wimbledon final, 5–7, 6–2, 6–1.

1989: Graf Defeats Navratilova in Finals

In 1989, Steffi Graf defeated Martina Navratilova in the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open, winning both encounters in three sets. Graf also won against Navratilova in the finals of the WTA Tour Championships. Navratilova, despite skipping the French Open, won eight titles and maintained the No. 2 ranking behind Graf.

1990: Wimbledon Title

Although Wimbledon 1990 was her last major singles title, Navratilova reached two additional major singles finals during the remainder of career

1990: Navratilova Wins Wimbledon

In 1990, Navratilova won her final Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon, defeating Zina Garrison to claim her record ninth Wimbledon singles crown. She won four other tournaments and finished the year ranked No. 3 in the world.

1990: Wimbledon Singles Final Appearance

Martina Navratilova's streak of consecutive appearances in the Wimbledon singles final, which began in 1982, ended in 1990, after 9 years.

1991: Navratilova Defeats Graf at US Open

At age 34, in 1991, Navratilova defeated Graf in the semifinals of the US Open, concluding their Grand Slam rivalry with Navratilova leading 5–4. This victory marked the last time they played in a major tournament.

1991: US Open Final Loss

In 1991, Navratilova lost in the US Open final to Monica Seles.

September 1992: Battle of the Sexes Match

In September 1992, at the age of 35, Navratilova played against 40-year-old Jimmy Connors in the third Battle of the Sexes tennis match at Caesars Palace in Paradise, Nevada. Connors won the match 7–5, 6–2, with modified rules to favor Navratilova.

1992: Lawsuit Against Amendment 2

In 1992, Navratilova participated in a lawsuit against Amendment 2, a successful ballot proposition in Colorado designed to prevent sexual orientation from being a protected class.

1993: Ranked in World's Top 3

Between 1977 and 1993, Navratilova was ranked in the world's top 3 in singles for 15 years.

1993: Speaks at March on Washington

In 1993, Navratilova spoke before the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation.

1994: Coach Craig Kardon

In 1994, Craig Kardon coached Navratilova.

1994: Wimbledon Final and Retirement

In 1994, at age 37, Navratilova reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Conchita Martínez. She retired from full-time singles competition after losing to Gabriela Sabatini at the WTA Tour Championships.

2000: Receives National Equality Award

In 2000, Navratilova received the National Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign.

2000: Return to Tennis Tour

In 2000, Navratilova returned to the tour, primarily playing doubles events and occasionally singles.

2002: Singles Performance at Eastbourne

In 2002, at Eastbourne, Navratilova won her first singles match in eight years against Tatiana Panova, but lost in the next round to Daniela Hantuchová.

2003: Mixed Doubles Titles at Australian Open and Wimbledon

In 2003, Navratilova, partnering with Leander Paes, won the mixed doubles titles at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon, making her the oldest ever major champion. The Australian Open victory completed her "boxed set" of major titles.

2004: Return to French Open and Wimbledon

In 2004, Navratilova returned to singles at the French Open after a 10-year absence but was defeated in the first round. She later won a singles match at Wimbledon, becoming the oldest player to win a professional singles match in the Open Era, before losing in the second round.

July 6, 2006: Last Matches at Wimbledon

On July 6, 2006, Navratilova played her last matches at Wimbledon. She and partner Liezel Huber lost in the women's doubles quarterfinal, and she and Mark Knowles lost in the mixed doubles third round.

August 21, 2006: Last Title in Women's Doubles

On August 21, 2006, Navratilova won her last title in women's doubles at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, partnering with Nadia Petrova.

2006: Last Major Title at US Open

In 2006, shortly before her 50th birthday, Martina Navratilova won her last major title, which was the mixed doubles crown at the US Open.

2009: Philippe Chatrier Award

In 2009, Martina Navratilova was awarded the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) highest accolade, the Philippe Chatrier Award, for her contributions to tennis both on and off the court.

2009: Plays for Boston Lobsters

Through the 2009 season, Navratilova played for the Boston Lobsters in the World TeamTennis pro league.

December 2014: Joins Radwańska's Coaching Staff

In December 2014, Navratilova joined Agnieszka Radwańska's coaching staff.

April 2015: Parts Ways with Radwańska

In April 2015, Navratilova and Agnieszka Radwańska decided to part ways after Radwańska struggled in the first half of the season.

2019: Role in The Politician

In 2019, Martina Navratilova had a recurring role in the Netflix series, The Politician, portraying Brigitte, a horse trainer.

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2021: Women's Sports Policy Working Group Leadership

In 2021, Martina Navratilova became a leader of the Women's Sports Policy Working Group, which was formed in response to President Joe Biden's Executive Order 13988, with the goal of protecting women in competitive sports while accommodating trans athletes.