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, is considered one of the greatest of all time. She held the world No. 1 ranking in singles for 332 weeks and in doubles for a record 237 weeks. Navratilova amassed an Open Era record of 59 major titles: 18 in singles, 31 in women's doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles, along with 167 top-level singles titles and 177 doubles titles. Her nine Wimbledon singles titles remain an all-time record. She, alongside 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: Best Winning Percentage

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

1972: Won Czechoslovakia National Tennis Championship

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

1973: Debut on United States Lawn Tennis Association Professional Tour

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

1974: First Major Title

In 1974, Martina Navratilova won her first major title. It was 32 years before she won her last one in 2006.

1974: First Professional Singles Title

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

1975: Runner-up at Major Singles Tournaments and Defection to the U.S.

In 1975, Martina Navratilova was the runner-up at the Australian Open and the French Open. After losing to Chris Evert in the US Open semifinals in September 1975, she defected from communist Czechoslovakia. Also, in 1975, Navratilova teamed with world number one Evert to win the French Open women's doubles title.

1975: Turned Professional

Martina Navratilova turned professional in 1975.

1976: Wimbledon Women's Doubles Title

In 1976, Martina Navratilova teamed with Chris Evert to win the Wimbledon women's doubles title over Billie Jean King and Bette Stove.

1977: Ranked in World's Top 3

From 1977 to 1993, Martina 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 in the final and capturing the world No. 1 ranking.

January 1979: Lost the World No. 1 ranking

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

1979: Defended Wimbledon Title and Earned World No. 1 Ranking

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

1980: Defeated Billie Jean King at Wimbledon

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

April 1981: Double Bagel Loss to Evert

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

1981: Won Australian Open

In 1981, Martina Navratilova won her third major singles title by defeating Chris Evert in the final of the Australian Open.

1981: Coaching by Renée Richards

In 1981, Renée Richards became one of Martina Navratilova's coaches. Richards coached Navratilova from 1981 to 1983.

1982: Reached Wimbledon Final

From 1982 through 1990, Martina Navratilova reached the Wimbledon final nine consecutive times.

1982: Start of Dominant Reign

From 1982, Martina Navratilova began a period of dominance in women's tennis. From 1982, 1983, and 1984, Navratilova lost a total of only six singles matches.

1982: Wimbledon and French Open Wins

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

1982: Won Wimbledon and the French Open

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

1983: Career Grand Slam

By winning the 1983 US Open title, Martina Navratilova completed the career Grand Slam, becoming only the seventh woman in history to achieve it.

1983: Start of 109-Match Winning Streak in Doubles

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

1983: Dominant Season and Grand Slam in Doubles

In 1983, Martina Navratilova had a dominant professional season, achieving a winning percentage of 98.9% with a record of 86-1. Also, in 1983, she simultaneously won the Grand Slam in doubles.

1983: Dominant Season and Three Major Titles

In 1983, after losing in the fourth round of the French Open, Martina Navratilova captured the year's three remaining major titles. Her only singles defeat during that year, establishing an 86–1 record.

1983: Coaching by Renée Richards and Mike Estep

In 1983, both Renée Richards and Mike Estep coached Martina Navratilova. Richards coached Navratilova from 1981 to 1983, while Estep coached from 1983 to 1986.

1984: Start of Dominant Reign

From 1984, Martina Navratilova continued a period of dominance in women's tennis. From 1982, 1983, and 1984, Navratilova lost a total of only six singles matches.

1984: Defeated Evert at Amelia Island Event

In 1984, Martina Navratilova avenged her double bagel loss by crushing Chris Evert 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.

1984: Record Six Consecutive Singles Majors

In 1984, Martina Navratilova won a record six consecutive singles majors. Also, in 1984, she simultaneously won the Grand Slam in doubles.

1984: Grand Slam and Winning Streak

In 1984, Martina Navratilova won the French Open, holding all four major singles titles simultaneously and being declared a "Grand Slam" winner. Also in 1984 she became the first player to win majors on clay, grass and hard court on the same year. In the semifinals of the 1984 Australian Open, Helena Suková ended Navratilova's 74-match winning streak.

1985: Start of 109-Match Winning Streak in Doubles

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

1985: French Open Final Against Chris Evert

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

1986: US Open Victory and Number One Ranking

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

1986: Coaching by Mike Estep

In 1986, Mike Estep was one of Martina Navratilova's coaches. Estep coached her from 1983 to 1986.

1986: End of Dominant Reign

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

1987: Major Finals Streak

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: Wins at Wimbledon and US Open

In 1987, Martina Navratilova defeated Steffi Graf in the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open. She reached all four Grand Slam finals in 1987, winning two of them.

1988: Coaching by Craig Kardon

In 1988, Craig Kardon became one of Martina Navratilova's coaches. Kardon coached her from 1988 to 1994.

1988: Loss to Graf in Wimbledon Final

In 1988, Steffi Graf won all four major singles titles, including beating Martina Navratilova in the Wimbledon final. Navratilova did not reach the finals of any of the other Grand Slam events but did win nine tournaments.

1989: Rivalry with Graf

In 1989, Martina Navratilova faced Steffi Graf in the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open, losing both matches in three sets. Graf also won their match in the WTA Tour Championships finals. Despite not playing in the French Open, Navratilova won eight titles and was ranked No. 2 behind Graf for the third consecutive year.

1990: Reached Wimbledon Final

From 1982 through 1990, Martina Navratilova reached the Wimbledon final nine consecutive times.

1990: Ninth Wimbledon Singles Crown

In 1990, Martina Navratilova won her final Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon, defeating Zina Garrison 6–4, 6–1 to secure her record-breaking ninth Wimbledon singles crown. She also won four other tournaments in 1990 and finished the year ranked No. 3 in the world.

1991: US Open Final Loss

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

1991: Defeated Graf in US Open Semifinals

In 1991, at the age of 34, Martina Navratilova defeated Steffi Graf in the semifinals of the US Open with a score of 7–6, 6–7, 6–4. This victory ended their Grand Slam rivalry with Navratilova leading 5–4.

September 1992: Battle of the Sexes Match

In September 1992, Martina Navratilova, aged 35, participated in the third Battle of the Sexes tennis match against 40-year-old Jimmy Connors at Caesars Palace in Paradise, Nevada. Connors, with adjusted rules, won the match 7–5, 6–2.

1992: Lawsuit against Amendment 2

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

1993: Ranked in World's Top 3

From 1977 to 1993, Martina Navratilova was ranked in the world's top 3 in singles for 15 years.

1993: Spoke at March on Washington

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

1994: Coaching by Craig Kardon

In 1994, Craig Kardon was one of Martina Navratilova's coaches. Kardon coached her from 1988 to 1994.

1994: Wimbledon Final and Retirement

In 1994, at age 37, Martina Navratilova reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Conchita Martínez. In November 1994, after losing in the first round of the WTA Tour Championships, she retired from full-time singles competition.

2000: Return to the Tour

In 2000, Martina Navratilova returned to the tour, primarily playing doubles events with occasional singles appearances.

2000: Received National Equality Award

In 2000, Martina Navratilova was the recipient of the National Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign.

2002: Singles Performance at Eastbourne

In 2002, Martina Navratilova played her first singles match in eight years at Eastbourne, defeating world No. 22 Tatiana Panova before losing to Daniela Hantuchová in the next round.

2003: Mixed Doubles Titles at Australian Open and Wimbledon

In 2003, Martina Navratilova, partnering with Leander Paes, won the mixed doubles titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. At 46 years and 8 months, she became the oldest major champion. The Australian Open victory completed her "boxed set" of major titles.

2004: Return to Singles at French Open and Wimbledon

In 2004, Martina Navratilova returned to singles at the French Open after a 10-year absence, losing in the first round. At Wimbledon in 2004, she won a singles match, becoming the oldest player to win a professional singles match in the open era, but lost in the second round.

July 6, 2006: Last Matches at Wimbledon

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

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

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

2006: Last Major Title at US Open

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

2009: Plays for Boston Lobsters

In 2009, Martina Navratilova played for the Boston Lobsters in the World TeamTennis pro league, marking the end of her tenure with the team.

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 on and off the court.

December 2014: Joined Radwańska's Coaching Staff

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

April 2015: Parted Ways with Radwańska

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

2021: Leader of Women's Sports Policy Working Group

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