Martina Navratilova's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Martina Navratilova. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Martina Navratilova is a Czech-American former professional tennis player, widely regarded as one of the sport's all-time greats. She held the world No. 1 ranking in singles for 332 weeks and in doubles for a record 237 weeks. Navratilova amassed 167 top-level singles titles and 177 doubles titles, including a record 59 major titles in the Open Era: 18 in singles, 31 in women's doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles. Notably, she holds the all-time record of nine Wimbledon singles titles. Her rivalry with Chris Evert defined women's tennis throughout much of the 1980s.

Sections (7)

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

1965: Start of Tennis Magazine Ranking Period

In 2005, Tennis Magazine selected Navratilova as the greatest female tennis player for the period starting in 1965.

1972: Czechoslovakia National Tennis Championship Win

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

1974: First Professional Singles Title

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

1974: First Major Title in 1974

Martina Navratilova won her first major title in 1974, 32 years before her last major title in 2006.

1976: Wimbledon Women's Doubles Title

In 1976, Martina Navratilova teamed with Chris Evert to win the Wimbledon women's doubles title.

1978: First Major Singles Title at Wimbledon in 1978

In 1978, Martina Navratilova won her first major singles title at Wimbledon, defeating Chris Evert in three sets. She also captured the world No. 1 ranking for the first time.

1979: Defending Wimbledon Title in 1979

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

1980: Defeating Billie Jean King at Wimbledon in 1980

In 1980, Martina Navratilova defeated six-time Wimbledon champion Billie Jean King in the quarterfinals.

1982: Dominance from 1982-1986

From 1982 to 1986, Martina Navratilova had a dominant reign, losing a total of only six singles matches and securing 13 consecutive victories over Chris Evert.

1982: Wimbledon and French Open Victories

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

1983: Doubles Winning Streak

From 1983 to 1985, Martina Navratilova had a 109-match winning streak in women's doubles, partnering with Pam Shriver

1983: Domination in 1983

In 1983, Martina Navratilova achieved an impressive 86–1 record, marking the best professional season winning percentage at 98.8%. She also began a winning streak of 74 straight matches.

1983: AP Female Athlete of the Year

In 1983, Martina Navratilova was named the Associated Press (AP) Female Athlete of the Year.

1983: US Open Title and Career Grand Slam

In 1983, Martina Navratilova won the US Open title, completing the career Grand Slam and becoming only the seventh woman in history to achieve this feat.

1984: Dominance from 1982-1986

From 1982 to 1986, Martina Navratilova had a dominant reign, losing a total of only six singles matches and securing 13 consecutive victories over Chris Evert.

1984: Calendar Grand Slam in Women's Doubles

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

1984: Grand Slam in Doubles and Consecutive Singles Majors

In 1984, Martina Navratilova continued her dominance by winning a record six consecutive singles majors and achieving the Grand Slam in doubles.

1984: Avenging the Loss in 1984

In 1984, Martina Navratilova crushed Chris Evert 6-2, 6-0 in the finals of the same Amelia Island event, avenging her previous double bagel loss.

1984: AP Female Athlete of the Year

In 1984, Martina Navratilova was once again named the Associated Press (AP) Female Athlete of the Year.

1984: Holding All Four Major Singles Titles Simultaneously

In 1984, Martina Navratilova won the French Open, holding all four major singles titles simultaneously. She became the first player to win majors on clay, grass and hard court on the same year, but her winning streak of 74 matches was ended at the Australian Open.

1985: Doubles Winning Streak

From 1983 to 1985, Martina Navratilova had a 109-match winning streak in women's doubles, partnering with Pam Shriver

1986: Dominance from 1982-1986

From 1982 to 1986, Martina Navratilova had a dominant reign, losing a total of only six singles matches and securing 13 consecutive victories over Chris Evert.

1986: 1986 US Open

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

1987: Reached all Grand Slam Finals 1985-1987

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: 1987 Season

In 1987, Graf dominated the first half of the season, defeating Navratilova in the Miami Open and French Open finals. However, Navratilova defeated Graf in the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open. Navratilova reached all four Grand Slam finals, winning two of them, and obtained year-end world No. 2 ranking behind Graf.

1991: Defeats Graf at US Open

In 1991, at the age of 34, Martina Navratilova defeated Steffi Graf in the semifinals of the US Open, marking the last time they played in a major tournament. Navratilova won the match 7–6, 6–7, 6–4, ending their Grand Slam rivalry with a 5-4 lead.

1999: Ranked Second Best Female Player by Steve Flink

In 1999, tennis writer Steve Flink named Martina Navratilova as the second-best female player of the 20th century in his book "The Greatest Tennis Matches of the Twentieth Century", directly behind Steffi Graf.

The Greatest Tennis Matches of the Twentieth Century by Steve Flink (1999-12-01)

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2000: Member of Laureus Sports Foundation's Academy

In 2000, Martina Navratilova became a member of the Laureus Sports Foundation's Academy.

2000: Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame

In 2000, Martina Navratilova was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

2000: National Equality Award

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

2003: Mixed Doubles Titles at Australian Open and Wimbledon

In 2003, Martina Navratilova, partnering with Leander Paes, won the mixed doubles titles at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon. This made her the oldest major champion and the third player to complete a "boxed set" of major titles. She equaled Billie Jean King's record of 20 Wimbledon titles and extended her overall major titles to 58.

2004: Return to Singles at French Open

In 2004, Martina Navratilova returned to singles play at the French Open after a 10-year absence, but she was defeated by Gisela Dulko in the first round. Despite criticism, she won a singles match at Wimbledon against Catalina Castaño, becoming the oldest player to win a professional singles match in the open era, before losing to Gisela Dulko in the second round.

2005: Ranked Greatest Female Tennis Player by Tennis Magazine

In 2005, Tennis magazine selected Martina Navratilova as the greatest female tennis player for the years 1965 through 2005, surpassing Steffi Graf.

2006: Billie Jean King's Praise

In 2006, Billie Jean King, a former World No. 1 player, described Martina Navratilova as "the greatest singles, doubles and mixed doubles player who's ever lived."

2006: US Open Mixed Doubles Title

In 2006, Martina Navratilova capped her career by winning the mixed doubles title at the US Open with Bob Bryan, marking her 41st major doubles title and 177th overall. At nearly 50 years old, she broke her own record as the oldest major champion. She also won her last title in women's doubles on August 21, 2006, at the Rogers Cup in Montreal with Nadia Petrova.

2006: Equality Forum Icon

In 2006, Martina Navratilova was named by Equality Forum as one of their 31 Icons of the LGBT History Month.

2006: Last Major Title at US Open

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

2008: Bud Collins' Assessment

In 2008, tennis historian and journalist Bud Collins described Martina Navratilova as "arguably, the greatest player of all time."

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.

June 2011: Named One of Time's "30 Legends of Women's Tennis"

In June 2011, Martina Navratilova was named one of the "30 Legends of Women's Tennis: Past, Present and Future" by Time magazine.

March 2012: Tennis Channel's Second Greatest Player

In March 2012, The Tennis Channel named Martina Navratilova as the second greatest female tennis player of all time, behind Steffi Graf, in their list of 100 greatest tennis players.