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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: AP Female Athlete of the Year

In 1983, Martina Navratilova was named AP Female Athlete of the Year.

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: AP Female Athlete of the Year

In 1984, Martina Navratilova was named AP Female Athlete of the Year.

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: Doubles Winning Streak

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

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.

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.

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.

1999: Second Best Female Player of the 20th Century

In 1999, tennis writer Steve Flink, in his book "The Greatest Tennis Matches of the Twentieth Century", named Martina Navratilova as the second best female player of the 20th century, just 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: Receives National Equality Award

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

2000: Inducted into Hall of Fame

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

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.

2005: Greatest Female Tennis Player

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

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: LGBT History Month 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, 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.

June 2011: 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.

March 2012: Second Greatest Female Tennis 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 of all time.