The 10 greatest tennis players in history without a Grand Slam title

There are many female tennis players who achieved great success but not the most coveted one: winning a Grand Slam. We analyze which players could be part of the list of the greatest in history without any title of this category in their records.

Magnificent careers without the ultimate prize, trajectories that were not rewarded as they deserved, women who will endure in the collective imagination, but not in the historical records of Grand Slam. That is what we propose to review, realizing that there are several contenders still in the running to join this list, although they will all strive to break through.

Clear examples are Elina Svitolina or Jessica Pegula, who still have time to add a major title that will enhance their trophy cabinets. It seems more complicated for Karolina Pliskova, the former world number 1 who is far from her level, but fights to continue enjoying tennis and feeling competitive.

Who are the best female tennis players in history without a Grand Slam title

Karolina Pliskova

World number 1, winner of 17 titles and two-time Grand Slam finalist. The Czech had peak years that she couldn't translate into a Grand Slam, facing varied and powerful rivals like Kerber, Halep, Muguruza, or Serena.

Elena Dementieva

The Olympic champion in 2008 had her great opportunity at Roland Garros 2004, where she succumbed to the surprising Myskina. Also that year, she reached the final of the US Open and, in 2009, she became the world number 3, accumulating a total of 16 titles.

Dinara Safina

She emulated her brother Marat in the feat of reaching world number 1 but lost all three Grand Slam finals she contested. Serena Williams and Kuznetsova were her executioners in those matches, preventing her from completing a legendary career in which she won 12 titles and was an Olympic runner-up. 

Jelena Jankovic

Another case of a world number 1 who achieved that status without winning a single Grand Slam title. She played in the final of the US Open 2008, but Serena Williams frustrated her dream. Her peak was shorter, and she did not go beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon. She accumulated a total of 15 titles.

Helena Sukova

The second half of the 1980s was when this Czech player showed her best level. She played an astonishing four Grand Slam finals (Australian Open 1984 and 1989; US Open 1986 and 1993). She had the bad luck to coincide with legends like Evert, Navratilova, or Graf, who prevented her from winning a major title. She reached world number 4 and won 10 titles.

Pam Shriver

She has the honor of being the tennis player with the most titles won without any of them being Grand Slam titles. A total of 21 trophies are in the American's cabinet, and she reached the final of the US Open 1978, where she fell to Evert. Moreover, her best ranking was number 3 in the world.

Agnieszka Radwanska

Charismatic and globally remembered for her ability to counter-attack and play with a low stance, the Pole won the WTA Finals, was world number 2, won 20 titles, but could only contest one Grand Slam final. It was at Wimbledon 2012, and she lost to Serena.

Ons Jabeur

The case of the Tunisian is dramatic, as her influence in the Arab world and women's empowerment was astronomical during her peak moments. Born to triumph at Wimbledon, she appeared in two finals as a great favorite but lost to Rybakina in 2022 and Vondrousova in 2023. She also fell to Swiatek at the US Open 2022. 

She reached world number 2 but only won 5 titles, having a late bloom. Her unique playing style and personality made her a mass icon, and she acknowledged that if she had won a Grand Slam, she would have retired from tennis partially to become a mother. She did so later, without a major title in her cabinets.

Jessica Pegula

The American continues to strive for her dream, facing off against great players like Sabalenka, Rybakina, Gauff, or Swiatek. So far, she has only contested one Grand Slam final, but she has been consistently in the top 5 for years, winning WTA 1000 tournaments and persistently knocking on the door of glory.

Elina Svitolina

Even though she has not been a Grand Slam finalist, the Ukrainian has played in four semifinals and has been in the elite for a long time, seeking to explore her limits and showing great levels of play after becoming a mother. She continues in the battle.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Las 10 mejores tenistas de la historia sin título de Grand Slam