Australian female tennis players have a long history of success and excellence in the sport. From the legendary Evonne Goolagong Cawley to current stars like Ashleigh Barty, these women have not only achieved greatness on the court but have also become role models for aspiring young players around the world.
In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most famous Australian female tennis players of all time, highlighting their achievements, contributions to the sport, and impact on the world of tennis.
Top Australian Female Tennis Players
Australian female tennis players have been dominating the international tennis circuit for decades, with a rich history of success in both singles and doubles competitions. From Grand Slam champions to Olympic medalists, these women have showcased their exceptional talent and perseverance on the court. In this section, we’ll explore the top Australian female tennis players of all time, their accomplishments, and what makes them stand out in the world of tennis.
1. Margaret Court
Margaret Court is widely considered to be the greatest female tennis player of all time. She won a total of 64 Grand Slam titles, including 24 in singles, 19 in doubles, and 21 in mixed doubles. Court is the only player to have won a calendar-year Grand Slam in both singles and mixed doubles. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1979.
- Born: July 16, 1942
- Place of Birth: Albury, New South Wales, Australia
- Current Residence: Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Year of Professional Competition: 1960-1977
- Achievements: 64 Grand Slam titles, 5-time year-end World No. 1 in singles
- Awards: Australian of the Year (1991)
2. Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Evonne Goolagong Cawley is a former world No. 1 tennis player who won a total of 14 Grand Slam titles. She was the first Indigenous Australian to win a Grand Slam title and went on to win seven in singles and seven in doubles. Goolagong Cawley was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1988.
- Born: July 31, 1951
- Place of Birth: Griffith, New South Wales, Australia
- Current Residence: Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia
- Year of Professional Competition: 1970-1983
- Achievements: 14 Grand Slam titles, 2-time year-end World No. 1 in singles
- Awards: Australian of the Year (1971), Officer of the Order of Australia (1982)
3. Ashleigh Barty
Ashleigh Barty is currently the world No. 1 tennis player and has won a total of 14 career singles titles, including the 2019 French Open. She is known for her versatile playing style and is one of the most popular players on the WTA tour. Barty was awarded the Newcombe Medal in 2017, which is awarded to the most outstanding Australian tennis player of the year.
- Born: April 24, 1996
- Place of Birth: Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
- Current Residence: Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
- Year of Professional Competition: 2010-present
- Achievements: 14 career singles titles, 2019 French Open champion, 2020 WTA Player of the Year
- Awards: Newcombe Medal (2017, 2018, 2019), Young Australian of the Year (2020)
4. Daphne Akhurst
Daphne Akhurst was an Australian tennis player who dominated the women’s game in the 1920s. She won the Australian Open five times, including four consecutive titles from 1925 to 1928, and was the first Australian woman to win Wimbledon in 1925.
- Born: April 22, 1903
- Place of Birth: Ashfield, New South Wales, Australia
- Died: January 9, 1933 (aged 29)
- Place of Death: Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
- Year of Professional Competition: 1922-1930
- Achievements: 5-time Australian Open champion, 1-time Wimbledon champion
- Awards: None
Daphne Akhurst showed an early aptitude for tennis and began playing competitively at the age of 15. In 1922, she won her first national title, the Australian Women’s Championship, and continued to dominate the women’s game in Australia for the next several years.
5. Samantha Stosur
Samantha Stosur is a former world No. 4 tennis player who has won a total of nine career singles titles and 38 doubles titles, including three Grand Slam doubles titles and one Grand Slam singles title. She is known for her powerful serve and forehand and is a popular player on the WTA tour.
- Born: March 30, 1984
- Place of Birth: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Current Residence: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
- Year of Professional Competition: 1999-present
- Achievements: 9 career singles titles, 3 Grand Slam doubles titles, 1 Grand Slam singles title
- Awards: Medal of the Order of Australia (2019)
6. Alicia Molik
Alicia Molik is a retired Australian tennis player who won a total of five career singles titles and six doubles titles. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 8 in the world in singles and was a member of Australia’s Fed Cup team that won the title in 2003.
- Born: January 27, 1981
- Place of Birth: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Year of Professional Competition: 1998-2008
- Achievements: 5 career singles titles, 6 doubles titles, 2004 Olympic bronze medalist in singles
- Awards: Australian Institute of Sport Athlete of the Year (2004)
7. Kerry Reid
Kerry Reid is a former Australian tennis player who won a total of seven Grand Slam titles, including one in singles, four in doubles, and two in mixed doubles. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 5 in the world in singles and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013.
- Born: August 7, 1947
- Place of Birth: Mordialloc, Victoria, Australia
- Year of Professional Competition: 1966-1985
- Achievements: 7 Grand Slam titles, 1977 Australian Open singles champion
- Awards: International Tennis Hall of Fame (2013)
8. Wendy Turnbull
Wendy Turnbull is a former Australian tennis player who won a total of nine Grand Slam titles, including one in singles, four in doubles, and four in mixed doubles. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world in singles and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1997.
- Born: November 26, 1952
- Place of Birth: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Year of Professional Competition: 1975-1989
- Achievements: 9 Grand Slam titles, 1980 Australian Open singles champion
- Awards: International Tennis Hall of Fame (1997)
9. Jelena Dokic
Jelena Dokic is a former Australian tennis player who reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 in the world in singles. She won a total of six career singles titles and two doubles titles and was a semifinalist at Wimbledon in 2000.
- Born: April 12, 1983
- Place of Birth: Osijek, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia (now Croatia)
- Current Residence: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Year of Professional Competition: 1998-2014
- Achievements: 6 career singles titles, semifinalist at Wimbledon (2000)
- Awards: Australian Institute of Sport Athlete of the Year (2000)
10. Casey Dellacqua
Casey Dellacqua is a retired Australian tennis player who achieved a career-high ranking of No. 26 in the world in singles and No. 3 in doubles. She won 1 career singles title and 10 doubles titles, including 3 Grand Slam doubles titles.
- Born: February 11, 1985
- Place of Birth: Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Current Residence: Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Year of Professional Competition: 2002-2018
- Achievements: 1 career singles title, 10 doubles titles including 3 Grand Slam doubles titles
- Awards: WTA Comeback Player of the Year (2014)
Read more: 10 British Female Tennis Players of All Time
Other Australian Women’s Tennis Players
| Ajla Tomljanovic | Hana Mandlikova | Lizette Cabrera |
| Anastasia Rodionova | Helen Gourlay | Michelle Jaggard-Lai |
| Arina Rodionova | Isabella Holland | Monika Wejnert |
| Chris O’Neil | Isabelle Wallace | Monique Adamczak |
| Christina Wheeler | Jade Hopper | Naiktha Bains |
| Daniela Di Toro | Jarmila Gajdosova | Nicole Bradtke |
| Daria Gavrilova | Jessica Moore | Nicole Pratt |
| Debbie Freeman | Johanna Konta | Olivia Rogowska |
| Destanee Aiava | Judy Tegart | Rennae Stubbs |
| Dianne Fromholtz | Julia Moriarty | Robyn Ebbern |
| Elizabeth Smylie | Kerry Harris | Sacha Jones |
| Ellen Perez | Laura Robson | Sara Tomic |
| Evie Dominikovic | Lesley Hunt | Sophie Ferguson |
| Gail Chanfreau | Lesley Turner Bowrey | |
In conclusion, Australian female tennis players have made a significant impact on the sport throughout the years. From Daphne Akhurst to Ashleigh Barty, these athletes have inspired countless fans with their talent, hard work, and dedication to their craft. Their achievements and contributions to the sport have not only earned them recognition in Australia but around the world. The legacy of these players continues to inspire future generations of tennis players, and we look forward to seeing more talented athletes from Australia in the years to come.