Top five oldest champions in WTA Tour

The legendary Billie Jean King is the oldest female champion in the WTA Tour.

Tennis has witnessed several young stars dominate the sport from the onset, with the likes of Mirra Andreeva scaling new heights. That said, experienced players have often defied the odds to win titles, proving the adage, ‘age is no barrier’.

On that note, let’s take a look at the top five women who demonstrated remarkable mental resilience and longevity during their careers, to cement their spot in the history books.

5. Francesca Schiavone – 36 years, 9 months, and 23 days

In her late 36, Francesca Schiavone triumphed over Lara Arruabarrena to win the 2017 Copa Colsanitas, claiming the eighth and final WTA singles title of her career.

The Italian, who famously won the 2010 French Open, was also a finalist at Roland Garros in 2011 and reached a career-high ranking of World No. 4. Her victory in Bogota was a fitting finale to a remarkable career, which ended on a high note.

4. Martina Navratilova – 37 years, 4 months, and 2 days

The legendary Martina Navratilova announced that 1994 would be her final year on tour. She took on local favorite Julie Halard, in the final of 1994 Paris Indoors. The Parisian crowd supported the American icon instead, cheering her on to her 167th and final singles title, a record that still stands.

One of the most successful tennis players of all time, Navratilova won a total of 18 Grand Slam singles titles and was ranked as the world No. 1 in women’s singles for 332 weeks.

3. Serena Williams – 38 years, 3 months, and 17 days

Another American legend, Serena Williams, emerged victorious in the 2020 ASB Classic, overcoming fellow counterpart Jessica Pegula in the final. Williams faced an early challenge, trailing 3-1 in the first set. She rallied to win five consecutive games, taking the set 6-3.

Williams secured a crucial break at 2-1 in the second set and maintained her lead to clinch the match. This title was her first since becoming a mother and her 73rd overall.

2. Kimiko Date-Krumm – 38 years, 11 months, and 30 days

Unseeded Kimiko Date-Krumm, one day short of her 39th birthday, became the second-oldest player in the Open era to win a singles title on the WTA Tour. The Japanese player won the 2009 Hansol Korea Open, a women’s tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts.

Date-Krumm showed her experience and defeated second seed Anabel Medina Garrigues in straight sets in the final. This victory marked her eighth career title and her first in 13 years.

1. Billie Jean King – 39 years, 7 months, and 23 days

The oldest WTA winner, Billie Jean King achieved this feat in the 1983 Edgbaston Cup, crushing Alycia Moulton during the title clash. King scored a bagel in the first set, while the second set was more competitive. Moulton’s double fault at the crucial moment helped King seal the win in the 58th minute.

The American player was so dominant that she lost only 13 points on her serve in the entire match. The former World No. 1 tennis player won 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles.

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