Iga Swiatek’s remarkable run near the summit of the WTA rankings has come to an end, prompting a look back at the select group of women who have spent the most time entrenched in the top 2. Achieving and maintaining a top 2 ranking in professional tennis requires not only exceptional skill but also incredible consistency and mental fortitude. These players represent the pinnacle of women’s tennis, consistently delivering high-level performances week after week, year after year.
Here are the 9 women who have spent the most weeks inside the top 2 of the WTA rankings:
1. Martina Navratilova: 452 Weeks
Martina Navratilova’s reign at the top of women’s tennis is legendary. With a staggering 452 weeks inside the top 2, she stands as the undisputed queen of consistency. Her powerful serve-and-volley game, combined with her relentless athleticism and competitive spirit, allowed her to dominate the sport for over a decade. Navratilova’s career spanned the late 1970s through the early 1990s, a period during which she captured 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles, and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.
Navratilova also holds the record for finishing at WTA No. 1 for five consecutive years. The American was ranked in the World Top 10 in singles for 19 years (1976-1994), including five consecutive years at No. 1 (1982-1986). Navratilova won 13 Grand Slam titles over only 5 years. She spent a massive total of 332 weeks at the No. 1 spot and was ranked No. 1 in doubles for 237 weeks (191 consecutive).
2. Chris Evert: 424 Weeks
Chris Evert, Navratilova’s contemporary and greatest rival, comes in a close second with 424 weeks inside the top 2. Evert’s impeccable baseline game, characterized by her unwavering focus, relentless consistency, and remarkable court coverage, made her a formidable opponent on any surface. She captured 18 Grand Slam singles titles during her illustrious career and was the first-ever World No. 1 when the WTA rankings were presented in November 1975. She held the position for many stints throughout her career, with her longest being 113 weeks from 1976 to 1978. Evert’s overall time as No. 1 reached 260 weeks, representing her consistent dominance during her span of time.
3. Steffi Graf: 377 Weeks
Steffi Graf’s name is synonymous with power and athleticism. With 377 weeks at world number 1, Graf is the only player to hold the title of most weeks at No. 1 for both WTA and ATP. Graf first ascended to No. 1 in August 1987 and remained there until March 1991, a remarkable 186 weeks, tied for the longest sequential streak with Serena Williams. After trading the top spot with Monica Seles for several years, Graf regained control and gathered a total of 377 weeks at No. 1 by March 1997. This record remains undefeated in women’s tennis.
4. Serena Williams: 351 Weeks
Serena Williams’ career is defined by sheer dominance and an unparalleled will to win. With 319 weeks at number 1 overall, Serena comes in with 351 weeks inside the top 2. Williams drew level with Steffi Graf (Germany) for the most consecutive weeks as world No.1 (female) by recording an unbroken run of 186 weeks at the top – a streak that began on 18 February 2013 and ended on 5 September 2016. Graf racked up 186 weeks in a row between 17 August 1987 and 4 March 1991. Up to and including her final week as world No. 1 (w/c 5 September 2016), Williams had amassed a total of 309 weeks at the top of the rankings – in six different stints.
5. Monica Seles: 283 Weeks
Monica Seles burst onto the scene in the late 1980s and quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. Her aggressive, two-handed style of play and fierce determination led her to eight Grand Slam singles titles before the age of 20. Despite her career being tragically interrupted by an on-court stabbing in 1993, Seles still managed to accumulate 283 weeks inside the top 2, showcasing her immense talent and resilience. Monica Seles became No. 1 in March 1991, ending Graf’s record-breaking 186-week streak. Regrettably, Seles’ career was broken in 1993 when she was stabbed on the court, preventing her from adding more weeks to her tally. In spite of the tragedy, she somehow managed to return to the top in 1995, finishing with 178 weeks at No. 1.
6. Martina Hingis: 249 Weeks
Martina Hingis, a prodigy of the late 1990s, captivated audiences with her intelligent, all-court game. Her tactical brilliance and exceptional court sense allowed her to outmaneuver opponents and capture five Grand Slam singles titles. Hingis spent 209 weeks at number 1 overall. Despite her relatively short career, Hingis amassed 249 weeks inside the top 2, a testament to her remarkable talent and impact on the game.
7. Lindsay Davenport: 220 Weeks
Lindsay Davenport, known for her powerful groundstrokes and imposing presence on the court, consistently ranked among the top players in the world throughout her career. Her success was a product of her clean ball-striking and aggressive baseline game. Davenport spent a total of 98 weeks at number 1 and 220 weeks inside the top 2, solidifying her status as one of the most consistent players of her era.
8. Justine Henin: 218 Weeks
Justine Henin, with her elegant style and lethal backhand, dominated women’s tennis in the early 2000s. Henin captured seven Grand Slam singles titles and spent 117 weeks at number 1 overall. Henin’s aggressive baseline game and mental toughness allowed her to overcome taller and more powerful opponents, earning her 218 weeks inside the top 2.
9. Iga Swiatek: 133 Weeks
Iga Swiatek, the current dominant force in women’s tennis, has quickly risen through the ranks to establish herself as one of the sport’s elite. The Poland native has won 22 WTA Tour-level singles titles, including five major titles: four at the French Open and one at the US Open. She has also won the 2023 WTA Finals and ten WTA 1000 titles. Iga Swiatek held the World No. 1 ranking for 75 consecutive weeks before relinquishing it to Aryna Sabalenka after the 2023 US Open. Swiatek’s 75-week streak is the third longest in tour history for a first-time No. 1, behind only Stefanie Graf (186) and Martina Hingis (80).
Her powerful game, combined with her mental resilience and tactical awareness, has allowed her to win multiple Grand Slam titles and reach the number 1 ranking. As of May 2025, Swiatek has spent 125 weeks at number 1 overall, seventh on the all-time list. Her current total of 133 weeks inside the top 2 is a testament to her consistency and dominance, and she is poised to climb even higher on this list in the years to come.
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