Serena Williams is set to make an emphatic return to Wimbledon later this month.
The American superstar made her return to the sport at the start of June after a four-year absence.
Serena will compete in the Wimbledon Women’s Singles event for the first time since 2022 after being awarded a wildcard for the main draw.
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The 44-year-old is one of the most successful individuals in tournament history, with seven titles to her name.
However, there is one other player who boasts a better record than Serena in the singles event.
Martina Navratilova has won the most Wimbledon Women’s Singles titles in the Open Era
Martina Navratilova is the most successful player in Wimbledon history.
The Czech-American won nine women’s singles titles during her career, more than the likes of Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, and Billie Jean King.
Players with the most Wimbledon Women’s Singles titles in the Open Era
| Player | Women’s Singles titles | Year |
| Martina Navratilova | 9 | 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990 |
| Steffi Graf | 7 | 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996 |
| Serena Williams | 7 | 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016 |
| Venus Williams | 5 | 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008 |
| Billie Jean King | 4 | 1968, 1972, 1973, 1975 |
| Chris Evert | 3 | 1974, 1976, 1981 |
| Evonne Goolagong | 2 | 1971, 1980 |
| Petra Kvitova | 2 | 2011, 2014 |
Navratilova won her first in 1978, beating rival Chris Evert 2–6, 6–4, 7–5 in the final.
A year later, the Czech-American secured her second title, beating Evert in the final once again.
After missing out on the title in 1980 and 1981, Navratilova recorded one of the most historic winning runs at a singles tennis event.
The tennis icon captured six consecutive Wimbledon titles, winning 47 matches in a row at the tournament.
During the period, Navratilova recorded a 74-match win streak in 1984, going 86-1 on the year.
Navratilova won her ninth – and final – Wimbledon Women’s Singles title in 1990, beating Zina Garrison 6-1, 6-4 in the final.
“There were no glitches this time; everything came up nines,” she said after clinching the title, as per Wimbledon.
“This tops it all, absolutely, because I’ve worked so hard.”
Martina Navratilova also dominated the Wimbledon doubles events
Between 1976 and 2003, Navratilova won 11 major titles across the Wimbledon Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles events.
She won her first alongside Chris Evert, beating Billie Jean King and Betty Stöve in the 1976 women’s doubles final, 6–1, 3–6, 7–5.
Around 27 years later, Navratilova won her final Wimbledon title.
Paired with Indian doubles star Leander Paes, Navratilova won her fourth Wimbledon Mixed Doubles title.
Navratilova and Paes defeated Andy Ram and Anastasia Rodionova 6-3, 6-3 in the final.
“All my titles here are special but the last one was eight years ago and I never thought I’d play again after that,” said Navratilova after clinching the title.
“It’s been a great ride and this is very, very special.”
By triumphing alongside Paes, Navratilova had claimed a record-equalling 20th Wimbledon title.
Navratilova went on to win her final major title at the 2006 US Open, winning the mixed doubles title.
It was her 59th Grand Slam title across all formats.
