In the menโs game, the debate over who the greatest tennis player of all time is often tends to settle with three names: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
However, it does not feel as straightforward as the womenโs game, which has boasted legendary champions throughout the eras who are all hugely comparable.
In the end, it seems to be between Serena Williams, the contemporary champion, and Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, two of the greatest rivals ever.
Their entire careers are massively comparable, but it is perhaps better to compare their prime years. This is massively subjective, but in the end, it was settled on Williamsโ 2002 season, Navratilovaโs in 1983, and Evertโs 1974 campaign.
Perhaps comparing these might shed some light on who the real female GOAT is.
The year when Serena Williams won every Grand Slam match she played in
Starting with the most decorated Grand Slam champion of this trio, it felt difficult to pick just one year for the 23-time major champion.
In the end, 2002 was selected, purely for the fact that she did not lose a single match in the majors all year.
What did you make of Serena Williamsโ level on her return to singles?
Serena Williams is OUT of the Wimbledon singles eventโฆ
She sadly started the season off by missing the Australian Open through injury, but then went on to win Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, dropping just two sets across those three events.
Williams was totally dominant, and finished the year with a 91.8% win rate.
2013 was the other contender, given she lost just four matches all year at a better win rate of 95.1%. However, she won just two majors that year.
Serena Williamsโ return to tennis has naturally drawn so much interest, because her stature remains as huge and untouched as ever.
Martina Navratilovaโs historic 1983 campaign
Navratilovaโs 1983 season is widely seen as the greatest of all time.
After all, she lost just one match all year, boasting a win rate of 98.9%.
In doing so, the Czech-American star won three Grand Slam titles, with her only defeat coming in the fourth round of the French Open.
Chris Evertโs outstanding breakthrough year
Evert, when she broke onto the scene, was adored by everyone.
The outstanding American export who was the most marketable player on the planet, her 1974 season saw her win her first-ever Grand Slam title in Paris, the first of a record seven she would amass in Paris.
Evert also lost in the Australian Open final and the semi-final of the US Open, both times to Evonne Goolagong.
However, she inflicted similar devastation on Olga Morozova by beating her in the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals.ย
Who had the best prime out of Serena Williams, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova?
With this information compiled, it does feel easier to distinguish who had the best prime year out of this trio.
Sadly for Evert, despite her dominance and incredible rivalry with Navratilova, she falls short, having only won two majors at most in one year. Williams and Navratilova naturally have that edge with three.
Do you think women should play best-of-five set matches?
The fact that Williams didnโt lose a single match at the major level all season must count for something, but Navratilovaโs win percentage is truly unheard of.
That unparalleled level of being so unbeatable is what, on this occasion, gives the 69-year-old the edge, especially given she had to compete with Evert throughout her entire career.
As is always the case with debates such as these though, it is totally subjective.
