5 of the best WTA World No. 1s

#4 Chris Evert

When the WTA began producing rankings in November 1975, Chris Evert was the very first world number one.

Chris Evert holds the distinction of being the first WTA world number one. She has won the French Open singles seven times, a record she shares with Serena Williams. Her career singles win-loss record of 1309-146 gives her a winning % of 89.96, the highest for any player, male or female, in the Open Era.

On clay courts, her winning % of 94.55 is a WTA record. She won at least one Grand Slam for thirteen consecutive years, from 1974 through 1986, a record. Evert ended 5 consecutive years as the world number one from 1974 to 1978.

Though frequent doubles partners and good friends off the court, her fierce rivalry on-court with Martina Navratilova is one of the best in Tennis history. The two dominated the women's Tennis scene for more than a decade from 1976 to 1987 before the emergence of Steffi Graf.

She has won 10 Grand Slams on clay, seven French Opens and three US Opens (which were played on clay from 1975 through 1977), a feat bettered only by Rafael Nadal (11 titles in Roland Garros). She remains the best lady Tennis player on clay.