From Serena Williams and Margaret Court on the women’s side to the Nadal Djokovic Federer generation, the Grand Slam tournaments have seen some huge legends since the Open era of tennis. Find out who holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles for men and women.
When you talk about Grand Slam tournaments, most tennis professionals will agree that winning a major trophy is a feat. And guess what, some tennis players have been bold enough to win more than one. The modern era has been marked by the undisputed dominance of the Big 4 (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray). On the women’s side, it was the inevitable Serena Williams who dominated the 21st century, although Iga Swiatek seems well on her way to making tennis history. Who do you think are the most decorated players in a major tournament? Here’s a look at the various tennis records concerning Grand Slam tournaments, including the holder of the men’s Grand Slam record.
Who holds the record for the most Grand Slams won by men?
With 32 major titles, Novak Djokovic leads the ranking for the most titles won in men’s singles. But Djokovic also holds the record for the most Grand Slams won in men’s competition. In total, the Serb has won 24 Grand Slam tournaments. With 10 Australian Opens, 3 Roland Garros, 7 Wimbledons and 4 US Opens, the Djoker is indeed the ultimate record holder in his sport. The recent Olympic champion took the lead in this men’s ranking by winning the 2023 Roland Garros tournament. Djokovic thus inscribed his name on this men’s record by erasing that of Rafael Nadal (22 Grand Slam tournaments), who himself had overtaken Roger Federer (20 titles).
The ranking of the most successful players in Grand Slam
To fully understand the undisputed dominance of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, here is a crazy statistic. Since 2010, only 7 players have managed to win a Grand Slam tournament. If Jannik Sinner (1 title) and Carlos Alcaraz (4 titles) represent the future, it is clear that the next generation has taken time. Here is the ranking of the most successful male players in Grand Slams.
Men’s Grand Slam record: the ranking
- Novak Djokovic (Serbia): 24 tournaments
- Rafael Nadal (Spain): 22 tournaments
- Roger Federer (Switzerland): 20 tournaments
- Pete Sampras (USA): 14 tournaments
- Roy Emerson (Australia): 12 tournaments
- Rod Laver (Australia): 11 tournaments
- Björn Borg (Sweden): 11 tournaments
- Bill Tilden (USA) : 10 tournois
- Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic): 8 tournaments
- Jimmy Connors (USA) : 8 tournois
The handover takes time between Alcaraz (21 years old) and Djokovic (37 years old). Here at Wimbledon 2024 – Source: Icon Sport
Who won all 4 Grand Slam tournaments in the same year?
In total, only Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic have managed to win all 4 Grand Slam tournaments and the Olympic gold medal. But this feat was achieved throughout the careers of these legends. The calendar Grand Slam (the 4 tournaments won in the same season) has only been accomplished once in men’s singles (professional). Rod Laver achieved this feat in 1969, 7 years after having achieved this Calendar Slam among amateurs.
On the women’s tour, 2 players have won all 4 Grand Slam tournaments in the same season. Margaret Smith Court (1970) and Steffi Graf (1988) have forever marked the history of women’s tennis, with the German even managing to achieve the Golden Grand Slam by winning the gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Games. But do you know who has won the most Grand Slams among women?
Rod Laver holds many men’s grand slam records
Source : Icon Sport
Who has won the most Grand Slams among women?
With 30 major singles titles, Serena Williams leads the charts for most singles titles won. However, it is Margaret Smith Court who holds the helm when it comes to who has won the most Grand Slam tournaments among women. The Australian won 24 titles before and during the Open era, making her one of the greatest players of all time. Serena Williams (23) and Steffi Graf (22) complete the podium. Despite missing all the Grand Slam tournaments in 2024, Venus Williams remains the active player with the most Grand Slam tournaments (7). Iga Swiatek (5) could quickly topple that record, however.
The ranking of the most successful Grand Slam players
If we only consider the Open era exclusively, Serena Williams dominates the ranking of the most successful female players in Grand Slams. But it is indeed Margaret Court, tied with Djokovic in the men’s category, who holds the record for the number of major trophies (24). In total, 6 female tennis players have managed to win all 4 Grand Slam tournaments. In addition to Williams and Court, Christ Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and more recently Maria Sharapova have achieved the feat of winning on all tennis surfaces. Here is the ranking of the most successful female players in Grand Slams.
Women’s Grand Slam record: the ranking
- Margaret Smith Court (Australia): 24 tournaments
- Serena Williams (USA) : 23 tournois
- Steffi Graf (Germany): 22 tournaments
- Helen Wills (USA) : 19 tournois
- Martina Navratilova (Czech Republic): 18 tournaments
- Chris Evert (USA) : 18 tournois
- Billie Jean King (USA): 12 tournaments
- Monica Seles (Yugoslavia): 9 tournaments
- Maureen Connolly (USA) : 9 tournois
- Suzanne Lenglen (France): 8 tournaments
Nostalgic for the Greens, I rely on Klopp’s Reds to keep smiling. Seeking thrills through high mountain sports, I vibrate in front of my TV through tennis, basketball, football and winter sports. Can’t wait to be behind the French Team at the Paris Olympic Games!
