Search for active players ...
The Final Curtains for the All-Time Greats
The Last Matches of Tennis's Female Legends
The conclusion of a tennis player's career often comes with its share of drama, emotion, and, inevitably, a final match that remains a poignant part of their legacy. For the greatest female players of all time, their last appearances on the court have been moments of intense battles, showcasing their resilience, skill, and the inevitable passage of time that even legends cannot escape. Among these titans, Ashleigh Barty stands out as the sole player to triumph in her final professional match, while the others, despite their illustrious careers, faced defeats that marked the end of their era.
The Lone Victory: Ashleigh Barty
Ashleigh Barty's farewell to professional tennis came with a crowning glory not often seen in the sport's history. At the Australian Open in 2022, Barty, ranked No. 1 globally, faced Danielle Collins in a final that would be her last professional match. In a display of skill and determination, Barty won 6-3, 7-6(2), securing not just another Grand Slam title but also a rare feat of retiring as a champion.
The Illustrious Defeats
While Barty's exit was victorious, other legends of the game weren't as fortunate in their final bows, though their defeats take nothing away from their incredible careers.
Serena Williams, a titan of the game, faced Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open. In a gripping match, Williams fought valiantly before succumbing 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-1, ending a career that had profoundly changed women's tennis.
Margaret Court, with a record that speaks volumes of her dominance, encountered Rosie Casals in Minneapolis in 1977. Court's final match ended in a 6-4, 7-5 defeat, but her legacy as one of the game's greatest was already cemented.
Steffi Graf, another icon, concluded her illustrious career against Martina Hingis in Tokyo in 1999. The match, a battle between two generations, saw Graf fall 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, a testament to the shifting tides of tennis supremacy.
Martina Navratilova, whose career spanned decades and included countless victories, faced Claudine Schaul in 2005. Navratilova's final match, a loss of 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, highlighted the incredible longevity and competitiveness of her career.
Chris Evert, synonymous with grace and excellence on the court, ended her professional journey with a loss to Monica Seles in 1989, a passing of the torch to the next generation of stars.
A Pattern of Passion and Transition
Each of these final matches, from Serena Williams' fierce battle in New York to Chris Evert's graceful exit in Houston, illustrates not just the end of individual careers but the ongoing evolution of women's tennis. These matches were more than just losses; they were celebratory moments of incredible careers, with fans and fellow players alike paying tribute to the impact these women had on the sport.
The defeats suffered by these legends in their final professional matches do not diminish their achievements but rather highlight the intense competitiveness and ever-evolving nature of tennis. Each player, in her own right, has set benchmarks, broken records, and inspired generations of players who followed.
Ashleigh Barty's unique exit as a victor in her final match adds a distinctive note to the narrative of tennis retirements. It serves as a reminder that while the end of a career is inevitable, the manner of departure can vary greatly. Yet, whether through victory or defeat, the legacy of these players is defined by their incredible contributions to the sport, their unmatched skill, and the indelible mark they have left on the hearts of tennis fans around the world.
The table below shows the final match of the all-time greats.
2022-08-29
Us Open
R32
Ajla Tomljanovic
Serena Williams
7-5 6-7(4) 6-1
2022-01-17
Australian Open
F
Ashleigh Barty
Danielle Collins
6-3 7-6(2)
2021-10-06
Indian Wells
R128
Katerina Siniakova
Kim Clijsters
6-1 2-6 6-2
2020-01-20
Australian Open
R128
Donna Vekic
Maria Sharapova
6-3 6-4
2015-04-18
Fed Cup WG PO: POL vs SUI
RR
Urszula Radwanska
Martina Hingis
4-6 7-5 6-1
2011-01-17
Australian Open
R32
Svetlana Kuznetsova
Justine Henin
6-4 7-6(8)
2009-08-31
US Open
R64
Aleksandra Wozniak
Amelie Mauresmo
6-4 6-0
2006-09-25
Luxembourg
R32
Alona Bondarenko
Mary Pierce
6-3 6-3
2005-06-13
s Hertogenbosch
R32
Claudine Schaul
Martina Navratilova
4-6 6-1 6-4
2004-11-01
Philadelphia
QF
Vera Zvonareva
Jennifer Capriati
6-0 6-1
2003-02-10
Doha
R16
Lina Krasnoroutskaya
Monica Seles
7-5 7-5
2002-04-01
Sarasota
R32
Janette Husarova
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario
6-4 6-1
1999-02-02
Tokyo
QF
Martina Hingis
Steffi Graf
3-6 6-2 6-4
1996-10-14
Zurich
R32
Jennifer Capriati
Gabriela Sabatini
6-3 6-4
1994-02-14
Oklahoma
R16
Zina Garrison
Tracy Austin
6-1 6-3
1989-04-24
Houston
F
Monica Seles
Chris Evert
3-6 6-1 6-4
1984-07-25
Sydney Indoors
RR
Manuela Maleeva Fragniere
Billie Jean King
7-5 3-6 6-2
1977-01-24
Minneapolis
QF
Rosie Casals
Margaret Court
6-4 7-5
