When most people think of women’s tennis over the last two decades, a few names instantly come to mind: Serena and Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, maybe even Naomi Osaka in recent years. These players have defined eras, dominated headlines, and brought the sport into mainstream culture.
But behind the brilliance of these global icons, there were other exceptional players who consistently performed at the highest level yet never quite got the same recognition. They lifted trophies, reached world number one rankings, and even played in Grand Slam finals. Still, compared to their superstar counterparts, their names don’t resonate as strongly outside hardcore tennis circles.
Here are 5 such underrated and under-celebrated women’s players who deserve more appreciation:
1. Sloane Stephens
Sloane Stephens made the tennis world pay attention when she won the US Open in 2017. Stephens’ journey to the title was remarkable, especially considering she was ranked outside the top 900 at No.957 earlier that year due to injury. She showcased incredible grit, defeating some of the world’s best players on her way to the trophy.
Yet, unlike her contemporaries, Stephens never got the same long-term spotlight. Despite reaching the 2018 French Open final and being one of the most naturally gifted movers on court, she often gets overlooked in conversations about the greats of her generation.
2. Magdaléna Rybáriková
Magdaléna Rybáriková’s name doesn’t come up often in casual tennis talk, but her career deserves a closer look. The Slovak player had a fluid grass-court game that peaked beautifully in 2017 when she reached the Wimbledon semifinals. That run included wins over strong, established players, and her variety-heavy style made her a refreshing presence on the tour.
Injuries held her back from consistent top-tier success, but those who watched her play knew how technically gifted she was. While the Williams sisters were crushing the ball from the baseline, Rybáriková was slicing and dicing, scoring points that made her feel like an artist on court.
3. Barbora Záhlavová-Strýcová
Barbora Strýcová, from the Czech Republic, may be better remembered for her doubles success later in her career, but she was also an incredibly resilient singles player. Known for her fiery personality, she reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 2019 and spent years grinding it out on tour.
Her career-high singles ranking of world No. 16 doesn’t quite reflect how dangerous she could be on any given day. Strýcová often had to play in the shadows of more celebrated Czech stars like Petra Kvitová, but she left a mark with her competitiveness and flair.
4. Jelena Janković
It’s surprising how little Jelena Janković gets talked about today, considering she was once the world number one. In 2008, she reached the US Open final and the semifinals of both the Australian Open and French Open, showcasing just how consistent she was at the highest level.
Janković collected 15 WTA titles across her career and was known for her rock-solid baseline play and court coverage. But because she didn’t WIN a Grand Slam trophy, her career often gets overshadowed by players like Sharapova or Clijsters, who did.
5. Dinara Safina
The name Dinara Safina deserves far more weight in tennis conversations. Not only did she reach world number one in 2009, but she also made three Grand Slam finals and earned an Olympic silver medal in 2008. Safina’s power-heavy baseline game was dominant during her peak years, and for a time, she looked poised to be the next big star.
However, injuries cut her career short, and she often unfairly faced criticism for holding the No. 1 ranking without winning a Slam. Safina was a highly consistent player across surfaces, and her play deserved to be talked about more.
Tennis history often celebrates the superstars, and rightly so, but it sometimes forgets the incredible players who came close to the very top. For every Serena, Venus, or Sharapova, there were athletes like Janković and Safina, who reached world number one, or Stephens, who won a Grand Slam, yet didn’t become household names.
These women were integral to making the WTA tour as competitive and compelling as it has been. They pushed the superstars, created unforgettable matches, and inspired a generation of young players. And while they may not be the first names that come to mind for casual fans, they do deserve a place in the larger conversation about women’s tennis.
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Yash Desai is a renowned journalist with over 10+ years of experience covering sports around the world. He began his career as a News Reporter in Delhi, India, and got an opportunity to cover several World events, including the Olympics, Paralympics, and World Games. He often felt that women’s sports are sidelined and given step-motherly treatment by the mainstream media. To bridge this gap and to build an equal playing field, Yash co-founded FemaleInSports and is currently working as a Lead Editor here.
