RateItAll: The Opinion Network

A great champion and an intelligent beautiful woman. I admire as a woman and as an American citizen.

There is no way Graf can be viewed as better than Martina and for one reason: she did not have to face the same, consistent high level of same-generation opponents in collecting her 22 grand slam singles titles. Her major opponent ended up being Arancha Sanchez-Vicario (who became famous as a runner-up to Graf) whereas Martina's major opponent was Chris Evert, who herself won 18 grand slam singles. Graf's major opponent should have been Monika Seles, but Seles unfortunately was taken out of the game by a knife attack at the point where she was consistently dominating Graf on every surface except for grass. Finally, at the point when Graf played both Evert and Navratilova both of the latter two were in the twilight of their competitive careers and were over 30 (13 years older than Graf when she won her first French Open in 1987) - so a head-to-head comparison of results is hardly what could be called fair in this context.

Longevity, winning records against all of the other "greats" (except Seles)that she played against. Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles. 6 majors in a row. Time at number 1 only trails Graf even though she played regularly against Evert, Graf and Seles.

It is a shame that the primes of Graf and Martina came at different times. I would say Graf is the best female player ever- and Martina is so close at #2...I could actually argue with myself.

At her prime, one could argue that she was the best female athlete of all time. Made the breakthroughs that allowed women to be power players without worrying about appearing too effeminate for public image.

Martina is the greatest. It is not just a question of numbers, if it was then Margaret Court would come out on top. Martina's game was late to mature and she had great problems in her late teens. She was 18 years old when she defected in 1975 and had to leave her family behind. Despite all the well known difficulties in her life Martina came back and honed her game and achieved so much. In contrast Graf was 18 when she won her first grand slam beating a 30 year old Martina at the French in 1987. In 1975 Martina was 18 and lost grand slam finals to Evonne Goolagong and Chris Evert. She had to face truly great players in the 70's and had to contend with Chris Evert through most of her career. It is important to note that Evert and Martina both finished on 18 grand slams after a 15year rivalry, so how many times did they cost each other grand slam titles?
When Graf started to dominate in 1987, Martina(30years), Evert(32years) and Mandlikova were all well past their best and in decline.
After Seles's first win at the French in 1990 Graf only won 2 grand slams until the stabbing in 1993. After the stabbing Graf won 6 grand slams while Seles was absent and more when Seles returned as Seles never regained her previous form. The Seles stabbing has to put a question mark on Graf's grand slam trophy total and it deprived us of a truly great rivalry.
Another factor which affects Martina's grand slam total is that in the 1970's the Australian and French Opens were less prestigious and Martina did not even play in them many times. As late as 1986 the Australian Open was not even held that year.
Martina also won 6 consecutive grand slams compared to Graf's best run of 5. Martina also comes out ahead on the record for consecutive winning matches (74 to 66). Martina and Graf finished at 9 wins each from all their matches.
There is not doubt that Graf was a better clay court player than Martina. However Martina's record on clay is still great. She won the French 2 times and lost 3 finals to Chris Evert and 1 to Graf. In 1984 she annhilated Evert in the French open final and thus at the same time held all 4 grand slam singles and doubles titles. The other record that must not be forgotton is the record 6 consecutive Wimbledon wins from 9 consecutive finals.

She didn't win a calendar year grand slam but she did win all four majors, and more. She seemed to be her own worst opponent, only losing when having a mental break down. Who could blame her for the occasional loss of concentration when in every final the crowd wanted her opponent to win regardless. She proved her dominance by always playing singles and doubles in tournaments, and by continuing to play professionally while in her 40's. It seems like everybody always found fault with her and over-looked all the positive attributes.

She is great - and she would be the greatest if there wouldnt be Steffi Graf... She won 9 Wimbledons, yes. But just 2 French Open. She was very very dominant- but never won the Grand Slam. Graf won 7 Wimbledons and 6 French. Graf was as dominant on grass as on clay as on hardcourt. She was more consistant and won more in a shorter period. The facts are clear: second to Graf.

O.K. for a lezbo.

clearly the best of all time. 9 Wimbledon titles. Far superior to Chris Evert. She crushed her all the time.

I saw Martina Navaratilova at the us open and she wouldn't give me a autograph but she smiled at me.

very tough to separate although i would point out martina had chris evert around for a large majority which she took alot of slams off her,but graf had a huge advantage when seles was stabbed,seles was certainly on a roll having definetely gotten the better of graf,as soon as seles was stabbed she won 8 of the 9 slams she then resumed her confidence and was another player unfortunately seles was never the same player so history and unfortunate events its hard to say what impresses me about martina she like jimmy conners has survived so many different player generations evert,cawley,court,manlicova,seles,graf and has even competed with williams and hingis that must be counted for something so without sitting on the fence i think graf was the better player although i feel navratilova was the more complete player and would have had the better record had evert not been around and the stabbing had not have effected seles as she would have had more of a longer rivilary against graf limited her slams stevek

SHE, OR HE NEVER LIKE ME....

a wonderful breathtaking player and athlete. perhaps that one with the best touch ever. also such an impressive personality that real champions are made of. for me she is on one level with graf and court. she was dominating nearly as long as graf did and improved the game like her. a legend. at least its a bit a question of personal taste to put her in front or behind steffi graf. if you re looking on singles, doubles and mixed - she is the greatest without a question. as a single player there is a small advantage for graf. graf was more balanced winning on every surface. she was also near to break navratilovas wimbledon single record when she retired. she did a golden slam, was longer worlds number 1, won more major-titles in a much shorter time. navratilova was the more giftet player, but graf had this tramendous will-power and physical strength. so i say: a minimal advantage for graf. both are nearly at the same legendary level.

She was so gracious to me this year at the Athens 2004 Games. It was the day after she had lost her match and I sat next to her at the swimming. As we were leaving my husband said I should ask her if she minded taking a photo with me. I have never asked such a question in my life but she is my all time favourite athlete. She gladlly obliged and the photo is something I will cherish forever. I can't believe she is ambidextrous, she is simply Magnificent!!

No man or woman has won more titles- She is the greatest we have seen or will ever see She continues to be a living legend- her longevity is amazing

one doesn't need to be martina's fan to admit that she is the best...as much as other players have their own adventages, martina has proved all these years her class... that;s just the fact

Hey, This is a really though one. But I think Steffis Grand Slam and Olympic gold in the same year its just too heavy. Besides # of individual Grand Slams earned. I would said Steffi is the best singles player and Martina the best overall (singles, doubles and Mixed combined)

I can say only The greatest female tennis player of every time incredible success in singles doubles and mixed-doubles, o.k. Graf has won more grand-slam singles, Court won more titles altogether (but it was in a different age of tennis)but sche dominated tennis in a way on and off court no one came to her top. evert and graf were great too, but her whole carreer was so unbreakabele, becouse evert and graf only were top in singles!

Martina is the greatest at all the times.

Simply the Best! Played against better quality competition (Billie Jean, Goolagong, Evert, Austin, Mandlikova, Graf, Seles) than anyone else, esp Graf who won most of her titles after Seles went away. Also the best double player ever. Plus, she did a lot for Women's tennis unlike Graf who just counted cash and didn't give anything back to the game.

One proof that Navratilova is the greatest tennis player is that she still plays until now!!! Although only play in double sector, but it's amazing to be the champion again. But she had experienced everything to cement her reputation as the greatest tennis player. She played at all sectors and had a most memorable rivalry in the sport with her nemesis, Chris Evert. Both won same number of grand slam, but Navratilova won more in common tournaments, doubles sectors as well and won the rivalry slightly from so many encounters with Evert. About French Open, she managed to reach final, but lost to Chris Evert who was better on clay, and it often happened! it proved that Navratilova is also very good at clay court, and only her archrival, Chris could beat her, no one else. In her old days, when she was >30, she was still able to reach final at Wimbledon, where she had the aura of invincibility there, competed with the youngsters!! That's why I choose her as the best tennis player. Her achievement when she's at peak (or not) is magnificent but truly tested, fair and not easily got. Same as Martina, Chris may be the greatest as well, but with very careful analysis and statistics, Navratilova is slightly on the top.

No one could beat her when she was at her very best.....no one.

RateItAll, she is not done yet. She is well into her 40s and still succeeding in doubles tournaments. Perhaps not the greatest singles player anymore, if what I just saw in the French Open is any indication.

I had the pleasure of seeing Martina play in person several times in the '90's. Her physical conditioning was absolutely incredible. Probably the most talented player ever to set foot on a court. Downgraded one star due to her decision to switch from skirts to shorts. Too many other women copied this horrible trend.

I realize her sexuality has polarized some people, but...9 Wimbledons!!! WOW!!!

Martina is the greatest so far, she herself is an Institution..Steffi is undoubtedly great .. But since Seles was absent steffi did not have any potential rival and she could bag so many titles..But Martina encountered many great players over the years.. She is still going..she is really respected

The most exciting female tennis player to watch ever, with class and grace to boot.

She was dominant only at Wimbledon. Graf won 1 more U.S. Open, two more Australian Opens, and three more French Opens...

hey, fm the time i´ve known martina, i´ve loved her, not only for the game for which she was, is and will be unrivalled, but also for the person she is and the ideals that she stands for.and with winning tournaments at this age!!!!!, me thinks that she is truly a blessed woman. that sez it all i guess. yes there can be hundreds of martinas, but never a martina navratilova.

Very skillful, talented and extremely athletic, but at times arrogant about her own achievements and disrespectful towards others. Interestingly, she shares the later trait in common with her namesake, Hingis. Yet still, all in all, a great player for the sport of women's tennis. I especially give her props for being able to show a very human side after her 1981 loss to Austin in the U.S. Open finals. Like Novotna at Wimbledon, she gained more respect (i.e., not pity) through this particular open display of vulnerability than in many of her actual victories. She was more than a tennis player; she was a human being.

There's no way she should be ranked above Steffi Graf. Graf won 22 slams to Martina's 18, Graf won every slam at least four times (the only player to do that), Graf won the Grand Slam in 88 (Martina never did that either), Graf spent more weeks at #1 on the computer than anybody in history (man OR woman), and Graf made more money than any other woman player in history.

martina navratilova is the greatest tennis player of all time, hands down. She had the serve, the volley, speed, intelligence, and demure to beat any player . If she were as young as the williams sisters, she would have beaten them down. Martina's only weakness was that she got nervous under pressure. She had to be a frontrunner in a match in order to win . She has some of the greatest records of all the top women. Only Steffi could rival her. Her 6 straight grand slams, a non-calendar grand slam, weeks at number one(secodn to steffi), prizemoney(second to steffi), triple crown at the 87' us open, 9 wimbledons, 167 singles titles, 169 doubles titles , proves she is by far the greatest.

Still playing after all these years best doubles ever singles almost never got the respect of peers but she rules for longevity and contribution to the sport. Good Health!

Would have been the best had it not been for Steffi.

this isn't even a realistic question. she is so far ahead of the rest and still winning grand slam titles in her forties

Absolutely the best female tennis player of all time, I have no doubt. Her fierce determination and will to do her best at all costs put her in a league of her own. Sensational tennis and some of the best female tennis matches I have seen to date. Just loved her and Pam Shriver in doubles. Martina ruled when it came to tennis and her matches were always interesting and exciting. Go Martina!

Martina is arguably the best player ever. Even though she got committed to being her best late and was not quite as consistent as Chrissie, she ended up being as accommplished, if not more, than her great rival. Also, I am amazed by her tremendous intelligence and glowing love of the game. She could not have done more for the game or for herself. Therefore, she is worthy of great respect and honor. Anyway, I loved her game. She forced the action and was very creative at the net.

Fat teenage kid from Czechoslovakia. Couldn't win the big ones. She reinvented herself. In fact, she reinvented women's tennis. Most effective women's serve of her time. Best women's net game of all time (sorry, Billie Jean, but Martina's movement up there was just so much better). Couldn't really hit a topspin backhand. Who cares - she didn't need one. 5 stars.

one word--- TOTALLY AWESOME okay thats two words but no one can rate her with one word

Martina is the best female tennis player of all time.

Her playing of singles, doubles and mixed makes here the #1 of all time.....Steffi and Chris were just about exclusively singles players.

Yep another excellent player. Martina was cool under fire and just disected and overpowered her opponents. However, this is another one that would be a tough sell in the sack. Now granted this is nothing to judge her ability as an athlete on I'm just tossing it in the ring as a matter of my overall opinion. Do with it as you may. Of course I also wouldn't be welcome in the sack (if you catch my drift). I think she and Ivan Lendel should have had a couple of wombat children who could have dominated the future of tennis.

How great was Martina? Well, not only is she is the most successful singles player of all-time, she is also the best doubles player in tennis history. It has been good to see her back playing doubles in a few tournaments recently and if she played regularly, I wouldn't be surprised to see her winning some of them.

Although Martina was so dominant during the 80´s, she gave a great legacy to the Women´s tennis: passion against all odds. The rivalery against Chris Evert has been one of the most exciting in this sport. Today Women´s tennis is boring and lack of interesting.

Women's tennis may have actually suffered (stifling my interest and others') because Martina was sooo dominant for sooo long. Like Larry Holmes in boxing, it would have been better if she'd had tougher competition.