Tennis Champions Who Became World No. 1 After Winning a Major

The Swedish legend reached the No. 1 ranking in July 1990, several months after winning his first US Open title in September 1989. His ascent to the top spot followed a period of consistent excellence and another Grand Slam victory at the 1990 French Open, solidifying his status as a top-tier competitor.

Courier captured the 1992 Australian Open and French Open titles before finally reaching the No. 1 ranking in April 1992. His rise to the top came after establishing himself as a dominant force in the early '90s, with his major successes providing the momentum needed to overtake Pete Sampras and Boris Becker.

While Hingis held the No. 1 ranking early in her career, she reclaimed the top spot in January 2000 after winning the 1999 Australian Open. This victory allowed her to reassert dominance over the tour, marking a significant resurgence after a brief stint lower in the rankings.

Agassi reached the No. 1 ranking for the first time in 1995 after winning the 1994 US Open and 1995 Australian Open. His climb to the summit was driven by his relentless improvement and major victories, particularly on hard courts, which finally allowed him to surpass Pete Sampras in the rankings.

Sampras claimed the No. 1 ranking in July 1993 after winning the 1993 Wimbledon title. This victory marked a turning point in his career, allowing him to overtake Jim Courier and establish himself as the premier player on grass and the world's best overall.

Serena Williams reached the No. 1 ranking in February 2002 after winning the 2001 Australian Open. Her dominance in the early 2000s was cemented by her major victories, which propelled her past Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport to claim the top spot in the WTA rankings.

Sharapova reached the No. 1 ranking in August 2005, shortly after winning her first and only Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2004. Her victory on Centre Court against Serena Williams launched her into the stratosphere, allowing her to ascend to the top of the WTA rankings later that year.

Federer reached the No. 1 ranking in February 2004 after winning the 2003 Australian Open title. His unprecedented run of success, particularly on grass and hard courts, allowed him to take the top spot from Lleyton Hewitt and begin an era of dominance that lasted for years.

Nadal reached the No. 1 ranking in August 2010 after winning the 2010 French Open and US Open. His relentless clay-court mastery and subsequent success on other surfaces allowed him to finally claim the top spot, ending a long tenure at the number two position behind Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic reached the No. 1 ranking in May 2011 after winning the 2011 French Open and subsequent titles. His consistency and mental toughness, demonstrated by his major victories, allowed him to overtake Rafael Nadal and begin a historic period at the summit of the ATP rankings.

Osaka reached the No. 1 ranking in February 2019 after winning the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open. Her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game allowed her to surge past Simona Halep and Karolina Pliskova to claim the top spot in the WTA rankings.

Halep reached the No. 1 ranking in January 2018 after winning the 2017 French Open. Her strategic play and defensive skills, highlighted by her major victory at Roland Garros, allowed her to climb the rankings and surpass Karolina Pliskova to become the world's best player.

Pliskova reached the No. 1 ranking in August 2017 after winning the 2017 Western & Southern Open, but more importantly, her consistent major performances, including reaching three Grand Slam finals, propelled her to the top. She took the spot from Venus Williams, marking a significant achievement in her career.

Jankovic reached the No. 1 ranking in July 2008 after winning the 2007 China Open and other tournaments. Although she did not win a Grand Slam, her consistent performance and deep runs in majors, including reaching the US Open final, allowed her to climb to the top spot.

Azarenka reached the No. 1 ranking in January 2013 after winning the 2012 Australian Open and 2012 US Open. Her dominant form in 2012, capped by two major titles, allowed her to overtake Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams to claim the top spot in the WTA rankings.

Murray reached the No. 1 ranking in November 2016 after winning the 2016 Australian Open. His perseverance and resilience, demonstrated by his major victory and subsequent consistent performances, allowed him to finally reach the top spot, ending a long period of being ranked second behind Novak Djokovic.

Hewitt reached the No. 1 ranking in January 2002 after winning the 2001 US Open and 2002 Australian Open. His relentless baseline play and mental toughness, highlighted by his major victories, allowed him to take the top spot from Pete Sampras and Roger Federer.

Navratilova reached the No. 1 ranking in May 1981 after winning the 1981 French Open. Her dominance on clay and hard courts, along with her major victories, allowed her to climb the rankings and become one of the most successful players in tennis history.

Evert reached the No. 1 ranking in May 1975 after winning the 1974 French Open and other titles. Her consistency and skill on all surfaces, particularly clay, allowed her to maintain a long reign at the top of the WTA rankings.

Borg reached the No. 1 ranking in June 1977 after winning the 1976 Wimbledon and 1977 French Open. His powerful groundstrokes and mental fortitude allowed him to dominate the tour and claim the top spot, establishing himself as one of the greatest players in history.

Lendl reached the No. 1 ranking in March 1983 after winning the 1982 French Open and 1983 Australian Open. His consistent baseline play and major victories allowed him to take the top spot from John McEnroe and begin his own era of dominance in men's tennis.