Raducanu, Swiatek, Schiavone… the 10 most improbable triumphs in women's tennis

Discover the ranking of the 10 most improbable triumphs in the modern history of women's tennis according to Tennis 365.

AFP

Arthur Millot

le 04/12/2025 à 18h08

2 min to read

Krejcikova O'Neil Ostapenko Pennetta Raducanu Schiavone Stephens Swiatek Vondrousova

Tennis 365 has revealed its ranking of the 10 most unexpected triumphs in the history of women's tennis.

10. Francesca Schiavone – Roland-Garros 2010

Seeded only No. 17, Schiavone was not in the conversation.

Nothing predestined her to become champion, especially against a Sam Stosur in top form, coming off victories over Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic.

But the 29-year-old Italian played the tennis of her life, delivering a perfect final to win 6-4, 7-6(2).

9. Barbara Jordan – Australian Open 1979

Ranked only 55th in the world, Jordan took advantage of a draw decimated by absences to carve out an unexpected path to the title.

She beat Mandlikova, Tomanova, then Sharon Walsh in the final before almost completely disappearing from the radar.

8. Sloane Stephens – US Open 2017

Five tournaments after a serious foot injury, Stephens is ranked 83rd in the world. No one sees her as a spoiler.

But her irresistible rise leads her to an all-American final and a swift victory over Madison Keys (6-3, 6-0).

7. Iga Swiatek – Roland-Garros 2020

Now a six-time Grand Slam champion, Swiatek was "nobody" before September 2020.

Ranked 54th in the world, with no WTA title, she beat Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-1 in the final.

6. Marketa Vondrousova – Wimbledon 2023

With a disastrous Wimbledon record (1-3), Vondrousova was on no one's list of favorites.

She survives Pegula, quiets Svitolina, then overcomes Ons Jabeur (6-4, 6-4) in a final where she embodies absolute composure.

She becomes the first unseeded champion in the tournament's history. A historic moment.

5. Flavia Pennetta – US Open 2015

While everyone was expecting Serena Williams, it was Pennetta, seeded No. 26, who defied the odds and reached an all-Italian final against Roberta Vinci.

At 33, she wins with incredible maturity and becomes the oldest player to claim her first Grand Slam.

4. Barbora Krejcikova – Roland-Garros 2021

A doubles star, almost unknown in singles, Krejcikova arrives in Paris with only three major tournaments played in her career.

She beats Svitolina, Gauff, saves a match point against Sakkari... then triumphs over Pavlyuchenkova.

3. Chris O’Neil – Australian Open 1978

Never ranked higher than 80th, O'Neil dominated the draw without losing a set.

Her triumph remains one of the most fascinating anomalies in women's tennis, especially since she would never reach such a level again.

2. Jelena Ostapenko – Roland-Garros 2017

At 19, with no WTA title, Ostapenko played impressive attacking tennis.

She strings together Stosur, Wozniacki, Bacsinszky, then comes from behind to beat Halep in the final.

1. Emma Raducanu – US Open 2021

Ranked 150th in the world, Raducanu becomes the first player from qualifying to win a Grand Slam.

She does not lose a single set in ten matches. She beats Bencic, Sakkari, then Leylah Fernandez to conclude the most improbable odyssey of the Open Era.