Arantxa Sanchez Vicario

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario became the first Spanish woman to win a Grand Slam singles title, a feat she achieved at the 1989 French Open. Over the 1990s, she captured four Grand Slam singles titles: three French Opens and one US Open, reaching world number 1 in February 1995. Her 32 career singles titles and 69 doubles titles include partnering Conchita Martinez for multiple Grand Slam doubles wins. In terms of defensive prowess, Sanchez Vicario outperforms #7 Severiano Ballesteros in terms of consistent Grand Slam singles finals appearances, reaching 12 finals to his 8 major championship finals across different sports. Her aggressive baseline game and exceptional retrieval skills defined women's tennis, though her career win rate of 68.3% (759-352 record) trails the top tennis players of her era.