By Emma Bullimore

Published: Tuesday, 21 June 2022 at 12:00 am


Winning Wimbledon is the ultimate dream of every tennis player in the world, though only a fabled few ever get to wrap their hands around the iconic trophy.

Many winners from the last couple of decades have gone on to repeat their heroics, resulting in legends being born on Centre Court.

The likes of Pete Sampras, Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Martina Navratilova have all stunned the crowds at the All England Club with repeated and relentless victories, but who has won the most Wimbledon singles titles in the open era?

RadioTimes.com brings you the most successful players in Wimbledon history below.

Who has won the most Wimbledon titles? (Men’s singles)

Swiss champion Roger Federer has won the most men’s singles titles at SW19, lifting the trophy a staggering eight times.

His first victory came in 2003, defeating Mark Philippoussis in straight sets. Federer’s 2003 triumph was the first in a streak of five straight wins at The Championships.

He celebrated his most recent win in 2017, beating Marin Cilic without dropping a set.

Pete Sampras is the second most successful male Wimbledon champion in the Open era, with a tally of seven wins and Novak Djokovic is next on the list with six titles, ahead of Bjorn Borg.

Despite their status as part of the Big Four, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have only won Wimbledon two times each.

Open Era

  1. Roger Federer – 8
  2. Pete Sampras – 7
  3. Novak Djokovic – 6
  4. Bjorn Borg – 5
  5. John McEnroe/Boris Becker – 3

Who has won the most Wimbledon titles? (Women’s singles)

Czech superstar Martina Navratilova has won the most women’s singles titles in the Open era, clocking up an impressive nine wins at the All England Club – more than any player in the men’s or women’s games have been able to achieve before or since.

Her first win came in 1978, when Chris Evert took her to three sets, and she claimed her last Wimbledon singles title 12 years later, beating Zina Garrison in straight sets.

Steffi Graf and Serena Williams have come close, both of whom have celebrated seven singles championships at SW19. Of course, Williams still has an outside chance of adding to that total.

Open Era Wimbledon titles

  1. Martina Navratilova – 9
  2. Steffi Graf/Serena Williams – 7
  3. Venus Williams – 5
  4. Billie Jean King – 4
  5. Chris Evert – 3

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