Margaret Court, born Margaret Smith on July 16, 1942, in Albury, New South Wales, Australia, is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in history. Her career spanned from the early 1960s through the mid-1970s, during which time she compiled a record-breaking list of achievements that no athlete, male or female, has surpassed in the realm of tennis.
Dominance Defined: A Career of Unmatched Records
Margaret Court’s tennis journey is characterized by sheer dominance and an extraordinary winning mentality, transcending eras and gender boundaries. She holds the all-time record for the most Grand Slam titles, amassing a staggering total of 64 major championships across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. This includes:
- 24 Grand Slam singles titles: The most in tennis history by any player, male or female.
- 19 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles
- 21 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles
These 64 major titles were won over a 17-year period stretching from 1960 to 1977, encompassing both the amateur and Open Eras of tennis. Court’s ability to adapt and excel during these distinct periods underscores her exceptional talent and competitive spirit.
The Grand Slams and Calendar-Year Achievements
Margaret Court reached an elite echelon by winning multiple career Grand Slams — that is, winning all four major championships (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open) — not only in singles but also in doubles and mixed doubles. This rare feat places her in a unique club of five players to have achieved a career Grand Slam in two categories, including legends such as Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams.
Importantly, she is the only player in history to have won three calendar-year Grand Slams:
- A singles Grand Slam in 1970 (winning all four majors in the same calendar year—the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open).
- Two calendar-year Grand Slams in mixed doubles.
This 1970 singles Grand Slam ranks as one of the defining accomplishments in tennis history—joining Maureen Connolly (1953) and Steffi Graf (1988) as the only women to achieve this so far.
Record Australian Open Dominance
Court’s supremacy was particularly pronounced at the Australian Open. She won the tournament 11 times (1960–1966, 1969–1971, 1973), the most by any player in history. Her consistent excellence on home soil was a cornerstone of her career, showcasing her comfort and dominance on grass courts long before the surface was phased out.
Playing Style and Physicality
Court was a formidable athlete known for her blistering powerful serve and an aggressive net game. Her style was a step ahead of her time, marked by physical fitness, tactical intelligence, and a dominating presence on court. She combined power with finesse, strategically overwhelming opponents with sharp volleys and groundstrokes.
Her mental toughness and competitive drive allowed her to maintain a remarkable career singles win-loss record of approximately 1,180–107, equating to a 92% winning percentage, a benchmark that remains nearly unparalleled. During the Open Era alone (starting 1968), she recorded an extraordinary 593–56 singles record, maintaining a 91.37% winning rate.
Performance Against Top-Tier Players
Court’s excellence was even more remarkable considering her success against the best players of her time. She won more than 80% of her singles matches against top 10 ranked players, establishing her status as the benchmark for excellence in multiple seasons. She was the year-end world No. 1 seven times during her career, and the dominant female player in multiple years from 1962 to 1973.
Historical Significance and Evolution of Tennis
Margaret Court’s career bridged amateur and professional tennis, giving her a unique perspective and adaptability that not all players achieved. She thrived in both spheres, excelling before and after the Open Era began — an era when professionals were allowed to compete with amateurs, generally raising the level of competition. Despite this, she maintained predominance with an 83% success rate in major titles won during the Open Era.
Her influence helped set standards for athletic conditioning and professionalism among female tennis players, laying groundwork that future generations would build on.
Beyond Tennis: Contributions and Legacy
While Margaret Court’s career includes controversies, her contributions to tennis remain foundational. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, where she was elevated to “Legend of Australian Sport” status in 1998—honors reflecting her iconic status in the sporting world.
Off the court, Court has been active in Christian ministry and community work, focusing on charitable services through the Margaret Court Community Outreach (MCCO), assisting individuals in crisis with food and care packages and counseling services.
Noteworthy Matches and Rivalries
Court’s rivalry with contemporaries like Billie Jean King and Maria Bueno featured some of the sport’s most compelling matches. For instance, her 1970 Wimbledon final win against Billie Jean King in a marathon match with scores 14-12, 11-9 remains one of the classics that highlight her resilience and skill under pressure.
She holds the record for most titles won at a single Grand Slam event with 11 Australian Open titles, a record only recently surpassed by Rafael Nadal at the French Open in 2019.
Key Milestones at a Glance
- 24 Grand Slam singles titles – most in history.
- 64 total Grand Slam titles including doubles and mixed doubles.
- Three calendar-year Grand Slams (singles and mixed doubles).
- 11-time Australian Open champion.
- Open Era singles win rate over 91%.
- Ranked world No. 1 for seven seasons.
- First Australian woman to win Wimbledon (1963).
- Only player to complete boxed career Grand Slam in three disciplines.
- Career record singles matches won: 192 titles.
- Outstanding winning percentages on all surfaces: grass, clay, hardcourt, carpet.