Tennis is a sport where height can provide significant advantages, particularly in serving and reaching for shots. While skill and technique remain paramount, a player’s stature can influence their playing style and effectiveness on the court. Let’s explore the top 10 tallest female tennis players who have made their mark in the sport.
1. Eva Hrdinova (1.91 m / 6 ft 3 in)
At the pinnacle of our list stands Eva Hrdinova from the Czech Republic. Her impressive height of 1.91 meters (6 feet 3 inches) makes her the tallest female tennis player in recorded history. Hrdinova’s favorite shots are forehand and serve, which is unsurprising given the natural advantage her height provides.
2. Akgul Amanmuradova (1.90 m / 6 ft 3 in)
Hailing from Uzbekistan, Akgul Amanmuradova stands just a hair shorter than Hrdinova at 1.90 meters. Despite currently ranking outside the top 400, Amanmuradova has achieved notable success, including two WTA doubles titles and a career-high singles ranking of World Number 50 in 2008.
3. Erin Routliffe (1.90 m / 6 ft 2 in)
New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe is currently the tallest active player on the women’s tour. Ranked 11th in doubles, Routliffe has clinched 20 doubles titles, including her first Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open.
4. Naomi Broady (1.89 m / 6 ft 2.5 in)
British player Naomi Broady shares the third spot on our list at 1.89 meters. Broady has achieved success on the ITF circuit with nine singles titles and 19 doubles titles.
5. Lindsay Davenport (1.89 m / 6 ft 2.5 in)
American tennis legend Lindsay Davenport matches Broady’s height. Davenport’s impressive career includes three Grand Slam singles titles, an Olympic gold medal, and four separate stints as World No. 1.
6. Maria Sharapova (1.88 m / 6 ft 2 in)
Russian star Maria Sharapova stands at 1.88 meters. Known for her powerful groundstrokes, Sharapova is one of only six players in history to win all four Grand Slam titles.
7. Venus Williams (1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in)
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams measures 1.85 meters tall. Her height has contributed to her powerful serve and commanding court presence throughout her illustrious career.
8. Elena Rybakina (1.84 m / 6 ft)
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, standing at 1.84 meters, is the 2022 Wimbledon women’s singles champion. Her height advantage has helped her achieve a career-high ranking of World No. 3 in June 2023.
9. Aryna Sabalenka (1.83 m / 6 ft)
Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka, at 1.83 meters, is the reigning Australian Open champion. Her powerful game, aided by her height, has propelled her to the top of the WTA rankings.
10. Caroline Wozniacki (1.79 m / 5 ft 10 in)
Rounding out our list is Danish star Caroline Wozniacki at 1.79 meters. Despite being the shortest on this list, Wozniacki’s height still puts her above average and has contributed to her successful career, including a 67-week reign as world number one.
Conclusion
These towering talents demonstrate that height can be a significant asset in tennis. However, it’s important to note that success in tennis is not solely determined by stature. Players of various heights have achieved greatness in the sport, proving that skill, strategy, and determination are equally crucial factors in reaching the pinnacle of tennis excellence.
