The history of tennis world number ones begins with two different milestones: the ATP published its first computer rankings in 1973, and the WTA followed in 1975. Those rankings gave fans a shared way to track who was leading the men’s and women’s tours—not just who had won the biggest tournament most recently.
Since then, the No. 1 spot has changed hands through rivalries, long winning streaks and periods of remarkable consistency. Here’s how the ranking system began, which players have spent the most time at the top, and why being world number one is not quite the same as winning the most Grand Slam titles.
When did tennis rankings begin?
Before official computer rankings, tennis had no single, continuously updated list that settled who was No. 1. Writers and tennis bodies made their own assessments, often looking at results across a season. That means claims about the “world’s best” in earlier eras can be harder to compare directly with modern ranking records.
The ATP introduced its first official computerized singles ranking on April 23, 1973. Romania’s Ilie Năstase was the first man listed at No. 1. The WTA’s first ranking came later, on November 3, 1975, with American Chris Evert at the top.
These were separate systems, and they still are: the ATP ranks men and the WTA ranks women. Both systems generally measure results over a rolling 52-week period, awarding points for tournament performance. A Grand Slam win brings a large points total, but strong results at other events also matter. Players can therefore rise to No. 1 through sustained success, even if they do not win every major.
How the number one ranking works
A player’s ranking reflects eligible tournament results from the previous year, with the points from older results eventually dropping away. A champion has to defend those points the next time that tournament comes around. If the player loses earlier than the year before, their total can fall even when they are still playing well.
That rolling system helps explain why rankings can shift after a Grand Slam. Winning a major adds a valuable result, but a player who is defending a title may have to win it again just to hold steady. Rankings also reward depth: reaching late rounds at several events can add up to more points than one standout week followed by early exits.
Tour rules have changed over time, so ranking totals from different eras are not perfectly identical measures. The COVID-19 disruption also led to unusual adjustments and a temporary freeze in 2020. Still, weeks at No. 1 and year-end No. 1 finishes are useful ways to compare sustained success.
Players who shaped the history of No. 1
Men’s tennis: from Connors to Djokovic
After Năstase, the top spot became a marker of the sport’s changing styles and rivalries. Jimmy Connors, Björn Borg and John McEnroe ruled different stretches of the 1970s and 1980s. Ivan Lendl then showed how steady results and physical discipline could keep a player at the summit, while Pete Sampras set a high bar in the 1990s.
Roger Federer’s rise brought a long period of control. His 237 consecutive weeks at No. 1, from 2004 to 2008, remain the men’s record for an unbroken run. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic later challenged him, and their rivalry made the ranking a season-long contest as much as a race for individual trophies.
Djokovic holds the men’s record for total weeks at No. 1: 428. He also has the most year-end No. 1 finishes, with eight. That second record reflects how often he ended the season at the top, while the weeks record counts every week he held the position.
Women’s tennis: rivalries and long reigns
Chris Evert’s place as the first WTA No. 1 was followed by fierce competition with Martina Navratilova. Their rivalry was about more than ranking points: Evert’s clean, consistent groundstrokes met Navratilova’s attacking serve-and-volley game. Both spent long periods leading the sport.
Steffi Graf’s era brought another sustained run at the top. She finished eight seasons as year-end No. 1, a women’s record, and spent 377 weeks at No. 1 overall—the most in WTA history. Serena Williams later reached 319 weeks at the top, combining extended stretches of dominance with success across multiple generations of rivals.
Ranking records at a glance
| Record | Player | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| First ATP No. 1 | Ilie Năstase | April 23, 1973 |
| First WTA No. 1 | Chris Evert | November 3, 1975 |
| Most weeks at No. 1, men | Novak Djokovic | 428 weeks |
| Most consecutive weeks at No. 1, men | Roger Federer | 237 weeks |
| Most year-end No. 1 finishes, men | Novak Djokovic | 8 seasons |
| Most weeks at No. 1, women | Steffi Graf | 377 weeks |
| Most consecutive weeks at No. 1, women | Steffi Graf | 186 weeks |
| Most year-end No. 1 finishes, women | Steffi Graf | 8 seasons |
These records measure different kinds of dominance. Consecutive weeks reward an uninterrupted run; total weeks allow for a player to return to No. 1 after rivals take over. Year-end rankings offer another perspective: they identify who finished the season at the top, not necessarily who held the spot for the most weeks during it.
Why No. 1 is different from Grand Slam success
Grand Slam titles are the most visible prizes in tennis, but the ranking rewards a full season of results. A player might win a major and still finish behind someone who reached the later rounds consistently at several tournaments. The reverse is possible, too: a player can reach No. 1 without matching the major-title total of a rival.
That distinction is useful when comparing careers. Ask whether you mean the most weeks at the top, the most year-end finishes, or the most Grand Slam titles. Each answer highlights a different kind of achievement—and the history of tennis No. 1s is richer for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first tennis world number one?
Ilie Năstase was the first No. 1 in the ATP computer rankings, introduced in 1973. Chris Evert was the first No. 1 in the WTA rankings, which began in 1975.
Who has spent the most weeks at No. 1?
Novak Djokovic holds the men’s record with 428 weeks. Steffi Graf holds the women’s record with 377 weeks.
Who has the longest unbroken run at No. 1?
Roger Federer holds the men’s record with 237 consecutive weeks. Steffi Graf holds the women’s record with 186 consecutive weeks.
Does winning a Grand Slam automatically make a player No. 1?
No. A major win earns many ranking points, but the No. 1 position depends on a player’s overall results in the ranking period. Other players may have enough points from consistent results across the season to stay ahead.
Final Thoughts
Tennis world number one history is a record of more than famous champions. It shows how players handled the long season, defended points and stayed ahead of rivals across different surfaces and eras. From Năstase and Evert to Graf, Federer and Djokovic, the names at the top tell the story of sustained excellence—not just one unforgettable tournament.
