Women Tennis Greats: AP Female Athletes of the Year

The AP created the Female Athlete of the Year award in 1931, naming the swimmer Helen Madison as the first winner. The winners are selected by a vote of AP member sports editors and beat writers. Over the past 90 years, 17 of the athletes have been tennis players, some of them winning multiple times.

Helen Jacobs
1933

Helen Jacobs, U.S.A., in play in the Wimbledon Tennis Championships Women's singles against Miss M. O. Scriven, Great Britain on June 27, 1938 in London, England. The former won 6-3, 6-0. (AP Photo/Len Puttnam)

Helen Willis Moody
1935

Mrs. Helen Wills Moody is shown during her match with Mrs. L.A. Godfree at Wimbledon, June 24, 1932. Mrs. Moody defeated Mrs. Godfree and entered the third round. She later went on to win the tournament July 1, when she defeated fellow Californian Helen Jacobs in straight sets. (AP Photo)

Helen Wills Moody regained the Women's Singles Championship, when she defeated Helen Jacobs 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, in the final of Wimbledon on July 6, 1935. She won the title 7 times and equalled the record set by the British player Lambert Chambers. Photo shows Helen Wills Moody being congratulated by Helen Jacobs (right) after her victory. (AP Photo)

Hazel Wightman, left, talks to members of the women's American Wightman Cup team gathered for practice at Wimbledon, England, June 8, 1932. The players participating in the ladies international tennis challenge, from left, are, Mrs. Fabian, Dorothy Bundy, Helen Wills, Alice Marble, and Helen Jacobs. (AP Photo)

Alice Marble
1939, 1940

Alice Marble, foreground, in action with Mrs. Fabyan on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, London, on July 5, 1939. (AP Photo/Len Puttnam)

Maureen Connolly
1951, 1952, 1953

Maureen Connolly, of San Diego, Ca., makes a backhanded return in her match against Angela Mortimer of Devon, England, in third round of the All-England Lawn Tennis championships at Wimbledon, England, June 25, 1952. The 17-year-old American won, 6-4, 6-3. (AP Photo)

Althea Gibson
1957, 1958

Tennis player Althea Gibson, of Sumter, South Carolina, is shown before a practice session at the West Side Tennis Club at Forest Hills, Queens, New York, July 29, 1950. In 1956, she became the first Black woman to win a Grand Slam title. (AP Photo/John Lent)

American athlete Althea Gibson returns to Germany's Edda Buding in the first round of Wimbledon on June 26, 1956.

Tennis player Althea Gibson shows the first tennis racket she used in 1942 on the streets of Harlem to Tiny Huston, 9, and her sister Monica, 1, in New York City, July 11, 1973. Gibson opened the Pepsi-Cola summer tennis program which will bring the sport to 20,000 inner city youth. (AP Photo)

Maria Bueno
1959

Maria Bueno of Brazil holds up the trophy after winning the women's singles final in the All-England Lawn Tennis championships at Wimbledon, July 4, 1959. Bueno has been credited with spreading women’s tennis around the world. The Brazilian was the first woman from outside the U.S. and Western Europe to win Wimbledon when she triumphed in 1959. Later that year, she became the first non-U.S. woman to win both Wimbledon and the U.S. national championships. The Associated Press named her “Female Athlete of the Year” in 1959. She would go on to win another two Wimbledon titles. (AP Photo)

Brazil's tennis star Maria Bueno makes a smashing return during her match with Karen Hantze Susman of San Antonio, Texas, in the quarter-finals of the French international Tennis Championships in Paris' Roland-Garros Stadium, May 27, 1964. Maria defeated Karen in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0, to gain the semi-finals. Both stars are former Wimbledon champions. (AP Photo)

Billie Jean King
1967, 1973

The open era in tennis began in 1968, allowing amateur and professional players to compete together for the first time for cash rewards. From the start, the disparities in rewards for men and women players were obvious. The 1970 men’s winner Ilie Nastase earned $3,500 while Billie Jean King took home $600. Unwilling to accept this blatant discrimination, King joined forces with eight other women tennis players: Peaches Bartkowicz, Rosie Casals, Judy Tegart Dalton, Julie Heldman, Kerry Melville, Kristy Pigeon, Nancy Richey and Valerie Ziegenfuss. The women, later known as the “Original Nine,” signed  a $1 contract with Gladys Heldman, the publisher of World Tennis Magazine, to compete in a women’s only tournament in Houston. The group went on to great success on the women’s only Virginia Slims Circuit. In 1973 King became a founder of the Women’s Tennis Association, which succeeded in ensuring an equal prize for men and women players at the US Open that year. Wimbledon would not meet that goal until 2007. King also co-founded World Team Tennis, the Women's Sports Foundation and Women's Sports magazine. A winner of 39 Grand Slam titles, King retired from professional tennis in 1983. She continues to advocate for women, the LGBTQ community and equal rights.

"What started as a few women and a dollar has grown to thousands, living the dream – our dream. We were athletes who wanted to compete – and along the way we made history, determined to win, not just for ourselves, but for women everywhere,"
(Billie Jean King remarking on the 40th anniversary of the Women’s Tennis Association in 2013)

American tennis player Billie Jean King is seen in play during the women's singles at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon in London on July 8, 1967. King defeated her opponent Anne Jones of Britain. (AP Photo)

Billie Jean King, left, and Bobby Riggs smile during questioning at a New York conference Wednesday, July 11, 1973. The two have agreed to meet in a $100,000 match. (AP Photo/AC)

Mrs. Billie Jean King, Long Beach, Calif., the Wimbledon champion, who confirmed last night that there will be no women's boycott of Wimbledon, stretches out on a seat on June 22, 1973 in Kensington Gardens, London after a long night of debate. (AP Photo)

Ted Tinling, designer of women's tennis wear, photographed with international tennis players, who are wearing the fashions in Dacron which he has designed for them for the 1973 Wimbledon Championships, shown in Kensington Gardens, London on June 22, 1973. The players are from Left: Virginia Wade of Britain; Evonne Goolagong of Australia; Rosemary Casals of San Francisco; and Billie Jean King of Long Beach, California. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)

Sixteen-year-old Chris Evert, right, chats with Billie Jean King after losing to Miss King, 6-3, 6-2, Sept. 10, 1971 at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, New York. The match ended a winning streak for Evert which began on Feb. 21 and included 46 matches and 12 tournaments. This was a semi-finals match. (AP Photo)

Members of the Original 9, a group of trailblazing women who started their own tour in 1970, pose after being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Newport, R.I. From left are Rosie Casals, Valerie Ziegenfuss, Billie Jean King, Kristy Pigeon, Kerry Melville Reid, Julie Heldman and Peaches Bartkowicz. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Evonne Goolagong
1971

Evonne Goolagong of Australia returns a shot against Chris Evert of Fort Lauderdale in the Bonne Bell Cup match at Cleveland, Ohio, July 30, 1972. (AP Photo/Julian C. Wilson)

A young player, right, is coached at a Goolagong National Development Camp in suburban Melbourne, Australia, Sunday Jan. 13, 2008. The camp, is named after Australian tennis legend Evonne Goolagong, who went on to win seven Grand Slam titles among 18 finals and 92 tournament titles overall more than 25 years ago. Now, she's on a different mission _ trying to identify and nurture Australian aboriginal youth talent in the sport through a series of national camps, where the kids can hone their skills and go on to be nationally ranked players. Or, just as importantly, turn to coaching to help the next generation. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Chris Evert
1974, 1975, 1977, 1980

Chris Evert is shown in action against Sharon Walsh at the U.S. Open in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, Sept. 1, 1977. (AP Photo/Dave Pickoff)

During a short break of the French Open Tennis Championship at the French Garros Stadium in Paris, France, May 30, 1973 from left are, Chris Evert of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Jimmy Connors of Bellevill, Ill.; Mrs. Colette Evert and Caroline Connors (AP Photo/Bodini)

Tracy Austin, 14, enjoys the appreciation of her victorious opponent, Chris Evert, as well as the plaudits of the packed stands after the two American girls had played their third-found singles at Wimbledon, London, June 24, 1977. Tracy, youngest Wimbledon player for 90 years, had shown skill and courage as she was beaten 6-1, 6-1 by the defending champion and top seed. (AP Photo/Press Association)

Tracy Austin
1977, 1980

Tracy Austin of the U.S. makes a two-handed return to Australia's Nerida Gregory, during their match at Wimbledon, June 28, 1980. (AP Photo/Adam Stoltman)

Tracy Austin shown during a break in her Ladies Singles quarterfinal match against Billie Jean King on Wimbledon's Centre on July 2, 1979. King, six times winner of the championship, was defeated 6-4; 6-7; 6-2, by 16 year-old Austin, who will play defending champion Martina Navratilova in the semi-finals of the tournament. (AP Photo/ Robert Dear)

A serious faced Billie Jean King rests her chin in her hand, during a break in her Ladies Singles quarterfinal match against Tracy Austin on Wimbledon's Centre on July 2, 1979. King, six times winner of the championship, was defeated 6-4; 6-7; 6-2, by 16 year-old Austin, who will play defending champion Martina Navratilova in the semi-finals of the tournament. (AP Photo/ Robert Dear)

Martina Navratilova
1983, 1986

Top-seeded U.S. ace Martina Navratilova is about to double-backhand the ball to countrywoman Chris Evert-Lloyd during the final of the French Open at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, June 7, 1986. Navratilova was defeated by Chris Evert-Lloyd in three sets: 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)

Czecholovakia's Martina Navratilova poses for the camera during a news conference at Forest Hills, N.Y. Sunday, Sept. 8, 1975. The 18-year-old tennis player, who was deafeated by Chris Evert in the women's semi-finals of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, has asked for political asylum in the United States. She said officials of her country were attempting to restrict her tennis career. (AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis)

Top-seeded Martina Navratilova strains to return the ball to JoAnne Russell during the opening round play of the Women's Professional Tennis Tournament at Detroit's Cobo Hall, Feb. 24, 1977. Navratilova won the match, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3. Detroit is one of 11 stops on the tour. Players are competing for $100,000 in prize money, with $20,000 going to the winner. (AP Photo/Richard Sheinwald)

Steffi Graf
1989

FRENCH OPEN GRAF SANCHEZ VICARIO

Second-seeded Steffi Graf of Germany eyes the ball during the Women's French Open final against top-seeded Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario of Spain at Roland Garros stadium in Paris Saturday June 10, 1995. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)

Steffi Graf

Steffi Graf jumps for joy after defeating Martina Navratilova in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, in the International Players Championships on Key Biscayne, Mar. 5, 1987. (AP Photo/Doug Jennings)

Steffi Graf

Steffi Graff returns a shot from Martina Navratilova during the Women's Singles Final on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, July 4, 1987. (AP Photo/Adam Stoltman)

Steffi Graf of Germany takes a swing at the ball during tennis action against Chris Evert at the Virginia Slims of Los Angeles tournament at Manhattan Beach Country Club on Aug. 17, 1987. Graf took over the number one ranking in women's tennis with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Evert. By taking over the top ranking, Graf ended the reign of Martina Navratilova, who had held it for almost five years. (AP Photo/ Carol Newsom)

Steffi Graf

Steffi Graf sights the ball tossed for a serve in her U.S. Open match in New York, Sept. 1, 1986. (AP Photo/Adam Stoltman)

U.S. Open Graf

Germany's Steffi Graf signals she is number one after winning the women's singles title at the U.S. Open in New York, Sept. 11, 1993. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Diana, Princess of Wales holds a tennis racquet presented to her by West German tennis star Steffi Graf (right) at the exclusive Vanderbilt Racquet Club, June 10, 1988 in London. The two, partnered by Lord Willoughby De Broke and Charles Swallow, the club secretary, played a doubles match. (AP Photo/Press Association)

Monica Seles
1991, 1992

Monica Seles of Yugoslavia returns a double fisted backhand shot against Conchita Martinez of Spain during the first game of the Virginia Slims Championship in New York City on Nov. 13, 1989. Seles won, 6-0, 6-1. (AP Photo/Ed Bailey)

Martina Hingis
1997

Martina Hingis of Switzerland serves to opponent Mary Pierce of France during the final of the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, Saturday, January 25, 1997. Hingis won the final 6-2, 6-2, becoming the youngest Grand Slam winner, at sixteen years old. (AP Photo/Steve Holland)

Jennifer Capriati
2001

Jennifer Capriati hits a forehand to Anastasia Myskina of Russia during their quarterfinal match of the 25th Ladies German Open in Berlin, Friday, May 7, 2004. Capriati won 6-3, 6-2. (AP Photo/Franka Bruns)

Jennifer Capriati signals to the crowd after defeating Denisa Chladkova from the Czech Republic at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday Aug. 30, 2004. Capriati won 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. (AP Photo/ Richard Drew)

Jennifer Capriati, of the United States, jumps in the air after she defeated Martina Hingis, of Switzerland, 6-4, 6-3 in the women's singles final at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)

Defending champion Serena Williams, right, is congratulated by Jennifer Capriati, after winning their Women's Singles, quarter-final match on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Wednesday June 30, 2004. Williams won the match 6-1, 6-1, to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

Serena Williams
2002, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2018

In 2018 Serena Williams won the AP Female Athlete of the Year Award for the fifth time. The women's award has been won more times only by Babe Didrikson Zaharias, who won once for track and five times for for golf. In a December 26, 2018 story reporting on Williams’ award, the AP’s Brian Mahoney wrote:

She showed up in Paris wearing a black catsuit, a reminder that nobody can command the Grand Slam stage quite like Serena Williams.

She reached the finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, proving again how well she can play no matter how little she practices.

Williams didn't win those or any other tournaments, which in every other situation might have made for a forgettable year.

In 2018, it was a remarkable one.

Her rapid return to tennis after a health scare following childbirth was a victory in itself, and for that, Williams was voted The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year for the fifth time.

Williams received 93 points in balloting by U.S. editors and news directors announced Wednesday, while gymnast Simone Biles was second with 68. Notre Dame basketball player Arike Ogunbowale was third, while Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim and swimmer Katie Ledecky, the 2017 winner, rounded out the top five.

All of those players won a title or titles in 2018, while Williams had to settle for just coming close a couple of times.

Now 37 and a new mother facing some players who weren't even born when she turned pro in 1995, Williams isn't the same person who ruthlessly ran her way to 23 Grand Slam singles titles - the last of which came at the 2017 Australian Open when she was pregnant.

"I'm still waiting to get to be the Serena that I was, and I don't know if I'll ever be that, physically, emotionally, mentally. But I'm on my way," Williams said on the eve of the U.S. Open final. "I feel like I still have a ways to go. Once I get there, I'll be able to play even hopefully better."

Williams' previous times winning the AP honor, in 2002, 2009, 2013 and 2015, were because of her dominance.

This one was about her perseverance.

Williams was also voted the AP Female Athlete of the Decade for 2010 to 2019. Williams won 12 of her professional-era record 23 Grand Slam singles titles over the past 10 years. No other woman won more than three in that span. She also tied a record for most consecutive weeks ranked No. 1 and collected a tour-leading 37 titles in all during the decade.

American Serena Williams serves in her second round match against Italy's Sara Errani during the Sydney International tennis tournament in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

GERMANY TENNIS WOMEN WORLD CH

Holding her racket with broken strings, U.S. tennis player Serena Williams bursts out in joy after beating Belgiums' Justine Henin 6-3, 7-6 in their quarter final match of the womens WTA tennis world championship in the Oympic hall in Munich, southern Germany, Friday, Nov. 2, 2001. (AP Photo/Diether Endlicher)

GERMANY TENNIS HANOVER

U.S. tennis player Serena Williams reacts during her semifinal match vs. French Amelie Mauresmo at the WTA-tournament in Hanover, northern Germany, on Saturday, February 19, 2000. Williams defeated Mauresmo 6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3). (AP Photo/Fabian Bimmer)

US OPEN

Serena Williams serves to Venus Williams during the women's finals match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2001. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

US OPEN TENNIS

Serena Williams, of the USA, stands on her toes to see how her shot went against Lindsay Davenport, of the USA, during their semifinal match at the US Open Friday, Sept. 6, 2002 in New York. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Serena Williams prepares to serve against Eleni Daniilidou from Greece at the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in Melbourne, Monday, Jan. 20, 2003. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

GERMANY TENNIS

Venus Williams of the USA watches her sister Serena during the winners ceremony after their final match at the International Tennis Grand Slam Cup in Munich s Olympic hall, Sunday, October 3, 1999. Serena defeated her sister Venus 6-1,3-6, 6-4. (AP Photo/Uwe Lein)

France Tennis French Open

Serena Williams of the U.S. serves against Germany's Julia Georges during their third round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, June 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Fed Cup Netherlands US Tennis

Alexis Ohanian, husband of USA's Serena Williams, holds their baby, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., before the doubles match in the first round of Fed Cup tennis competition in Asheville, N.C., Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

France Tennis French Open

Serena Williams of the U.S. greets spectators after defeating Caroline Garcia of France in their second round match of the French Open tennis tournament, at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. Williams won in two sets 6-1, 6-2.(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Naomi Osaka
2020

Naomi Osaka, of Japan, serves to Anett Kontaveit, of Estonia, during the fourth round of the US Open tennis championships, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Serena Williams of the U.S. holds the trophy as she talks to tennis ace Martina Navratilova of the Czech Republic after winning the final of the French Open tennis tournament against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic in three sets, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2, at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Saturday, June 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Text and photo editing by Francesca Pitaro.