Most Influential Female Athletes of All Time

Female athletes have broken records, barriers, and expectations. Their impact has reached far beyond the field, inspiring generations and changing how the world sees women in sports. These women didn’t just win—they changed the game. Here are some of the most influential female athletes of all time.

Serena Williams – Tennis

Serena Williams is one of the most dominant and influential athletes of all time. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles, she holds the most major wins in the Open Era. Her power, skill, and mental strength redefined women’s tennis, and her impact extends far beyond the court.

What sets Serena apart is her long-lasting excellence. She stayed at the top of the sport for over two decades, competing through injuries, motherhood, and pressure. Her fierce playing style and unmatched determination raised the bar for competitors worldwide.

But Serena’s influence goes beyond winning. She became a global symbol of resilience, confidence, and self-expression. As a Black woman in a historically white-dominated sport, she faced criticism and stereotypes—and still broke through every barrier. Her presence changed how the sport is seen and who feels they belong in it.

Off the court, Serena has used her voice to speak out on issues like gender equality, racial justice, and maternal health. She’s also built a successful fashion line and invested in startups, showing that athletes can lead in business and culture too.

Serena Williams didn’t just change tennis—she inspired a generation to dream bigger, stand stronger, and never back down.

Billie Jean King – Tennis

Billie Jean King is a true pioneer in sports and a champion for equality. With 39 Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, her tennis achievements are impressive. But her impact goes far beyond her on-court success.

King fought tirelessly for gender equality in sports. In the early 1970s, she helped push for equal prize money for women in tennis, leading to the creation of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). Her victory over Bobby Riggs in the famous 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match brought huge attention to women’s sports and challenged stereotypes about female athletes.

Billie Jean King used her platform to advocate for social justice and LGBTQ+ rights at a time when these issues were often ignored. She came out as gay in 1981, becoming one of the first openly gay sports figures, which made her a role model for many.

Her legacy is not only in trophies but in breaking barriers that allowed women’s sports to grow and thrive. King’s work laid the foundation for future generations of female athletes to compete on equal footing and gain respect worldwide.

Billie Jean King remains a symbol of courage, fairness, and progress in sports and society.

Simone Biles – Gymnastics

Simone Biles is widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts in history. With over 30 Olympic and World Championship medals, her athletic achievements are unmatched. Biles has pushed the limits of gymnastics with her incredible skill, strength, and creativity, performing moves that no one else has dared to try.

But her influence extends well beyond medals. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Biles made headlines by prioritizing her mental health and withdrawing from several events. This courageous decision sparked a global conversation about the pressures athletes face and helped reduce the stigma around mental health.

Biles’s openness and honesty have made her a role model for athletes worldwide. She uses her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and speaks out against abuse in sports, having survived abuse herself. This has made her a powerful voice for change and safety in athletics.

Her marketability reflects more than just athleticism—brands see her as a symbol of resilience, courage, and authenticity. Companies like Athleta, Visa, and Uber Eats have partnered with her, attracted by her genuine connection with fans.

Simone Biles has not only changed gymnastics—she’s changing how we think about strength, mental health, and leadership in sports.

Mia Hamm – Soccer

Mia Hamm is one of the most influential figures in women’s soccer and helped popularize the sport in the United States. As a key player for the U.S. Women’s National Team, she won two FIFA Women’s World Cups (1991, 1999) and two Olympic gold medals (1996, 2004). Her speed, skill, and scoring ability made her a star on the field and a role model off it.

Hamm’s success came during a time when women’s soccer was still fighting for recognition and support. She helped bring the sport into the mainstream and inspired millions of girls to take up soccer. Her impact was crucial in growing the sport’s popularity and building a foundation for professional women’s leagues.

Off the field, Mia Hamm has been active in promoting youth sports and women’s athletics. She co-founded the Mia Hamm Foundation, which supports families in need and encourages young athletes, especially girls, to pursue their dreams.

Hamm’s combination of talent, leadership, and dedication helped change the perception of women’s sports in America and worldwide. Her legacy lives on not just in trophies, but in the countless athletes she inspired and the growth of women’s soccer everywhere.

Martina Navratilova – Tennis

Martina Navratilova is one of the greatest tennis players in history, known for her powerful playing style and incredible versatility. Over her career, she won 59 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles—one of the highest totals in the sport. Her aggressive serve-and-volley game changed how women’s tennis was played.

Beyond her athletic achievements, Navratilova was a trailblazer off the court. She was one of the first top athletes to come out as gay, becoming a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Her courage helped pave the way for greater acceptance and visibility in sports.

Navratilova also spoke out on issues like gender equality and animal rights, using her platform to promote causes she cared about. She challenged traditional norms and helped make tennis more inclusive and progressive.

Her legacy is not only in her record-breaking wins but also in the doors she opened for future generations of athletes. Navratilova’s impact extends beyond tennis; she remains a powerful voice for fairness, equality, and courage in sports and society.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee – Track and Field

Jackie Joyner-Kersee is considered one of the greatest female athletes in track and field history. She excelled in the heptathlon and long jump, winning three Olympic gold medals and setting world records. Her combination of speed, strength, and versatility made her a dominant force throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Joyner-Kersee’s athletic achievements helped raise the profile of women’s track and field. She inspired many young athletes, especially women of color, to pursue sports at the highest level. Her success showed that women could compete with power and grace on the world stage.

Off the track, Jackie has been a committed advocate for education, youth development, and health. Through her foundation, she supports programs that help children reach their potential, emphasizing the importance of fitness and learning.

Her dedication on and off the field makes her a role model for many. Joyner-Kersee’s legacy is one of excellence, leadership, and giving back. She proved that athletes could use their success to inspire change and make a positive impact beyond sports.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee – Track and Field

Jackie Joyner-Kersee is widely regarded as one of the greatest female athletes in track and field history. She specialized in the heptathlon and long jump, winning three Olympic gold medals and setting world records. Her strength, speed, and endurance made her a dominant competitor through the 1980s and 1990s.

Beyond her athletic success, Joyner-Kersee inspired many, especially young women and athletes of color. Her achievements helped raise the profile of women’s track and field and showed that dedication and hard work can lead to greatness.

Off the track, she has focused on giving back. Through her foundation, she supports programs that promote education, fitness, and healthy living for young people. Jackie believes in helping others achieve their potential and uses her platform to encourage youth empowerment.

Her legacy goes beyond medals—she is a symbol of resilience, leadership, and community impact. Jackie Joyner-Kersee has shown that athletes can inspire change both in sports and in society, making her one of the most influential figures in athletics.

Final Thoughts

These women didn’t just collect medals—they opened doors, challenged norms, and inspired millions. Their influence has shaped not only their sports but also culture, politics, and society. They’ve proven that being an athlete means more than winning—it means leading, speaking up, and making history.