Fierce Five: Top Female Athletes in History

Over the years, and in present-day, there have been women who changed the way their sports were looked at forever. Whether it’s Serena Williams making her opponents look like they were playing without a racket, or Ronda Rousey proving to the world that women’s fighting can be as (or more) entertaining than men’s, some women athletes have changed the game of their sports forever.

Yet the viewing of women’s sports is nonexistent in comparisons to men’s. Why is that? Is it because, in general, men are the more avid sports watchers? Or is it because women’s sports do not get enough air time on major networks?

Other than a select few times a year, women’s sports get very little national or even local coverage. The world is missing out on some of the greatest women’s athletes that have been seen in generations. But it’s not affecting all women athletes. Some of these females are so talented that they transcend the barriers and force their way into the mainstream. So who are these women?

We’re going to look at the five best female athletes of all time.

Serena Williams

Williams dominates tennis in a way that has never been seen in the sport by either gender. She is one of those historic athletes that gets referred to by only her first name. In a sport that the United States typically doesn’t career about, she is hands down the most famous and popular player. Serena has won four Olympic gold medals, twenty-one Grand Slam single titles and thirteen Grand Slam Doubles titles. In other words, she’s really good.

Martina Navratilova

In most conversations, Navratilova and Serena are interchangeable in terms of who is the greatest tennis player in history. The reason Serena got the edge is because she is playing at a time when women’s tennis is pushing its way to the mainstream and becoming more competitive. With that said, during her time, nobody was like Navratilova. She was dominant. Like Serena, she is one of the most recognizable names in all of female sports.

Mia Hamm

Women’s soccer was not always as popular as it is today. Today’s popularity was built on the success of previous Women’s National teams, led by Mia Hamm. At the time of her retirement, she was the all-time leader in Goals and Assists. Hamm changed the way soccer was looked at and is one of the most impressive athletes to ever play the sport. Hamm was also the first woman induction in the World Soccer Hall-of-Fame.

Olympic gold medalist Florence Joyner

Bringing style to the track in a way only the phrase black girl magic could epitomize. Flo Jo’s signature style included form-fitting bodysuits, six-inch fingernails and amazing speed. She still holds the world records in the 100- and 200-meter events.

5. Lisa Leslie

Push over Wilt Chamberlain, because in high school Leslie put up 101 points in a single game. Though it was only high school, it shows just how dominant Leslie was. Leslie won 4 Olympic gold medals, 2 WNBA Championships and 3 MVP awards. If those aren’t Hall-of-Fame credentials then what are?

–Michael Hersey