The full version of this article first appeared in the June/July 2023 issue of Australian Tennis Magazine, one of the world’s longest-running tennis publications. For more in-depth features, news and analysis, you can subscribe now.

June 2023 marks 50 years since the formation of the Women’s Tennis Association. The Gloucester Hotel in London, on the eve of Wimbledon 1973, was the venue for the first coming together of women players under a single banner, rather than being divided by competing tours.

Although political point-scoring and tournament bans were not entirely relegated to the past, the WTA Tour thrived, almost from its inception, as a showcase for tennis as the richest, most global female sport. On the 50th anniversary of the WTA, a salute to 15 inspirational women (if only we had the space for 50!)

We celebrate five, in chronological order, in the third of this three-part series.

LOVE 15: Most inspiring stars of women’s tennis (Part 1)
LOVE 15: Most inspiring stars of women’s tennis (Part 2)

Amelie Mauresmo

The only French player to rank No.1, Mauresmo’s powerful single-handed backhand was the standout in an all-court arsenal that carried her to the 2006 Australian Open and Wimbledon titles, defeating Justine Henin in both deciders. Superbly fit but emotionally brittle, she waited seven years for her major breakthrough, having first reached the AO 1999 final at age 19.

A nervous performer at home in Paris (she never passed the quarterfinals in 15 campaigns), Mauresmo has in her post-player life occupied every leadership position in French Tennis – captain of the Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams and currently tournament director at Roland Garros.

She sparked interest in women coaches (or the dearth of them) after Andy Murray appointed her in 2014. The many off-court milestones, while juggling two children, have been achieved with signature minimum fuss and fanfare.

Li Na

The Chinese charmer opened the game to the world’s most populous nation. The first Asian-born player to contest a Grand Slam final (AO 2011) and the first to bag a major title (Roland Garros 2011), Li also served up winning comedy in press conferences, where her husband jokes often had the media in stitches.

The sunny, diffident exterior belied a difficult childhood and path to the top. Li lost her father at age 14 and as she makes clear in her gritty 2012 memoir, nothing about her tennis career was predestined or easily won. On the strength of Li’s success, China became the biggest market in the women’s game – from two events in 2009 to a tour-leading eight in 2019, including the rich WTA Finals.

Li’s happiest moment was arguably at Melbourne Park in 2014. After losing three-set deciders to power-hitters Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka in 2011 and 2013, the Aussie crowd pleaser defeated surprise finalist Dominika Cibulkova in straight sets. “Finally, I got her,” Li remarked of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, her favourite trophy.