The 3 Women Who Won the Same WTA 1000 Event Four Years in a Row – But Iga Swiatek Can’t Join Them Due to a Technicality
Consistency is one of the hardest things to achieve in professional tennis. Winning the same event year after year requires dominance, mental strength, and the ability to adapt to different circumstances. In WTA history, only three women have ever won the same WTA 1000 tournament four consecutive times.
With her recent Miami Open three-peat attempt falling short and a peculiar technicality keeping her from this elite club, Iga Świątek’s name is missing from a list she otherwise seemed destined to join. So, who are the three legends that pulled off this incredible feat? Let’s dive in.
1. Serena Williams – Miami Open (2002-2004, 2007-2008) & US Open (2012-2014)
When talking about dominance in women’s tennis, Serena Williams is the first name that comes to mind. The 23-time Grand Slam champion had multiple periods of sustained dominance, and one of the most impressive came at the Miami Open and the US Open.
Miami Open Dominance
Serena first won the Miami Open four years in a row from 2002 to 2004, a time when she was taking over women’s tennis. What’s even more remarkable is that she did it again from 2007 to 2008, making her the only player to have multiple streaks of at least three consecutive titles at a WTA 1000 event.
Her Miami dominance showcased her complete game—power, defense, and clutch play in crucial moments. In this stretch, she took down some of the biggest names, including her sister Venus Williams and players like Maria Sharapova and Jennifer Capriati.
US Open Reign (2012-2014)
Serena’s ability to reign supreme for years was also evident at the US Open. From 2012 to 2014, she was untouchable in New York, winning three consecutive titles against top-tier competition. But due to a WTA technicality, she was unable to extend the streak to four.
Why? In 2015, she was on track to win her fourth straight US Open but was stunned by Roberta Vinci in the semifinals. This shocking defeat ended her chance to become the first woman since Steffi Graf to complete a Calendar Slam and her four-year winning streak at Flushing Meadows.
While Serena has multiple three-peats, her name joins this list thanks to Miami, where she did, in fact, win four straight titles.
2. Martina Navratilova – Chicago (1978-1982) & Eastbourne (1982-1986)
Martina Navratilova was the definition of consistency in the late 1970s and 1980s. The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion made history by winning multiple events four years in a row—or even longer.
Chicago (1978-1982) – The Longest WTA 1000 Streak Ever?
Navratilova’s streak in Chicago remains one of the longest in history. Between 1978 and 1982, she won the title five consecutive times, a record that stands tall. The tournament, which was later downgraded from a Premier-level event, was one of Navratilova’s favorite venues, as she dominated indoor hard courts with her aggressive serve-and-volley style.
Eastbourne (1982-1986) – Queen of Grass
Navratilova also ruled the grass courts at Eastbourne, where she won four straight times from 1982 to 1986. This was the perfect warm-up tournament for Wimbledon, where she won a record nine singles titles. Her Eastbourne dominance signaled her ability to master grass courts like no one else before or after her.
Few players have managed to dominate tournaments as Navratilova did, and her name in this elite group is well deserved.
3. Steffi Graf – German Open (1986-1989) & Wimbledon (1991-1993, 1995-1996)
The third and final member of this exclusive club is none other than Steffi Graf, the only player in history to win the Golden Slam (all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold in the same year). Her consistency across different surfaces allowed her to dominate for years, and she also achieved this rare four-in-a-row feat.
German Open (1986-1989) – The Clay Court Queen Before Paris
Before dominating Roland Garros, Steffi Graf established her clay-court dominance at the German Open (now known as the Berlin Open). From 1986 to 1989, she won four straight titles, proving her ability to slide, attack, and control points with her powerful forehand.
During this run, she defeated top-tier opponents, setting the stage for her French Open dominance, where she eventually won six titles.
Wimbledon (1991-1993, 1995-1996) – Grass Court Excellence
While Graf didn’t win Wimbledon four times in a row, she won it in three consecutive years twice (1991-1993 and 1995-1996). Her aggressive all-court game was perfect for grass, allowing her to neutralize her opponents and become one of the best Wimbledon champions in history.
If she had managed to win in 1994, she would have achieved a four-year streak at Wimbledon, but she was upset by Lori McNeil in the first round—a rare early exit for such a dominant player.
Why Iga Świątek Doesn’t Make the List – The WTA 1000 Technicality
Iga Świątek has been one of the most dominant players of the modern era, particularly on clay and slow hard courts. She has won multiple WTA 1000 titles, including three consecutive titles at the Rome Open from 2021 to 2023.
However, despite her Rome dominance, she doesn’t qualify for this exclusive four-in-a-row club due to a technicality:
The WTA restructured its tournament categories in 2009, and the rules changed over time. Rome was classified as a Premier 5 event before transitioning to a WTA 1000 event in 2021.
Since Świątek’s first Rome title in 2021, she has yet to win it four straight times. If she wins in 2024, she will join the list. But as of now, she’s stuck at three—like many other great players.
Another event where Świątek had a chance was the Doha Open, where she won in 2022, 2023, and 2024. However, Doha alternates between WTA 500 and WTA 1000 status every year, meaning her streak isn’t counted as four straight WTA 1000 titles.
Conclusion: Will Anyone Join This Exclusive Club?
Winning four straight WTA 1000 tournaments at the same venue is a historic feat that only a select few have achieved. Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, and Steffi Graf remain the only three to have done it.
Iga Świątek has shown the potential to dominate a WTA 1000 event for four consecutive years, but for now, she’s just shy of joining the club. Whether it’s Rome or another event, her consistency makes it only a matter of time before she adds her name to this legendary list.
Will anyone else step up and achieve this rare milestone in the future? With rising stars like Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina in the mix, the challenge is tougher than ever. But history shows that dominance is possible—just ask Serena, Martina, and Steffi.
What do you think? Will Iga Świątek eventually make this list, or is it too tough in today’s era? Let us know your thoughts!
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