5. Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf, seen here at the 1987 French Open, first claimed the world No.1 ranking on August 17 that year and held it for an astonishing 186 weeks, a record that she that now shares with Serena Williams. The German icon held top spot for 377 weeks in total, also a record, across seven stints through to 1997. Graf was the year-end No.1 eight times, another record, though there is a sad asterisk over her total numbers due to the stabbing attack suffered by arch rival Monica Seles. After Seles was attacked on April 30, 1993, by a crazed Graf fan during a match at Hamburg, she spent two years out of tennis. Graf compiled an 87-week run as No.1 after Seles dropped from top spot. There is also conjecture over how many majors Graf would have won has Seles not been hurt. Regardless of the fallout from the grisly incident, Graf was a mighty champion. She won the French Open in 1987 for her first Grand Slam singles titles and ended her career with 22, the most of the Open era until surpassed by Serena. Graf won the ‘Golden Slam’ in 1988, winning all four majors plus the Seoul Olympics singles gold medal. She won three majors in four other years, 1989, 1993, 1995 and 1996; in 1989 and 1993, she was runner-up in the only major she didn’t win and in 1995-96, she was absent from the Australian Open. She won the 1999 French Open 12 years after her first Roland Garros title; her first and last majors. Graf also won five Tour Finals amongst 107 career singles titles (third all-time) and two Fed Cups. Later in life, she formed one of the great tennis power couples by marrying men’s legend Andre Agassi.