Martina Navratilova (USA)
French Open record: 51-11
Best Result: Champion (1982, 1984)
Apologies for featuring the legend at the end but only this can be a perfect finale.
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In any case what can we say about a player whose entire career, in itself, is a statement? For someone who, didn't play in the French Open between 1975 and 1981, and made only two appearances after 1988, Navratilova has an outstanding record at Roland Garros.
Admitted that only two of her 18 career majors (singles) have come in Paris and that she finished second-best to compatriot Chris Evert (a seven-time French Open winner) on more occasions than one, but still her win-loss ratio is astounding.
While her maiden triumph in Paris, over Andrea Jagger, was a straight-forward affair, it was her "upset" win over Evert in 1984 that was her defining moment at Roland Garros.
Navratilova lost to Evert thrice in the French Open final, all three-set affairs. However, her win in 1984 happened to be in straight sets, comprehensive may be is the right word.
Evert's style was very unlike her own and more suited to the surface used in Paris. And that probably make Navratilova's 1984 triumph at Roland Garros special.
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