Gallery of Champions July 4, 2020

Serving notice: First Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon in the Open Era

During the Open Era (since 1968), seven players have won their first-ever Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon.

Martina Navratilova claimed her first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon in 1978. She finished her legendary career with 18 Grand Slam singles titles, half of which she won on the London lawns. — 01 /07

Martina Navratilova claimed her first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon in 1978. She finished her legendary career with 18 Grand Slam singles titles, half of which she won on the London lawns.

Getty Images

Conchita Martinez had never made a grass-court final before a stunning run to her first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon in 1994, where she defeated Navratilova in the final. — 02 /07

Conchita Martinez had never made a grass-court final before a stunning run to her first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon in 1994, where she defeated Navratilova in the final.

Getty Images

After two previous losses in Wimbledon finals, serve-and-volley expert Jana Novotna triumphed at SW19 in 1998 for her long-awaited first Grand Slam title. — 03 /07

After two previous losses in Wimbledon finals, serve-and-volley expert Jana Novotna triumphed at SW19 in 1998 for her long-awaited first Grand Slam title.

Getty Images

Venus Williams began her singles major-winning collection with her first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon in 2000. To date, five of her seven Grand Slam singles titles have come in London. — 04 /07

Venus Williams began her singles major-winning collection with her first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon in 2000. To date, five of her seven Grand Slam singles titles have come in London.

Getty Images

Maria Sharapova notched her first-ever Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2004. By 2012, she had completed the Career Grand Slam after winning each of the major events once. — 05 /07

Maria Sharapova notched her first-ever Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2004. By 2012, she had completed the Career Grand Slam after winning each of the major events once.

Getty Images

Petra Kvitova used her powerful left-handed game to pick up her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2011. Three years later, she would add a second Wimbledon title to her haul. — 06 /07

Petra Kvitova used her powerful left-handed game to pick up her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2011. Three years later, she would add a second Wimbledon title to her haul.

Getty Images

2007 runner-up Marion Bartoli went one further in 2013, when she earned her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. She joined 2006 titlist Amelie Mauresmo as the only Frenchwomen to win the Wimbledon singles title in the Open Era. — 07 /07

2007 runner-up Marion Bartoli went one further in 2013, when she earned her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. She joined 2006 titlist Amelie Mauresmo as the only Frenchwomen to win the Wimbledon singles title in the Open Era.

Getty Images