WTA Tour veterans Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki, along with relative newcomer Naomi Osaka, all claimed their first Grand Slam titles in 2018, solidifying their places in the world’s Top 10—a place where they had plenty of company as major winners.
In all, six players who’d won Grand Slam singles championships finished in that lofty section of the standings, the most since 2012. Back then, it was Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Li Na, Petra Kvitova and Samantha Stosur who pulled off the feat.
Joining Wozniacki, Halep and Kerber this year were Angelique Kerber, this year’s Wimbledon winner (and a two-time major champ in 2016); Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open victor; and Kvitova, who’s twice been the last woman standing at Wimbledon.
For Halep and Wozniacki, their Slam titles were a long time coming, as both were running neck in neck for the title of best active player to never win a major. Wozniacki shed that distinction first when she topped Halep in an instant-classic final at the Australian Open. Halep bounced back to claim the French Open over Stephens in a three-set battle.