Top five youngest women’s singles champions at Italian Open

At just 16, Tracy Austin made history by becoming the youngest ever Italian Open winner.

The Italian Open, officially known as the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, is one of the most prestigious clay-court tournaments on the WTA calendar. Held every spring at Rome’s storied Foro Italico, the event has been a showcase for the world’s best women’s tennis players since its inception in 1930.

Over the decades, the Italian Open has been a stage where legends are made and rising stars announce their arrival to the tennis world. As the last major clay-court tournament before the French Open, the Italian Open is a vital stop on the road to Roland Garros.

Often referred to as the “fifth Grand Slam,” the tournament’s timing and prestige mean that a victory in Rome is both a significant career milestone and a strong indicator of potential success in Paris. On that note, let’s take a look at the top five youngest women’s singles champions at the Italian Open.

5. Gabriela Sabatini – 17 years, 238 days (1988)

Gabriela Sabatini claimed her maiden Italian Open in 1988 at 17 years and 238 days old. The Argentine star defeated Helen Kelesi in the final to claim her first Rome title. Sabatini’s elegant and powerful game made her a fan favorite, and she would go on to win the Italian Open four times (1988, 1989, 1991, 1992). Her career highlights include a US Open singles title and a silver medal at the 1988 Olympics.

4. Steffi Graf – 17 years, 163 days (1986)

Steffi Graf first triumphed at the Italian Open in 1986, at the age of 17 years and 163 days, defeating Martina Navratilova in the final. Rome was a sign of things to come as she would go on to win the Italian Open five times (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992).

Graf’s all-court game and athleticism allowed her to dominate on clay as well as other surfaces. Her career is one of the most decorated in tennis history, with 22 Grand Slam singles titles and a Golden Slam in 1988, cementing her as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

3. Manuela Maleeva – 17 years, 109 days (1984)

Manuela Maleeva became the third youngest champion in Italian Open history when she won the title in 1984 at 17 years and 109 days old. The Bulgarian defeated Chris Evert in the final, marking a significant upset and a breakthrough moment in her career.

It was her only Italian Open singles title, but Maleeva had a remarkable career, reaching World No. 3 and winning 19 singles titles.

2. Andrea Temesvari – 16 years, 338 days (1983)

Andrea Temesvari followed closely in Austin’s footsteps, winning the Italian Open in 1983 at just 16 years and 338 days old. Temesvari, hailing from Hungary, captured her first and only Rome title by defeating Bonnie Gadusek in the final.

While injuries hampered her ability to build on this early triumph, Temesvári’s Rome victory remains a highlight of her career, and she later added a Grand Slam doubles title at the French Open in 1986.

1. Tracy Austin – 16 years, 152 days (1979)

Tracy Austin made history at the Italian Open in 1979 by becoming the youngest women’s singles champion in tournament history at just 16 years and 152 days old. In her remarkable run, Austin defeated Sylvia Hanika in the final, showcasing her composure and tactical maturity well beyond her years.

This victory in Rome was a major milestone early in her career, and though she never won the Italian Open again, it foreshadowed her ascent to world No. 1 and her two US Open titles.

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