Winning a Grand Slam title is the ultimate dream for every tennis player. While some achieve it early in their careers, others spend years knocking on the door without crossing the final hurdle. For a select group of WTA stars, the biggest stages have become both a proving ground and a haunting arena.

They’ve soared through grueling draws, toppled giants, and thrilled fans with their brilliance, only to watch the ultimate prize slip away at the very last stage of the competition. These players aren’t defined by failure – they’re defined by their relentless chase for a destiny that still waits to be written. Here are the Top 5 active WTA players without a major title:

1. Ons Jabeur

Few players have captured the spirit of modern tennis like Ons Jabeur. Nicknamed the ‘Minister of Happiness’ in her homeland of Tunisia, Jabeur is not just a player – she’s a pioneer. She carries the weight of an entire region on her shoulders, breaking barriers for Arab and African tennis with every match she plays. 

The 31-year-old has currently dropped down to 79 in the singles ranking, but her tennis journey is quite worthy of mentioning. In 2022, she reached a career-high ranking of number 2, making her the highest-ranked African and Arab tennis player in WTA and ATP Rankings’ history. Not only that, in that same year, she became the first African and Arab woman to contest a major singles final. Ons Jabeur had reached the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open in 2022.

Last year, in an interview with WTA, she spoke about her near misses. “I come from a very small country, a continent that dreams of seeing someone win a Grand Slam. I feel it's great what I achieved. Obviously, it becomes more and more personal for me because it's always tough to arrive at the final and not win it. But I'm going to keep chasing my dream, and what I've learned is that I shouldn't be afraid of failing because that's where I'm really courageous.” 

In 2022, she outlined her three goals for the season: the first one was to reach the Top 5, which she did successfully; the second one was to win more titles, and the third one was to win a major title. Although Jabeur has managed to win five titles so far, she’s yet to win a Grand Slam title.

Record at Grand Slams:

In one instance, Ons Jabeur revealed that she had planned to have a baby if she won the Wimbledon final, but unfortunately for the Tunisian, the idea of having a baby just vanished with her defeat.

In March 2024, during the Tennis Insider Club podcast, Jabeur clarified a bit on this, saying, “It wasn’t actually linked, you know, Grand Slam and having a baby. But you know, I am 29 years old. My goal is to have a baby on comeback, it’s the right time to do it. And I feel like I am honestly playing great tennis, so if I stopped, I am not sure how I am gonna comeback, it’s now or never to win Grand Slam. So, I thought going to the final, and if I can win, I can rest a bit even my body is little bit exhausted from playing the tournaments.”

So, a lot of hard work and sacrifices these players have to make in order to fulfill their dreams in their careers. But now, talking about her current status, well, after making two consecutive first-round exits from the French Open and Wimbledon, Ons Jabeur decided to take a break from professional tennis as she now aims to prioritize her well-being and rediscover joy in life.

2. Amanda Anisimova

When Amanda Anisimova burst onto the scene as a teenager, the tennis world was witnessing the rise of the next great American champion. As a junior, she was ranked as high as number 2 in the world and won the 2017 US Open girls’ singles title by defeating Coco Gauff.

Just before the 2025 US Open, while sharing her thoughts on her early success during the press conference, Amanda Anisimova said, “I always think about the junior tournament and ending my junior career on that note. That was the only junior Slam I had ever won. And for it to be at the US Open was even more special. It's crazy to think how far I have come since then.” From a rising star, she has now transitioned to a superstar in women’s tennis.

At just 17, she stunned the tennis world by upsetting the defending champion and then world number 3, Simona Halep, at the 2019 French Open to become the youngest semifinalist at the tournament in over a decade. Her journey at that tournament came to an end in the SF itself, and after that, it took her almost six years to make her mark yet again on the bigger stages.

Amanda Anisimova defeated the world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, on her way to the final of the 2025 Wimbledon. But unfortunately for the American, her dream of winning a major title got shattered with a 0-6,0-6 defeat against Iga Swiatek in the final. Following that defeat, a heartbroken Anisimova said, “It was a bit tough to digest, obviously, especially during and right after. It's not how I would have wanted my first Grand Slam final to go.” However, she assured her fans that she’d definitely come back stronger.

And, she did it! Amanda Anisimova reached the final of a Grand Slam tournament for the second consecutive time this season. She defeated the likes of former champions Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka to set up a clash against Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the 2025 US Open. However, in the final, she was defeated by Aryna Sabalenka by 3-6,6(3)-7. 

Yet again, a setback! A teary-eyed Amanda Anisimova looked away as Sabalenka lifted the US Open trophy high into the air. But where did it go wrong? “I didn't fight hard enough for my dreams,” she said after the match.

Record at Grand Slams:

Still only in her early 20s, Anisimova has time on her side. She’s already shown she can shine under the brightest lights, and if she can string together consistency with her undeniable talent, a Slam run feels less like a matter of ‘if’ and more like ‘when’.

3. Elina Svitolina

At 31 years old, Elina Svitolina is one of the most experienced players on the women’s Tour. She turned pro way back in 2010, and throughout these 15 years, Svitolina has tasted plenty of successes in her career. She has won 18 WTA Tour singles titles, including the 2018 WTA Finals, and has also reached a career-high ranking of world number 3 (in singles) in the past.

Elina Svitolina’s journey is one of grit, perseverance, and unshakable resolve. For years, she was a fixture in the WTA’s Top 10, the kind of competitor who seemed destined to lift a Grand Slam. Her speed, defensive mastery, and tactical brilliance made her one of the most consistent players on Tour. Yet, in the biggest moments — the final step has always remained just out of reach.

Record at Grand Slams:

So, close yet so far! But, she’s not done yet! After losing to Iga Swiatek in the 2025 French Open QF, the Ukrainian said, “Of course, this is not my end goal. The ultimate goal is to win a Grand Slam… to be at the top of the WTA rankings. But I try to take it step by step. Try to take my time.”

She feels she still has a good chance to play good tennis and challenge the top players for titles. That’s one of the reasons that Svitolina thinks is pushing herself to chase excellence a lot more in recent times.

4. Jessica Pegula

Jessica Pegula, aged 31, is currently the oldest player ranked inside the world’s top ten. She made her pro debut in 2009, and over these years, she has managed to bring home nine titles (in singles). Pegula has career-high rankings in singles of world number 3, first achieved in October 2022. But when it comes to Grand Slams, she’s yet to tick that box!

Although she came inches closer to clinching the US Open title last year, Aryna Sabalenka spoiled her plans with a straight-set victory in the final. Following that heartbreaking loss, Jessica Pegula said, “I'm just annoyed I lost right now.” 

In 2025, although she had already won three titles, her record at the first three major tournaments wasn’t that good. She made an exit from the AO in the third round itself, and it was followed by a fourth-round exit at the French Open. Then, she lost against Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the first round of the 2025 Wimbledon.

However, Jessica Pegula did manage to reach the SF at the US Open. But her journey in her Home Slam was yet again cut short by Aryna Sabalenka. After that three-set thriller, when Pegula was asked if she thinks she’s close to winning her first Grand Slam, she said, “I always feel like I’m close. I’m one of the top players in the world. I always feel like I can go out and I can beat these girls. Even though I maybe don’t have the massive weapon that some of them have or the flashiness that some of them have, I feel like I’m always right there every time I play them.” Only time can tell if JPeg can ever win a major title or not, but for now, let’s take a glimpse at her records at the majors.

Record at Grand Slams

5. Karolina Pliskova

Few players have been as close to Grand Slam glory, yet left waiting as Karolina Pliskova. The former world number one has all the weapons: a booming serve that once made her the ace queen of the tour, flat groundstrokes that can pierce through any defense, and a calm exterior that hides her inner fire. She has won 17 titles in her career so far, but despite all this success, her career has been a paradox.

Pliskova has been a model of consistency, staying near the top of the game for years, even reaching the summit of the rankings without ever winning a Slam. She had reached the finals of the major tournaments twice (2016 US Open and 2021 Wimbledon), but on both those occasions she ended up on the losing side. 

Following her three-set defeat to Ashleigh Barty in the 2021 Wimbledon final, Karolina Pliskova said, “It's actually mixed feelings. Of course, my dream (is) always going to be now, forever, to win the Grand Slam. I'm trying to do that for like, since I started actually to play tennis.”

Record at Grand Slams:

She’s now already 33 years old. Can she ever win a major title? Time will tell!

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Edited by

Purva Jain