The debate over who are the greatest ATP and WTA players of all time is one that will continue for years to come.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are three of the names in the men’s debate, having dominated the ATP Tour in the 21st century.

However, it is just Djokovic who still remains as an active player after Federer and Nadal retired last year.

While in the greatest women’s player of all time debate, Serena Williams is often the name mentioned, but Laura Robson has opted for someone else.

Laura Robson, Tournament Director poses for a photograph during the Rothesay Open Nottingham at Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre.
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images for LTA

Laura Robson says she thinks Steffi Graf is the greatest WTA player of all time ahead of Serena Williams

Former British number one Robson was tasked with the job of ranking the five greatest women’s players in the history of tennis for TNT Sports.

Robson put Monica Seles in fifth, before ranking 18-time Grand Slam champions Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova in fourth and third, respectively.

With just two spots left, Robson admitted that she was making a controversial decision to put 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams in second.

However, the 31-year-old had a personal reason why Steffi Graf was her greatest of all time, admitting that she was picking the German with her heart.

“In at number two, this is going to be controversial I know it is, but it is going to be Serena at two,” said Robson. “She is the GOAT in terms of numbers at 23 Grand Slam titles, and she is an icon of the sport and has transcended the sport in so many ways.

“But at number one, this is from the heart, not the brain this is from the heart, Steffi Graf. Yeah 22 Grand Slam titles, she was my absolute hero when I was younger.

“I was almost called Steffi, because she was playing an Australian Open match when my mum gave birth. And yeah, I got the chance to hit with her once and it is my favourite tennis memory ever, so I’m going to go Steffi at one for sure.”

What happened when Serena Williams played Steffi Graf?

While Graf retired in 1999, there was a short overlap that allowed her to play Williams on two occasions.

However, this does not help separate the two players, as they split their head-to-head with one win apiece.

The first of those came in Sydney in 1999, which Graf won in three sets, before they met again at Indian Wells.

This match at Indian Wells was the more high-profile match between them, as it came in the final of the tournament.

Serena Williams of the US poses for photographers
Photo credit should read HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty Images
Williams beat Graf in almost an exact reverse of the scoreline in Sydney to win what was the biggest title of her career at the time.

The American went on to win everything there is to win in the sport, with Williams (23) and Graf (22) winning more major titles than any other woman in the Open Era.