Twenty-nine women have topped the WTA Rankings since the system was first introduced in 1975, achieving perhaps the greatest feat in tennis.

Tennis has largely been dominated by taller players in both the women’s and men’s games, particularly in recent decades, though a few players have defied the odds.

Looking at official listings on the WTA Tour website, we list the seven shortest women to hold the world No 1 ranking.

7) Arantxa Sanchez Vicario – 5’6 ½ /169cm

‘Barcelona Bumblebee’ Sanchez Vicario was one of the leading players of the late 1980s and 1990s, winning three French Open titles and a US Open title in her legendary career.

Despite competing against the likes of Steffi Graf, the Spaniard still battled her way to the world No 1 ranking, spending 12 weeks at the top across thr

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