Martina Navratilova

The most famous female tennis player of all time, Navratilova powered through 18 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record nine Wimbledon singles victories , and 31 doubles titles. But her fearlessness off the court has also won her admirers; defecting to the US from communist Czechoslavakia at just 18, coming out in 1981, supporting gay rights and animal welfare, and raising awareness of cancer. Some branded her powerful style unfeminine, but, now 55, she is still playing, and winning. As one reader said: "She took fitness levels and gym work to a whole different plateau for female athletes in an era when most fans wanted to see blushing, coquettish blondes with ribbons in their hair. A true icon for so many."