Spanish · Monzón, Spain · Born 16 April 1972Conchita Martínez is a Spanish former professional tennis player who won the 1994 Wimbledon singles title, defeating Martina Navratilova in the final.
Inmaculada Concepción "Conchita" Martínez Bernat was born on 16 April 1972 in Monzón, Aragón, Spain, to Cecilio, an accountant, and Conchita, a homemaker, and began playing tennis at six, hitting balls against a backboard for hours at a time. Her family moved first to Madrid and then to Barcelona to give her access to better training facilities, and she turned professional in February 1988 at just 16. Martínez developed into one of the most complete players of her generation, renowned for a versatile game built around one of the finest forehands on tour. Despite early reservations about grass — she once said she believed the phrase "grass is for cows" — she reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 1993 before losing to eventual champion Steffi Graf. Martínez's crowning achievement came in 1994, when she defeated Martina Navratilova 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the Wimbledon final, becoming the first Spanish woman to win the title — and denying Navratilova what would have been an unprecedented tenth Wimbledon crown in the American legend's final Grand Slam singles final. She reached two further major finals, at the 1998 Australian Open and 2000 French Open, and won three Olympic medals. Martínez retired in 2006 with 33 singles and 13 doubles titles, and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2020. She went on to captain Spain's Fed Cup and Davis Cup teams, and has coached leading players including Garbiñe Muguruza and Mirra Andreeva.
1994 Wimbledon champion, first Spanish woman to win the title
She became the first Spanish woman ever to win Wimbledon, defeating the legendary Martina Navratilova in the 1994 final.
Did You Know?How They Played
Martínez was known for her solid baseline game, excellent court coverage, and tactical intelligence. She possessed strong groundstrokes from both wings and was particularly effective on clay courts, though her Wimbledon victory demonstrated her versatility on grass. Her mental fortitude and ability to construct points methodically made her a formidable opponent in long matches.
Lasting Impact
Martínez paved the way for future generations of Spanish women's tennis players and remains the most successful Spanish female player of her era. Her Wimbledon victory broke new ground for Spanish tennis and inspired many young players in her home country.
Career Honours
- Wimbledon 1994
- four-time Fed Cup champion with Spain
Spanish Athletes