With a great and ever-changing number of double partnerships, it’s hard to define which tandem is the greatest of all time.

In the last few years, the Asian continent has produced a considerable amount of marquee players. Two of the best doubles teams have emerged from the WTA tour: Zi Yan and Jie Zheng, and Chia-Jung Chuang and Yung-Jan Chan have already engraved their way in the history books. There is also every chance that one pair could win gold for their country at the Beijing Olympics this year.

Since winning their first title in 2005, Chan and Chuang have had phenomenal success as a partnership. After capturing their first title in Seoul, they seemed to fall off the map. After failing to claim a title in 2006, the duo compiled their best results, and established themselves amongst the most elite in 2007.

'The last few seasons have seen the emergence of Chinese players, and perhaps the greatest doubles team hails from the vast Asian country'


Arriving in Melbourne in 2007, the two women had a ranking of 182 and were only competing in their third event together.  Not many would have thought they were capable of compiling a run to the finals. But in their first major appearance together, the tough tandem defeated numerous top-ranked teams, including Yan and Zheng, making their first Grand Slam final. Although they fell short in the final, the remainder of the season showcased just how strong the two women were together.

On three separate occasions the duo triumphed, winning in Bangalore, Birmingham, and ‘S-Hertogenbosch. But even more outstandingly, they proved their first Grand Slam showing wasn’t a fluke, and once again ploughed their way through a packed US Open draw, only to fall again just short of final success.

Already this year they have claimed a title in Pattaya, Thailand and have ventured beyond the quarter-finals on at least four different occasions. It may be true that they don’t hold a lot of trophies as a team, but it’s hard to deny how great they are.

The last few seasons have seen the emergence of Chinese players, and perhaps the greatest doubles team hails from the vast Asian country. It was back in 2005 when Yan and Zheng first made a trip to the winners' podium in Hobart and Hyderbad.  But 2006 saw them soar to new heights; claming six titles including the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Not only did they claim their first two Grand Slams together, but they put their country well and truly on the map.

With 11 tour titles, they remain one of the most consistent teams on the doubles circuit, and can never be counted out of a tournament.

Both teams have shocked the tennis world. It’s obvious that they don’t compare with some of the retired teams out there, but among active teams, who constantly compete in doubles, they are the best. 

All four of these women are extremely young and have a potentially fruitful career ahead of them. Even if some tennis fanatics don’t consider them the best now, the time will soon come when no one will deny their prominence.  Their consistency, all-court game, and continuous fighting spirit, will help ensure the world never forgets these vigorous women.