jana novotná defeated nathalie tauziat in the final, 6–4, 7–6 to win the ladies' singles tennis title at the 1998 wimbledon championships. this was novotná's first win in a wimbledon final on her third attempt. this would be the last time a czech player would win wimbledon (or win a grand slam title) until petra kvitová won in 2011. martina hingis was the defending champion but lost in the semifinals to novotná, in a rematch of the previous year's final.