Serena Williams at 44: The Inspiring Journey of a Tennis Legend

Serena Williams, born on September 26, 1981, is a prominent American professional tennis player renowned for her exceptional achievements in the sport. She has held the world No. 1 ranking in women’s singles for a remarkable total of 319 weeks, making her one of the top-ranked players in tennis history. Serena Williams has concluded the year as the No. 1 player five times, further solidifying her position as a dominant force in women’s tennis. Throughout her career, she has secured an impressive 73 WTA Tour-level singles titles, of which 23 are major women’s singles titles—this record marks the highest in the Open Era and the second-highest in the history of the sport.

In addition to her tournament successes, Serena Williams is particularly noted for her unique achievements, including being the only player to have accomplished a Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles. This includes winning all four major titles and an Olympic gold medal simultaneously in both disciplines, underscoring her versatility and skill as a tennis player. Her legacy in the sport is characterized by her exceptional accomplishments, inspiring many within and outside the realm of tennis.

Serena Williams, along with her sister Venus, was trained by their parents, Oracene Price and Richard Williams. She turned professional in 1995 and achieved significant milestones, including winning her first major singles title at the 1999 US Open. From 2002 to 2003, Serena Williams dominated women’s tennis, winning four consecutive Grand Slam titles, a feat known as the “Serena Slam,” achieved by defeating Venus in the finals. Although injuries affected her performance in subsequent years, Serena Williams made a remarkable comeback starting in 2007, eventually reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking.

Her resurgence was marked by significant victories starting from the 2012 Wimbledon Championships, where she also captured Olympic gold, completing a career Golden Slam in singles. Between 2014 and 2015, she won all four major singles titles again, earning a second “Serena Slam.” Williams extended her record to 23 major singles titles at the 2017 Australian Open, surpassing Steffi Graf’s Open Era record. After taking a break due to pregnancy, she still managed to reach four major finals upon her return. In August 2022, she announced her impending exit from professional tennis, concluding her career at the 2022 US Open but is set to make a return in 2026.

In addition to her singles success, Serena Williams has won 23 WTA Tour-level doubles titles, including 14 major doubles championships alongside Venus, boasting an undefeated record in major doubles finals. The Williams sisters achieved a non-calendar year Grand Slam in doubles and are recognized for their Olympic achievements, winning a total of four gold medals, an all-time record in tennis.

Serena Williams is notable for being the only player to complete three career Golden Slams: one in women’s singles and two in women’s doubles. Their impact on the sport has been profound, heralding a new era of athleticism and power in women’s tennis. Serena remains the most recent woman to hold all four major singles titles simultaneously and has also held all four major women’s doubles titles with Venus.

Financially, Serena Williams has been a trailblazer, being the highest-paid female athlete in 2016 and 2017, with total earnings nearing $29 million and significant endorsements. She is recognized as the highest-earning woman athlete of all time. Serena has received multiple accolades, including the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award, and was named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 2015. In 2020, she was ranked by the Tennis Channel as the greatest women’s tennis player of all time and received the Princess of Asturias Award for Sport in 2025.

Early life of Serena Williams

Serena Williams, born on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan, is the youngest daughter of Oracene Price and Richard Williams, with three half-sisters (Yetunde, Lyndrea, and Isha) and at least seven paternal half-siblings. The family relocated to Compton, California, despite Oracene’s objections, as Richard believed this challenging environment would prepare Serena and her sister Venus for their tennis careers.

He was motivated by the success stories of athletes and chosen this tough upbringing with the aim of fostering resilience. Richard took on the role of primary coach, home-schooling both Serena and Venus, who began playing tennis at four years old. Alongside her parents, Rodriguez Williams, a local mentor who bore her father’s name, also played a significant role in her early tennis education by founding The Venus and Serena Williams Tennis Tutorial Academy, further emphasizing the deeply personal and family-oriented foundation of Serena’s tennis career.

When Serena Williams was nine, her family relocated from Compton to West Palm Beach, Florida, to allow Serena and Venus to enroll in the tennis academy of Rick Macci, who provided additional coaching. Although Macci often disagreed with Richard’s coaching methods, he respected his approach to parenting, noting that Richard allowed his daughters to enjoy their childhood.

By 1991, Serena Williams achieved an impressive record of 46–3 on the United States Tennis Association junior tour and was ranked No. 1 among under-10 players in Florida. However, at the age of ten, Richard chose to withdraw his daughters from national competitions, prioritizing their education and well-being over early professional aspirations, citing concerns about potential burnout and experiences of racism he observed at tournaments. In 1995, during Williams’ ninth-grade year, Richard decided to take full control of their coaching by withdrawing them from Macci’s academy and conducting training at home.

Professional career

1995–1998: Professional debut

In the early stages of her career, Serena Williams faced age restrictions that delayed her entry into professional tennis. Although her parents preferred that she wait until age 16 to compete, she aimed to debut before that age at the Bank of the West Classic in 1995 but was denied due to eligibility rules.

Following a brief pursuit of an antitrust lawsuit against the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), which she later withdrew at her parents’ insistence, Williams made her professional debut at the Bell Challenge in Quebec in October 1995. Utilizing a wild-card entry, she experienced a first-round loss against 18-year-old Annie Miller.

After a year off in 1996, Serena Williams returned to the circuit and made waves in November 1997, winning her first main-draw match at the Ameritech Cup in Chicago. Ranked No.304, she achieved remarkable upsets against No.7 Mary Pierce and No.4 Monica Seles, marking her as the lowest-ranked player in the Open Era to defeat two top-10 players in a single tournament, eventually finishing 1997 ranked No.99.

In 1998, Serena Williams challenged top players, including a notable win over No.3-ranked Lindsay Davenport at the Sydney International. She also participated in her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open, where after defeating sixth-seeded Irina Spîrlea, she faced her sister Venus in a historic match. Despite struggling in several quarterfinal attempts, she secured her first non-mixed doubles title at the U.S. National Indoor Championships alongside Venus, finishing 1998 ranked No.20, the fastest achievement in women’s tennis history.

The year 1999 marked a turning point in Serena Williams’ career as she claimed her first professional singles title at the Open Gaz de France by defeating Amélie Mauresmo. This was followed by her victory at the Evert Cup over Steffi Graf, and a noteworthy all-sister final at the Miami Masters, where she was defeated by Venus. Despite missing Wimbledon due to injury, Williams made her Fed Cup debut and later triumphed at the JPMorgan Chase Open.

The pinnacle of her year came at the US Open, where she toppled defending champion Lindsay Davenport, becoming the second African-American woman to win a Grand Slam singles title, alongside a doubles victory with her sister, thereby making her one of only five women in the Open Era to win singles and doubles at the same major event. By the end of the 1999 season, Williams reached a career-high world ranking of No.4, solidifying her status as a top player in women’s tennis.

In 2000, Serena Williams faced challenges as she failed to defend her titles at both the French Open and Indian Wells but secured victory at the Faber Grand Prix in Germany. An injury caused her to miss the French Open, but she later competed in the Wimbledon Championships where she lost to her sister, Venus, in the semifinals, although they jointly claimed the doubles title.

Her defense of the US Open title ended prematurely with a quarterfinal loss to Lindsay Davenport. Notably, she and Venus won the gold medal in doubles at the Sydney Olympics, and Williams concluded the year ranked No. 6 after winning the Toyota Princess Cup.

The following year, 2001, began with Serena Williams experiencing setbacks, as she lost to Martina Hingis in the quarterfinals of both the Medibank International and the Australian Open, although she and Venus won the doubles event at the latter, achieving a historic “Career Grand Slam” in women’s doubles by winning all four Grand Slam titles during their careers

. At the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, Serena Williams triumphed over Kim Clijsters in the final but faced racism when her father, Richard Williams, reported derogatory comments from spectators, prompting both sisters to boycott the tournament, which Serena sustained until 2015. She also claimed her second title of the year at the Rogers Cup, beating Jennifer Capriati. In a historic showdown at the US Open final, she lost to Venus, marking the first Grand Slam final featuring two sisters in the Open Era, finishing the year ranked No. 6 for the second consecutive time.

In 2002, Serena Williams faced setbacks early in the season, retiring from the semifinals at the Medibank International Sydney due to injury and subsequently withdrawing from the Australian Open. After recuperating, she earned her first title of the year in Scottsdale, Arizona, defeating No. 2 ranked Capriati in the final. Williams then achieved a significant milestone by winning the Miami Masters, where she became the second player in the Open Era to beat the top three ranked players—Hingis, Venus, and Capriati—at the same tournament.

In May 2002, Serena Williams achieved her first clay-court title at the Italian Open, propelling her ranking to No. 3. She then went on to win her inaugural French Open title, elevating her to No. 2, just behind her sister Venus. That summer saw Williams secure her first Wimbledon title by defeating Venus in the final, making her the third African American woman to reach the No. 1 ranking. The Williams sisters also triumphed in the doubles event at Wimbledon.

At the US Open, Serena Williams faced Venus again in the final, securing her victory and completing three consecutive Grand Slam titles. She added two more singles titles in the fall, defeating Kim Clijsters for the Toyota Princess Cup in Tokyo and Anastasia Myskina for the Sparkassen Cup in Leipzig. Although she reached the final of the Home Depot Championships in Los Angeles, she lost to Clijsters. Williams concluded 2002 with a remarkable win-loss record of 56-5, eight singles titles, and the No. 1 ranking, becoming the third player in history to win the “Surface Slam.”

In 2003, at the Australian Open, Serena Williams faced Venus in the final for the fourth consecutive Grand Slam tournament, winning and completing a Career Grand Slam, a feat accomplished by only a few. This achievement also included her holding all four Grand Slam singles titles at once, a milestone referred to as the “Serena Slam.” The sisters won their sixth Grand Slam doubles title together at this event.

Spring 2003 saw Serena Williams claiming singles titles at the Open Gaz de France and the Sony Ericsson Open, but her streak ended with a loss to Justine Henin in the Family Circle Cup final. At the French Open, she was the top seed but lost in the semifinals to Henin—marking her first Grand Slam loss since 2001 amid controversy regarding sportsmanship. Williams rebounded at Wimbledon, again defeating Venus, but this would be her last tournament of 2003 as she needed knee surgery after pulling out of several events.

The period from 2004 to 2007 was marked by injuries and a slow comeback. Serena Williams returned at the NASDAQ-100 Open in March 2004, winning but facing disappointment at the French Open, losing to Jennifer Capriati. At Wimbledon, she was seeded first but lost to Maria Sharapova in the final, a first for Williams since 1999, leading to further decline in her ranking. At the 2004 US Open, amid controversy regarding officiating, she lost in the quarterfinals to Capriati, which spurred new calls for technological improvements in officiating.

In September 2004, Serena Williams claimed her second title of the year at the China Open but was hampered by injuries, finishing the year ranked No. 7 without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2001. In early 2005, after her sister’s early exit from the Australian Open, Serena Williams silenced critics by defeating the top seed, Lindsay Davenport, which earned her a second Australian Open title and seventh Grand Slam overall, leading her back to No. 2. However, injuries kept her from competing in the French Open, and her Wimbledon performance was lackluster, leading to another early exit at the US Open against Venus.

Serena Williams’ struggles continued into 2006, where she was injured at the Australian Open, lost early, and encountered personal challenges including depression, which kept her away from competition for six months. She returned to action in July 2006 but faced difficulties, only managing to reach the semifinals of the US Open where she lost to Amélie Mauresmo. By year’s end, her ranking had slipped to No. 95, the lowest since she began her tennis career.

In 2007, Serena Williams approached the tennis season with renewed confidence, despite some skepticism surrounding her fitness and ranking. Commentator Pat Cash termed her ambitions “deluded” as she entered the Australian Open unseeded, ranked No. 81, and labeled as “out of shape.” Intensifying the pressure, Nike threatened to withdraw sponsorship if she failed to perform to her standards, motivating Williams to aim for at least a quarterfinal finish.

Undeterred, Serena Williams displayed remarkable resilience throughout the tournament, winning decisively against opponents like Mara Santangelo and Anne Kremer, though she battled a blister and a cold. In a dramatic third-round match against Nadia Petrova, she clawed back from the brink of elimination to secure victory in three sets. Williams eventually reached the final after navigating through tough matches against Jelena Janković, Shahar Pe’er, and Nicole Vaidišová. She perceived the doubts surrounding her fitness and capability as motivating factors, stating her opponents likely underestimated her.

Contrary to expectations, especially from Tracy Austin, who predicted a straightforward win for Maria Sharapova in the final, Williams delivered an outstanding performance, winning convincingly and dropping only three games. This triumph marked her return to tournament success after a two-year hiatus, making her the first unseeded player since Chris O’Neil to win the Australian Open. The victory boosted her ranking to No. 14 and represented her third Australian Open title and eighth Grand Slam singles title overall, which she dedicated to her deceased half-sister, Yetunde.

Following the Australian Open, Williams continued to show promise by winning the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, defeating Justine Henin. However, she faced setbacks at the Grand Slam tournaments, losing to Henin in the quarterfinals at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Williams also reached the final of the Kremlin Cup but lost to Elena Dementieva. Although she qualified for the WTA Championships, an injury forced her to retire from her opening match. Williams ended the year ranked No. 7, marking her status as the top American player for the first time since 2003, signaling a notable comeback in her career.

From 2008 to 2010, Serena Williams experienced a tumultuous period marked by injuries, controversies, and significant achievements in her tennis career. In 2008, she kicked off the season by winning the Hopman Cup alongside Mardy Fish. However, her performance at the Australian Open was disappointing as she fell in the quarterfinals to Jelena Janković, marking her fourth consecutive loss at this stage in Grand Slam tournaments. Regrettably, Williams withdrew from her next three tournaments due to urgent dental surgery.

Subsequently, she rebounded with three consecutive singles titles, including her fifth victory at the Miami Open, thereby tying with Steffi Graf for the most titles at this event. She also secured her first clay-court title at the Family Circle Cup since 2002, but her 17-match winning streak was cut short by Dinara Safina in the Berlin quarterfinals. Following a withdrawal in Rome due to a back injury, Williams faced a disappointing third-round exit at the French Open to Katarina Srebotnik.

At Wimbledon, Williams reached her first final in four years but was defeated by her sister Venus in a significant Grand Slam encounter. However, she and Venus claimed the doubles title together. An injury led Williams to retire in the semifinals of the Stanford tournament, also affecting her ability to compete in Los Angeles.

During the Summer Olympics in Beijing, she lost in the singles quarterfinals to Elena Dementieva but triumphed with Venus in doubles, earning a gold medal. In early September, she won her third US Open title and her ninth Grand Slam singles title, which allowed her to reclaim the No. 1 ranking for the first time since 2003.

Despite finishing the year ranked No. 2 and with four singles titles, Williams faced challenges at the year-end championships, where she lost to Venus and withdrew from a match against Dementieva due to a stomach muscle injury.

The beginning of 2009 saw Williams competing in the Medibank International, suffering a semifinal loss to Dementieva. Nonetheless, she achieved a major milestone at the Australian Open by claiming her tenth Grand Slam singles title against Safina, which restored her No. 1 ranking and made her the all-time leader in career prize money in women’s sports. Furthermore, she and Venus captured the doubles title at the Australian Open for the third time together.

Unfortunately, further setbacks followed, including a withdrawal before the semifinals at the Open GdF Suez due to a knee injury and a semifinal loss to Venus in Dubai.

In 2009, Serena Williams faced significant challenges, including ankle and quadriceps injuries, which plagued her performance at the Sony Ericsson Open, leading to an unexpected loss in the final to Victoria Azarenka. This defeat marked the beginning of a four-match losing streak, the longest of her career.

Subsequently, she faced early exits in Barcelona, Rome, and Madrid, and at the French Open, she was ousted in the quarterfinals by the eventual champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova, ending her impressive 18-match Grand Slam winning streak. Williams rebounded at Wimbledon, triumphing over Elena Dementieva in the semifinals and defeating her sister Venus in the final, earning her eleventh Grand Slam singles title and third Wimbledon championship. Alongside Venus, she captured the Wimbledon doubles title, marking their ninth Grand Slam doubles victory.

As the US Open approached, Williams experienced disappointing results, including a third-round defeat in Cincinnati and a semifinal loss at the Rogers Cup. During the US Open semifinals against Kim Clijsters, after losing the first set, Williams received a racket abuse warning, and later a foot fault call incurred a heated reaction, leading to a point penalty. This resulted in her losing the match and incited a $10,500 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Following further investigation, the Grand Slam Committee imposed a more significant penalty of $175,000 and placed her on a two-year probation, threatening suspension for any future offenses. Initially unremorseful, Williams later expressed humility and apologized for her outburst.

Despite the controversies, Williams excelled in the US Open doubles, partnering with Venus to secure their third Grand Slam doubles title of the year and their tenth overall. In the WTA Tour Championships, Williams dominated the round-robin stage, defeating her sister and others, and won the event by overcoming Venus in the final.

Williams ended the year ranked No. 1 for the second time, participating in a record 16 tournaments and earning over $6.5 million in prize money—the highest for a female player in a single year, surpassing Justine Henin’s previous record. By year’s end, her Grand Slam tally reached 23, earning her the title of Female Athlete of the Year from the Associated Press and recognition as both the International Tennis Federation World Champion in singles and doubles.

Entering 2010, Williams was a defending champion in both singles and doubles at the Australian Open. After reaching the singles final, she triumphed over Justine Henin, capturing her twelfth Grand Slam title, and defended her doubles title with Venus against Cara Black and Liezel Huber. However, injuries limited her participation in several tournaments afterward. She returned for the Rome Masters but was defeated by Jelena Janković in the semifinals.

In Madrid, a third-round exit followed, but she and Venus clinched the doubles title. At the French Open, Williams lost to Samantha Stosur in the quarterfinals but won the doubles event, marking their fourth consecutive Grand Slam doubles title, thus enhancing their doubles ranking to No. 1.

Williams continued her successful run at Wimbledon, where she showcased dominant performances, notably not dropping a set and defeating Vera Zvonareva in the final. Martina Navratilova lauded Williams, noting her historic standing among the greats of women’s tennis, emphasizing that greatness extends beyond Grand Slam victories to overall gameplay.

However, the aftermath of the tournament took a toll; while in Munich, Williams suffered a serious foot injury from stepping on broken glass, sidelining her for the remainder of the year. She concluded 2010 ranked No. 4 in singles and No. 11 in doubles. In March 2011, Williams disclosed a hematoma and a pulmonary embolism as additional health challenges she faced.

From 2011 to 2013, Serena Williams made a notable return to tennis dominance, culminating in a “Career Golden Slam.” In 2011, after nearly a year away from the WTA tour, she participated in Eastbourne but lost in the second round. Her Wimbledon defense ended in the round of 16, dropping her ranking to No.169. However, later that summer, she secured titles in both Stanford and Toronto. At the US Open, Williams reached the final against Stosur, where she infamously clashed with umpire Eve Asderaki, leading to a fine but no match-suspension. She concluded 2011 ranked No.12, having played only six tournaments with a record of 22–3.

In 2012, Williams faced injury setbacks, including an ankle injury at the Brisbane International, followed by an upset at the Australian Open against Ekaterina Makarova. Despite early losses, she rebounded with victories in Charleston, Madrid, and her fifth Wimbledon title, achieving record-breaking ace counts.

Notably, she won gold at the London Olympics by defeating Sharapova and captured her fourth US Open singles title, marking her 15th Grand Slam victory. She finished the year undefeated at the WTA Championships, received the ITF World Champion title, and was named WTA Player of the Year for the fourth time.

Williams continued her dominance into 2013, winning her first tournament in Brisbane without dropping a set. However, she exited the Australian Open prematurely, losing to Sloane Stephens in the quarterfinals. Following this setback, Williams returned to No.1, becoming the oldest woman in the Open Era to achieve this ranking after winning in Doha.

She also made history at the Miami Open, becoming a six-time champion there and securing her 50th career singles title in Madrid. Williams went on to dominate the French Open, winning her second title there by defeating Sara Errani with an impressive display. Despite a quarterfinal loss at Wimbledon, her season was marked by a formidable clay record and consistency, reinforcing her status as one of the greatest players in tennis history.

Williams achieved significant milestones in 2013, culminating in her third Rogers Cup title after defeating Sorana Cîrstea in Toronto. She reached her first final at the Western & Southern Open but was defeated by Azarenka. Entering the US Open as the top seed and defending champion, Williams triumphed over Azarenka in the final, marking her 17th Grand Slam singles title and surpassing $50 million in career prize winnings. At 31, she became the oldest champion in the US Open’s Open Era.

Following the US Open, she secured her 10th title of 2013 by beating Janković at the China Open. Williams maintained her undefeated streak at the WTA Championships, where she defeated Li Na in the final, becoming the first to defend the title since Henin in 2007. She also set records as the oldest winner of the WTA Championships, the only female player to earn over $10 million in a season (totaling $12.4 million in 2013), and joined the ranks of notable male players, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, for earning in a single season.

At the end of the year, Williams concluded as the year-end No.1 for the third time, becoming the oldest player to hold that position in WTA history. She was recognized as the ITF World Champion for the fourth time and received two ESPY Awards—Best Female Athlete and Best Female Tennis Player, the latter being a record sixth win.

Furthermore, she was honored with the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award for the third time, tying with legends Evert and Babe Didrikson, who have been similarly recognized more often since the inception of the awards in 1931.

In the 2014 and 2015 tennis seasons, Serena Williams demonstrated formidable performance and resilience. She began 2014 by successfully defending her title at the Brisbane International, defeating the second-ranked Victoria Azarenka in the final. However, her Australian Open campaign saw her exit in the fourth round against Ana Ivanovic.

The season continued with mixed results; Williams reached the semifinals in Dubai but lost to Alizé Cornet, and although she triumphed at the Miami Open—securing her record seventh title—her performance was marred by an unexpected early exit in the second round of the French Open, where she suffered a humiliating defeat to Garbiñe Muguruza.

Further setbacks occurred with an earlier-than-expected elimination at Wimbledon, a tournament from which she withdrew during doubles play due to a “viral illness.” Williams’ fortunes turned dramatically as she rebounded impressively, winning 19 of her next 20 matches—a streak that included victories at the Bank of the West Classic, the Western & Southern Open, and her sixth US Open singles title.

This victory tied her for the most US Open singles titles among women in the Open Era and equaled the record of 18 career Grand Slam singles titles. Her success also yielded a historic $4 million payday for winning both the US Open and the US Open Series. By the end of 2014, she secured her seventh title at the WTA Finals in Singapore and finished the year ranked No. 1 for the fourth time, a feat not achieved since Steffi Graf in 1996. For her efforts, Williams was recognized as the WTA Player of the Year and ITF World Champion for the third consecutive year.

Entering 2015, Williams continued her strong performance by reaching the final of the Hopman Cup, although she and partner John Isner lost. At the Australian Open, she claimed her sixth title and 19th Grand Slam title by defeating Maria Sharapova for the 16th time in a row, surpassing legends Evert and Navratilova for the second-most Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era. She made history as the only player to secure all four Grand Slam titles at the age of 30 or older.

Williams participated in the Fed Cup, securing a victory against María Irigoyen to aid her team against Argentina. After a lengthy boycott, she returned to the Indian Wells Masters to a warm reception, though injury forced her to withdraw from the semifinals. Nonetheless, she marked a significant career milestone by winning her 700th match at the Miami Open, becoming one of only three active players to reach this achievement, alongside Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Ultimately, Williams concluded the Miami Open with a record eighth title, further establishing her legacy in women’s tennis.

Williams prepared for the clay-court season in Brindisi, Italy, competing in the Fed Cup, where she and Alison Riske lost to Errani and Pennetta, leading to the United States’ relegation to World Group II and marking Williams’ first Fed Cup defeat. During the week of April 20, Williams achieved her 114th consecutive week ranked No. 1, the third-longest streak in WTA history, behind Graf and Navratilova. However, at the Mutua Madrid Open semifinals, she suffered her first loss of the season, ending a 50-match winning streak at Premier-Mandatory events and subsequently withdrew from the 2015 Internazionali BNL d’Italia due to an elbow injury.

At the 2015 French Open, Williams triumphed over Lucie Šafářová in a three-set final, claiming her third French Open and 20th Grand Slam singles title, making her the third player in history to win each Grand Slam at least three times. At Wimbledon, she faced three former No. 1 players to reach the final, where she overcame Muguruza, who had previously delivered her worst Grand Slam defeat. This victory secured her sixth Wimbledon singles title and 21st Grand Slam overall, completing her second “Serena Slam” and making her the oldest woman in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title. She also broke Graf’s record for consecutive victories in Grand Slam finals, equaling Sampras’s record of eight.

Despite being the defending champion at the Bank of the West Classic, Serena Williams withdrew to recover from her elbow injury. Her 19-match winning streak was snapped in the semifinals of the Canadian Open by 18-year-old Bencic, but she defended her title at the Western & Southern Open against No. 3 Halep. Williams’ bid for a calendar Grand Slam ended with a semifinal loss to Vinci at the US Open, deemed one of the biggest upsets in tennis history. On October 1, she announced the end of her season to focus on her health due to injuries throughout the year, with her coach suggesting motivation issues after the Open loss.

On October 5, Williams surpassed Evert for the third-most weeks as world No. 1. She finished the season ranked No. 1 for the second consecutive year, marking her fifth time achieving this. She garnered multiple accolades, including WTA Player of the Year for the seventh time and ITF World Champion for the sixth. Additionally, she was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press for the fourth time, recognizing her historic achievements in the sport.

2016: Equalling the records of Steffi Graf

Williams, the No.1 seed and defending champion at the Australian Open, reached the final without losing a set, facing first-time Grand Slam finalist Angelique Kerber. Despite being the favorite, with a history of six wins against Kerber, Williams lost in three sets, marking her first three-set defeat in a Grand Slam final.

The week of February 15 saw her ranked No.1 for the 157th consecutive week, the second-longest streak in WTA history, surpassed only by Steffi Graf’s 186 weeks. At Indian Wells, where she was the No.1 seed, Williams reached the final but lost to Azarenka, ending her five-match winning streak against her. Subsequently, she lost in the fourth round of the Miami Open to Kuznetsova and bounced back by winning her 70th career WTA title in Rome after defeating several opponents, including Kuznetsova again.

At the French Open, she advanced to the final while dropping just one set, only to lose to Muguruza in straight sets, marking her second consecutive Grand Slam final loss. However, she redeemed herself at Wimbledon, where after dropping one set on her way to the final, she beat Kerber in straight sets to match Graf’s record of 22 Open Era Grand Slam singles titles. That day, Williams and her sister also won their sixth Wimbledon doubles title, maintaining an undefeated record in Grand Slam doubles finals.

In July, Williams withdrew from the Rogers Cup due to a shoulder injury and then participated in the Rio Olympics as the defending champion in both singles and doubles. The Williams sisters suffered a shocking first-round exit in doubles, ending a remarkable 15-match winning streak at the Olympics.

In singles, Williams was eliminated in the third round by Elina Svitolina. Following the Olympics, despite intending to defend her crown at the Western & Southern Open, she withdrew due to the same shoulder injury. The week of September 5, 2016, marked her 186th week ranked No.1, tying Graf for the longest streak in WTA history, but it ended when she lost to Karolína Plíšková in the US Open semifinals. In October, she withdrew from the WTA Finals due to her ongoing shoulder injury.

2017: Australian Open victory and pregnancy

Williams began 2017 by competing in the WTA Auckland Open for the first time but lost to Madison Brengle in the second round. However, she triumphed at the Australian Open, claiming her seventh title in this tournament, setting an Open Era record. By defeating her sister Venus in the final, she secured her 23rd Grand Slam singles title, surpassing Steffi Graf’s prior record of 22. This milestone marked the first instance in the Open Era of two players over 35 competing in a Grand Slam final, reaffirming Williams’ status by restoring her to the No. 1 ranking.

Following her Australian Open victory, Serena Williams withdrew from both the Indian Wells and Miami Opens due to a knee injury. On April 19, she announced that she was 20 weeks pregnant, confirming that she was already pregnant during the Australian Open. In various interviews, she expressed her ambition to return to the sport post-birth, even claiming she aspired to participate in the 2018 Australian Open.

On September 1, 2017, Serena Williams gave birth to a daughter. Post-delivery, she experienced a pulmonary embolism, resulting in six weeks of bed rest which delayed her return to training. Williams made her comeback to competitive tennis on December 30, playing in an exhibition match at the World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, where she faced Jeļena Ostapenko but lost.

2018: Return to tennis, Wimbledon, and controversies

On January 5, 2018, Serena Williams announced her withdrawal from the Australian Open, explaining that she was not adequately prepared following her pregnancy. In February of the same year, after addressing health issues related to her pregnancy, she made her return to competitive tennis at the Fed Cup alongside her sister Venus Williams. However, the pair encountered an unexpected defeat in the first round against the Netherlands duo of Lesley Kerkhove and Demi Schuurs.

Following this, Serena Williams faced a difficult period with two early exits in major tournaments, specifically in Indian Wells and Miami. Her comeback to Grand Slam competition occurred at the 2018 French Open, where she competed in both singles and doubles with Venus.

In the singles first round, she emerged victorious against Kristýna Plíšková, followed by a win over Ashleigh Barty in the second round. Serena Williams then achieved a significant victory over 11th seed Julia Görges, setting up a highly anticipated fourth-round match against Maria Sharapova. Notably, Williams had a dominant history against Sharapova, having won every encounter since 2004. Unfortunately, Williams had to withdraw from the fourth-round match due to an injury, marking another setback in her return to professional tennis.

In July 2018, Serena Williams competed in Wimbledon as the 25th seed, a controversial decision due to her ranking of 181. Critics argued this favored Williams, though others pointed to her strong Wimbledon history. She reached the semifinals, defeating 13th seed Julia Görges but lost to Angelique Kerber. Following Wimbledon, Williams returned to the tour for the Silicon Valley Classic but faced a crushing defeat against Johanna Konta, attributed partly to emotional distress over the release of her half-sister’s murderer on parole.

At the Cincinnati Masters, Serena Williams won her first-round match against Daria Gavrilova but was eliminated by Petra Kvitová. Despite her ranking of 26th in the WTA, she was seeded 17th at the US Open. She advanced through the rounds, defeating Magda Linette, Carina Witthöft, sister Venus Williams, and Kaia Kanepi. In the quarterfinals, she won against Karolína Plíšková, marking her first victory against a top 10 player post-pregnancy.

The final against Naomi Osaka was tumultuous. Williams received a code violation for coaching signals from her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, which he later confirmed. Following a second violation for racket abuse and a third for verbal abuse directed at the umpire Carlos Ramos, she faced severe penalties, costing her a game and ultimately, the match. Williams was fined $17,000 for these violations, claiming she was unfairly targeted as a woman.

Post-match, a controversial cartoon by Mark Knight in the Herald Sun depicted Williams throwing a tantrum, prompting accusations of racism and sexism. Critics, including Williams’ husband and J.K. Rowling, condemned the portrayal of Serena Williams as an angry black woman, emphasizing the cartoon’s offensive features. Knight defended his work, asserting the cartoon aimed to critique poor sportsmanship rather than targeting race or gender.

2019: Return to the top 10

Williams commenced her 2019 season at the Australian Open, where she achieved a significant victory by defeating top seed and world No. 1 Simona Halep in the fourth round. However, her journey came to a halt in the quarterfinals against Karolína Plíšková, where Williams twisted her ankle, resulting in her loss. Nonetheless, this performance elevated her ranking to No. 11.

At the Indian Wells Masters, Serena Williams won against Victoria Azarenka in the second round but had to retire due to a viral illness. Following this, she faced a recurrence of a long-term knee injury, which forced her to withdraw from both the Miami and Rome tournaments. In a remarkable comeback, Williams reached the final at Wimbledon, marking her 13th consecutive year competing in a Grand Slam final. Notably, she became the oldest Grand Slam finalist in the Open Era, although she ultimately lost to Halep in straight sets.

Later in the season, at the Canadian Open, Serena Williams was pitted against Bianca Andreescu in the final but had to withdraw early due to back spasms, which continued to trouble her at the Cincinnati Open, leading to her withdrawal prior to her first-round match. Seeding eighth at the US Open, she started strong by defeating Maria Sharapova in the first round, followed by a quarterfinal win over Wang Qiang and a semifinal victory against Elina Svitolina. However, Williams faced Andreescu again in the final, where she lost in straight sets. At the conclusion of 2019, Williams ranked No. 10 in the world.

From 2020 to 2022, Serena Williams experienced a challenging phase in her tennis career, marked by injuries and significant matches. In January 2020, she claimed her first singles title as a mother at the ASB Classic, overcoming Jessica Pegula in the final. However, her performance at the Australian Open was disappointing, as she exited in the third round after a three-set match against Wang. Subsequently, at the Top Seed Open, Williams faced her sister Venus in the second round and won but fell to Shelby Rogers in the quarterfinals.

During the US Open, she managed to defeat Sloane Stephens in the third round but was eliminated by Victoria Azarenka in the semifinals. Williams withdrew from the delayed French Open in October due to an Achilles injury acquired during the US Open, marking a year where she did not reach any Grand Slam finals.

In the following year, 2021, Serena Williams began her season at the Yarra Valley Classic but had to withdraw before the semifinal due to a right shoulder injury. The Australian Open saw her reaching the semifinals, only to lose to Naomi Osaka. On the occasion of her 1000th match during the Italian Open against Nadia Podoroska, she suffered a defeat in straight sets.

An injury at Wimbledon in her first-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich forced her to retire, while another leg injury led to her withdrawal from the US Open. This withdrawal resulted in a significant drop in her world ranking, landing her at 41st by the end of the year—her lowest year-end ranking in 15 years. Overall, 2020 and 2021 were marked by titles overshadowed by injuries, reflecting a decline in her competitive presence on the tennis circuit.

In December 2021, Serena Williams announced her withdrawal from the 2022 Australian Open due to a recurring leg injury. She returned to professional tennis in June 2022, partnering with Ons Jabeur at the Eastbourne International, where they won two matches before Jabeur’s injury forced them to retire. Williams also participated in Wimbledon, where she lost in the first round to Harmony Tan. In an August 2022 article for Vogue, Serena Williams expressed her intention to retire from tennis after the 2022 US Open, planning to focus on her family and her venture capital firm.

As part of her farewell tour, she entered the Canadian Open, where she achieved her first singles win in 14 months, defeating Nuria Párrizas Díaz, but was eliminated by Belinda Bencic afterward. Williams participated in the Cincinnati Masters as well, falling to Emma Raducanu in the first round. At the US Open, she played doubles with her sister Venus for the first time since 2018, but they lost to Lucie Hradecká and Linda Nosková.

In singles, Williams defeated Danka Kovinić and then made headlines by upsetting world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit, becoming the oldest woman in the Open Era to beat a top-three ranked player. Her final singles match was a loss to Ajla Tomljanović, concluding 2022 with a ranking of No. 320.

In June 2025, reports indicated Serena Williams had re-entered the doping testing pool, hinting at a potential return to tennis, which she confirmed on June 1, 2026, by accepting a wildcard for doubles competition at the Queen’s Club Championships. Her first professional match in nearly four years resulted in a victory with partner Victoria Mboko. However, their advancement to the quarter-finals was cut short due to Mboko’s knee injury, leading to a walkover against their next opponents. Despite this setback, Williams expressed satisfaction with her performance and fitness level.

Williams’ return was further solidified when she received a wildcard for the 2026 Berlin Tennis Open, where she partnered with Karolina Muchova. Even after a first-round exit at Berlin, she conveyed optimism for continued participation and hinted at a possible singles return at Wimbledon.

Eventually, Williams and Venus received another wildcard, marking their doubles partnership’s return since the 2022 US Open. Williams, inspired by her sister’s success and encouragement from her daughter Olympia, also gained entry into the women’s singles event at Wimbledon, her first Grand Slam singles appearance since her 2022 exit. Williams was drawn to face Maya Joint in the singles first round and the duo of Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio in doubles.

Legendary Rivalries in Serena Williams’ Career

Serena vs. Venus

Serena Williams played 31 professional matches against her older sister Venus Williams starting in 1998, with Serena holding a record of 19 wins to 12 losses. Their rivalry features 15 meetings in Grand Slam singles and 13 in other tournaments, including 11 finals.

Notably, they have faced each other in nine Grand Slam tournament finals, with Serena winning seven of those encounters. Beginning with the 2002 French Open, they famously contested four consecutive Grand Slam finals, marking a historical moment as it was the first instance in the Open Era where the same two players competed in four straight Grand Slam singles finals.

Their matches generated considerable media attention and speculation, particularly as both sisters rose to prominence within the top ten. Rumors of match-fixing began to circulate around their clashes. Commentator John McEnroe suggested during the 2000 Wimbledon semifinal that “Serena may not be allowed to win,” implying potential interference from their father, Richard Williams.

Following Serena’s defeat to Venus in the Indian Wells quarterfinals in 2001, Elena Dementieva publicly accused Richard of deciding match outcomes between the sisters. This atmosphere of suspicion intensified when Venus unexpectedly withdrew from her Indian Wells semifinal match against Serena, citing tendinitis, which fueled speculation and dissatisfaction among fans, some of whom demanded refunds for their tickets. The final match, in which Serena triumphed over Kim Clijsters, was further overshadowed by negative crowd reactions directed at the Williams family.

Player profile

Playing style

Williams, known for her aggressive baseline play, centers her game around a powerful serve and strong groundstrokes. Her playing style, while high-risk, enables her to produce both a significant number of winners and unforced errors. Regarded as the best serve in women’s tennis history, her serve is characterized by exceptional speed and placement, contributing to numerous aces, including a notable 128.6 mph serve at the 2013 Australian Open. Williams’ consistent ball toss enhances her serving accuracy, complicating opponents’ efforts to anticipate her serve’s location, thus allowing her to control rallies early.

Her forehand and backhand, both regarded among the strongest in women’s tennis, are executed from an open stance, enabling the generation of powerful and precise groundstrokes coupled with sharp angles for winning shots. The forehand, noted for its heavy topspin, dominates rallies, while her two-handed backhand delivers speed and depth, solidifying its reputation among the greatest.

Although predominantly a baseline player, Williams demonstrates strong net play, finishing points with touch volleys and powerful overheads. She is recognized for her aggressive return of serve, adeptly neutralizing strong first serves and capitalizing on weaker second serves, which has led to her being considered one of the greatest returners in tennis history.

Defensively, Serena Williams is skilled at counterpunching against aggressive opponents, biding time until she can unleash a winner. Her remarkable athleticism is highlighted by her speed, agility, and footwork, complemented by clever shot selection and point construction. Renowned for her composure under pressure, she has produced numerous extraordinary comebacks in Grand Slam play, winning three titles after saving match points, and overcoming a set down in 37 Grand Slam matches—an unparalleled achievement in women’s tennis.

Williams’s ability to serve aces during critical moments is striking; as pointed out by retired player Li Na, she has an 80% chance of serving an ace at break points, underscoring her as a fierce competitor in high-stakes situations, further solidifying her legacy in the sport.

Endorsements

Serena Williams graduated from Driftwood Academy in 1999 and quickly made an impact in the sports marketing world by signing a significant endorsement deal worth $12 million with Puma. In 2004, her partnership with Nike began when she secured a five-year endorsement worth $40 million, which has continued throughout her tennis career. Nike created custom clothing and footwear uniquely for Williams, highlighting her influence in their branding. A notable tribute to her legacy is the massive Serena Williams Building on Nike’s Portland campus, which spans one million square feet and incorporates various elements that reflect her career. John Hoke, Nike’s Chief Design Officer, noted that Williams played a role in the building’s design process.

In addition to her contributions to sports, Serena Williams further expanded her professional portfolio in 2015 when she became the Chief Sporting Officer for the luxury automotive brand Aston Martin. Her leadership capabilities were recognized again in 2018 when she was appointed to the board of directors of SurveyMonkey. Over her prolific career, Williams has been associated with a wide array of endorsement deals with major brands, including AbbVie, Anheuser-Busch InBev, AT&T, Audemars Piguet, Beats by Dre, Ford Motor, Pepsi, and the Walt Disney Company, among others. These partnerships underscore her strong presence and influential status in both the athletic and business realms.

Personal life of Serena Williams

Serena Williams, a prominent tennis player, is married to Alexis Ohanian, a co-founder of Reddit. They got engaged on December 10, 2016, and tied the knot in a wedding ceremony held on November 16, 2017, in New Orleans, which saw the attendance of notable figures such as Beyoncé, Anna Wintour, Kelly Rowland, and Kim Kardashian.

On April 19, 2017, Serena Williams sparked pregnancy rumors by posting a Snapchat photo of her midsection with the caption “20 weeks.” Subsequently, her spokesperson confirmed her pregnancy.

This revelation indicated she was approximately eight to nine weeks pregnant when she won the Australian Open earlier that year. Williams later described the announcement as accidental. She gave birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., on September 1, 2017.

Olympia was delivered via emergency caesarean section due to a drop in her heart rate during labor. Williams gifted Olympia with a doll named Qai Qai, which has gained significant popularity on social media. By February 2021, Williams had enlisted a tennis coach for three-year-old Olympia. In August 2023, she welcomed her second daughter, Adira River Ohanian.

Raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, Williams was not baptized until 2023 and mentioned in 2017 that she “never really practiced” the faith, despite thanking Jehovah after matches. As a tradition within her faith, she does not celebrate birthdays.

Moreover, Williams made a memorable appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show, performing a crip walk among other background dancers. Her past romantic involvement with rapper Drake, who is feuding with Lamar, has also been noted, with claims of their relationship occurring in 2011 and 2015.