American · Saginaw, Michigan · Born 26 September 198123-time Grand Slam champion and the greatest female athlete of her generation — transformed tennis and redefined possibility.
Serena Jameka Williams was born in Saginaw, Michigan in 1981 and grew up in Compton, California alongside her sister Venus, both trained on public courts by her father Richard from age three. She turned professional in 1995 and won her first Grand Slam at the US Open in 1999 aged 17 — defeating Martina Hingis in the final. Her career produced 23 Grand Slam singles titles — the most by any player in the Open Era: seven Australian Opens, three French Opens, seven Wimbledons and six US Opens. She held the world number one ranking for a total of 319 weeks. She won the Australian Open in January 2017 while eight weeks pregnant — her 23rd Grand Slam title and one of the most extraordinary sporting achievements of the decade. She won 13 Grand Slam titles after the age of 30. Her serve — consistently exceeding 120mph and frequently reaching 128mph — and forehand were the most powerful weapons in women's tennis history. She won four Olympic gold medals: singles at Sydney 2000 and doubles at four consecutive Games. She won 72 WTA singles titles in total. She announced her retirement — describing it as an evolution — at the 2022 US Open. She co-founded Serena Ventures and became a prominent businesswoman and investor in technology companies.
Winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any player in the Open Era.
She won the 2017 Australian Open while eight weeks pregnant — a feat that left the sporting world astonished.
Did You Know?How They Played
Williams was known for her explosive power, featuring one of the fastest serves in women's tennis and devastating groundstrokes from both wings. Her aggressive baseline game was complemented by exceptional athleticism and mental toughness that allowed her to excel in high-pressure situations. She possessed remarkable court coverage and the ability to hit winners from seemingly impossible defensive positions.
Lasting Impact
Williams revolutionized women's tennis with her power game and athleticism, inspiring a generation of players to embrace aggressive, athletic styles. Her success broke barriers and brought unprecedented attention to women's tennis while advocating for equality in prize money and treatment.
Career Honours
- Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017 (7 titles — Open Era record)
- US Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014
- Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016
- French Open 2002, 2013, 2015
- Olympic Gold 2012 (Singles), 2000, 2008, 2012 (Doubles)
- WTA Finals 5x
American Athletes