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Roger Federer vs Serena Williams

Comparing the two greatest tennis players of their respective genders — Roger Federer vs Serena Williams. Grand Slams, dominance and legacy.

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Career Statistics

Statistic Roger Federer Serena Williams
Grand Slams2023
Weeks at World No.1310319
Career Titles10373
Australian Open67
French Open13
Wimbledon87
Us Open56
Olympic Gold2008 (Doubles with Wawrinka)2012 (Singles), 2000, 2008, 2012 (Doubles)
Win Pct82%85%
Career Aces114785100

Roger Federer

Roger Federer was born in Basel in 1981, son of a Swiss father and South African mother, and became the most technically complete tennis player in the history of the game. He turned professional in 1998 and played until his emotional retirement at the 2022 Laver Cup. He won 20 Grand Slam singles titles — Australian Open (6), French Open (1), Wimbledon (8) and US Open (5) — across a career spanning 24 years. His 8 Wimbledon titles are the most by any man in the tournament's history. He held the world number one ranking for 310 weeks total, including a then-record 237 consecutive weeks. He won 1…

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Serena Williams

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 their 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 …

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The Verdict

Federer won 20 Grand Slams; Serena 23. Serena has a higher win rate (85.7% vs 82.0%) and more weeks at number one (319 vs 310). Both retired having defined an era in their respective games. Comparing across genders is impossible statistically — both are considered the finest examples of their sport's possibilities.