Serena Williams

Biography

Williams' serve and groundstrokes changed the geometry of women's tennis, and her longevity changed its expectations: she won majors as a teenager, in her twenties, her thirties, and as a mother. Off court, her venture fund Serena Ventures backs dozens of companies, mostly founded by women and people of colour.

American former tennis player whose power and longevity redefined the women's game across more than two decades.

Known for

23 Grand Slam singles titles — the most of the Open Era by a woman.

Notable works & defining projects

• Australian Open (7 titles)
• Wimbledon (7 titles)
• US Open (6 titles)

Notable achievements

• Won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the Open Era record
• Held the world No. 1 ranking for 319 weeks in total
• Won four Olympic gold medals (one singles, three doubles)

Timeline

1. 1999Won her first Grand Slam, the US Open, at 17
2. 2002Completed the first 'Serena Slam', holding all four majors at once
3. 2017Won her 23rd major in Melbourne, an Open Era record

Did you know?

• She won the 2017 Australian Open while in the early weeks of pregnancy, without dropping a set
• She and sister Venus were coached by their father Richard on public courts in Compton, California