Serena Williams

**Serena Jameka Williams** (born September 26, 1981) be an American former professional tennis player. Na dem rank am as de world No. 1 insyd women's singles by de Women's Tennis Association (WTA) for 319 weeks (third-most of all time), wey na she fini as de year-end No. 1 five times. Williams win 73 WTA Tour–level singles titles, wey dey include 23 major women's singles titles—de most insyd de Open Era, den de second-most of all time. She be de player per wey accomplish a career Golden Slam insyd both singles den doubles.

Along plus ein elder sisto Venus, na Serena Williams be coached by ein parents Oracene Price den Richard Williams. Turning professional insyd 1995, she win ein first major singles title at de 1999 US Open. From de 2002 French Open to de 2003 Australian Open na she be dominant, winning all four major singles titles consecutively (each time over Venus insyd de final) make she achieve a non-calendar year Grand Slam (dem nickname am de "Serena Slam"). Na de next few years see Williams capture two more major singles titles, buh she suffer from injury den decline in form. Dey start insyd 2007, however, she gradually return to form despite continued injuries, wey she reclaim de world No. 1 singles ranking. Dey begin plus de 2012 Wimbledon Championships, Williams return to dominance, wey she claim Olympic gold (completing de career Golden Slam insyd singles) wey she win eight out of thirteen singles majors, wey dey include all four insyd a row from 2014–2015 make she achieve a second "Serena Slam". At de 2017 Australian Open, she win ein 23rd major singles title, wey she surpass Steffi Graf ein Open Era record. After she preg, Williams take a break from professional tennis, buh she reach four major finals upon returning to play. Insyd August 2022, Williams announce ein impending "evolution" away from professional tennis, wey na she play ein final match at de 2022 US Open.

Williams sanso win 23 WTA Tour-level doubles titles, wey dey include 14 major women’s doubles championships, all plus ein sisto Venus. Na de pair be undefeated insyd major doubles finals, wey dem earn de best unbeaten record insyd major finals insyd any discipline of de sport. Na de sistos achieve a non-calendar year Grand Slam between de 2009 Wimbledon Championships den de 2010 French Open, wich grant dem de doubles world No. 1 ranking. Williams win four Olympic gold medals, three insyd women's doubles—an all-time joint record insyd tennis, she share plus ein sisto. De duo be de women per insyd de Open Era make dem win Olympic gold insyd both singles den doubles. Williams sanso win two mixed doubles majors, both insyd 1998. She be de player per, male anaa female, make she plete three career Golden Slams—one insyd women's singles den two insyd women's doubles.

Na dem credit de ascent of de Williams sistos plus ushering insyd a new era of power den athleticism on de women's professional tennis tour. Serena be de most recent woman to simultaneously hold all four major singles titles (2002–2003 den 2014–2015), den to win de Surface Slam (major titles on hard, clay den grass courts insyd de same calendar year), wich na she accomplish insyd 2015. She sanso, plus Venus, be de most recent player wey dem simultaneously hold all four major women's doubles titles (2009–2010).

Na Williams be de world's highest paid woman athlete insyd 2016, earning almost $29 million. She repeat dis feat insyd 2017 wen na she be de woman per on *Forbes* dema list of de 100 highest-paid athletes, plus $27million insyd prize money den endorsements. She be de highest-earning woman athlete of all time.

Williams win de Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year a record four times (2003, 2010, 2016, 2018), Comeback of the Year once (2007), den insyd December 2015 na dem name am Sportsperson of the Year by *Sports Illustrated* magazine. Insyd 2020, na de Tennis Channel rank Williams as de greatest women’s tennis player of all time. She receive de Princess of Asturias Award for Sport insyd 2025.

## Early life

Na dem born Williams on September 26, 1981, insyd Saginaw, Michigan, to Oracene Price den Richard Williams. She be de youngest of Price ein five daughters, after half-sistos Yetunde, Lyndrea, den Isha Price, den full older sisto Venus. She sanso get at least seven paternal half-siblings. Wen na de kiddies be young, de family move go Compton, California, wer na she start dey play tennis at de age of four. Na ein poppie home-school am den Venus. While na he den ein mommie be ein official coaches, ein oda mentors include Richard Williams, a Compton man wey share ein poppie ein name den subsequently found The Venus and Serena Williams Tennis Tutorial Academy.

Wen na Williams be nine, she den ein family move from Compton to West Palm Beach, Florida, so she go fi attend de tennis academy of Rick Macci, wey provide am plus additional coaching. Na Macci no always agree plus Williams ein poppie, buh na he respect dat "he treat ein daughters like kids, allow dem make dem be little girlies". By 1991, na Williams get a 46–3 record on de United States Tennis Association junior tour wey na dem rank am No. 1 among under-10 players insyd Florida. Wen na Williams be 10, Richard stop dey send ein daughters to national junior tennis tournaments, as na he wan make dem "go slowly" den focus on school, den secof na he wan to ensure dem no go burn out before turning professional. Experiences of racism sanso influence dis decision, as na he hear say white parents talk about de Williams sistos insyd a derogatory manner during tournaments. Insyd 1995, wen na Williams dey insyd de ninth grade, ein poppie pull ein daughters out of Macci ein academy wey he take over all coaching at dema home. Wen na dem biz am insyd 2000 whether na e fi be more beneficial give dem make dem follow de normal path of playing regularly on de junior circuit, Richard respond, "*Everyone does different things. I think for Venus and I, we just attempted a different road, and it worked for us."*

## Professional career

### 1995–1998: Professional debut
Na Williams ein parents initially wan make dema daughter wait til na she be 16 to participate insyd professional tournaments. Insyd 1995, just after turning 14, Williams plan make she make ein professional debut as a wild-card entry insyd de Bank of the West Classic insyd Oakland, California, buh na dem deny am secof age-eligibility restrictions. Na she subsequently file an antitrust lawsuit against de WTA, buh na she withdraw am at ein parents dema request. Na ein first professional event be insyd October 1995 at de Bell Challenge insyd Quebec, wer na she use a wild-card entry to circumvent age-eligibility rules. She loose insyd de first qualifying round to 18-year-old American Annie Miller.

After she no play insyd 1996, Williams win ein first main-draw match at de Ameritech Cup Chicago insyd November 1997. Na dem rank am No.304, she upset No.7 Mary Pierce den No.4 Monica Seles, wey she record ein first career wins over top10 players wey she cam be de lowest-ranked player insyd de Open Era make she defeat two top-10 opponents insyd one tournament. She ultimately loose insyd de semifinals to No.5 Lindsay Davenport. Ein run insyd Chicago propel Williams into de Top 100 for de first time insyd ein career, wey na she finis 1997 dem rank am No.99 insyd de world.

At de 1998 Sydney International, Williams defeat No.3 Davenport insyd de quarterfinals, before she loose to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario insyd de semifinals. Na Williams ein first main draw of a Grand Slam tournament be at de Australian Open, wer na she defeat sixth-seeded Irina Spîrlea insyd de first round, before she loose to Venus insyd de second round insyd de sistos dema first professional face-off. Na she reach six oda quarterfinals during de year, buh she lost all of dem, wey dey include ein first match against No.1-ranked Martina Hingis. She loose insyd de fourth round of de French Open to Vicario, den insyd de third round of de US Open to Spîrlea. She withdraw from Wimbledon two games into a match after she strain a calf muscle. After she loose de French Open mixed doubles final to Venus den Justin Gimelstob, Williams win de mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon den de US Open with Max Mirnyi. Williams win ein first professional title insyd non-mixed doubles at de U.S. National Indoor Championships insyd Oklahoma City plus Venus, wich make dem de third pair of sistos to win a WTA title. Williams fini de year ranked No.20 insyd singles, de fastest achievement of dat milestone insyd women's history.

### 1999: First major den becoming a top-5 player
Insyd February 1999, Williams win ein first professional singles title wen na she defeat Amélie Mauresmo insyd de final of de Open Gaz de France insyd Paris. Insyd March, Williams win ein first WTA 1000 event at de Evert Cup insyd California, wey she defeat Steffi Graf insyd de final. At de Miami Masters, Williams get ein 16-match winning streak ended by ein sisto insyd de first all-sister singles final insyd WTA history. Insyd de doubles event at de French Open, she den Venus win de title after she defeat Hingis den Anna Kournikova insyd de final.

Williams miss Wimbledon insyd 1999 secof injury. Wen she return to de tour two months later, she make ein Fed Cup debut, wey she defeat Rita Grande to send de United States to de final. She then win ein third title at de JPMorgan Chase Open, wey she beat Julie Halard-Decugis insyd de final. At de US Open, Williams defeat Grand Slam champions Kim Clijsters, Conchita Martínez, Monica Seles, den Lindsay Davenport (de defending champion) insyd consecutive matches make she reach de final, wer na she defeat No.1-ranked Hingis. Williams cam be de second African-American woman make she win a Grand Slam singles tournament, after Althea Gibson. De Williams sistos sanso win de doubles event at dis tournament, wey make Serena de fifth woman insyd de Open Era make she win both singles den doubles at de same major event. Make she plete ein 1999 season, Williams win a doubles match against Russia insyd de Fed Cup final make she help de US win de title. Williams end de year ranked insyd a career-high world No.4 insyd just ein second full year on de main tour.

### 2000–2001: Olympic gold, US Open final, den Indian Wells boycott
Insyd 2000, Williams fail to defend ein titles insyd Paris den Indian Wells, although na she win de Faber Grand Prix insyd Germany. Soon afterwards, she miss de French Open secof injury. Na she recover den play at de Wimbledon Championships, wer na she loose to Venus insyd de semifinals; however, na de pair win de doubles title. Na ein defense of de US Open title end wen na she loose insyd de quarterfinals to Davenport. Williams den ein sisto win de gold medal insyd doubles at de Sydney Olympics dat September, wey Williams end de year by she win de Toyota Princess Cup wey she fini at No.6.

Williams begin 2001 by losing to Hingis insyd de quarterfinals of both de Medibank International den de Australian Open. She den Venus win de doubles event at de latter tournament, wey dem cam be de fifth doubles team per insyd history make dem win all four Grand Slam women's doubles titles during dema career, completing a "Career Grand Slam". Na ein next event be de Pacific Life Open insyd Indian Wells, wer na she defeat Clijsters insyd de final. During de tournament, na Richard Williams state say na dem make racist comments to am by spectators. As a result, na both Serena den Venus pledge make dem boycott de event, even though na ebe a mandatory stop on de WTA tour; Serena ein boycott last til 2015. Williams then loose to Jennifer Capriati insyd de quarterfinals of three tournaments: Miami Masters, de French Open den Wimbledon. She claim ein second title of de year at de Rogers Cup, defeating Capriati insyd de final. Insyd September, Williams loose to ein sisto insyd de final of de US Open, wich na be de first Grand Slam tournament final played by two sistos during de Open Era. At de 2001 season-ending Tour Championships, Williams win de championship by walkover wen Davenport withdraw secof injury. Williams fini 2001 at No.6 for de second straight year.

### 2002–2003: "Serena Slam"
Early insyd 2002, na injury see Williams retire from de semifinal at de Medibank International Sydney wey she later withdraw from de Australian Open. After recovering, Williams win ein first title of de year insyd Scottsdale, Arizona, defeating No.2 Capriati, insyd de final. She then win de Miami Masters for de first time after beating No.3 Hingis insyd de quarterfinals, No.2 Venus insyd de semifinals, den No.1 Capriati insyd de final, wey she cam be de second player insyd de Open Era make she defeat de world ein top 3 ranked players at de same event.

Insyd May, Williams reach ein first clay-court final at de Eurocard German Open, buh she loose to Justine Henin. Williams win ein first clay-court title at de Italian Open, wich raise ein ranking to a new high of No.3. She then claim ein first French Open title, wich elevate am to No.2, second only to Venus. During de summer, Williams win Wimbledon for de first time, wey she defeat Venus insyd de final. Na de victory propel am to No.1, wey make am de third African American woman to hold de top ranking. De Williams sistos sanso win de doubles event at de tournament.

At de US Open, Williams reach de final wer, for de third Grand Slam insyd a row, she defeat ein sisto make she win de title. Williams win two consecutive singles titles insyd de fall, defeating Clijsters make she win de Toyota Princess Cup insyd Tokyo, den Anastasia Myskina to win de Sparkassen Cup insyd Leipzig. She reach de final at de Home Depot Championships insyd Los Angeles, wer na she loose to Clijsters insyd straight sets. Williams fini 2002 plus a 56–5 win/lose record, eight singles titles, den de No.1 ranking. Ein three consecutive Grand Slam titles insyd 2002 make am de third player per insyd history to win de "Surface Slam" after Martina Navratilova (1984) den Steffi Graf (1993, 1995, 1996).

At de 2003 Australian Open, Williams face Venus for de fourth consecutive Grand Slam tournament final. She defeat ein older sisto wey na she cam be de sixth woman insyd de Open Era make she plete a Career Grand Slam, alongside Graf, Navratilova, Margaret Court, Chris Evert den Billie Jean King. She sanso be de fifth woman make she hold all Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously, a feat wich na dem dub de "Serena Slam" by de press. At dis tournament, de Williams sistos sanso win dema sixth Grand Slam doubles title as a team.

During de spring of 2003, Williams capture de singles titles at de Open Gaz de France den de Sony Ericsson Open. Ein streak of 21 wins end wen she loose de final of de Family Circle Cup to Henin. She sanso loose to Mauresmo insyd de semifinals of de Internazionali BNL d'Italia insyd Rome. Despite dese defeats, na Williams be de top seed at de French Open, wer na she loose insyd de semifinals to eventual champion Henin; na dis be Williams ein first loss insyd a Grand Slam tournament since 2001. Na de match be controversial, plus Williams questioning Henin ein sportsmanship, wey spectators dey applaud Williams ein errors. Williams rebound from de loss at de 2003 Wimbledon Championships, wer na she defeat Venus insyd de final. Na dis be Williams ein second consecutive Wimbledon title den ein sixth Grand Slam singles title overall. Wimbledon be ein last tournament of 2003; she pull out of three events den then she undergo surgery on de quadriceps tendon insyd ein knee insyd early August. Na dem dey expect make she be in recovery for six to eight weeks.

### 2004–2007: Injuries den comeback
After eight months away from tennis, Williams begin ein comeback at de NASDAQ-100 Open insyd March 2004, wer na she win de title for de third consecutive year. Although dem rank am No.7, na Williams seed second at de French Open, wer na she loose to Capriati insyd de quarterfinals. A few weeks later, na dem seed Williams first at Wimbledon, even though na ein ranking drop to No.10. She win six matches en route to de final, wer na Maria Sharapova defeat am. De loss cause ein drop out of de top 10 for de first time since 1999. Later dat summer, Williams reach ein third final of de year at de JPMorgan Chase Open insyd Los Angeles, wer na she loose to Lindsay Davenport.

Na dem seed Williams third at de 2004 US Open, wer na she face Capriati insyd de quarterfinals. During de match, umpire Mariana Alves make a call wey favor Capriati, buh na subsequent video review show say na ein call be incorrect. Williams argue plus Alves over several oda calls during de match, wich na Capriati eventually win. Na Williams acknowledge say na ein loss primarily be secof ein 57 unforced errors, buh na she nevertheless feel "cheated" wey na she accuse Alves of temporary insanity. Na de controversy renew calls for, wey na dem widely give am credit for, de adoption of new technology such as de MacCAM den Hawk-Eye systems.

Williams win ein second title of de year at de China Open insyd September, wey she defeat US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova insyd de final. Na Williams ein successful season allow make she qualify for de Tour Championships, dem san hold insyd Los Angeles. She loose to Sharapova insyd de final, wer na she suffer an abdominal injury. Williams fini 2004 ranked No.7, buh na she no win a Grand Slam singles tournament for de first season since 2001.

Dey follow Venus ein early exit from de 2005 Australian Open, na Williams reject suggestions say na she den ein sisto be a declining force insyd tennis. She defeat top seed Davenport make she win de tournament, wey she claim ein second Australian Open trophy den seventh Grand Slam singles title. Na de victory move am back to No.2. Williams plete just two tournaments between de Australian Open den Wimbledon, wey she loose to Venus insyd Miami den Francesca Schiavone insyd Italy. Na a reoccurring ankle injury cause am make she miss de French Open. She return to Wimbledon as de 4th-seeded player, buh na dem defeat am insyd de third round. At de US Open, Williams loose to ein sisto insyd de fourth round. Williams play just one more match dat fall, a loss to No.127 Sun Tiantian at de China Open insyd Beijing. She fail to qualify for de year-end championship for de first time since 1998, wey na she fini 2005 ranked No.11.

Williams make ein 2006 debut at de Australian Open, wey she defend ein title. After she loose to Daniela Hantuchová insyd de third round, she tell de press say na she be injured. Insyd ein biography, na Williams wrep say na she dey suffer from depression during dis time. She stay away from tennis for six months during de 2006 season, wey na she begin dry see a therapist daily. After a chance meeting plus a young girlie wey idolize Williams den believe insyd am, Williams sign up to play insyd Cincinnati insyd July, ein first tournament since January. Na she slip to No.139, ein lowest ranking since 1997. On ein return, Williams defeat Myskina den Bethanie Mattek, before she loose insyd de semifinals to Vera Zvonareva. She sanso reach de semifinals insyd Los Angeles, wey she lose to Janković insyd straight sets. Williams need a wildcard make she enter de US Open, as na ein No.139 ranking be too low to automatically qualify am make she play. By de time na de tournament begin, however, she rise to 79th. She loose to top-seeded Mauresmo insyd de fourth round. Williams fini de year she rank No.95, ein lowest year-end ranking since 1997.

Na Williams begin 2007 plus renewed confidence. She state ein intention make she return to de top of de rankings, a goal wey na dem label "deluded" by commentator Pat Cash. Williams loose insyd de quarterfinals of de Hobart International, a warm-up for de Australian Open, wer na dem unseed am she wey na dem widely regard am as "out of shape". Shortly before ein first match, na a representative from Nike tell am na de company fi cancel ein sponsorship if she no perform at ein customary level. Na Williams claim say Nike ein ultimatum mean make she reach de quarterfinals at least.

Na de Nike situation no distract Williams, as she loose just three games to Mara Santangelo awey na she defeat Anne Kremer insyd straight sets. By dis point, na a blister develop on ein foot wey na she contract a cold. Insyd de third round, Williams find einself two points away from losing to Nadia Petrova, buh na she fight back to win insyd three sets. She then make am to de final, wey she defeat Jelena Janković, Shahar Pe'er den Nicole Vaidišová along de way. Na Williams describe dem as "*good players ... who certainly didn't expect an overweight, out-of-shape, has-been champion ... to give them a game*." Na commentator Tracy Austin say she expect make Sharapova easily defeat Williams insyd de final. Na Williams think de commentary be mean, wey she use am as motivation to win. She triumph over Sharapova, losing just three games; na ebe ein first tournament title insyd two years. Williams cam be de first player since Chris O'Neil make she capture de title widout dem seed am. De victory, wich elevate am to No.14, na ebe ein third Australian Open title den eighth career Grand Slam singles title. Williams dedicate de achievement to ein deceased half-sisto Yetunde.

Na dem describe ein performance insyd de final insyd de press as one of de best performances of ein career, den "arguably se most powerful display ever seen insyd women dema tennis". Williams win de Sony Ericsson Open insyd Miami for de fourth time by defeating Henin, buh she then loose to am insyd de quarterfinals at de French Open. During a fourth round match against Hantuchová at Wimbledon, Williams collapse from an acute muscle spasm. After a medical timeout, rain force make dem suspend play for nearly two hours. Wen de players return, Williams win de match. Williams then loose ein quarterfinal match against Henin. At de US Open, Williams loose ein third consecutive Grand Slam singles quarterfinal to Henin. Williams reach de final of de Kremlin Cup, buh na she loose to Elena Dementieva. She qualify for de WTA Championships, buh she retire from ein first match plus a knee injury wey she subsequently withdraw from de event. Williams fini 2007 as No.7 den de top-ranked American for de first time since 2003.

### 2008–2010: Injuries, controversy, den return to No. 1
Williams start 2008 by winning de Hopman Cup give de US, plus Mardy Fish. At de Australian Open, she loose insyd de quarterfinals to Janković, ein fourth straight loss insyd de quarterfinals of a Grand Slam singles tournament. Insyd de women's doubles event, na dem defeat she den Venus insyd de quarterfinals. Williams withdraw from ein next three scheduled tournaments secof an urgent need for dental surgery. She then win three consecutive singles titles at Bangalore den ein fifth Miami title, tying Graf for de most singles titles at dis tournament. She claim victory at de Family Circle Cup, ein first clay-court title since 2002. Na Dinara Safina end ein 17-match winning streak insyd de quarterfinals insyd Berlin. Williams withdraw insyd Rome insyd de quarterfinals secof a back injury, wey she loose insyd de third round of de French Open to Katarina Srebotnik.

At Wimbledon, Williams reach de finals for de first time insyd four years, buh she loose to Venus insyd dema first Grand Slam final since 2003. Na Serena den Venus team up wey dem win de doubles title, however. Williams play at Stanford, buh she retire insyd de semifinals plus a knee injury, wich sanso force am make she withdraw from a tournament insyd Los Angeles. During de Summer Olympics insyd Beijing, Williams loose to Dementieva insyd de singles quarterfinals, buh na she den Venus win de gold medal insyd doubles. Insys early September, Williams capture ein third US Open title, wich na sanso be ein ninth Grand Slam singles title. De victory return am to No.1 for de first time since 2003. At de year-end championships, she defeat Safina wey she loose to Venus insyd round-robin matches, buh she withdraw from a match against Dementieva, dey cite a stomach muscle injury. She end 2008 ranked No.2 den plus four singles titles, ein strongest performance insyd both respects since 2003.

Williams begin 2009 at de Medibank International, wey she loose insyd de semifinals to Dementieva. At de Australian Open, she claim ein tenth Grand Slam singles title by she defeat Safina. Dis win restore ein No.1 ranking wey e make am de all-time career prize money leader insyd women's sports, a title previously wey golfer Annika Sörenstam hold. Serena den Venus sanso win de doubles event at de Australian Open for de third time. At de Open GdF Suez, Williams withdraw before ein semifinal match against Dementieva secof a knee injury. She then play insyd Dubai, wey she loose to Venus insyd de semifinals. 

Na Williams be beset by ankle den quadriceps injuries at de Sony Ericsson Open, wey na dem upset am insyd de final by Victoria Azarenka. Na dis be de first of four consecutive losses give Williams, de longest losing streak of ein career. After Ericsson, na dem defeat am insyd ein opening matches insyd Barcelona, Rome, den Madrid. At de French Open, she loose insyd de quarterfinals to de eventual champion Kuznetsova. Na dis end ein 18-match winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments. She rebound at Wimbledon, wey she prevail over Dementieva insyd de semifinals den Venus insyd de finals. Na de victory be ein third Wimbledon title den ein 11th Grand Slam singles title. For de second consecutive year, na Serena den Venus claim de Wimbledon doubles title, wich na be dema ninth Grand Slam title insyd doubles.

Ahead of de US Open, Williams suffer a third-round defeat insyd Cincinnati den a semifinal defeat at de Rogers Cup. At de Open, na dem give am a racket abuse warning after she loose de first set of ein semifinal match against Clijsters. Later insyd de match, na dem bell one of ein serves a foot fault. Na Williams yell profanities at de lineswoman wey make se call, wey na she threaten to shove a tennis ball down ein throat. Na dem penalize Williams a point for unsportsmanlike conduct, wich na e result in Clijsters win de match. De day wey dey follow, na dem issue Williams a fine of $10,500. After further investigation, na de Grand Slam Committee fine am $175,000 in place of suspending am from de 2010 US Open anaa oda Grand Slams. Dem sanso place am on a two-year probation, wich mean say if she commit anoda offense at a Grand Slam during de next two years, she go be suspended from de US Open wey dey follow. If, however, she commit no offenses, dem go reduce ein fine to $82,500. Although na Williams initially no express regret for ein outburst, she eventually apologize, dey say na she be humbled by de experience.

Williams continue insyd de US Open doubles competition, wey she team up plus Venus to capture dema third Grand Slam doubles title of de year, den de tenth of dema career. Williams win all three of ein round-robin matches at de year-end WTA Tour Championships, wey she defeat Venus, Dementieva, den Kuznetsova. She advance go de final after Caroline Wozniacki retire from dema semifinal match. Insyd de final, Williams defeat ein sisto to claim ein second singles title at dis event. Williams fini de year ranked No.1 for de second time insyd ein career. She play insyd 16 tournaments insyd 2009, more dan any oda year. Plus $6,545,586 in prize-money earnings, she break de record previously set by Justine Henin for most prize money earn by a female tennis player insyd one year. Insyd doubles, na de Williams sistos fini 2009 at No.2, despite dem play six tournaments per togeda. Williams now get a total of 23 Grand Slam titles, wey na dem consequently name am Female Athlete of de Year by de Associated Press. Na she sanso be de International Tennis Federation World Champion insyd both singles den doubles.

Insyd 2010, na Williams ein first tournament be insyd Sydney, wer she loose insyd de final to Dementieva. At de Australian Open, na Williams be de defending champion insyd both singles den doubles. She reach de final wey she defeat Justine Henin, wey recently cam out of retirement, for ein twelfth Grand Slam singles title. Insyd doubles, Williams den ein sisto successfully defend dema title by defeating Cara Black den Liezel Huber insyd de final. Williams sit out chaw events plus a leg injury, buh na she return for de Rome Masters, wer na Janković defeat am insyd de semifinals. At Madrid, she fall to Nadia Petrova insyd de third round, buh she partner plus Venus to win de doubles title.

At de French Open, na Williams be bested by Samantha Stosur insyd de quarterfinals. Na she den Venus win de doubles event, wey dem achieve dema fourth consecutive Grand Slam doubles title wey dem improve dema doubles ranking to No.1. Na Williams ein next tournament be Wimbledon, wer na she no lose a single set, defeating Zvonareva insyd de final. After de match, na Navratilova say Williams dey among de top five female tennis players insyd history. She assert say if one be a great player "no be just about how many Slams you win ... e be just your game overall ... she get all de goods." De Williams sistos loose insyd de doubles quarterfinals to Elena Vesnina den Zvonareva. Insyd Munich on July 7, Williams step on broken glass while insyd a restaurant, wey de injury cause am make she miss de rest of de year. She fini 2010 ranked No.4 insyd singles den No.11 insyd doubles.On March 2, 2011, she confirm say na she suffer a hematoma den a pulmonary embolism.

### 2011–2013: Return to dominance, Career Golden Slam

Williams make ein first appearance on de WTA tour insyd almost a year insyd Eastbourne, wer na she loose insyd round two to Zvonareva. Insyd June, she attempt to defend ein title at Wimbledon, buh na dem eliminate am insyd de round of 16, wich drop ein ranking to No.169. Later insyd de summer, she win titles insyd both Stanford den Toronto. Williams play de Western & Southern Open, buh she withdraw secof injury. She reach de final at de US Open, wer she face Stosur. During de match, Williams cam vex plus umpire Eve Asderaki. She make gestures den unflattering comments towards am, wey dey include she call am "a hater". Williams eventually loose de match, den then decline make she offer Asderaki de customary handshake. A writer give ESPN suggest say na Williams no violate de terms of ein probation (on wich na dem place am dey follow ein 2009 outburst), since she na she no use profanity wen she address de umpire. In de end, na dem fine Williams $2,000, buh na dem no bar am from competing. Na de US Open be Williams ein final event of 2011, wey na she end de year ranked No.12, plus two titles den a 22–3 record for de season. She play insyd six tournaments per during de season.

Williams start de 2012 season at de Brisbane International. During ein match against Bojana Jovanovski, she injure ein left ankle, wey na e force am to withdraw from de tournament. Next she participate insyd de Australian Open, wer na Ekaterina Makarova upset am insyd de fourth round. After a month layoff, Williams return to competition insyd Miami, wey she loose insyd de quarterfinals. She then win consecutive titles insyd Charleston den Madrid, buh na she withdraw from ein semifinal match insyd Rome secof a lower back injury. At de French Open, Williams suffer ein first ever loss insyd de opening round of a Grand Slam. She notch up a 33–1 record for de second half of de season, wey she win five titles insyd de process. She capture ein fifth Wimbledon singles title (ein 14th Grand Slam victory), wey she cam be de first female player make she serve 24 aces insyd a match. She sanso set a record for de most aces insyd a tournament by any player—male anaa female—plus a total of 102. Williams den ein sisto sanso capture dema fifth trophy insyd Wimbledon doubles.

Williams return to America to successfully defend ein Stanford title, wey she overcome CoCo Vandeweghe insyd de final. At de Olympics, she win gold by defeating Sharapova insyd a dominating performance. She den Venus sanso win a second consecutive Olympic doubles title. Insyd New York, Williams claim ein fourth US Open singles title, wich na e be ein 15th career Grand Slam singles title. She end de season by she go undefeated at de WTA Championships wey she win de event for de third time. Na dem name am ITF World Champion, wey na dem vote am WTA Player of de Year for de fourth time.

Na Williams ein first tournament of de 2013 season be insyd Brisbane, wer na she win de title widout dropping a set. At de Australian Open, na dem upset am insyd de quarterfinals by fellow American Sloane Stephens. After she defeat Petra Kvitová insyd Doha, Williams return to No.1 for de sixth time insyd ein career, wey she cam be de oldest woman insyd de Open Era to hold de ranking. Insyd de Miami final, Williams record ein 70th come-from-behind win. Na de victory make Williams a six-time champion insyd Miami, breaking de record na she hold plus Graf. She sanso cam be de fourth woman insyd de Open Era make she win a given tournament six times. Williams then defend ein Charleston title, wey she win de event for de third time. She win ein 50th career singles title insyd Madrid, wey she prevail over Sharapova insyd de final. She then play insyd Rome, wer na she win de title a second time. At de French Open, na Williams loose one game per whilst she defeat Sara Errani insyd de semifinal. Evert say na Williams ein play during de match be de finest performance wey she ever see by a female player on clay. Williams best Sharapova insyd de final to claim ein second French Open title den ein 16th Grand Slam title overall. She sanso cam be de fourth woman insyd de Open Era make she win each Grand Slam tournament at least twice. At Wimbledon, she advance easily go de fourth round before dem defeat am by eventual finalist Sabine Lisicki. Williams then win de Swedish Open, ein first victory at de International level. Na she be undefeated on clay during de season.

Williams win ein third Rogers Cup title insyd Toronto, wey she beat Sorana Cîrstea insyd de final. She reach de final of de Western & Southern Open for de first time, buh she loose to Azarenka. At de US Open, Williams begin as top seed den defending champion. She reach de final wey she defeat Azarenka insyd three sets, wey she capture ein 17th Grand Slam singles title wey e push ein career prize winnings past $50million. At 31, she cam be de oldest US Open champion insyd de Open Era. After de US Open, Williams beat Janković to win de China Open, wich na e be ein 10th title of 2013. Na she go undefeated at de WTA Championships, triumphing over Li Na insyd de final wey she cam be de first person to defend de title since Henin insyd 2007. She sanso cam be de oldest player make she win de WTA Championships, de fourth player to win am four times anaa more, den de first female player make she win more dan $10million insyd a season (na ein total for 2013 be $12.4 million). Na Rafael Nadal (insyd 2013), den Novak Djokovic (insyd 2011, 2012 den 2013) per earn more money insyd one season.

Williams fini as de year-end No.1 for de third time, wey she cam be de oldest No.1 player insyd WTA history. Na dem name am de ITF World Champion for de fourth time. She receive two prizes at de 2013 ESPY Awards: Best Female Athlete den Best Female Tennis Player, de latter of wich na she win for a record sixth time. Insyd December, Williams receive de Associated Press Female Athlete of de Year award for de third time. Na Evert den Babe Didrikson per wey dem choose more often as Athlete of de Year since na dem first hand out de awards insyd 1931.

### 2014–2015: Second "Serena Slam"
Williams defend ein title at de Brisbane International by she defeat No.2 Azarenka insyd de final. At de Australian Open, she fall insyd de fourth round to Ana Ivanovic. Insyd Dubai, Williams loose ein semifinal match to Alizé Cornet insyd straight sets. Williams then play insyd de Miami Open, wer na she win ein record seventh title plus a straight-sets victory over No.2 Li Na. At de Family Circle Cup, she loose to Jana Čepelová insyd de second round. She make am to de quarterfinals at de Madrid Open before she withdraw plus a thigh injury. Insyd Rome, Williams win ein third title of de season. She suffer de worst loss of ein Grand Slam career insyd de second round of de French Open wen na Garbiñe Muguruza defeat am while losing just four games insyd two sets. Cornet defeat Williams insyd de third round of Wimbledon, wey she hande Williams ein earliest Wimbledon elimination since 2005. During de doubles event plus Venus, Serena hit four consecutive doubles faults. She appear disoriented den unsteady on ein feet, wey she withdraw from de tournament. Na de official cause of withdrawal be "viral illness".

Williams rebound by she win 19 out of ein next 20 matches (wey she loose only to Venus insyd de semifinals of de Rogers Cup). De streak include titles at de Bank of the West Classic den de Western & Southern Open, den ein third consecutive den sixth overall US Open singles title. Plus dis victory, Williams tie Evert for most US Open singles titles wey a woman win insyd de Open Era. Williams sanso tie Evert den Navratilova dema record of 18 career Grand Slam singles titles dem win insyd de Open Era. By virtue of winning both de US Open den de US Open Series, Williams collect $4 million—de biggest payday insyd tennis history. At de 2014 WTA Finals insyd Singapore, Williams advance go de final for de third consecutive year despite she equal ein career-worst loss insyd ein second round robin match against Simona Halep. She claim de WTA Finals title, wich na e be ein seventh title of de year, wey she fini de year ranked No.1 for de fourth time insyd ein career. She hold de top ranking for de entire calendar year, a feat dem no accomplish since Graf achieve am insyd 1996. Na dem vote Williams WTA Player of de Year den ITF World Champion for a third consecutive year.

Williams begin de 2015 season by reaching de final of de Hopman Cup, wer she den ein partner John Isner loose to Poland. At de Australian Open, Williams defeat Sharapova for de 16th consecutive time to claim ein sixth Australian Open singles title den 19th career Grand Slam singles title. Plus dis victory, Williams surpass both Evert den Navratilova for de second most Grand Slam singles titles win insyd de Open Era. She be de player per insyd history to win all four Grand Slams at age 30 anaa older. Na she den Venus next travel to Buenos Aires to face Argentina insyd a World Group II tie insyd de Fed Cup. She play den win ein only match against María Irigoyen make she help de US team win against de Argentines. After a 14-year boycott of de Indian Wells Masters, Williams announce say she go be competing at de event. Upon ein return, she receive a standing ovation from de crowd wey she win ein first match insyd straight sets. She reach de semifinals, buh dem force am to withdraw secof a knee injury. Wen Williams defeat Lisicki insyd de quarterfinals of de Miami Open, she cam be de eighth woman insyd de Open Era to record 700 match wins insyd ein career. Dis sanso make am one of three active players per wey win 700 anaa more matches insyd singles, de others be Nadal den Roger Federer. Williams go on go win a record eighth title insyd Miami.

As preparation for de clay-court season (den make dem ensure ein eligibility for de 2016 Summer Olympics), Williams travel to Brindisi, Italy, wer na she compete plus dat country ein team for a place insyd de Fed Cup ein World Group. Williams den teammate Alison Riske loose de decisive doubles match to Errani den Flavia Pennetta, wich mean na dem relegate de United States to World Group II. Na ebe Williams ein first loss insyd de Fed Cup. De week of April 20 mark Williams ein 114th consecutive week ranked No.1, de third-longest run insyd WTA history at de time, behind Graf ein 186 weeks den Navratilova ein 156. Insyd de semifinals of de Mutua Madrid Open, Williams suffer ein first defeat of de season, ending a 50-match winning streak at Premier-Mandatory events. She play one match at de 2015 Internazionali BNL d'Italia before she withdraw plus an elbow injury.

At de 2015 French Open, Williams defeat Lucie Šafářová insyd three sets to claim de trophy den win ein third French Open den 20th Grand Slam singles title. Na de accomplishment make Williams de third person per insyd history to win each Grand Slam at least three times, de odas be Court den Graf. At Wimbledon, Williams defeat three former No.1 players—Azarenka, Sharapova, den ein sisto Venus—to advance to de final. Awaiting am be Muguruza, wey previously hand Williams de worst Grand Slam defeat of ein career. Williams best Muguruza den claim ein sixth Wimbledon singles title den 21st Grand Slam singles title overall. Plus dis triumph, she plete ein second "Serena Slam" (winning all four Grand Slams insyd a row, buh no be insyd de same calendar year). De Wimbledon victory make Williams de oldest woman insyd de Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title. Na e sanso be eighth consecutive victory insyd Grand Slam singles finals appearances, breaking Graf ein Open Era record of seven den dey tie Pete Sampras ein Open Era record of eight. De week of July 13 mark de first time insyd WTA history dat de No.1 player get more dan twice as many points as de No.2. Dey follow ein win at Wimbledon, na dem award Williams ein seventh ESPY for Best Female Tennis Player.

Na Williams be de defending champion at de Bank of the West Classic, buh she withdraw from de tournament make she recover from an elbow injury. Insyd de semifinals of de Canadian Open, na Williams get a 19-match winning streak ended by 18-year-old Belinda Bencic. De next week Williams defend ein title at de Western & Southern Open plus a straight sets victory over No.3 Halep. Williams ein attempt at capturing de "Grand Slam" (winning all four Grand Slams insyd a calendar year) cam to an end at de US Open, wer she loose to Roberta Vinci insyd de semifinals. Na dem describe de defeat by sam as one of de biggest upsets insyd tennis history.  On October 1, Williams call an end to ein season, dey state say na she be injured for most of de year wey na she wan to "properly address [ein] health". Na Coach Patrick Mouratoglou hint say na ein decision to end de season early fi be secof a lack of motivation den disappointment dey follow ein loss at de Open.

On October 5, na Williams surpass Evert for third-most weeks ranked world No.1. Williams hold de top ranking de entire season for de second consecutive year, wey she fini der for de fifth time insyd ein career. Na dem vote am WTA Player of de Year for de seventh time, wey na dem name am ITF World Champion for de sixth time. Na dem sanso vote am Female Athlete of de Year by de Associated Press for de fourth time insyd ein career, wey na dem choose am as Sportsperson of de Year by Sports Illustrated. She cam be de third solo woman, den de first since 1983, make she receive de latter award.

### 2016: Equalling de records of Steffi Graf
Na Williams be de No.1 seed den defending champion at de Australian Open. She reach de final widout dropping a set, wey na she face first time Grand Slam finalist Angelique Kerber. Na dem consider Williams de heavy favorite, as na she never loose an Australian Open final anaa semifinal. Na she sanso dominate insyd past matches against Kerber, wey she loose once per to am insyd six meetings. Williams loose de final insyd three sets, however, wich mark ein first-ever three-set loss insyd de final of a Grand Slam.

De week of February 15 mark Williams ein 157th consecutive week ranked No.1, de second-longest streak insyd WTA history. Na Graf per wey hold de ranking longer, for 186 weeks. Williams compete insyd Indian Wells as de No.1 seed, wey na she reach de final for de first time since 2001. Na Azarenka defeat am, whom na she beat de last five times na de pair meet. Na dis mark de first time since 2004 wey Williams loose two consecutive finals. She next play de Miami Open as de defending champion, wey she loose insyd de fourth round to Kuznetsova. Insyd Rome, she prevail over Anna-Lena Friedsam den Christina McHale make she progress to de quarterfinals, wer she defeat Kuznetsova. She then defeat Irina-Camelia Begu den Madison Keys make she win ein 70th career WTA title den ein first title of de year.

At de French Open, Williams drop one set per en route to de final, wer she face Muguruza. She loose to de Spanish-Venezuelan player insyd straight sets, dey mark de first time na she loose two consecutive Grand Slam finals. At Wimbledon, Williams san drop one set per for ein way to de final, wer she face Kerber insyd a rematch of dema Australian Open final earlier insyd de year. Williams defeat Kerber insyd straight sets wey she tie Graf ein record of 22 Open Era Grand Slam singles titles. Later dat day, Williams den ein sisto win dema sixth Wimbledon doubles title den 14th Grand Slam doubles title overall, wey dem keep dema perfect record at Grand Slam doubles finals intact.

Insyd July, Williams withdraw from de Rogers Cup secof a shoulder injury. She next participate insyd de Olympics insyd Rio de Janeiro, wer na she be de defending gold medalist insyd both singles den doubles, wey na she be de heavy favorite make she retain those titles. De sistos suffer a shock exit insyd de first round of doubles, wey dem loose to de Czech duo of Šafářová den Barbora Strýcová, wich end dema career record of 15–0 dating back to de 2000 Olympics. Insyd singles, Williams loose to Elina Svitolina insyd de third round. Days after de Olympics, Williams enter de Western & Southern Open make she defend ein crown, buh then she withdraw secof de same shoulder injury from earlier insyd de summer. De week of September 5, 2016, mark Williams ein 186th consecutive week ranked No.1, dey tie am plus Graf for de longest run insyd WTA history. Williams ein streak end wen she loose to Karolína Plíšková insyd de semifinals of de US Open. Insyd October, she pull out of de WTA Finals, dey cite ein shoulder injury.

### 2017: Australian Open victory den pregnancy
Williams start 2017 by playing insyd de WTA Auckland Open for de first time insyd ein career. Insyd de second round, she loose to Madison Brengle. She then win de Australian Open for an Open Era record seventh time, wey she defeat Venus insyd de final. Na ebe ein 23rd Open Era Grand Slam singles title, wey push am past Graf ein record of 22. Na ebe de first time insyd de Open Era wey na two players aged 35 anaa older compete insyd de final of a Grand Slam tournament. De win ensure Williams ein return to de No.1 ranking. She subsequently withdraw from de Indian Wells den Miami Opens, dey cite a knee injury.

On April 19, 2017, Williams reveal say na she be 20 weeks pregnant wey she go miss de remainder of de season. De timing of ein announcement mean na she already dey preg wen na she win de Australian Open. Insyd interviews, na she say dat she intend to return to tennis after she give birth, dey say na she get an "outrageous plan" of competing insyd de 2018 Australian Open. On September 1, 2017, Williams give birth to a daughter. She suffer a pulmonary embolism after delivery, wey lef am bedridden for six weeks wey delay ein return to training. On December 30, Williams play ein first match since giving birth, an exhibition match at de World Tennis Championship insyd Abu Dhabi, wer na she loose to Jeļena Ostapenko.

### 2018: Return to tennis, Wimbledon, den controversies
On January 5, 2018, Williams withdraw from de upcoming Australian Open, dey cite a lack of sufficient preparation insyd de wake of ein pregnancy. Insyd February, after na she overcam pregnancy-related health problems, she return to de tennis court plus Venus. De pair loose to Lesley Kerkhove den Demi Schuurs of de Netherlands insyd de first round of de Fed Cup. Williams then suffer back-to-back early exits insyd Indian Wells den Miami. Williams return to Grand Slam tennis at de 2018 French Open, wey she play singles den doubles plus ein sisto. Insyd de first round, she defeat Kristýna Plíšková, then she overcam Ashleigh Barty insyd de second round. She then defeat 11th seed Julia Görges make she set up a fourth-round match against Sharapova, whom na she best 18 consecutive times since 2004. Williams withdraw from de match secof an injury, however.

Insyd July, she play Wimbledon wey na dem seed am No.25. Na chaw feel de decision show bias den unduly favor Williams, wey na dem rank am No.181. Odas argue dat de All England Club, wich no dey base seedings on players dema world rankings—as oda Grand Slam tournaments dey do—na dem sensibly consider Williams ein excellent historic record at Wimbledon. Williams reach de Wimbledon semifinals, wey cam be de lowest-ranked player to do so. She best 13th seed Görges insyd de semifinal match, buh she loose to Kerber insyd a rematch of de 2016 final. Dey follow Wimbledon, Williams enter de 2018 Silicon Valley Classic, ein first appearance insyd a US Open series tournament since 2015. She suffer de worst loss of ein career insyd de first round, she win just a single game against Johanna Konta. Williams later reveal insyd an interview plus *Time* say na she check Instagram prior to de match, wey na she discover say de man wey murder ein half-sisto, Yetunde, insyd 2003 na dem release am on parole earlier insyd de year. Williams say na she "ni fi shake am out of [ein] mind."

Na Williams ein next tournament be de Cincinnati Masters. She beat Daria Gavrilova insyd straight sets insyd de first round, buh she loose to Petra Kvitová insyd de second round. Na dem then seed am 17th at de US Open, although she rank 26th insyd de WTA. She prevail over Magda Linette insyd de first round, Carina Witthöft insyd de second, Venus insyd de third, den Kaia Kanepi insyd de fourth. Na Williams ein quarterfinal face-off against Karolína Plíšková be a rematch of de 2016 US Open semifinal, wich na de Czech player win. Williams prevail, dey notch ein first win against a top 10 player since ein return from pregnancy. Williams then win ein semifinal match against Anastasija Sevastova, wey put am into de final against Naomi Osaka. During de second set of de match, na dem give Williams a code violation secof ein coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, give am coaching hand signals. Williams claim na Mouratoglou simply dey give am a thumbs-up, wey na she demand an apology from umpire Carlos Ramos. However, na Mouratoglou later admit insyd de after-game interview say na he dey coach, buh dey believe na Williams no understand de hint. Williams then receive a second violation for racket abuse, wich result in a point penalty. After ein third code violation for verbal abuse of de umpire, Williams receive a game penalty, wey na she go on go lose de match. Na dem fine am a total of $17,000 for de three offenses, although na she claim dem treat am unfairly secof she be a woman.

Dey follow de US Open final match, na de Melbourne newspaper de Herald Sun publish a cartoon by Mark Knight wey dey depict Williams dey throw a tantrum while de umpire ask ein opponent to "make she just let her win". Na dem widely criticize da cartoon as racist den sexist, wey include by Williams ein husbie, Alexis Ohanian, den author J. K. Rowling. Complaints center on de portrayal of Williams as an angry black woman plus exaggeratedly large lips den a broad, flat nose; de depiction of Williams insyd an ape-like pose; den de rendering of Osaka plus blonde hair (na sam per of ein hair be colored blonde during de tournament). Knight defend ein work, dey claim na ein satire never be about race anaa gender, buh rather about shining a spotlight on bad behavior by sports superstars.

### 2019: Return to de top 10
Williams start ein 2019 season at de Australian Open, ein first appearance at de tournament since she win am insyd 2017. She seed 16th, na she defeat Tatjana Maria, Eugenie Bouchard, den Dayana Yastremska insyd de first three rounds, then she best top seed den world No.1 Halep insyd de fourth. Insyd de quarterfinals, she meet Karolína Plíšková, wey win de match after Williams twist ein ankle. Na dis be Williams ein earliest defeat at de Australian Open since ein fourth-round loss insyd 2014. Despite de loss, na ein ranking climb to No.11. Williams prevail over Azarenka insyd de second round of de Indian Wells Masters, buh na a viral illness cause am make she retire. She then experience a recurrence of a long-term knee injury, wich cause am make she pull out of upcoming Miami den Rome events. Na she no fi train properly til after de French Open, wer na she loose insyd de third round. Williams then reach de final at Wimbledon, wey make 2019 de 13th consecutive year insyd wich na she play insyd a Grand Slam final. She cam be de oldest Grand Slam finalist insyd de Open Era. Williams lost de final to Halep insyd two straight sets.

At de Canadian Open, Williams defeat Osaka insyd de quarterfinals den Marie Bouzkova insyd de semifinals, then she face Bianca Andreescu insyd de final. However, na dem force Williams make she withdraw early insyd de match after experiencing back spasms. Ein back problems continue at de Cincinnati Open, wer na she withdraw before ein first-round match. Na Williams be seeded eighth at de US Open, wer she best Sharapova insyd de first round. Insyd de quarterfinals she defeat Wang Qiang, den insyd de semifinals she triumph over Svitolina. Williams then proceed to de final against Andreescu, wey win de title insyd straight sets. Williams fini de year ranked No.10.

### 2020–2022: Final years
Insyd January 2020, Williams win ein first singles title as a mommie at de ASB Classic, wey she defeat Jessica Pegula insyd de final. At de Australian Open, Williams loose insyd de third round to Wang insyd three sets. Williams then enter de Top Seed Open as de No.1 seed, wey she defeat Venus insyd de second round before she loose to Shelby Rogers insyd de quarterfinals. At de US Open, Williams defeat Stephens insyd de third round before she loose to Azarenka insyd de semifinals. Williams withdraw from de French Open dem delay insyd October, dey cite an Achilles injury wey na she sustain during de US Open. She fail to reach a Grand Slam final insyd 2020.

Williams start de 2021 season by playing de Yarra Valley Classic, wer na she withdraw prior to ein semifinal match, dey cite a right shoulder injury. Insyd de Australian Open, Williams loose insyd de semifinal to Osaka. Insyd May, Williams play ein 1000th match of ein career against Nadia Podoroska insyd de second round of de Italian Open, wich she loose insyd straight sets. She sustain an injury during de first round at Wimbledon against Belarusian player Aliaksandra Sasnovich, wey force am make she withdraw from de tournament. Insyd August, na a leg injury force Williams make she retire from de US Open. Na de withdrawal see Williams plummet nineteen places to 41st insyd de world, ein lowest year-end ranking insyd 15 years.

Insyd December 2021, Williams announce she no go play de 2022 Australian Open, dey cite de same leg injury. She return to professional play insyd June 2022 wen na she team up plus Ons Jabeur for de Eastbourne International. Na de pair win two matches before she retire from de tournament secof an injury wey Jabeur sustain. Williams sanso play singles at Wimbledon, wer na she loose to No.113 Harmony Tan insyd de first round. Na dem rank Williams No. 320 at de end of 2022.

### Farewell tour
Insyd de September 2022 issue of *Vogue*, Williams announce ein plans to "evolve away" from tennis after de 2022 US Open, wey dey indicate retirement. She state ein intention make she focus on ein family den ein venture capital firm. Williams begin ein farewell tour by entering de Canadian Open insyd Toronto using a protected ranking. She beat Nuria Párrizas Díaz insyd straight sets for ein first singles win insyd 14 months, before she loose to Belinda Bencic. After ein elimination, na tournament organizers give Williams gifts make she remember de city. Williams subsequently enter de Cincinnati Masters, wer na she fall to reigning US Open champion Emma Raducanu insyd de first round.

At de US Open, Williams play doubles plus Venus for de first time since 2018; de sistos loose to de Czech duo of Lucie Hradecká den Linda Nosková. Insyd de first round of singles, Williams defeat Danka Kovinić of Montenegro. After de match—wich na ebe attended by Eric Adams, Bill Clinton, Spike Lee, Mike Tyson, Vera Wang, Ruth Westheimer, den Tiger Woods—na dem play a tribute video wey be narrated by Oprah Winfrey, wey na dem conduct an interview by Gayle King. Insyd de second round, na Williams upset world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit, wey she cam be de oldest woman insyd de Open Era make she defeat a top-three ranked player. She then loose to Ajla Tomljanović insyd wat na be ultimately ein final match.

## Rivalries

### Serena vs. Venus
Serena play ein older sisto Venus insyd 31 professional matches wey start insyd 1998. Overall, Serena be 19–12 against ein sisto. De pair play 15 times insyd Grand Slam singles den 13 times insyd oda tournaments (wey dey include 11 finals). Na dem meet insyd nine Grand Slam tournament finals, plus Serena win seven times. Dey begin plus de 2002 French Open, dem play each oda insyd four consecutive Grand Slam finals, wich na be de first time insyd de Open Era wey de same two players face off insyd four consecutive finals insyd Grand Slam singles.

Wen both de Williams sistos enter de top ten wey na dem start dey face off insyd tournaments, rumors of match fixing start dey circulate. John McEnroe, while he dey comment on de 2000 Wimbledon semifinal between de two sistos, say " Dem no fi allow make Serena win. Richard [Williams] fi get sam thing to say about dis." After she loose to Venus at de Indian Wells quarterfinals insyd 2001, Elena Dementieva claim dat Richard Williams decide de results of matches between de sisters. Shortly after dat, Venus pull out of ein Indian Wells semifinal match against Serena at de last minute, dey claim tendinitis; na dis lead to much speculation insyd de press, wey na sam spectators demand dema money back. De final, insyd wich Serena defeat Kim Clijsters, na e be marred by de behavior of de crowd toward Williams den ein family.

### Williams vs. Hingis
Na one of Williams ein first rivalries be plus Martina Hingis, wey turn pro less dan one year before am (Hingis insyd October 1994, Williams insyd 1995). Na dem first play each oda at de 1998 Miami Open wer na Hingis win insyd three sets. Na dem play all buh one of dema matches on a hard court plus de exception be a contest on clay insyd Rome insyd 1999, wich na Hingis win insyd straight sets. Na dema last match take place at de 2002 Miami Open, wich na Williams win. Williams dey lead de rivalry 7–6.

### Williams vs. Capriati
Williams dey lead de series against Jennifer Capriati 10–7. De rivalry—wich begin insyd 1999 wey na dem once consider one of de best rivalries insyd women's tennis—start off one-sided, plus Capriati win four of de first five matches. Williams go on go win de next eight. Na twelve of de pair ein seventeen meetings go three sets.

### Williams vs. Henin
Na Justine Henin den Williams meet 14 times, na five of wich be insyd tournament finals. Insyd Grand Slam tournaments, na dem face each oda seven times, plus Henin dey lead 4–3. Na dem often credit de two women dema different personalities den styles of play plus dey make de rivalry entertaining. Williams dey lead de series 8–6.

### Williams vs. Azarenka
Williams dey lead de series 18–5. De rivalry begin at de 2008 Australian Open, wey dema most recent match be insyd de semifinals of de 2020 US Open. Williams dey hold a 10–1 record insyd Grand Slams. Azarenka be de player per wey win four WTA tour-level finals against Williams, den, despite she win five matches per against Williams, dem consider am one of de few modern players wey truly challenge Williams.

### Williams vs. Sharapova
Williams dey lead de series 20–2. Na de pair first meet insyd de fourth round of de 2004 Miami Open, wer na Williams defeat Sharapova. Na dema rivalry truly begin at de 2004 Wimbledon final, wer na Williams be de two-time defending champion; Sharapova best am insyd an upset. Williams next loose to Sharapova insyd de finals of de 2004 WTA Tour Championships. Since then, however, na Williams dominate de rivalry, wey she win all of dema clashes, plus na three per of dema matches go to three sets. Na dem meet 10 times insyd Grand Slam tournaments, wer na Williams dey lead 9–1. Na dem face off insyd a further nine finals, plus Williams dey lead 7–2. Na dema final match be insyd de first round of de 2019 US Open, wer na Williams defeat Sharapova insyd two sets.

## Legacy

Na dem dey regard Williams as one of de best female tennis players of all time. Insyd 2017, na BBC Sport users select Williams as de greatest female tennis player of de Open Era. Insyd 2018, na a Tennis.com panel arrive at de same conclusion. Chaw players, commentators, den sports writers regard Williams as de greatest female tennis player of all time.Insyd 2018, ma Roger Federer say de player wey probably get de best case for "Greatest Of All Time", man anaa woman, be Serena Williams. Insyd 2020, de Tennis Channel rank Williams as de greatest female tennis player insyd history. Insyd 2022, McEnroe describe Williams as an "icon" den de "GOAT of GOATs". Na BBC presenter den former French Open Champion Sue Barker call Williams ein serve "without question de greatest ever".

Williams win de Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of de Year a record four times (2003, 2010, 2016, 2018). Insyd December 2019, na de Associated Press name am Female Athlete of de Decade for de 2010s. Insyd 2024, de International Sports Press Association (AIPS) vote am as de best female athlete of de past 100 years. She be de highest-earning woman athlete of all time.

For dema first match insyd March 2019, de members of de United States women's national soccer team each wear a jersey plus de name of a woman wey inspire dem on de back. Crystal Dunn choose Serena Williams. Insyd September 2022, na Twitter say dat na Williams be de most tweeted-about female athlete of all time. Na dem widely credit am den Venus plus increasing diversity within de sport.

## Player profile

### Playing style
Na Williams be an aggressive baseliner wey ein game dey centere around ein powerful serve den forceful groundstrokes. Dey owe to ein high-risk playing style, she typically hit a large number of winners den a large number of unforced errors. Williams ein serve—wich dem consider de greatest insyd de history of women dema tennis—be known for ein speed den accurate placement, wich allow am to deliver numerous aces. At de 2013 Australian Open, she deliver de third-fastest serve insyd WTA recorded history, a 128.6&nbsp;mph (207&nbsp;km/h) ace against Ayumi Morita. Na Williams possess an accurate den consistent ball toss, wey allow am to serve to any position on de court plus minimal differences insyd de position of de ball insyd de air; na dis make am difficult for opponents make dem read ein service motion den predict de position of ein serve, wey dey allow am to dominate a rally from de first stroke. Williams sanso possess effective den accurate kick den slice serves. She deploy dese as second serves, wey dey minimize double faults den dey prevent opponents from scoring free points.

Dem dey consider Williams ein forehand den backhand two of de most powerful shots insyd de history of women dema tennis. She hit both ein forehand den ein backhand insyd an open stance, wey dey allow am to generate consistently powerful, heavy, den dominating groundstrokes. Na she be able to generate sharp, acute angles, wich allow am make she hit winners from any position on de court. Na ein forehand—wich na e be described as "devastating"—na e hit plus heavy topspin, wich allow am make she dominate rallies. Na she be capable of hitting ein forehand both crosscourt den down de line to produce winners. Na ein two-handed backhand equally be dominant, wey na dem describe dem as one of de greatest backhands of all time. Williams tend to hit ein backhand flatter dan ein forehand, wich allow am make she hit plus speed, power, den depth both crosscourt den down de line. Despite she play primarily from de baseline, na Williams be an adept net player thanks to ein extensive doubles experience. She frequently choose to finish points at de net, either plus deft touch, aggressive drive volleys, anaa a solid, powerful, den reliable overhead smash. She possesse an aggressive return of serve; she neutralize powerful first serves, wey she attack weak second serves. She be widely considered one of de greatest returners of all time.

Despite she predominantly employ an aggressive style, na Williams sanso be an excellent defender wey na she be capable of counterpunching against aggressive opponents til she create an opportunity to hit a winner. Na she be an exceptional athlete, dem know for ein movement, speed, court coverage, agility, flexibility, balance, den footwork. Ein on-court intelligence, shot selection, den point construction allow am make she execute ein game plan effectively. Na American tennis player Christina McHale praise ein composure insyd high-pressure moments, while na Martina Navratilova call ein mental strength "unbelievable". Na dem note Williams for ein ability to produce extraordinary comebacks, particularly at de Grand Slam level. She win three Slams after she save match points, more dan any oda player insyd history. Williams bounce back from a set down make she win 37 Grand Slam matches. Na dem describe ein ability to cam back from set den break deficits insyd Grand Slam matches by McEnroe as "a gift", wey na he call am "de greatest" competitor insyd de history of women's tennis. Na dem sanso praise am for ein ability to serve aces at critical moments. As na retired player Li Na note insyd 2016, "break point down, [der be an] 80% chance [she] dey serve an ace".

### Coaches
Na Williams get five coaches during ein career: Richard Williams (1994–2022), Oracene Price (1994–2003), Patrick Mouratoglou (2012–2022), Eric Hechtman (2022) den Rennae Stubbs (2022).

### Endorsements
Na Williams graduate from Driftwood Academy insyd 1999, den soon after she sign a $12 million endorsement deal plus Puma. Insyd 2004, she sign a five-year deal plus Nike for $40 million, wey na she be sponsored by de company ever since. During Williams ein tennis career, Nike design custom clothing den footwear give am. De largest building on Nike ein Portland campus be de one-million-square-foot Serena Williams Building, wich dey feature chaw references to de athlete ein career den long partnership plus Nike. According to John Hoke, Nike ein Chief Design Officer, na Williams assist plus de design of de building.

Insyd 2015, Williams cam be de Chief Sporting Officer give British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin, den insyd 2018 she join de board of directors of SurveyMonkey. During ein career, na Williams get endorsement deals plus AbbVie, Anheuser-Busch InBev, AT&T, Audemars Piguet, Beats by Dre, Berlei Bras, Block Inc, Bumble, Chase Bank, Delta Air Lines, DirecTV, DoorDash, Ford Motor, Gatorade, Gucci, Hanes, IBM, Intel, Mission Athletecare, OnePiece, OPI Products, Pepsi, Subway, Tempur, Tonal den de Walt Disney Company.

### Rackets
Na Williams use de Wilson Hammer Stretch range of rackets wen na she win ein first Grand Slam title insyd 1999, before she switch to de Hyper Hammer range. She switch to de Wilson nCode briefly insyd 2005, wey na she use various iterations of de Wilson Blade since 2008. Ein racket be typically oversized, plus a head size of 104 square inches. Since 2017, Wilson manufacture a signature racket, de Wilson Blade SW104, wich na dem design am to Williams ein specifications. Since 2020, na Williams use a smaller variant of dis racket, de Wilson Blade SW102 Autograph.

## Career statistics

### Grand Slam tournament performance timeline
*Current thru de 2022 US Open.*

Note: *Williams withdraw from de 2018 French Open before ein fourth round match den de 2020 French Open before ein second round match, both of wich no dey officially count as losses.*

### Grand Slam tournament finals

#### Singles: 33 (23–10)

#### Doubles: 14 (14–0)

#### Mixed doubles: 4 (2–2)

## Records

* Records insyd **bold** dey indicate peer-less achievements.

## Ein life matter

Williams marry Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. He propose to am on December 10, 2016, wey na dem marry on November 16, 2017, insyd New Orleans. Na prominent personalities such as Beyoncé, Anna Wintour, Kelly Rowland den Kim Kardashian attend dema wedding ceremony.

On April 19, 2017, na Williams post a picture of einself on Snapchat wey focus on ein midsection. Na e get de caption, "20 weeks", wey dey prompt speculation say na she dey preg. Later dat evening, na ein spokesperson confirm de pregnancy. De fact say na she be 20 weeks pregnant wen she announce ein pregnancy mean say na she roughly be eight to nine weeks pregnant wen na she win de Australian Open earlier dat year. Williams later say dat na posting de picture be an accident. On September 1, 2017, Williams give birth to a daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. De kiddie, wey dey go by "Olympia," na she be delivered thru emergency caesarean-section after na ein heart rate drop during labor. Na Williams give Olympia a doll, Qai Qai, wey na e cam be famous on social media. By February 2021, na Williams hire a tennis coach give Olympia, then three years old. Insyd August 2023, Williams give birth to a second daughter, Adira River Ohanian.

Na dem raise Williams as a Jehovah's Witness, buh na dem no baptize am til 2023. Insyd 2017, na she say she "never really practice [de faith]". However, na she go often thank Jehovah after she win a match. She no dey celebrate birthdays, wich be a practice of de faith.

Williams make an appearance on stage during Kendrick Lamar ein Super Bowl LIX halftime show, wey she dey do a crip walk amongst oda background dancers. Na dem allege Williams be romantically involved plus Drake, plus whom Lamar be involved insyd an ongoing feud, insyd 2011 den 2015.

## Oda activities

### Philanthropy
Williams dey run de Serena Williams Foundation, wich partner plus major organizations to advance community development. Insyd 2008, as part of de foundation ein work, Williams help to fund de construction of de Serena Williams Secondary School insyd Matooni, Kenya. De foundation sanso dey provide university scholarships give underprivileged students insyd de United States. Insyd 2016, de Serena Williams Fund partner plus Helping Hands Jamaica make dem build de Salt Marsh Primary School for Jamaican youth insyd Trelawny Parish.

Williams receive a Celebrity Role Model Award from de Avon Foundation insyd 2003 for ein work wey dey fight breast cancer. De same year, she win de "Young Heroes Award" from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater L.A. den Inland. Insyd 2004, she win de "Family Circle and Prudential Financial Player Who Makes a Difference Award". Na she be an International Goodwill Ambassador plus UNICEF since 2011, wey na she help launch UNICEF ein Schools for Asia campaign. Insyd 2004 den 2005, Serena den Venus visit hospitals wey na she play chaw tennis matches insyd predominantly Black cities to raise funds for de local Ronald McDonald House charities. Na dem dedicate an ESPN episode to de charity tour.

In response to de 2010 Haiti earthquake, Williams, along plus oda ATP den WTA stars, dem decide to forgo dema final day of preparation for de Australian Open make dem assist earthquake victims. Serena den Venus be contributors to First Serve Miami, a foundation give youth wey wan learn tennis buh dey face social den economic obstacles. Na de sistos collaborate on philanthropic projects thru de Williams Sisters Fund, wich dey assist individuals den communities wey be affected by violence, wey dem dey aim to ensure dat youth get access to education. Insyd 2014, Williams begin dey host an annual charity run dem name "The Serena Williams Ultimate Fun Run" make dem support de Fund. Insyd 2016, insyd ein kiddie time home of Compton, she den Venus found de Yetunde Price Resource Center, in honor of dema late half-sisto Yetunde.

Williams ein return to Indian Wells insyd 2015 (after a 14-year boycott) occur insyd partnership plus de Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization wey dey provide legal representation to people wey na dem fi deny dem a fair trial. Insyd 2017, Williams cam be Ambassador give de Allstate Foundation ein Purple Purse project, an initiative make dem provide financial empowerment to domestic abuse victims. Oda organizations Williams dey support include de Elton John AIDS Foundation, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Hearts of Gold, de Common Ground Foundation, de Small Steps Project, de HollyRod Foundation, Beyond the Boroughs National Scholarship Fund, World Education, de Eva Longoria Foundation, de Caliber Foundation den de Cure for MND Foundation.

### Business ventures
Insyd August 2009, Serena den Venus cam be minority owners of de Miami Dolphins after dem purchase a small stake insyd de team. According to de Dolphins, dem be de first African-American women make dem hold any amount of ownership insyd an NFL franchise. Insyd 2014, Williams found de venture capital firm Serena Ventures, wich dey invest insyd start-up companies wey ein "perspectives den innovations level de playing field give women den people of color." As of 2022, na Serena Ventures raise more dan $110 million.

Insyd July 2020, na dem announce say Williams dey part of a nearly all-women investors dema group wey na dem award a new franchise insyd de National Women's Soccer League, de highest level of de women dema sport insyd de United States. Na dem classify Williams ein husbie Alexis Ohanian as de "lead investor", buh na he dey hold a minority interest, wey na he be de man per insyd de ownership group. Oda owners insyd de group include prominent actresses, media figures, businesswomen, former members of de US women's national team, den Williams ein eldest daughter. Na de new team begin dey play insyd 2022 as Angel City FC.

### Activism
Williams cam be more involved insyd social change as ein career progress, primarily dey use social media take express ein views. Insyd 2016 she voice ein support give Black Lives Matter for ein Facebook page top. She express concern say ein young nephew fi be in danger from police secof ein skin color. 

Also insyd 2016, na Williams wrep an open letter insyd Porter Magazine ein feature "Incredible Women of 2016" in support of gender equality den to share ein personal struggles as a woman insyd tennis. She claim say dem no dey recognize women dema contributions to de sport insyd de same way as men dema contributions, wey she sanso comment on de issue of unequal pay. Williams receive chaw awards for ein activism, particularly ein endeavors wey dey involve Black communities. Na de NAACP honor Williams plus ein President's Award (2003) den de Jackie Robinson Sports Award (2023).

### Fashion
Na dem note Williams for ein unusual den colorful outfits on court. She arrive at de 2004 US Open insyd a denim skirt sen knee-high leg wraps wey look like boots, wich na dem no allow am make she wear during matches. At de 2018 French Open, she promote ein clothing line *Serena* by wearing a catsuit, wich na be subsequently banned by de French Tennis Federation. At de 2018 US Open, Williams wear a black tutu during ein first match.

Insyd 2009, she launch a signature collection of handbags den jewelry, Signature Statement, wich na dem mainly sell on de Home Shopping Network. Insyd 2010, she cam be a certified nail technician insyd preparation for ein upcoming nail collection plus HairTech.

Insyd February 2019, na dem appoint Williams to de board of directors of de online fashion marketplace Poshmark. Insyd de fall of dat year, she launch de first collection of ein clothing line *S by Serena*. Inspired by 1990s street wear, na de apparel be designed for a range of body types den body sizes.

### Media den publishing
Insyd 2005, de Williams sisters author de book *Venus & Serena: Serving From The Hip: 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning*, wich na she wrep plus Hilary Beard. Insyd 2009, Williams release de autobiography *On the Line*. De same year, she appear insyd online videos den print advertisements give Tampax Pearl tampons, wey she cam be de first active female professional athlete to appear insyd advertising give a feminine hygiene product. Williams pose for de *Sports Illustrated* Swimsuit Issue insyd 2003 den 2004.

### Filmography
Williams appear insyd films, television series, den music videos. She den Venus sanso serve as executive producers on de 2021 film *King Richard*, a biopic about dema poppie.

## References


### General references

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## Read further

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## External links

* Official website 
* Serena Williams at the Women's Tennis Association 
* Serena Williams at the International Tennis Federation 
* Serena Williams at the Billie Jean King Cup (archived) 
*  at IMDb
* Serena Williams Archived June 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine video produced by *Makers: Women Who Make America*