Career Timeline of Serena Williams: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Serena Williams made an impact.

Serena Williams is a celebrated American former professional tennis player, frequently lauded as one of the greatest of all time. She held the world No. 1 ranking by the WTA for 319 weeks, ending the year as No. 1 five times. Williams secured 73 WTA Tour-level singles titles, including a record-setting 23 major women's singles titles in the Open Era, the second-most overall. Notably, she is the only player to achieve a career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles, underscoring her exceptional skill and dominance in the sport.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1984: Martina Navratilova's Surface Slam

In 1984, Martina Navratilova was the first player in history to win the "Surface Slam" after winning three consecutive Grand Slam titles.

1991: Ranked No. 1 Among Under-10 Players in Florida

By 1991, Serena Williams had a 46–3 record on the United States Tennis Association junior tour and was ranked No. 1 among under-10 players in Florida.

1993: Steffi Graf's Surface Slam

In 1993, Steffi Graf won the "Surface Slam" after winning three consecutive Grand Slam titles.

October 1994: Martina Hingis Turns Pro

In October 1994, Martina Hingis turned professional, less than a year before Serena Williams did.

1994: Richard Williams Becomes Serena's Coach

In 1994, Richard Williams became one of Serena Williams' coaches.

October 1995: First Professional Event

In October 1995, Serena Williams' first professional event was at the Bell Challenge in Quebec, where she lost in the first qualifying round to Annie Miller.

1995: Turning Professional

In 1995, Serena Williams turned professional in tennis, marking the beginning of her professional career.

1995: Serena Williams Turns Pro

In 1995, Serena Williams turned professional.

1995: Steffi Graf's Surface Slam

In 1995, Steffi Graf won the "Surface Slam" after winning three consecutive Grand Slam titles.

1995: Father Takes Over Coaching

In 1995, when Williams was in the ninth grade, her father pulled his daughters out of Macci's academy and took over all coaching at their home.

1996: Did not play in 1996

After turning professional in 1995, Serena Williams did not play in 1996.

1996: Last time before Serena Williams achieved it.

In 1996, Graf achieved holding the top ranking for the entire calendar year, a feat not accomplished until Williams in 2014.

1996: Steffi Graf's Surface Slam

In 1996, Steffi Graf won the "Surface Slam" after winning three consecutive Grand Slam titles.

November 1997: First Main-Draw Match Win and Top 10 Upsets at Ameritech Cup Chicago

In November 1997, Serena Williams won her first main-draw match at the Ameritech Cup Chicago. She upset Mary Pierce and Monica Seles, becoming the lowest-ranked player to defeat two top-10 opponents in one tournament. She finished the year ranked No.99.

1997: Lowest Ranking Since 1997

In 2006, Serena Williams' ranking slipped to No.139, her lowest since 1997. She finished the year ranked No. 95, also her lowest year-end ranking since 1997.

1998: Various Milestones and Titles

In 1998, Serena Williams defeated Lindsay Davenport, reached her first Grand Slam main draw at the Australian Open, reached six quarterfinals, withdrew from Wimbledon due to injury, and won mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon and the US Open with Max Mirnyi. She also won her first professional title in non-mixed doubles at the U.S. National Indoor Championships with Venus, finishing the year ranked No.20 in singles.

1998: First Match Against Martina Hingis at Miami Open

In 1998, Serena Williams played her first match against Martina Hingis at the Miami Open, where Hingis won in three sets.

1998: Failed to Qualify for Year-End Championship Since 1998

In 2005, Serena Williams failed to qualify for the year-end championship for the first time since 1998.

1998: Mixed Doubles Majors

Serena Williams won two mixed doubles majors in 1998.

February 1999: First Professional Singles Title

In February 1999, Serena Williams won her first professional singles title at the Open Gaz de France in Paris, defeating Amélie Mauresmo in the final.

1999: Graduation and Puma Deal

In 1999, Serena Williams graduated from Driftwood Academy and signed a $12 million endorsement deal with Puma.

1999: Match Against Hingis in Rome

In 1999, Serena Williams played Martina Hingis on clay in Rome, which Hingis won in straight sets.

1999: Wilson Hammer Stretch Rackets

In 1999, Serena Williams used Wilson Hammer Stretch range of rackets when she won her first Grand Slam title.

1999: First Major Singles Title at the US Open

In 1999, Serena Williams won her first major singles title at the US Open, marking a significant milestone in her career.

1999: US Open Victory and Fed Cup Success

In 1999, Serena Williams won the US Open, defeating Martina Hingis in the final. The Williams sisters also won the doubles event at this tournament. She made her Fed Cup debut, defeating Rita Grande. She also won her third title at the JPMorgan Chase Open, beating Julie Halard-Decugis in the final.

1999: Rivalry Begins with Jennifer Capriati

In 1999, Serena Williams' rivalry with Jennifer Capriati began.

1999: Drop Out of Top 10 Since 1999

In 2004, Serena Williams' loss at Wimbledon caused her to drop out of the top 10 for the first time since 1999.

2000: Richard Williams Reflects on Coaching Decisions

In 2000, Richard Williams reflected on his decision to have Serena and Venus follow a different path than regularly playing on the junior circuit, stating that it worked for them.

2000: Wimbledon Doubles Title and Sydney Olympics Gold Medal

In 2000, Serena Williams won the Faber Grand Prix in Germany and the Wimbledon doubles title with Venus. She and her sister won the gold medal in doubles at the Sydney Olympics. She also won the Toyota Princess Cup, ending the year at No.6.

2001: Career Grand Slam in Doubles and Controversy at Indian Wells

In 2001, Serena and Venus Williams won the doubles event at the Australian Open, completing a Career Grand Slam. Serena won the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, but the tournament was marred by racist comments directed at Richard Williams, leading to a boycott that lasted until 2015.

2001: First Grand Slam Loss Since 2001

In 2003, Serena Williams faced her first loss in a Grand Slam tournament since 2001 when she lost to eventual champion Henin in the semifinals of the French Open. This match was marked by controversy, with Williams questioning Henin's sportsmanship.

2001: First Season Since 2001 Without Grand Slam Win

In 2004, Serena Williams did not win a Grand Slam singles tournament, marking the first season since 2001 that she failed to achieve this.

2002: Simultaneously Holding All Four Major Singles Titles Begins

From 2002-2003, Serena Williams simultaneously held all four major singles titles.

2002: Last Match Against Martina Hingis

In 2002, Serena Williams played her last match against Martina Hingis at the Miami Open, which Williams won.

2002: Miami Masters Win

In 2002, Serena Williams won the Miami Masters, defeating the world's top 3 ranked players (Hingis, Venus, and Capriati) at the same event. Earlier in the year, she won the title in Scottsdale, Arizona.

2002: US Open Win and Surface Slam

In 2002, Serena Williams won the US Open, defeating Venus in the final for the third Grand Slam in a row. She also won titles in Tokyo and Leipzig. She finished the year with eight singles titles and the No.1 ranking. Her three consecutive Grand Slam titles in 2002 made her only the third player in history to win the "Surface Slam".

2002: First Clay-Court Title Since 2002

In 2008, Serena Williams claimed victory at the Family Circle Cup, marking her first clay-court title since 2002.

2002: Dominance Begins at French Open

Starting in 2002 with the French Open, Serena Williams began a dominant streak, winning four major singles titles in a row. Each time she won, she defeated her sister Venus in the final.

2003: Simultaneously Holding All Four Major Singles Titles Ends

From 2002-2003, Serena Williams simultaneously held all four major singles titles.

2003: Oracene Price Coaches Until This Year

In 2003, Oracene Price coached Serena until this year.

2003: Avon Foundation Award

In 2003, Serena Williams received a Celebrity Role Model Award from the Avon Foundation for her work fighting breast cancer, and she won the "Young Heroes Award" from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater L.A. and Inland.

2003: Winning the Australian Open and Achieving "Serena Slam"

In 2003, Serena Williams won the Australian Open, completing a non-calendar year Grand Slam, which was nicknamed the "Serena Slam."

2003: Australian Open Victory and Career Grand Slam

In 2003, at the Australian Open, Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus in the final, marking her fourth consecutive Grand Slam final against Venus. This victory allowed her to complete a Career Grand Slam, becoming the sixth woman in the Open Era to achieve this milestone. Additionally, she became the fifth woman to simultaneously hold all Grand Slam singles titles, a feat celebrated as the "Serena Slam". The Williams sisters also secured their sixth Grand Slam doubles title at the same tournament in 2003.

2003: Top-Ranked American Since 2003

In 2007, Serena Williams finished as the top-ranked American for the first time since 2003.

2003: First Grand Slam Final Since 2003

In 2008, Serena Williams reached the Wimbledon finals for the first time in four years, marking her first Grand Slam final since 2003. She lost to Venus but won the doubles title with her sister.

2003: Spring Titles, French Open Loss and Wimbledon Victory

In the spring of 2003, Serena Williams secured singles titles at the Open Gaz de France and the Sony Ericsson Open. Her 21-win streak ended with a loss to Henin at the Family Circle Cup final. She also lost to Mauresmo in the Rome semifinals. Despite being the top seed, she lost to Henin in the French Open semifinals. Williams rebounded by winning the 2003 Wimbledon Championships against Venus, her second consecutive Wimbledon title and sixth Grand Slam singles title. She withdrew from events and had knee surgery in August, ending her 2003 season early.

March 2004: Comeback and NASDAQ-100 Open Win

In March 2004, after eight months away from tennis, Serena Williams started her comeback at the NASDAQ-100 Open, winning the title for the third consecutive year.

2004: First Match Against Sharapova and Wimbledon Final Loss

In 2004, Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova at the Miami Open, and later lost to her in the Wimbledon final and the WTA Tour Championships final.

2004: Nike Endorsement Deal

In 2004, Serena Williams signed a five-year deal with Nike for $40 million.

2004: Family Circle and Prudential Financial Award

In 2004, Serena Williams won the "Family Circle and Prudential Financial Player Who Makes a Difference Award".

2004: US Open Quarterfinal Controversy

In 2004, at the US Open, Serena Williams faced Capriati in the quarterfinals. A controversial call by umpire Mariana Alves favored Capriati, sparking arguments and leading to Williams feeling "cheated" despite her unforced errors. This event contributed to the adoption of new technology like MacCAM and Hawk-Eye systems in tennis.

2004: China Open Victory and Tour Championship Final

In September 2004, Serena Williams won the China Open, defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova. Her successful season qualified her for the Tour Championships, where she lost to Maria Sharapova in the final after suffering an abdominal injury. Williams finished 2004 ranked No.7.

2005: Switched to Wilson nCode Briefly

In 2005, Serena Williams briefly switched to the Wilson nCode racket.

2005: Earliest Wimbledon elimination

In 2005, Serena Williams had her earliest Wimbledon elimination until her defeat to Cornet in 2014.

2005: Australian Open Win and Injury Struggles

In 2005, Serena Williams won her second Australian Open and seventh Grand Slam title, moving her back to No.2 in the rankings. However, she suffered from a recurring ankle injury, causing her to miss the French Open. She finished 2005 ranked No.11.

2005: Charity Tour with Venus

In 2005, Serena and Venus Williams visited hospitals and played tennis matches in predominantly Black cities to raise funds for the local Ronald McDonald House charities; an ESPN episode was dedicated to the charity tour.

2006: Australian Open Loss and Depression

In 2006, Serena Williams lost in the third round of the Australian Open and revealed she was injured. During this period, she suffered from depression and took a six-month break from tennis, seeking therapy. She returned to play in Cincinnati in July, after a chance meeting with a young fan. Williams finished the year ranked No.95, her lowest year-end ranking since 1997.

2007: Last person to defend the WTA title before Serena Williams

In 2007, Henin was the last person to defend the WTA title before Serena Williams in 2013.

2007: Strong Performances, Injury and Year-End Ranking

In 2007, Serena Williams had strong performances, including winning the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, but faced challenges such as a collapse at Wimbledon due to a muscle spasm and quarterfinal losses at the French Open and US Open. She finished the year as No.7 and the top-ranked American for the first time since 2003.

2007: Renewed Confidence and Nike's Ultimatum

In 2007, Serena Williams started the year with renewed confidence, aiming to return to the top of the rankings. A Nike representative told her that the company might cancel her sponsorship if she did not perform at her customary level, requiring her to reach at least the quarterfinals at the Australian Open.

2007: Return to Form

Starting in 2007, Serena Williams gradually returned to form despite continued injuries, reclaiming the world No. 1 singles ranking.

2008: Olympics and US Open Triumphs and Return to No.1

In 2008, Serena Williams and Venus won the gold medal in doubles at the Summer Olympics in Beijing. She also captured her third US Open title, returning her to No.1 for the first time since 2003. She ended 2008 ranked No.2, her strongest performance since 2003.

2008: Serena Williams Secondary School in Kenya

In 2008, Serena Williams helped to fund the construction of the Serena Williams Secondary School in Matooni, Kenya, as part of her foundation's work.

2008: Hopman Cup Win and Title Wins

In 2008, Serena Williams started by winning the Hopman Cup for the US. She then won three consecutive singles titles at Bangalore, her fifth Miami title, and the Family Circle Cup, her first clay-court title since 2002. She withdrew from the quarterfinals in Rome due to a back injury.

2008: Rivalry Begins with Victoria Azarenka

In 2008, Serena Williams' rivalry with Victoria Azarenka began at the Australian Open.

2008: Various iterations of Wilson Blade Rackets

Since 2008, Serena Williams has used various iterations of the Wilson Blade racket.

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2009: Simultaneously Holding All Four Major Women's Doubles Titles Begins

From 2009–2010, Serena and Venus Williams simultaneously held all four major women's doubles titles.

2009: Doubles Victory, WTA Tour Championships Win and Year-End Ranking

In 2009, Serena Williams and Venus won their third Grand Slam doubles title of the year at the US Open. Serena also won the WTA Tour Championships, defeating Venus in the final. She finished the year ranked No.1, earning a record-breaking $6,545,586 in prize money. She was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press and the International Tennis Federation World Champion in both singles and doubles.

2009: Australian Open Victory and Prize Money Leader

In 2009, Serena Williams claimed her tenth Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open, defeating Safina. This victory restored her No.1 ranking and made her the all-time career prize money leader in women's sports. She and Venus also won the doubles event at the Australian Open. She then withdrew before her semifinal match against Dementieva due to a knee injury.

2009: Probation after outburst

In 2009, Serena Williams had an outburst that resulted in her probation. This is mentioned as the reason the writer for ESPN suggested that Williams did not violate the terms of her probation during the 2011 US Open.

2009: Non-Calendar Year Grand Slam Begins

Starting with the 2009 Wimbledon Championships, Serena and Venus Williams achieved a non-calendar year Grand Slam in doubles.

2010: Non-Calendar Year Grand Slam Completion

By the 2010 French Open, Serena and Venus Williams completed their non-calendar year Grand Slam, granting them the doubles world No. 1 ranking.

2010: Simultaneously Holding All Four Major Women's Doubles Titles Ends

From 2009–2010, Serena and Venus Williams simultaneously held all four major women's doubles titles.

2010: US Open Outburst and Penalties

In 2009, during the US Open, Serena Williams received a racket abuse warning and verbally threatened a lineswoman, resulting in a point penalty that cost her the match against Clijsters. She was fined $10,500 initially, then $175,000 and placed on probation by the Grand Slam Committee. She eventually apologized for her behavior, expressing humility.

2010: End of year ranking

In 2010, Serena Williams finished the year ranked No. 4 in singles and No. 11 in doubles, after an injury in Munich on July 7, caused her to miss the rest of the year.

2010: Australian Open Victory and Leg Injury

In 2010, Serena Williams won the Australian Open, defeating Justine Henin for her twelfth Grand Slam singles title. She and Venus also successfully defended their doubles title. She later sat out several events due to a leg injury.

2010: Haiti Earthquake Relief

In response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Serena Williams, along with other ATP and WTA stars, decided to forgo their final day of preparation for the Australian Open to assist earthquake victims.

2011: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic earning more money in one season

In 2011, Novak Djokovic earned more money in one season and again in 2012 and 2013, similar to Rafael Nadal in 2013. In comparison to Serena Williams who also earned a lot in 2013.

2011: WTA tour appearance and US Open final

In 2011, Serena Williams made her first appearance on the WTA tour in almost a year in Eastbourne, later reaching the final at the US Open where she lost to Stosur and had an altercation with the umpire Eve Asderaki, resulting in a fine. She ended the year ranked No.12.

2011: International Goodwill Ambassador with UNICEF

Since 2011, Serena Williams has been an International Goodwill Ambassador with UNICEF and helped launch UNICEF's Schools for Asia campaign.

2012: Return to Dominance, Olympic Gold at Wimbledon Championships

Beginning with the 2012 Wimbledon Championships, Serena Williams returned to dominance, claiming Olympic gold and completing the career Golden Slam in singles.

2012: Novak Djokovic earning more money in one season

In 2012, Novak Djokovic earned more money in one season, similar to Rafael Nadal in 2013. In comparison to Serena Williams who also earned a lot in 2013.

2012: Patrick Mouratoglou Becomes Serena's Coach

In 2012, Patrick Mouratoglou became one of Serena Williams' coaches.

2012: Wimbledon singles and doubles titles

In 2012, Serena Williams won her fifth Wimbledon singles title, her 14th Grand Slam victory, and set records for aces served. She and her sister also captured their fifth trophy in Wimbledon doubles.

2013: Third-Fastest Serve in WTA History

At the 2013 Australian Open, Serena Williams delivered the third-fastest serve in WTA recorded history, a 128.6 mph ace against Ayumi Morita.

2013: French Open title and Wimbledon defeat

In 2013, Serena Williams claimed her second French Open title and 16th Grand Slam title overall, becoming the fourth woman in the Open Era to win each Grand Slam tournament at least twice. She was later defeated at Wimbledon by Sabine Lisicki.

2013: Year-end No.1 ranking and awards

In 2013, Serena Williams finished as the year-end No.1 for the third time, becoming the oldest No.1 player in WTA history. She was named the ITF World Champion for the fourth time and received several ESPY Awards.

2013: Rogers Cup, US Open, China Open wins and WTA Championship

In 2013, Serena Williams won her third Rogers Cup title, the US Open for her 17th Grand Slam, and the China Open. She triumphed at the WTA Championships, becoming the first female player to win more than $10 million in a season.

2014: Second instance of Simultaneously Holding All Four Major Singles Titles Begins

From 2014–2015, Serena Williams simultaneously held all four major singles titles for the second time in her career.

2014: Inaugural Serena Williams Ultimate Fun Run

In 2014, Serena Williams began hosting an annual charity run named "The Serena Williams Ultimate Fun Run" to support the Fund.

2014: US Open win and WTA Finals title

In 2014, Serena Williams won her third consecutive and sixth overall US Open singles title, tying Evert for most US Open singles titles in the Open Era. She also claimed the WTA Finals title, finishing the year ranked No.1.

2014: Winning Four Majors in a Row Begins

Starting in 2014, Serena Williams began a streak of winning four major singles titles in a row, achieving a second "Serena Slam".

2015: Second Serena Slam

From 2014-2015, Serena won all four majors in a row to achieve a second "Serena Slam".

2015: Chief Sporting Officer for Aston Martin

In 2015, Serena Williams became the Chief Sporting Officer for British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin.

2015: Fed Cup loss and end of winning streak

In 2015, Serena Williams had her first loss in the Fed Cup, and in the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open, she suffered her first defeat of the season, ending a 50-match winning streak at Premier-Mandatory events.

2015: Australian Open title and milestones

In 2015, Serena Williams won her sixth Australian Open singles title and 19th career Grand Slam singles title, surpassing Evert and Navratilova. She also became the eighth woman in the Open Era to record 700 match wins in her career and went on to win a record eighth title in Miami.

2015: French Open and Wimbledon titles

In 2015, Serena Williams won her third French Open and 20th Grand Slam singles title, making her only the third person in history to win each Grand Slam at least three times. She also claimed her sixth Wimbledon singles title and 21st Grand Slam singles title overall, completing her second 'Serena Slam'.

2015: Surface Slam and Holding All Four Major Singles Titles

In 2015, Serena Williams won the Surface Slam (major titles on hard, clay, and grass courts in the same calendar year). From 2014-2015, she simultaneously held all four major singles titles.

2015: End of Indian Wells Boycott

Serena Williams' boycott of the Indian Wells tournament, stemming from racist comments in 2001, lasted until 2015.

September 5, 2016: Tying Graf's Record

On September 5, 2016, Serena Williams's marked her 186th consecutive week ranked No.1, tying her with Graf for the longest run in WTA history.

2016: Yetunde Price Resource Center Founded

In 2016, Serena and Venus Williams founded the Yetunde Price Resource Center in their childhood home of Compton, in honor of their late half-sister Yetunde.

2016: Partnership to Build Salt Marsh Primary School

In 2016, the Serena Williams Fund partnered with Helping Hands Jamaica to build the Salt Marsh Primary School for Jamaican youth in Trelawny Parish.

2016: Preparing for the 2016 Summer Olympics

In 2016, to ensure her eligibility for the Summer Olympics, Williams travelled to Italy, where she competed with that country's team for a place in the Fed Cup's World Group.

2017: 23rd Major Singles Title at Australian Open

At the 2017 Australian Open, Serena Williams won her 23rd major singles title, surpassing Steffi Graf's Open Era record.

2017: Wilson Blade SW104 Signature Racket

Since 2017, Wilson has manufactured Serena Williams's signature racket, the Wilson Blade SW104, designed to her specifications.

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January 5, 2018: Withdrawal from Australian Open

On January 5, 2018, Serena Williams withdrew from the upcoming Australian Open, citing a lack of sufficient preparation following her pregnancy.

2018: Joins SurveyMonkey Board

In 2018, Serena Williams joined the board of directors of SurveyMonkey.

2019: Final Match Against Sharapova at US Open

In 2019, Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova in two sets in the first round of the US Open, marking their final match.

2019: 13th Consecutive Year in Grand Slam Final

In 2019, Serena Williams reached the final at Wimbledon, making it the 13th consecutive year in which she played in a Grand Slam final. She also became the oldest Grand Slam finalist in the Open Era, though she lost the final to Halep.

January 2020: First Title as a Mother at ASB Classic

In January 2020, Serena Williams won her first singles title as a mother at the ASB Classic, defeating Jessica Pegula in the final.

2020: Most Recent Match Against Azarenka

In 2020, Serena Williams played her most recent match against Victoria Azarenka in the semifinals of the US Open.

2020: Wilson Blade SW102 Autograph

Since 2020, Serena Williams has used a smaller variant of her signature racket, the Wilson Blade SW102 Autograph.

December 2021: Withdrawal from 2022 Australian Open

In December 2021, Serena Williams announced that she would not play the 2022 Australian Open due to a leg injury.

2021: 2021 Season

In 2021, Serena Williams withdrew prior to her Yarra Valley Classic semifinal match, citing a right shoulder injury. She lost in the Australian Open semifinal to Osaka and withdrew from Wimbledon and the US Open due to injuries, leading to her lowest year-end ranking in 15 years.

June 2022: Return to Professional Play at Eastbourne International

In June 2022, Serena Williams returned to professional play, teaming up with Ons Jabeur for the Eastbourne International. The pair won two matches before retiring from the tournament due to an injury sustained by Jabeur.

August 2022: Announcement of Impending Evolution

In August 2022, Serena Williams announced her upcoming "evolution" away from professional tennis, signaling her retirement.

September 2022: Retirement Announcement in Vogue

In September 2022, Serena Williams announced her plans to "evolve away" from tennis after the 2022 US Open in the September 2022 issue of Vogue. She stated her intention to focus on her family and her venture capital firm.