Early Life and Education of Serena Williams: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Serena Williams. From birth to education, explore key events.

Serena Williams is a retired American professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. She held the world No. 1 ranking for 319 weeks, finishing as year-end No. 1 five times. Williams amassed 73 WTA Tour singles titles, including a record-breaking 23 major women's singles titles in the Open Era, second-most overall. She is the only player to achieve a career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles, solidifying her place in tennis history.

Sections (6)

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

September 26, 1981: Serena Williams' Birth

On September 26, 1981, Serena Jameka Williams was born. She would become an American professional tennis player, achieve the world No. 1 ranking, and win 23 major singles titles.

Others born on this day/year

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.

1999: Graduation and Puma Deal

In 1999, Serena Williams graduated from Driftwood Academy and soon after signed a $12 million endorsement deal with Puma, marking a significant milestone in her early career.

2005: Charity Tour

In 2005, Serena and Venus Williams visited hospitals and played several 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: Battling Depression and Lowest Ranking Since 1997

In 2006, Serena Williams defended her title at the Australian Open, and lost to Daniela Hantuchová in the third round. She then told the press that she was injured. Serena later wrote that she was suffering from depression, and stayed away from tennis for six months and began seeing a therapist. She had slipped to No.139, her lowest ranking since 1997. On her return, she reached the semifinals in Cincinnati, losing to Vera Zvonareva.

2008: Serena Williams Secondary School Construction

In 2008, as part of the Serena Williams Foundation's work, Williams helped fund the construction of the Serena Williams Secondary School in Matooni, Kenya, contributing to community development through education.

August 2009: Miami Dolphins Minority Owner

In August 2009, Serena and Venus Williams became minority owners of the Miami Dolphins, becoming the first African-American women to hold ownership in an NFL franchise.

2010: Certification as nail technician

In 2010, Serena Williams became a certified nail technician as preparation for her upcoming nail collection with HairTech.

2010: Haiti earthquake relief

In 2010, following the 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.

March 2, 2011: Confirms Hematoma and Pulmonary Embolism

On March 2, 2011, Serena Williams confirmed that she had suffered a hematoma and a pulmonary embolism.

2011: UNICEF International Goodwill Ambassador

Since 2011, Serena Williams has served as an International Goodwill Ambassador with UNICEF and helped launch UNICEF's Schools for Asia campaign, promoting education and children's rights.

2014: "The 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 Serena Williams Fund.

2014: Serena Ventures Founded

In 2014, Serena Williams founded the venture capital firm Serena Ventures, which invests in start-up companies whose "perspectives and innovations level the playing field for women and people of color".

2015: End to Indian Wells Boycott

In 2015, Serena Williams ended her boycott of the Indian Wells tournament, which began in 2001 after alleged racist comments were made to her father.

2015: Return to Indian Wells with Equal Justice Initiative

In 2015, Serena Williams' return to Indian Wells (after a 14-year boycott) occurred in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization that provides legal representation to people who may have been denied a fair trial.

December 10, 2016: Alexis Ohanian Proposes to Serena Williams

On December 10, 2016, Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, proposed to Serena Williams, marking a significant milestone in their relationship.

2016: Support for Black Lives Matter

In 2016, Serena Williams voiced her support for the Black Lives Matter movement on her Facebook page, expressing concern about potential danger to her young nephew due to his skin color.

2016: Open letter in Porter Magazine

In 2016, Serena Williams wrote an open letter in Porter Magazine's "Incredible Women of 2016" feature. The letter expressed her support for gender equality and shared her personal struggles as a woman in tennis, highlighting unequal pay and the lack of recognition for women's contributions to the sport.

2016: Yetunde Price Resource Center

In 2016, in her childhood home of Compton, Serena and Venus Williams founded the Yetunde Price Resource Center, in honor of their late half-sister Yetunde, to assist individuals and communities affected by violence.

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, furthering her commitment to supporting education and communities.

April 19, 2017: Pregnancy Announcement

On April 19, 2017, Serena Williams revealed that she was 20 weeks pregnant and would miss the remainder of the season.

September 1, 2017: Birth of Daughter

On September 1, 2017, Serena Williams gave birth to a daughter and suffered a pulmonary embolism after delivery, leaving her bedridden for six weeks and delaying her return to training.

Others born on this day/year

November 16, 2017: Serena Williams Marries Alexis Ohanian

On November 16, 2017, Serena Williams married Alexis Ohanian in New Orleans. The wedding was attended by prominent personalities such as Beyoncé, Anna Wintour, Kelly Rowland and Kim Kardashian.

2017: Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse Ambassador

In 2017, Serena Williams became Ambassador for the Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse project, an initiative to provide financial empowerment to domestic abuse victims.

2017: Comments on Jehovah's Witness Faith

In 2017, Serena Williams commented that she had "never really practiced" the Jehovah's Witness faith, despite being raised as one.

2018: Response to Tennys Sandgren's Tweets

In 2018, during Tennys Sandgren's breakthrough run at the Australian Open, Serena Williams responded to his past insensitive tweets by stating that an apology was deserved by an entire group of people, not necessarily herself.

March 2019: USWNT Honors Serena Williams

In March 2019, the United States women's national soccer team honored Serena Williams by having Crystal Dunn wear a jersey with Williams' name on the back during their match, recognizing her as an inspiring figure.

January 2020: Won First Singles Title as a Mother

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

July 2020: Part of Investors' Group Awarded New NWSL Franchise

In July 2020, Serena Williams was announced as part of a nearly all-women investors' group that was awarded a new franchise in the National Women's Soccer League, the highest level of women's soccer in the United States.

February 2021: Olympia gets a tennis coach

By February 2021, Serena Williams had hired a tennis coach for her daughter, Olympia, who was then three years old.

August 2022: Announcement of Evolution Away From Tennis

In August 2022, Serena Williams announced her impending "evolution" away from professional tennis, signaling the end of her career.

September 2022: Announcement of "Evolution Away" from Tennis

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