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 considered one of the greatest of all time. She held the world No. 1 ranking for 319 weeks and finished as the year-end No. 1 five times. Williams won 73 WTA Tour singles titles, including a record 23 major women's singles titles in the Open Era. She is the only player to achieve a career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles, cementing her status as a dominant force in tennis history.

Sections (6)

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

September 26, 1981: Serena Williams Born

On September 26, 1981, Serena Jameka Williams was born. She would become an American former professional tennis player.

Others born on this day/year

1995: Father Pulled Serena from Macci's Academy

In 1995, when Serena Williams was in the ninth grade, her father pulled his daughters out of Rick 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 subsequently signed a $12 million endorsement deal with Puma, marking a significant step in her professional career.

2000: Father's Perspective on Alternative Path

When asked in 2000 whether it would have been more beneficial for Serena and Venus to have followed the normal path of playing regularly on the junior circuit, Richard Williams responded, "Everyone does different things. I think for Venus and I, we just attempted a different road, and it worked for us."

2003: Half-sister Yetunde, murdered in 2003

In 2018, Serena Williams revealed that she discovered the man who murdered her half-sister, Yetunde, in 2003 had been released on parole, impacting her performance at the Silicon Valley Classic.

2003: Posed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Serena Williams posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2003.

2004: Denim skirt and knee-high leg wraps at the US Open

In 2004, Serena Williams arrived at the US Open wearing a denim skirt and knee-high leg wraps resembling boots; however, she was not allowed to wear the wraps during her matches.

2004: Posed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

Serena Williams posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2004.

2005: Authored "Venus & Serena: Serving From The Hip"

In 2005, Serena and Venus Williams co-authored the book "Venus & Serena: Serving From The Hip: 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning" with Hilary Beard.

Venus and Serena: Serving from the Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving, and Winning

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2006: Injuries, Depression, and Comeback

In 2006, Serena Williams faced several challenges. She started the year at the Australian Open, defending her title, but she lost in the third round due to injury. During this period, she battled depression and spent six months away from tennis, undergoing daily therapy. Later in 2006, Serena began her comeback in Cincinnati, marking her return to tennis since January. Her ranking had dropped to No. 139, her lowest since 1997. Despite her lower ranking, she reached the semifinals in Cincinnati and Los Angeles. She finished the year ranked No. 95, her lowest year-end ranking since 1997.

August 2009: Minority owner of the Miami Dolphins

In August 2009, Serena and Venus Williams became minority owners of the Miami Dolphins after purchasing a small stake in the team, marking them as the first African-American women to hold any ownership in an NFL franchise.

2009: Launched Signature Statement collection

In 2009, Serena Williams launched her signature collection of handbags and jewelry, called Signature Statement, which was sold mainly on the Home Shopping Network.

2009: Released autobiography "On the Line" and became spokesperson for Tampax

In 2009, Serena Williams released her autobiography, "On the Line", and also became the first active female professional athlete to appear in advertisements for Tampax Pearl tampons.

On the Line

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2010: Became a certified nail technician

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

March 2, 2011: Confirmation of Hematoma and Pulmonary Embolism

On March 2, 2011, Serena Williams confirmed that she had suffered a hematoma and a pulmonary embolism, revealing the seriousness of her health issues.

2014: Founded Serena Ventures

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

2015: End Boycott of Indian Wells

In 2001, after Richard Williams stated that racist comments were made to him by spectators at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, Serena and Venus boycotted the event. Serena's boycott lasted until 2015.

December 10, 2016: Engagement to Alexis Ohanian

On December 10, 2016, Alexis Ohanian proposed to Serena Williams, marking a significant event 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 concerns about the potential danger her young nephew faced from police due to his skin color.

2016: Open letter in Porter Magazine in support of gender equality

In 2016, Serena Williams wrote an open letter in Porter Magazine's "Incredible Women of 2016" feature, advocating for gender equality and sharing her personal struggles as a woman in tennis, emphasizing unequal pay.

April 19, 2017: Announced Pregnancy

On April 19, 2017, Serena Williams announced she was 20 weeks pregnant and would miss the rest of the season, revealing she won the Australian Open while pregnant and planned to return to tennis in 2018.

September 1, 2017: Gave Birth to Daughter

On September 1, 2017, Serena Williams gave birth to her daughter, later suffering a pulmonary embolism that delayed her return to training.

November 16, 2017: Marriage to Alexis Ohanian

On November 16, 2017, Serena Williams married Alexis Ohanian in New Orleans, with prominent personalities such as Beyoncé and Anna Wintour in attendance.

2017: Williams Comments on Faith

In 2017, Serena Williams said she "never really practiced" as a Jehovah's Witness, despite being raised in the faith, although she would often thank Jehovah after winning a match.

2018: Catsuit ban and black tutu appearance

In 2018, Serena Williams promoted her clothing line by wearing a catsuit at the French Open, which was subsequently banned. Later, at the US Open in 2018, she wore a black tutu during her first match.

2018: Played first match since giving birth

In 2018, after health issues, Serena Williams played her first match since giving birth, an exhibition at the World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, losing to Jeļena Ostapenko.

2018: Response to Tennys Sandgren's insensitive tweets

In 2018, during Tennys Sandgren's breakthrough run at the Australian Open, it was revealed that he had tweeted insensitive content. Serena Williams responded by stating that she didn't need an apology, but an entire group of people deserved one.

February 2019: Appointed to the board of directors of Poshmark

In February 2019, Serena Williams was appointed to the board of directors of the online fashion marketplace Poshmark.

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 a new franchise in the National Women's Soccer League

In July 2020, Serena Williams became 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: Hired Tennis Coach for Olympia

In February 2021, Serena Williams hired a tennis coach for her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., who was then three years old, indicating early exposure to the sport.

2021: Executive producer of "King Richard"

In 2021, Serena and Venus Williams served as executive producers on the film "King Richard", a biopic about their father.

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August 2022: Announced Impending Evolution

In August 2022, Serena Williams announced her impending "evolution" away from professional tennis and played her final match at the 2022 US Open.

September 2022: Announced Plans to "evolve away" from tennis

In September 2022, Serena Williams announced in Vogue her plans to "evolve away" from tennis after the 2022 US Open, intending to focus on family and her venture capital firm. She then began her farewell tour, playing in Toronto and Cincinnati.