Full History Of Serena Williams In Timeline From 1931

1931: Beginnings of Athlete of the Year Awards

Since the awards were first handed out in 1931, only Evert and Babe Didrikson have been chosen more often as Athlete of the Year than Serena Williams.

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

1983: First Solo Woman to Receive Sports Illustrated Award

In 2015, Serena Williams became the third solo woman, and the first since 1983, to receive the Sportsperson of the Year award by Sports Illustrated.

1984: Navratilova's Surface Slam

In 2002, Serena Williams became the third player in history to win the "Surface Slam", after Martina Navratilova who achieved the feat in 1984.

1991: Ranked No. 1 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: Graf's Surface Slam

In 2002, Serena Williams became the third player in history to win the "Surface Slam", after Steffi Graf who achieved the feat in 1993,1995,1996.

October 1994: Hingis Turns Professional

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

October 1995: First Professional Event

In October 1995, Serena Williams participated in her first professional event at the Bell Challenge in Quebec, where she lost in the first qualifying round.

1995: Turned Professional

In 1995, Serena Williams turned professional and began her career as a tennis player, coached by her parents Oracene Price and Richard Williams.

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.

1995: Graf's Surface Slam

In 2002, Serena Williams became the third player in history to win the "Surface Slam", after Steffi Graf who achieved the feat in 1993,1995,1996.

1996: Year of Inactivity

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

1996: Graf's Surface Slam

In 2002, Serena Williams became the third player in history to win the "Surface Slam", after Steffi Graf who achieved the feat in 1993,1995,1996.

November 1997: First Main Draw Win and Top 10 Victories

In November 1997, Serena Williams won her first main-draw match at the Ameritech Cup Chicago, upsetting No.7 Mary Pierce and No.4 Monica Seles, recording her first career wins over top 10 players. She reached the semifinals and finished the year ranked No.99 in the world.

1997: Lowest Ranking Since 1997

In 2006, Williams's ranking dropped to No. 139, her lowest ranking since 1997.

1998: Professional Milestones

In 1998, Serena Williams achieved several professional milestones, including defeating No.3 Davenport, reaching the second round of the Australian Open in the sisters' first face-off, reaching six other quarterfinals, withdrawing from Wimbledon, and winning 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 in Oklahoma City with Venus, and finished the year ranked No.20 in singles.

1998: First Match Against Hingis

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

1998: Mixed Doubles Majors

In 1998, Serena Williams won two mixed doubles majors.

1998: Fails to qualify for year-end championship

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

1998: First professional match against Venus in 1998

Serena Williams played her first professional match against her older sister Venus in 1998. Overall, Serena is 19-12 against her sister.

February 1999: First Professional Singles Title

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

1999: Rivalry with Jennifer Capriati Begins

In 1999, Serena Williams began her rivalry with Jennifer Capriati, which was initially one-sided with Capriati winning four of the first five matches. Williams ultimately leads the series 10-7.

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.

1999: Match Against Hingis in Rome

In 1999, Serena Williams played Martina Hingis on clay in Rome, with Hingis winning in straight sets.

1999: First Major Singles Title at US Open

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

1999: US Open Win and Fed Cup Title

In 1999, Serena Williams won the US Open, becoming the second African-American woman to win a Grand Slam singles tournament. She and Venus also won the doubles event, and she won a Fed Cup match to help the US win the title. She ended the year ranked No.4.

1999: Drop Out of Top 10 Ranking

In 1999, Williams dropped out of the top 10 ranking after losing Wimbledon final.

2000: Suffered a shock exit in the first round of doubles at the Olympics

At the 2000 Olympics, Serena and Venus Williams suffered a shock exit in the first round of doubles, losing to Šafářová and Barbora Strýcová, ending their undefeated Olympic record dating back to 2000.

2000: Wins Faber Grand Prix and Olympic Gold

In 2000, Serena Williams won the Faber Grand Prix in Germany and the gold medal in doubles at the Sydney Olympics with her sister. She ended the year by winning the Toyota Princess Cup and finishing at No.6.

2000: Rumors of match fixing

In 2000, rumors of match fixing started to circulate. John McEnroe said that Serena may not be allowed to win. Richard [Williams] may have something to say about this during the 2000 Wimbledon semifinal between the two sisters.

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."

2001: Allegations of match fixing

After losing to Venus at the Indian Wells quarterfinals in 2001, Elena Dementieva claimed that Richard Williams had decided the results of matches between the sisters. Venus pulled out of her Indian Wells semifinal match against Serena at the last minute. The final was marred by the behavior of the crowd toward Williams and her family.

2001: Career Grand Slam and US Open Final

In 2001, Serena Williams and Venus won the doubles event at the Australian Open, completing a Career Grand Slam. Serena also won the Pacific Life Open and reached the US Open final, losing to her sister. She won the season-ending Tour Championships and finished the year at No.6.

2001: Competed in Indian Wells, reached final for first time since 2001

In 2001, Serena Williams competed in Indian Wells as the No.1 seed, reaching the final for the first time since 2001. She was ultimately defeated by Azarenka.

2001: First Season Since 2001 Without Grand Slam Win

In 2001, Serena Williams did not win a Grand Slam singles tournament.

2001: First Grand Slam Tournament Loss

In 2001, Williams faced her first loss in a Grand Slam tournament.

2002: Four consecutive Grand Slam finals

Beginning with the 2002 French Open, Serena and Venus Williams played each other in four consecutive Grand Slam finals. It was the first time in the Open Era that the same two players had faced off in four consecutive finals in Grand Slam singles.

2002: Last Match Against Hingis

In 2002, Serena Williams and Martina Hingis played their last match at the Miami Open, which Williams won, contributing to her 7-6 lead in their rivalry.

2002: Wins Scottsdale, Miami Masters

In 2002, Serena Williams won her first title of the year in Scottsdale, Arizona, defeating No.2 Capriati. She also won the Miami Masters, defeating the world's top 3 ranked players at the same event.

2002: US Open Title and No.1 Ranking

In 2002, Serena Williams won the US Open, defeating her sister in the final. She won two consecutive singles titles in the fall, reached the final at the Home Depot Championships, and finished the year with a 56–5 win/lose record, eight singles titles, and the No.1 ranking.

2002: First clay-court title since 2002

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

2002: Holds Four Major Titles

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

2002: Dominance Begins

Starting with the 2002 French Open, Serena Williams began a period of dominance, winning all four major singles titles consecutively.

2003: Serena Slam Achieved

By the 2003 Australian Open, Serena Williams had won all four major singles titles consecutively, achieving a non-calendar year Grand Slam, nicknamed the "Serena Slam".

2003: Oracene Price Ends Coaching Role

In 2003, Oracene Price ended her role as Serena Williams' coach, having coached her since 1994.

2003: Wins Australian Open and completes Career Grand Slam

In 2003, Serena Williams defeated Venus Williams at the Australian Open to secure her fourth consecutive Grand Slam final victory. This win made her the sixth woman in the Open Era to achieve a Career Grand Slam and the fifth to simultaneously hold all Grand Slam singles titles, a feat celebrated as the "Serena Slam." The Williams sisters also clinched their sixth Grand Slam doubles title at the same tournament in 2003.

2003: Avon Foundation Award and Big Brothers Big Sisters Award

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

2003: Captures Titles, Faces Defeats, and Undergoes Surgery

In 2003, Serena Williams started strong by winning the Open Gaz de France and the Sony Ericsson Open. Her winning streak ended with a loss to Henin at the Family Circle Cup, followed by another defeat against Mauresmo at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. Despite these setbacks, she reached the French Open semifinals but lost to Henin amidst controversy. Serena then rebounded by winning Wimbledon against Venus, marking her second consecutive title. After Wimbledon, she withdrew from events and underwent knee surgery in August 2003.

2003: Laureus World Sports Award

In 2003, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year for the first time, recognizing her outstanding achievements in tennis.

2003: Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year

In 2003, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award.

2003: NAACP President's Award

In 2003, the NAACP honored Serena Williams with its President's Award, recognizing her accomplishments and contributions.

2003: First Time Ranked Top American Since 2003

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

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: Returned to Number 1 Ranking Since 2003

In early September 2008, Serena Williams captured her third US Open title, which was also her ninth Grand Slam singles title. The victory returned her to No.1 for the first time since 2003.

2003: Holds Four Major Titles

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

2003: Posed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

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

March 2004: Wins NASDAQ-100 Open, Loses Wimbledon Final

In March 2004, Serena Williams made her comeback after eight months away from tennis, winning the NASDAQ-100 Open for the third consecutive year. She was seeded second at the French Open but lost in the quarterfinals to Capriati. At Wimbledon, despite being seeded first, Williams lost in the final to Maria Sharapova, causing her to drop out of the top 10 rankings for the first time since 1999. Later in the summer of 2004, she reached the final of the JPMorgan Chase Open in Los Angeles, but lost to Lindsay Davenport.

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: Lost two consecutive finals for the first time since 2004

In 2004, Serena Williams experienced a setback, marking the first time since 2004 that she had lost two consecutive finals.

2004: Controversy at US Open Quarterfinals

In 2004, Serena Williams faced Capriati in the US Open quarterfinals. A controversial call by umpire Mariana Alves favored Capriati, leading to arguments. Despite acknowledging her own errors, Williams felt "cheated" and criticized Alves. The incident spurred the adoption of new technology like MacCAM and Hawk-Eye systems.

2004: First Meeting and Wimbledon Final Loss to Sharapova

In 2004, Serena Williams first met Maria Sharapova in the fourth round of the Miami Open, where Williams won. Later in 2004, Sharapova defeated Williams in the Wimbledon final in an upset.

2004: Nike Endorsement Deal

In 2004, Serena Williams signed a five-year deal with Nike for $40 million, leading to custom clothing and footwear designs for her tennis career.

2004: Wins China Open and Finishes Season Ranked No. 7

In 2004, Serena Williams won her second title of the year at the China Open, defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final. This victory helped her qualify for the Tour Championships in Los Angeles, where she lost to Sharapova due to an abdominal injury. She finished 2004 ranked No. 7, marking her first season since 2001 without winning a Grand Slam singles tournament.

2004: Family Circle and Prudential Financial Award

In 2004, Serena Williams won the "Family Circle and Prudential Financial Player Who Makes a Difference Award", recognizing her positive impact off the court.

2004: Longest winning streak against Sharapova since 2004

Serena Williams had a winning streak against Sharapova since 2004. Williams withdrew from a match against Sharapova due to an injury.

2004: Posed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

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

2005: Charity Tour for Ronald McDonald House

In 2004 and 2005, Serena and Venus 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.

2005: Switched to Wilson nCode Racket

In 2005, Serena Williams briefly switched to the Wilson nCode racket before adopting various iterations of the Wilson Blade.

2005: Wins Australian Open and Finishes Year Ranked No. 11

In 2005, Serena Williams won the Australian Open, defeating Davenport. She then missed the French Open due to an ankle injury. Her performance at Wimbledon was cut short in the third round and she lost to her sister, Venus at the US Open in the fourth round. Ending the year ranked No. 11, Williams failed to qualify for the year-end championship for the first time since 1998.

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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2005: Earliest Wimbledon Elimination Since 2005

In 2014, Cornet defeated Williams in the third round of Wimbledon, handing Williams her earliest Wimbledon elimination since 2005.

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.

2007: WTA Championships Title

In 2007, Justine Henin defended her title at the WTA Championships.

2007: Confidence and Australian Open Preparation

In 2007, Serena Williams expressed renewed confidence and aimed to regain her top ranking. Commentators labeled her goal "deluded." She participated in the Hobart International as a warm-up for the Australian Open, where she was unseeded and perceived as "out of shape." A representative from Nike warned her that her sponsorship might be terminated if she didn't perform well, implying she needed to reach at least the quarterfinals.

2007: Comeback of the Year

In 2007, Serena Williams was awarded the Comeback of the Year award.

2007: Wins Miami Open, Injury at WTA Championships, Finishes Ranked No. 7

In 2007, Serena Williams won the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami for the fourth time, defeating Henin. She faced Henin in the quarterfinals at the French Open, losing to her. During a fourth-round match at Wimbledon, she collapsed due to a muscle spasm but won the match. Later, she lost to Henin in the quarterfinals. At the US Open, she lost her third consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal to Henin. She reached the final of the Kremlin Cup, losing to Dementieva. At the WTA Championships, she retired from her first match due to a knee injury. She finished the year ranked No. 7 and as the top-ranked American for the first time since 2003.

2007: Return to Form

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

2008: Rivalry with Azarenka Begins

In 2008, Serena Williams began her rivalry with Victoria Azarenka at the Australian Open. Williams leads the series 18-5.

2008: Wimbledon Finals, Olympic Gold, and US Open Title

In 2008, Serena Williams reached the Wimbledon finals for the first time in four years but lost to Venus. The Williams sisters won the doubles title together. After a knee injury and withdrawal from tournaments in Los Angeles, Serena competed at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, where she lost in the singles quarterfinals but won the gold medal in doubles with Venus. In early September of 2008, she captured her third US Open title, marking her ninth Grand Slam singles title. The victory returned her to No. 1 for the first time since 2003. She ended the year ranked No. 2.

2008: Hopman Cup Win, Titles at Bangalore and Miami, Back Injury

In 2008, Serena Williams started the year by winning the Hopman Cup for the US with Mardy Fish. At the Australian Open, she lost in the quarterfinals. She withdrew from three tournaments due to dental surgery, then won consecutive singles titles at Bangalore and her fifth Miami title, tying Graf's record. She claimed victory at the Family Circle Cup, her first clay-court title since 2002. Her winning streak ended in Berlin, and she withdrew from Rome due to a back injury. She lost in the third round of the French Open.

2008: Funds Serena Williams Secondary School

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

2008: Adopts Wilson Blade Rackets

Since 2008, Serena Williams has used various iterations of the Wilson Blade racket, which is typically oversized with a head size of 104 square inches.

WILSON Blade Team V8 Strung Tennis Racquet - Economical Quality Intermediate Racquet - 4-1/8 Grip, Green and Black

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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: Non-Calendar Grand Slam

Between the 2009 Wimbledon Championships and the 2010 French Open, Serena and Venus Williams achieved a non-calendar year Grand Slam.

2009: Australian Open Win and Prize Money Leader

In 2009, Serena Williams began the year at the Medibank International and lost in the semifinals to Dementieva. She then claimed her tenth Grand Slam singles title by defeating Safina at the Australian Open. This win restored her No.1 ranking and made her the all-time career prize money leader in women's sports, previously held by Annika Sörenstam. Serena and Venus also won the doubles event at the Australian Open for the third time in 2009.

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

Check it on Amazon

2009: Grand Slam Doubles Title, WTA Tour Championships Win, and Athlete of the Year

In 2009, Serena Williams teamed up with Venus to win their third Grand Slam doubles title of the year at the US Open. She won all three of her round-robin matches at the WTA Tour Championships and defeated her sister in the final. Serena finished the year ranked No.1, having played in 16 tournaments, and broke the record for most prize money earned by a female tennis player in one year. With 23 Grand Slam titles, she was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press and International Tennis Federation World Champion in both singles and doubles in 2009.

2009: Holds Four Major Doubles Titles

Serena and Venus Williams simultaneously held all four major women's doubles titles in 2009-2010.

2010: Achieved No. 1 Ranking in Doubles

Between the 2009 Wimbledon Championships and the 2010 French Open, Serena and Venus Williams achieved a non-calendar year Grand Slam, earning them the doubles world No. 1 ranking.

2010: Became a certified nail technician

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

2010: Second Laureus World Sports Award

In 2010, Serena Williams won her second Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year, further solidifying her dominance in the sport.

2010: Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year

In 2010, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award.

2010: Australian Open Win, Doubles Title, and Leg Injury

In 2010, Serena Williams's first tournament was in Sydney, where she lost in the final to Dementieva. At the Australian Open, she successfully defended her title, defeating Justine Henin for her twelfth Grand Slam singles title. Alongside her sister Venus, she also defended their doubles title. She later sat out several events due to a leg injury but returned for the Rome Masters, where she was defeated by Janković in the semifinals. At Madrid, she partnered with Venus to win the doubles title in 2010.

2010: US Open Racket Abuse and Fine

In 2010, during her US Open semifinal match against Clijsters, Serena Williams received a racket abuse warning and yelled profanities at a lineswoman, threatening her. She was penalized a point for unsportsmanlike conduct, resulting in Clijsters winning the match. She was fined $10,500, and the Grand Slam Committee later fined her $175,000 and placed her on a two-year probation. Williams eventually apologized for her behavior, expressing humility.

2010: Assistance to Haiti Earthquake Victims

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, demonstrating their commitment to humanitarian efforts.

2010: Holds Four Major Doubles Titles

Serena and Venus Williams simultaneously held all four major women's doubles titles in 2009-2010.

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.

2011: Novak Djokovic's Earnings

In 2011, Novak Djokovic earned more money in one season.

2011: Return to WTA Tour and US Open Controversy

In 2011, Serena Williams made her first appearance on the WTA tour in almost a year in Eastbourne. She reached the final at the US Open, where she became angry with umpire Eve Asderaki, leading to a fine but no suspension. She ended the year ranked No.12 with two titles and a 22–3 record.

2011: Alleged Romantic Involvement with Drake

In 2011, Serena Williams was alleged to have been romantically involved with Drake, with whom Kendrick Lamar is involved in an ongoing feud.

2011: UNICEF International Goodwill Ambassador

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

2012: Returned to Dominance

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's Earnings

In 2012, Novak Djokovic earned more money in one season.

2012: Patrick Mouratoglou Becomes Coach

In 2012, Patrick Mouratoglou became Serena Williams' coach, a role he held until 2022.

2012: Wimbledon Victory and Record-Breaking Aces

In 2012, Serena Williams captured her fifth Wimbledon singles title, marking her 14th Grand Slam victory. She also set a record for the most aces in a tournament by any player, male or female, with a total of 102 and her sister captured their fifth trophy in Wimbledon doubles.

2013: Third-Fastest Serve Recorded in WTA History

At the 2013 Australian Open, Serena Williams delivered the third-fastest serve in WTA recorded history, a 128.6 mph (207 km/h) ace against Ayumi Morita, showcasing her powerful serve.

2013: Year-End No.1 Ranking and ESPY 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 also received two prizes at the 2013 ESPY Awards: Best Female Athlete and Best Female Tennis Player.

2013: Dominance on Clay and French Open Title

In 2013, Serena Williams won her 50th career singles title in Madrid and claimed her second French Open title, marking her 16th Grand Slam title overall. She became the fourth woman in the Open Era to win each Grand Slam tournament at least twice.

2013: US Open Victory and Record Prize Winnings

In 2013, Serena Williams won her third Rogers Cup title in Toronto and defeated Azarenka in the US Open final, capturing her 17th Grand Slam singles title. This victory pushed her career prize winnings past $50 million and she became the oldest US Open champion in the Open Era. Serena also triumphed over Li Na in the final of the WTA Championships.

2014: Dominance Continued

Beginning in 2014, Serena continued dominating the sport.

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 Williams Sisters Fund.

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.

2014: US Open Victory 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 won by a woman in the Open Era. She also claimed the WTA Finals title, finishing the year ranked No.1 for the fourth time in her career.

2014: Earliest defeat at the Australian Open since her fourth-round loss in 2014.

In 2019, Serena Williams experienced her earliest defeat at the Australian Open since her fourth-round loss in 2014.

2014: Holds Four Major Titles

Serena Williams simultaneously held all four major singles titles in 2014-2015.

December 2015: Sportsperson of the Year

In December 2015, Serena Williams was named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine.

2015: Second Serena Slam Achieved

From 2014-2015, Serena Williams won all four majors in a row for a second "Serena Slam"

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.

2015: Loss in Fed Cup Doubles and Elbow Injury

In 2015, Serena Williams and teammate Alison Riske lost the decisive doubles match in the Fed Cup, marking Williams's first loss in the Fed Cup. She also withdrew from the Internazionali BNL d'Italia with an elbow injury.

2015: Chief Sporting Officer for Aston Martin

In 2015, Serena Williams became the Chief Sporting Officer for British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin, expanding her role beyond tennis.

2015: Australian Open Title and 700 Match Wins

In 2015, Serena Williams defeated Sharapova to claim her sixth Australian Open singles title and 19th career Grand Slam singles title. She also became the eighth woman in the Open Era to record 700 match wins in her career, winning a record eighth title in Miami.

2015: Return to Indian Wells in partnership with Equal Justice Initiative

In 2015, Serena Williams returned to Indian Wells after a 14-year boycott, partnering with the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization that provides legal representation to individuals who may have been denied a fair trial.

2015: Alleged Romantic Involvement with Drake

In 2015, Serena Williams was alleged to have been romantically involved with Drake, with whom Kendrick Lamar is involved in an ongoing feud.

2015: French Open and Wimbledon Titles

In 2015, Serena Williams won her third French Open and 20th Grand Slam singles title, becoming 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: First appearance in a US Open series tournament since 2015.

Serena Williams entered the 2018 Silicon Valley Classic, her first appearance in a US Open series tournament since 2015. She suffered the worst loss of her career in the first round.

2015: Holds Four Major Titles, Surface Slam

Serena Williams simultaneously held all four major singles titles in 2014-2015 and won the Surface Slam in 2015.

September 5, 2016: Tied with Graf for longest run at No.1 in WTA history

On September 5, 2016, Serena Williams matched Graf's record for the longest consecutive run at No. 1 in WTA history, marking her 186th consecutive week in the top spot.

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: Olympics Eligibility

In 2016, Serena Williams travelled to Brindisi, Italy, to compete for a place in the Fed Cup's World Group, ensuring her eligibility for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

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: Highest Paid Woman Athlete

In 2016, Serena Williams was the world's highest-paid woman athlete, earning almost $29 million.

2016: Third Laureus World Sports Award

In 2016, Serena Williams won her third Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year, continuing her legacy of excellence.

2016: Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year

In 2016, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award.

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.

2016: Founded 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, supporting individuals and communities affected by violence.

2016: Li Na Praises Williams' Ability to Serve Aces

In 2016, retired player Li Na noted Serena Williams' exceptional ability to serve aces at critical moments, stating there is an 80% chance she serves an ace on break point down.

2016: Partners 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, supporting education and community development.

2016: Rematch of 2016 final at Wimbledon

Serena Williams lost to Kerber in a rematch of the 2016 final at Wimbledon.

2016: US Open Rematch

Serena Williams's quarterfinal face-off against Karolína Plíšková at the US Open was a rematch of the 2016 US Open semifinal. Williams prevailed, notching her first win against a top 10 player since her return from pregnancy.

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: 23rd Major Singles Title

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

2017: Named Greatest Female Tennis Player

In 2017, BBC Sport users selected Serena Williams as the greatest female tennis player of the Open Era, recognizing her exceptional career and impact on the sport.

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.

2017: Highest Paid Woman Athlete Again

In 2017, Serena Williams was again the highest-paid woman athlete and was the only woman on Forbes' list of the 100 highest-paid athletes, with $27 million in prize money and endorsements.

2017: Won the Australian Open for a record seventh time

In 2017, Serena Williams won the Australian Open for a record seventh time in the Open Era, defeating Venus in the final and securing her 23rd Grand Slam singles title. She then withdrew from the Indian Wells and Miami Opens due to a knee injury.

2017: Ambassador for Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse project

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

2017: First appearance at the tournament since winning it in 2017.

Serena Williams started her 2019 season at the Australian Open, her first appearance at the tournament since winning it in 2017.

2017: Wilson Blade SW104 Signature Racket

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

WILSON Blade Team V8 Strung Tennis Racquet - Economical Quality Intermediate Racquet - 4-1/8 Grip, Green and Black

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January 5, 2018: Withdrew from the Australian Open

On January 5, 2018, Serena Williams withdrew from the Australian Open, citing insufficient preparation post-pregnancy. She returned to tennis in February.

2018: Played doubles with Venus for the first time since 2018

At the US Open, Serena Williams played doubles with Venus for the first time since 2018; the sisters lost to the Czech duo of Lucie Hradecká and Linda Nosková.

2018: Joins SurveyMonkey Board of Directors

In 2018, Serena Williams joined the board of directors of SurveyMonkey, marking her involvement in the technology sector.

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: Reached Wimbledon Semifinals

In 2018, Serena Williams reached the Wimbledon semifinals, becoming the lowest-ranked player to do so, but lost to Kerber in the final. She suffered the worst loss of her career at the Silicon Valley Classic, winning only one game.

2018: Fourth Laureus World Sports Award

In 2018, Serena Williams won her record fourth Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year, highlighting her unparalleled achievements in tennis.

2018: Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year

In 2018, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award.

2018: Tennis.com Panel Names Williams Greatest

In 2018, a Tennis.com panel also concluded that Serena Williams is the greatest female tennis player of all time, solidifying her legacy.

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.

March 2019: USWNT Honors Williams

In March 2019, members of the United States women's national soccer team wore jerseys with the names of women who inspired them, with Crystal Dunn choosing Serena Williams.

December 2019: Named Female Athlete of the Decade

In December 2019, the Associated Press named Serena Williams as the Female Athlete of the Decade for the 2010s, recognizing her exceptional accomplishments.

2019: Final Match Against Sharapova

In 2019, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova played their final match in the first round of the US Open, where Williams defeated Sharapova in two sets. Williams leads the series 20-2.

2019: Earliest defeat at the Australian Open since 2014

In 2019, Serena Williams experienced her earliest defeat at the Australian Open since 2014. Despite this, her ranking climbed to No.11. She then reached the final at Wimbledon, losing to Halep.

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.

2020: Most Recent Match Against Azarenka

In 2020, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka played their most recent match in the semifinals of the US Open. Williams holds a 10-1 record against Azarenka in Grand Slams.

2020: Tennis Channel Ranks Williams as Greatest

In 2020, the Tennis Channel ranked Serena Williams as the greatest female tennis player in history, further cementing her status.

2020: Greatest Women's Tennis Player of All Time

In 2020, the Tennis Channel ranked Serena Williams as the greatest women’s tennis player of all time.

2020: Wilson Blade SW102 Autograph Racket

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

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.

December 2021: Announced she would not play the 2022 Australian Open

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

2021: Injury and Ranking Decline

In 2021, Serena Williams faced setbacks, including a shoulder injury, a loss in her 1000th career match, and injuries at Wimbledon and the US Open, leading to her lowest year-end ranking in 15 years.

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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June 2022: Return to professional play

In June 2022, Serena Williams returned to professional play at the Eastbourne International, teaming up with Ons Jabeur, and played singles at Wimbledon, losing in the first round. Williams was ranked No. 320 at the end of 2022.

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.

September 2022: Most Tweeted-About Female Athlete

In September 2022, Twitter announced that Serena Williams was the most tweeted-about female athlete of all time, showcasing her significant cultural impact.

2022: Serena Ventures raised over $110 million

As of 2022, Serena Ventures had successfully raised more than $110 million, demonstrating the firm's growth and impact in supporting diverse and innovative start-up companies.

2022: McEnroe Calls Williams "GOAT of GOATs"

In 2022, John McEnroe described Serena Williams as an "icon" and the "GOAT of GOATs", highlighting her unparalleled achievements and influence.

2022: Coaching Changes: Hechtman and Stubbs

In 2022, Serena Williams had two coaches: Eric Hechtman and Rennae Stubbs, marking changes in her coaching team after a long period with Patrick Mouratoglou.

2022: Angel City FC began playing

In 2022, the National Women's Soccer League team backed by Serena Williams and a group of investors began playing as Angel City FC.

August 2023: Birth of Second Daughter

In August 2023, Serena Williams gave birth to her second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, expanding her family.

2023: NAACP Jackie Robinson Sports Award

In 2023, Serena Williams received the Jackie Robinson Sports Award from the NAACP, further acknowledging her impact and achievements in sports.

2023: Williams Baptized as Jehovah's Witness

In 2023, Serena Williams was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness, despite having been raised in the faith, and not practicing it before.

2024: Best Female Athlete of the Past 100 Years

In 2024, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) voted Serena Williams as the best female athlete of the past 100 years, celebrating her extraordinary impact on sports.