History of Serena Williams in Timeline
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 and finished five years as the top-ranked player. Williams amassed 73 WTA singles titles, including a record-breaking 23 major women's singles titles in the Open Era, second only to Margaret Court's all time record. Notably, she is the only player to achieve a career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles, demonstrating her unparalleled dominance and versatility in the sport.
1931: Historical Context
In 1931, the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year awards were first handed out. Williams has won it 3 times, fewer than only Evert and Babe Didrikson.
1975: Chris Evert
In 1975, Chris Evert achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
1976: Evonne Goolagong
In 1976, Evonne Goolagong achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
1978: Martina Navratilova
In 1978, Martina Navratilova achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
1980: Tracy Austin
In 1980, Tracy Austin achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
September 26, 1981: Serena Williams' Birth
On September 26, 1981, Serena Jameka Williams was born. She would later become a world-renowned American professional tennis player.
1983: First Solo Woman Honored by Sports Illustrated Since 1983
In 1983, Serena Williams became the third solo woman, and the first since 1983, to be chosen as Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated.
1984: Martina Navratilova's Surface Slam
In 1984, Martina Navratilova won the Surface Slam.
1985: Chris Evert
In 1985, Chris Evert achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
1987: Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf
In 1987, Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
1991: Junior Tennis Ranking
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.
1991: Monica Seles
In 1991, Monica Seles achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
1993: Steffi Graf's Surface Slam
In 1993, Steffi Graf won the Surface Slam.
October 1994: Martina Hingis Turns Pro
In October 1994, Martina Hingis turned professional less than a year before Serena Williams did, marking the beginning of Hingis's career.
1994: Richard Williams Becomes Serena's Coach
In 1994, Richard Williams began coaching Serena, marking the start of their long-term coaching relationship which lasted until 2022.
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: Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
In 1995, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
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, marking the start of her career and setting the stage for her future rivalry with players like Martina Hingis.
1995: Steffi Graf's Surface Slam
In 1995, Steffi Graf won the Surface Slam.
1995: Father took over coaching
In 1995, when Serena 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: Rankings Milestone
In 1996, Graf achieved the feat of holding the top ranking for the entire calendar year. Serena Williams accomplished this feat in 2014
1996: Steffi Graf's Surface Slam
In 1996, Steffi Graf won the Surface Slam.
November 1997: First Main-Draw Match Win
In November 1997, Serena Williams won her first main-draw match at the Ameritech Cup Chicago, upsetting top-10 players and reaching the semifinals.
1997: Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis
In 1997, Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
1997: Lowest ranking since 1997
In 2006, Serena Williams slipped to No.139, her lowest ranking since 1997, but by the end of the year she finished at No.95, her lowest year-end ranking since 1997.
1998: Lindsay Davenport
In 1998, Lindsay Davenport achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
1998: Various Milestones in 1998
In 1998, Serena Williams achieved several milestones, including defeating No.3 Davenport, reaching her first Grand Slam main draw at the Australian Open, winning mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon and the US Open with Max Mirnyi, and winning her first professional non-mixed doubles title with Venus at the U.S. National Indoor Championships.
1998: First Match Against Martina 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: Failing to qualify for year-end championship
In 2005, Serena 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 older sister Venus in their first professional match starting 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: Rivalry with Jennifer Capriati Begins
In 1999, Serena Williams began her rivalry with Jennifer Capriati, which was once considered one of the best in women's tennis. Capriati initially won four of the first five matches, but Williams later won the next eight. Williams leads the series 10-7.
1999: Graduation and Puma Endorsement Deal
In 1999, Serena Williams graduated from Driftwood Academy and subsequently signed a $12 million endorsement deal with Puma.
1999: 1999 Season Achievements
In 1999, Serena Williams made her Fed Cup debut, won her third title at the JPMorgan Chase Open, and 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 at the US Open, and Serena helped the US win the Fed Cup final. She ended the year ranked No.4.
1999: Match against Hingis in Rome
In 1999, Serena Williams played Martina Hingis on clay in Rome, which Hingis won in straight sets.
1999: First Grand Slam Title with Wilson Hammer Racket
In 1999, Serena Williams won her first Grand Slam title using the Wilson Hammer Stretch range of rackets.
1999: First Major Singles Title at US Open
In 1999, Serena Williams won her first major singles title at the US Open, a significant achievement in her early career.
1999: Drop out of the Top 10
In 2004, after a loss at Wimbledon, Serena Williams dropped out of the top 10 for the first time since 1999.
2000: Ending Doubles Win Streak at the 2000 Olympics
At the 2000 Olympics, the Williams sisters suffered a first-round exit in doubles, losing to Šafářová and Strýcová, ending their career record of 15–0 dating back to the 2000 Olympics.
2000: Richard Williams' Statement
In 2000, Richard Williams reflected on the unconventional path taken by Serena and Venus, noting its success.
2000: Mixed Results in 2000
In 2000, Serena Williams did not defend her titles in Paris and Indian Wells and missed the French Open due to injury. She and Venus won the doubles title at Wimbledon and a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics. She finished the year by winning the Toyota Princess Cup and finishing at No.6.
2000: Match Fixing Rumors
In 2000, as the Williams sisters both reached the top ten and frequently competed against each other, rumors of match fixing arose, with John McEnroe suggesting Richard Williams might influence the outcomes during a Wimbledon semifinal.
2001: Match Fixing Allegations and Crowd Behavior at Indian Wells
In 2001, Elena Dementieva alleged that Richard Williams predetermined the results of matches between Serena and Venus after Serena defeated Venus at the Indian Wells quarterfinals. Venus subsequently withdrew from her semifinal match against Serena due to tendinitis, fueling further speculation. The final, where Serena defeated Kim Clijsters, was marred by the crowd's hostile behavior toward Serena and her family.
2001: Martina Hingis and Jennifer Capriati
In 2001, Martina Hingis and Jennifer Capriati achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2001: First Final Since 2001 at Indian Wells
In 2001, Serena Williams competed in Indian Wells as the No.1 seed, reaching the final for the first time since 2001, but was ultimately defeated by Azarenka.
2001: Various Tournaments and Boycott
In 2001, Serena Williams experienced mixed results in various tournaments, won the doubles event at the Australian Open with Venus, and won the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells. Following racist comments made to her father, she boycotted the Indian Wells event. She won the Tour Championships by walkover and finished the year at No.6.
2001: First Grand Slam Loss Since 2001
In 2003, Serena Williams experienced her first loss in a Grand Slam tournament since 2001 at the French Open, losing in the semifinals to Henin.
2001: First Season Since 2001 Without Grand Slam Win
In 2004, Serena Williams did not win a Grand Slam singles tournament, marking the first such season since 2001.
2002: Serena Slam Begins
Beginning at the 2002 French Open, Serena Williams began a dominant streak, winning all four major singles titles consecutively.
2002: Four Consecutive Grand Slam Finals Starting in 2002
Beginning with the 2002 French Open, Serena and Venus Williams played each other in four consecutive Grand Slam finals, marking the first time in the Open Era that the same two players had faced off in four consecutive finals in Grand Slam singles.
2002: Injury and Miami Masters Win
Early in 2002, Serena Williams faced injury setbacks, but she later won the Miami Masters after defeating the world's top 3 ranked players at the same event.
2002: Holding Four Major Singles Titles Simultaneously
From 2002 to 2003, Serena Williams simultaneously held all four major singles titles.
2002: Dominant season and Surface Slam
In 2002, Serena Williams had a dominant season, winning the US Open against her sister Venus, and titles at the Toyota Princess Cup in Tokyo and the Sparkassen Cup in Leipzig. She finished the year with a 56-5 win/loss record, eight singles titles, and the No. 1 ranking, achieving a "Surface Slam", winning three consecutive Grand Slam titles.
2002: Last Match Against Martina Hingis
In 2002, Serena Williams played her last match against Martina Hingis at the Miami Open, where Williams won. Williams leads the rivalry 7–6.
2002: Venus Williams and Serena Williams
In 2002, Venus Williams and Serena Williams achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2002: First Clay-Court Title Since 2002
In 2008, Serena Williams won the Family Circle Cup, her first clay-court title since 2002.
2003: Completing Non-Calendar Year Grand Slam
At the 2003 Australian Open, Serena Williams completed a non-calendar year Grand Slam (Serena Slam) by winning all four major singles titles in a row.
2003: Holding Four Major Singles Titles Simultaneously
From 2002 to 2003, Serena Williams simultaneously held all four major singles titles.
2003: Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin
In 2003, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2003: Oracene Price ends coaching
In 2003, Oracene Price stops coaching Serena Williams
2003: Singles Titles and Wimbledon Victory
In 2003, Serena Williams captured singles titles at the Open Gaz de France and the Sony Ericsson Open. She won the 2003 Wimbledon Championships, defeating Venus in the final, marking her second consecutive Wimbledon title and sixth Grand Slam singles title. She later underwent knee surgery in August.
2003: Awards from Avon Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters
In 2003, Serena Williams received a Celebrity Role Model Award from the Avon Foundation for her work fighting breast cancer, and the "Young Heroes Award" from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater L.A. and Inland.
2003: Laureus World Sports Award
In 2003, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year.
2003: Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year
In 2003, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award.
2003: Murder of Half-Sister Yetunde in 2003
In 2003, Serena Williams' half-sister, Yetunde, was murdered, which Serena stated impacted her performance at the 2018 Silicon Valley Classic.
2003: NAACP President's Award
In 2003, The NAACP honored Williams with its President's Award.
2003: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
In 2003, Williams posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
2003: Australian Open win and Career Grand Slam
In 2003, at the Australian Open, Serena Williams defeated Venus Williams in the final, completing a Career Grand Slam and holding all Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously, a feat dubbed the "Serena Slam". She also won her sixth Grand Slam doubles title with Venus.
2003: Top-Ranked American
In 2007, Serena Williams finished the year as the top-ranked American for the first time since 2003.
2003: Return to No.1 ranking since 2003
In 2008, Serena returned to the No.1 ranking for the first time since 2003.
March 2004: Comeback and NASDAQ-100 Open Win
In March 2004, Serena Williams began her comeback after eight months away from tennis, winning the NASDAQ-100 Open for the third consecutive year.
2004: US Open denim skirt and knee-high leg wraps
At the 2004 US Open, Serena Williams arrived in a denim skirt and knee-high leg wraps that looked like boots, which she was not allowed to wear during matches.
2004: Amélie Mauresmo
In 2004, Amélie Mauresmo achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2004: Rivalry with Maria Sharapova Begins
In 2004, Serena Williams began her rivalry with Maria Sharapova. Williams defeated Sharapova in their first match at the Miami Open. Sharapova then defeated Williams in the Wimbledon final and the WTA Tour Championships final in the same year. Williams leads the series 20-2.
2004: Nike Endorsement Deal
In 2004, Serena Williams signed a five-year deal with Nike for $40 million, leading to a long-term partnership where Nike designed custom clothing and footwear for her.
2004: First Time Since 2004 Losing Consecutive Finals
In 2004, Serena Williams was defeated by Azarenka in the Indian Wells final, marking the first time since 2004 that Williams had lost two consecutive finals.
2004: "Family Circle and Prudential Financial Player Who Makes a Difference Award"
In 2004, Serena Williams won the "Family Circle and Prudential Financial Player Who Makes a Difference Award". 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.
2004: China Open Title and Tour Championship
In 2004, Serena Williams won the China Open in September, defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova. She qualified for the Tour Championships but lost to Maria Sharapova in the final, finishing the year ranked No. 7.
2004: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
In 2004, Williams posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
2004: Controversial US Open Quarterfinal
In 2004, at the US Open, Serena Williams faced Capriati in a controversial quarterfinal match. An incorrect call by the umpire led to arguments and accusations of unfairness from Williams. The controversy contributed to the adoption of new technology like the MacCAM and Hawk-Eye systems in tennis.
2004: Consecutive Times Besting Sharapova Since 2004
Serena Williams had bested Sharapova 18 consecutive times since 2004, before withdrawing from their match at the 2018 French Open due to an injury.
2005: Maria Sharapova
In 2005, Maria Sharapova achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2005: Switched to the Wilson nCode
In 2005, Serena Williams briefly switched to the Wilson nCode racket.
2005: Early Wimbledon Elimination
In 2005, Serena Williams had her earliest Wimbledon elimination since then.
2005: Australian Open Victory and Injury
In 2005, Serena Williams won the Australian Open, claiming her seventh Grand Slam singles title. However, a reoccurring ankle injury caused her to miss the French Open and impacted her performance throughout the year. She finished 2005 ranked No. 11.
2005: Visits hospitals and played tennis matches for charity
In 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.
2005: Co-authored book Venus & Serena: Serving From The Hip
In 2005, the Williams sisters co-authored the book Venus & Serena: Serving From The Hip: 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning, which was written with Hilary Beard.
2006: Lindsay Davenport
In 2006, Lindsay Davenport achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2006: Injury, Depression, and Comeback
In 2006, Serena Williams faced challenges including an injury at the Australian Open and struggles with depression, leading to a six-month break from tennis. She made a comeback in July, eventually reaching the semifinals in Cincinnati and Los Angeles. She finished the year ranked No. 95.
2007: Nike's Ultimatum and Australian Open
In 2007, Serena Williams started with renewed confidence, but faced skepticism and pressure. Before the Australian Open, Nike threatened to cancel her sponsorship if she didn't perform well.
2007: Comeback of the Year
In 2007, Serena Williams was awarded the Comeback of the Year award.
2007: Return to Form
Starting in 2007, Serena Williams began to gradually return to form despite facing continued injuries, reclaiming the world No. 1 singles ranking.
2008: Justine Henin, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Janković
In 2008, Justine Henin, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Janković achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2008: Rivalry with Victoria Azarenka Begins
In 2008, Serena Williams began her rivalry with Victoria Azarenka at the Australian Open. Williams leads the series 18-5, with a 10-1 record in Grand Slams.
2008: Funding Serena Williams Secondary School
In 2008, Serena Williams helped fund the construction of the Serena Williams Secondary School in Matooni, Kenya, through her foundation.
2008: Wimbledon Finals, Olympic Gold, and US Open Title
In 2008, Serena Williams reached the Wimbledon finals for the first time in four years, losing to Venus. They won the doubles title. She won a gold medal in doubles at the Beijing Olympics and captured her third US Open title, returning to No. 1 for the first time since 2003. Serena ended 2008 ranked No.2 with four singles titles.
2008: Hopman Cup Win and Title Victories
In 2008, Serena Williams won the Hopman Cup for the US, with Mardy Fish. She then won three consecutive singles titles, including her fifth Miami title and her first clay-court title since 2002 at the Family Circle Cup.
2008: Use of Wilson Blade rackets begins
Since 2008, Serena Williams has used various iterations of the Wilson Blade racket.
August 2009: Minority ownership of the Miami Dolphins
In August 2009, Serena and Venus Williams became minority owners of the Miami Dolphins, becoming the first African-American women to hold any amount of ownership in an NFL franchise.
2009: Non-Calendar Year Grand Slam (Doubles)
Between the 2009 Wimbledon Championships and the 2010 French Open, Serena and Venus Williams achieved a non-calendar year Grand Slam in women's doubles.
2009: Holding Four Major Women's Doubles Titles Simultaneously
From 2009 to 2010, Serena and Venus Williams simultaneously held all four major women's doubles titles.
2009: Jelena Janković and Dinara Safina
In 2009, Jelena Janković and Dinara Safina achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2009: Doubles Title, WTA Tour Championship, and Athlete of the Year
In 2009, Serena Williams and Venus won their third Grand Slam doubles title of the year. Serena won the WTA Tour Championships, defeating Venus in the final. She finished the year ranked No. 1 and was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press and International Tennis Federation World Champion in both singles and doubles.
2009: Launch of Signature Statement handbags and jewelry collection
In 2009, Serena Williams launched a signature collection of handbags and jewelry, Signature Statement, which is sold mainly on the Home Shopping Network.
2009: Release of autobiography On the Line and Tampax commercial
In 2009, Serena Williams released the autobiography On the Line. The same year, she appeared in online videos and print advertisements for Tampax Pearl tampons, becoming the first active female professional athlete to appear in advertising for a feminine hygiene product.
2009: Australian Open Title and Prize Money Leader
In 2009, Serena Williams won her tenth Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open, regaining the No. 1 ranking and becoming the all-time career prize money leader in women's sports. She also won the doubles event with Venus.
2010: US Open Racket Abuse and Fines
At the US Open in 2009, Serena Williams received a racket abuse warning and was penalized a point for unsportsmanlike conduct after verbally threatening a lineswoman. This resulted in a fine and probation from Grand Slam events in 2010. The incident occurred during her semifinal match against Clijsters.
2010: Holding Four Major Women's Doubles Titles Simultaneously
From 2009 to 2010, Serena and Venus Williams simultaneously held all four major women's doubles titles.
2010: Caroline Wozniacki
In 2010, Caroline Wozniacki achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2010: Became a certified nail technician
In 2010, Serena Williams became a certified nail technician in preparation for her upcoming nail collection with HairTech.
2010: 2010 Season
In 2010, Serena Williams lost to Dementieva in the Sydney final, won her twelfth Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open defeating Justine Henin, and successfully defended her doubles title with Venus. She sat out events due to a leg injury, lost in the Rome Masters semifinals to Janković, and partnered with Venus to win the Madrid doubles title after losing to Nadia Petrova in singles.
2010: Laureus World Sports Award
In 2010, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year.
2010: Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year
In 2010, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award for a second time.
2010: Assistance to Haiti earthquake victims
In 2010, 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 in Haiti.
2010: Doubles World No. 1 Ranking
In 2010, Serena and Venus Williams achieved the doubles world No. 1 ranking after their non-calendar year Grand Slam.
March 2, 2011: Health Issues
On March 2, 2011, Serena Williams confirmed that she had suffered a hematoma and a pulmonary embolism.
2011: Kim Clijsters
In 2011, Kim Clijsters achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2011: International Goodwill Ambassador with UNICEF
In 2011, Serena Williams became an International Goodwill Ambassador with UNICEF and helped launch UNICEF's Schools for Asia campaign.
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.
2012: Dominance and Olympic Gold
Beginning with the 2012 Wimbledon Championships, Serena Williams returned to dominance, also claiming Olympic gold to complete the career Golden Slam in singles.
2012: Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka
In 2012, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2012: Patrick Mouratoglou Becomes Serena's Coach
In 2012, Patrick Mouratoglou began coaching Serena Williams, marking the start of a decade-long partnership which lasted until 2022.
2012: 2012 Season
In 2012, Serena Williams injured her ankle at the Brisbane International, losing in the fourth round of the Australian Open. She lost in the Miami quarterfinals, then won titles in Charleston and Madrid. She withdrew from the Rome semifinal due to a back injury and suffered a first-round loss at the French Open. She won her fifth Wimbledon singles title and set records for aces. Williams and her sister captured their fifth Wimbledon doubles trophy.
2013: 2013 Season Continued
In 2013, Serena Williams won her third Rogers Cup title and reached the Western & Southern Open final. She won her 17th Grand Slam title at the US Open and became the oldest US Open champion in the Open Era. She won the China Open, her 10th title of 2013, and triumphed at the WTA Championships. She became the oldest player to win the WTA Championships and the first woman to win over $10 million in a season.
2013: Victoria Azarenka
In 2013, Victoria Azarenka achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2013: Third-Fastest Serve in WTA History
In 2013, at the Australian Open, Serena Williams delivered the third-fastest serve in WTA recorded history, a 128.6 mph ace against Ayumi Morita.
2013: Year-End Achievements
Serena Williams finished as the year-end No.1 for the third time in 2013, becoming the oldest No.1 player in WTA history. She was named the ITF World Champion for the fourth time and received two prizes at the ESPY Awards: Best Female Athlete and Best Female Tennis Player. In December, Williams received the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award for the third time.
2014: Holding Four Major Singles Titles Simultaneously
From 2014 to 2015, Serena Williams simultaneously held all four major singles titles.
2014: Second Serena Slam Begins
In 2014, Serena Williams began another dominant streak, winning four consecutive major singles titles.
2014: 2014 Season
In 2014, Serena Williams rebounded with 19 wins out of 20 matches, including titles at the Bank of the West Classic, the Western & Southern Open, and her sixth US Open singles title. She tied Evert for most US Open titles and tied Evert and Navratilova with 18 Grand Slam titles. She won $4 million for winning both the US Open and the US Open Series. She won the WTA Finals title and finished the year ranked No.1 for the fourth time. Williams was voted WTA Player of the Year and ITF World Champion.
2014: Hosting "The Serena Williams Ultimate Fun Run"
In 2014, Williams began hosting an annual charity run named "The Serena Williams Ultimate Fun Run" to support the Williams Sisters Fund.
2014: Founding of Serena Ventures
In 2014, 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."
2014: Earliest Defeat at the Australian Open Since 2014
In 2019, Serena Williams suffered her earliest defeat at the Australian Open since her fourth-round loss in 2014.
December 2015: Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year
In December 2015, Serena Williams was named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine.
2015: Holding Four Major Singles Titles Simultaneously
From 2014 to 2015, Serena Williams simultaneously held all four major singles titles, and also won the Surface 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: Clay Court Season and Fed Cup
In 2015, Serena Williams competed with the Italian team in the Fed Cup's World Group, where she and Alison Riske lost the doubles match, relegating the United States to World Group II. Williams's first loss in the Fed Cup ended a 50-match winning streak at Premier-Mandatory events in the Mutua Madrid Open semifinals. She withdrew from the Internazionali BNL d'Italia with an elbow injury.
2015: Second Serena Slam Continues
In 2015, Serena Williams continued her dominant streak, contributing to her second "Serena Slam."
2015: 2015 Season
In 2015, Serena Williams reached the Hopman Cup final and won her 19th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, surpassing Evert and Navratilova. She won her Fed Cup match against Argentina. After a 14-year boycott, she returned to the Indian Wells Masters. She withdrew from the semifinals due to a knee injury. She recorded her 700th match win at the Miami Open and won a record eighth title in Miami.
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: Grand Slam Success and Recognition
In 2015, Serena Williams won her third French Open and 20th Grand Slam singles title, becoming the third person to win each Grand Slam at least three times. At Wimbledon, she defeated multiple former No.1 players and then bested Muguruza for her sixth Wimbledon singles title and 21st Grand Slam singles title. She completed her second "Serena Slam" and became the oldest woman to win a Grand Slam singles title. Williams was awarded her seventh ESPY for Best Female Tennis Player.
2015: Return to Indian Wells in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative
In 2015, Williams's 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.
2015: First Appearance in a US Open Series Since 2015
Serena Williams entered the 2018 Silicon Valley Classic, her first appearance in a US Open series tournament since 2015.
2015: End of Indian Wells Boycott
Serena Williams' boycott of the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells ended in 2015.
September 5, 2016: Tying Graf's Record and US Open Loss
On September 5, 2016, Serena Williams tied with Graf for the longest run as world No.1 with 186 consecutive weeks. However, her streak ended when she lost to Karolína Plíšková in the semifinals of the US Open.
December 10, 2016: Engagement to Alexis Ohanian
On December 10, 2016, Alexis Ohanian proposed to Serena Williams.
2016: Open letter in Porter Magazine in support of gender equality
Also in 2016, Williams wrote an open letter in Porter Magazine's feature "Incredible Women of 2016" in support of gender equality and to share her personal struggles as a woman in tennis.
2016: Angelique Kerber
In 2016, Angelique Kerber achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2016: Support for Black Lives Matter
In 2016, Serena Williams voiced her support for Black Lives Matter on her Facebook page.
2016: Highest Paid Woman Athlete
In 2016, Serena Williams was the world's highest-paid woman athlete, earning almost $29 million.
2016: Laureus World Sports Award
In 2016, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year.
2016: Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year
In 2016, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award for a third time.
2016: Founding the Yetunde Price Resource Center
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: Li Na Praises Serena's Ace Serving
In 2016, retired player Li Na noted Serena Williams's ability to serve aces at critical moments, stating that on break point down, there is an 80% chance she serves an ace.
2016: Rematch of 2016 US Open Semifinal
In the quarterfinals of the US Open, Serena Williams faced Karolína Plíšková in a rematch of the 2016 US Open semifinal, which Plíšková had won. Williams prevailed, marking her first win against a top 10 player since her return from pregnancy.
2016: Rankings Milestone
In the week of April 20, 2016, Williams marked her 114th consecutive week ranked No.1, which at the time was the third-longest run in WTA history.
2016: Finals Rematch in 2016
Serena Williams lost to Kerber in a rematch of the 2016 final in the Wimbledon semifinals.
April 19, 2017: Announcement of Pregnancy
On April 19, 2017, Serena Williams revealed she was 20 weeks pregnant and would miss the rest of the season, meaning she was already pregnant when she won the Australian Open.
September 1, 2017: Birth of Daughter and Health Complications
On September 1, 2017, Serena Williams gave birth to a daughter, but subsequently suffered a pulmonary embolism, which 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 like Beyoncé, Anna Wintour, Kelly Rowland, and Kim Kardashian 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: Views on Jehovah's Witness Faith
In 2017, Serena Williams said she "never really practiced [the Jehovah's Witness faith]".
2017: Only Woman on Forbes' List
In 2017, Serena Williams was the only woman on Forbes' list of the 100 highest-paid athletes, with $27 million in earnings.
2017: Winning the 2017 Australian Open
In 2017, Serena Williams won the Australian Open for a record seventh time, defeating Venus in the final. This victory marked her 23rd Grand Slam singles title, surpassing Graf's record, and ensured her return to the No.1 ranking.
2017: Serena Williams, Karolína Plíšková, Garbiñe Muguruza and Simona Halep
In 2017, Serena Williams, Karolína Plíšková, Garbiñe Muguruza and Simona Halep achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2017: Ambassador for Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse project
In 2017, Williams became Ambassador for the Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse project, an initiative to provide financial empowerment to domestic abuse victims.
2017: Wilson Signature Racket
Since 2017, Wilson has manufactured a signature racket for Serena Williams, the Wilson Blade SW104, designed to her specifications.
January 5, 2018: Withdrawal from the 2018 Australian Open
On January 5, 2018, Serena Williams withdrew from the upcoming Australian Open, citing insufficient preparation after her pregnancy.
2018: French Open catsuit and US Open black tutu
At the 2018 French Open, Serena Williams promoted her clothing line Serena by wearing a catsuit, which was subsequently banned by the French Tennis Federation. At the 2018 US Open, Williams wore a black tutu during her first match.
2018: Response to Tennys Sandgren's insensitive tweets
During American tennis player Tennys Sandgren's breakthrough run to the quarterfinals of the 2018 Australian Open, it was revealed that he tweeted insensitive words. Williams responded to him by saying, "I don't need or want [an apology]. But there is an entire group of people that deserves an apology."
2018: Caroline Wozniacki
In 2018, Caroline Wozniacki achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2018: Joins SurveyMonkey Board of Directors
In 2018, Serena Williams joined the board of directors of SurveyMonkey.
2018: Wimbledon Semifinals and US Open Series Return in 2018
In 2018, Serena Williams reached the Wimbledon semifinals and also entered the 2018 Silicon Valley Classic, marking her first appearance in a US Open series tournament since 2015.
2018: Withdrawal from French Open
In 2018, Serena Williams withdrew from the French Open before her fourth-round match, which does not officially count as a loss.
2018: Laureus World Sports Award
In 2018, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year.
2018: Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year
In 2018, Serena Williams won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award for a record fourth time.
2018: Regarded as the Greatest Female Tennis Player
In 2018, a Tennis.com panel and Roger Federer both regarded Serena Williams as the greatest female tennis player of all time. Federer stated that Williams probably has the best case for "Greatest Of All Time", man or woman.
2018: Planned Return to Tennis in 2018
In interviews following the birth of her daughter, Serena Williams expressed her intention to return to tennis after giving birth, with an "outrageous plan" of competing in the 2018 Australian Open.
February 2019: Appointment to Poshmark's board of directors
In February 2019, Williams was appointed to the board of directors of the online fashion marketplace Poshmark.
March 2019: USWNT Honors Serena Williams
In March 2019, members of the United States women's national soccer team each wore a jersey with the name of an inspiring woman on the back, with Crystal Dunn choosing Serena Williams.
December 2019: Associated Press 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 outstanding achievements.
2019: 2019 Season Highlights
In 2019, Serena Williams experienced an early defeat at the Australian Open, reached the Wimbledon final becoming the oldest Grand Slam finalist in the Open Era, and continued to battle injuries throughout the season.
2019: Final Match Against Maria Sharapova
In 2019, Serena Williams played her final match against Maria Sharapova in the first round of the US Open, where Williams defeated Sharapova in two sets. They met 10 times in Grand Slam tournaments, where Williams leads 9–1.
2019: Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka and Ashleigh Barty
In 2019, Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka and Ashleigh Barty achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
January 2020: First Singles Title as a Mother in January 2020
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 for National Women's Soccer League franchise
In July 2020, it was announced that Williams was part of a nearly all-women investors' group that was awarded a new franchise in the National Women's Soccer League.
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. Williams holds a 10-1 record in Grand Slams against Azarenka.
2020: Withdrawal from French Open
In 2020, Serena Williams withdrew from the French Open before her second-round match, which does not officially count as a loss.
2020: Greatest Female Tennis Player
In 2020, the Tennis Channel ranked Serena Williams as the greatest female tennis player in history.
2020: Ranked Greatest Female Tennis Player in History
In 2020, the Tennis Channel ranked Serena Williams as the greatest female tennis player in history.
2020: Smaller Variant of Signature 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 three years old at the time.
December 2021: Withdrawal from the 2022 Australian Open
In December 2021, Serena Williams announced her withdrawal from the 2022 Australian Open due to a leg injury.
2021: Injury-Plagued 2021 Season
In 2021, Serena Williams experienced an injury-plagued season, including a shoulder injury at the Yarra Valley Classic, a leg injury at Wimbledon, and a retirement from the US Open due to a leg injury, resulting in her lowest year-end ranking in 15 years.
2021: Executive producer on King Richard
In 2021, Serena and Venus Williams served as executive producers on the film King Richard, a biopic about their father.
June 2022: Return to Professional Play in June 2022
In June 2022, Serena Williams returned to professional play, teaming up with Ons Jabeur for the Eastbourne International, and also played singles at Wimbledon, where she lost in the first round.
August 2022: Announcement of Retirement
In August 2022, Serena Williams announced her impending "evolution" away from professional tennis, signaling her upcoming retirement.
September 2022: Announcement of Retirement Plans in September 2022
In September 2022, Serena Williams announced her plans to "evolve away" from tennis after the 2022 US Open in an interview with Vogue, indicating her retirement to focus on family and her venture capital firm.
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, acknowledging her significant influence and popularity.
2022: Serena Ventures raised more than $110 million
As of 2022, Serena Ventures had raised more than $110 million.
2022: Ashleigh Barty and Iga Świątek
In 2022, Ashleigh Barty and Iga Świątek achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2022: Serena Williams as the "GOAT of GOATs"
In 2022, John McEnroe described Serena Williams as an "icon" and the "GOAT of GOATs", highlighting her legendary status in tennis.
2022: Coaching Changes
In 2022, Serena Williams had multiple coaching changes, including Eric Hechtman and Rennae Stubbs.
2022: Angel City FC began playing
In 2022, the new team that Williams invested in began playing as Angel City FC.
2022: Current Through 2022 US Open
The information provided is current through the 2022 US Open.
August 2023: Birth of Second Daughter
In August 2023, Serena Williams gave birth to her second daughter, Adira River Ohanian.
2023: Aryna Sabalenka
In 2023, Aryna Sabalenka achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2023: Baptism as a Jehovah's Witness
In 2023, Serena Williams was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness, despite stating in 2017 that she never really practiced the faith.
2023: NAACP Jackie Robinson Sports Award
In 2023, The NAACP honored Williams with the Jackie Robinson Sports Award.
2024: Iga Świątek
In 2024, Iga Świątek achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2025: Aryna Sabalenka
In 2025, Aryna Sabalenka achieved the Weeks at number 1 milestone.
2025: Princess of Asturias Award
In 2025, Serena Williams was awarded the Princess of Asturias Award in the category of "Sport".
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