Venus Williams's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Venus Williams.

Venus Williams is a highly accomplished American tennis player. She has achieved the world No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles, holding the top spot for 11 and 8 weeks, respectively. Williams has won 49 WTA singles titles, including seven Grand Slam titles. In doubles, she has secured 22 titles, including 16 Grand Slam titles and three Olympic gold medals. She is considered one of the greatest tennis players in the history of the sport.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1975: Chris Evert ranked number 1

In 1975, Chris Evert achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

1976: Evonne Goolagong ranked number 1

In 1976, Evonne Goolagong achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

1978: Martina Navratilova ranked number 1

In 1978, Martina Navratilova achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

1980: Tracy Austin ranked number 1

In 1980, Tracy Austin achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

1985: Chris Evert ranked number 1

In 1985, Chris Evert continued to hold the number one ranking in women's tennis.

1987: Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf ranked number 1

In 1987, both Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

1991: Monica Seles ranked number 1

In 1991, Monica Seles achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

1995: Arantxa Sánchez Vicario ranked number 1

In 1995, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

1996: Monica Seles ranked number 1

In 1996, Monica Seles continued to hold the number one ranking in women's tennis.

April 14, 1997: Breaks into Top 100

On April 14, 1997, Venus Williams' ranking broke into the top 100, marking a significant milestone in her career.

1997: Open era record for the longest span between grand slam singles final appearances

In 1997, Venus Williams reached a Grand Slam singles final at the US Open. In 2017, she set the Open era record for the longest span (20 years) between grand slam singles final appearances.

1997: First Major Final at the US Open

In 1997, Venus Williams reached her first major final at the US Open, signaling her emergence as a top player.

1997: US Open Final

In 1997, Venus Williams reached the US Open final, where she lost to Martina Hingis.

1997: Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis ranked number 1

In 1997, both Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

March 30, 1998: Breaks into Top 10

On March 30, 1998, Venus Williams' ranking broke into the top 10 for the first time, reaching world No. 10.

July 27, 1998: Ranking Rises to World No. 5

On July 27, 1998, Venus Williams' ranking rose to world No. 5, marking a new high in her career.

1998: Lindsay Davenport ranked number 1

In 1998, Lindsay Davenport achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

1998: Finishes Year Ranked No. 5

In 1998, Venus Williams finished the year ranked No. 5, a testament to her successful season.

1998: Quarterfinals of all Majors

In 1998, Venus Williams reached at least the quarterfinals of all major tournaments for the first time in her career.

1998: "Williams Family Mixed Doubles Grand Slam"

In 1998, Venus Williams teamed with Justin Gimelstob to win the mixed doubles titles at the Australian Open and the French Open. Her sister Serena Williams won the other two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles that year, completing a "Williams Family Mixed Doubles Grand Slam".

August 30, 1999: World Ranking Reaches Third

On August 30, 1999, Venus Williams' world ranking reached third for the first time in her career.

1999: Successful Title Defense

In 1999, Venus Williams successfully defended her titles in both Oklahoma City and Key Biscayne, marking a successful period in her career.

2000: Wimbledon, US Open titles and Olympic Gold

In 2000, Venus Williams claimed the Wimbledon and US Open titles and also won Olympic singles gold at the Sydney Olympics, a remarkable year for her.

2000: Sydney Olympics Gold Medal

In 2000, Venus Williams secured an Olympic gold medal at the Sydney Olympics, marking a significant achievement in her career.

2000: US Open Victory and Olympic Gold

In 2000, Venus Williams won the US Open and also secured a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Sydney.

2001: Australian Open Doubles Title

In 2001, Venus Williams teamed with her sister to win the doubles title at the Australian Open, completing a Career Golden Slam in women's doubles for the pair.

2001: Season Prize Money Leader

In 2001, Venus Williams was the season prize money leader, highlighting her success that year.

2001: Wimbledon and US Open Titles

In 2001, Venus Williams won both the Wimbledon and US Open titles.

2001: Won US Open singles title

In 2001, Venus Williams won the US Open singles title for the second consecutive year without dropping a set. She beat Clijsters, Capriati, and her sister Serena in the final, marking the first Grand Slam singles final contested by two sisters during the open era. This victory made her the sixth woman in history to win Wimbledon and the US Open in consecutive years.

2001: Won Wimbledon Championships

In 2001, Venus Williams won the Wimbledon Championships. In the quarterfinals, she defeated Pierce, followed by Sharapova in the semifinals, reaching the Wimbledon final for the fifth time in six years. In the final, she defeated Davenport after saving a match point, securing her third Wimbledon singles title, her fifth Grand Slam singles title overall, and her first since 2001. This was the first time in 70 years that a player had won after being down match point during the women's final at Wimbledon.

2001: Martina Hingis and Jennifer Capriati ranked number 1

In 2001, both Martina Hingis and Jennifer Capriati achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2001: Finished year ranked higher than Serena

In 2001, it was the first year since 2001 that she had finished a year ranked higher than her sister Serena Williams.

February 2002: Singles World No. 1 Ranking

In February 2002, Venus Williams first reached the singles world No. 1 ranking, making her the first African American woman to achieve this in the Open era.

2002: Reached US Open Final

In 2002, Venus Williams reached the US Open final after winning the titles in San Diego and New Haven for the third consecutive year. At the US Open, she defeated Seles and Mauresmo to make the final, eventually losing to her sister Serena.

2002: Venus Williams and Serena Williams ranked number 1

In 2002, both Venus Williams and Serena Williams achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2002: Assumed world No. 1 position

On February 25, 2002, Venus Williams assumed the world No. 1 position for the first time, dislodging Capriati. Venus was the first African-American woman to ever hold the ranking, however she only held it for three weeks.

May 2003: Williams Sisters Occupy Top Two Spots

In May 2009, Venus Williams's ranking improved to No. 2, behind Serena. This was the fourth time that the Williams sisters occupied the top two spots, and the first time since May 2003.

2003: Lost to Serena in Australian Open Final and Won Doubles Title

In 2003, Venus Williams lost to her sister Serena in the Australian Open final, marking the first time in the open era that the same two players had met in four consecutive Grand Slam finals. However, Venus and Serena teamed up to win the women's doubles title at the event, their sixth Grand Slam title in women's doubles.

2003: Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin ranked number 1

In 2003, both Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2004: Amélie Mauresmo ranked number 1

In 2004, Amélie Mauresmo achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2005: Maria Sharapova ranked number 1

In 2005, Maria Sharapova achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2005: Last singles title prior

In 2005, Venus Williams won Wimbledon. This was the singles title she won prior to the 2007 Cellular South Cup in Memphis.

2005: Lowest-Seeded Wimbledon Champion

In 2005, Williams also became the lowest-seeded Wimbledon champion in history.

2005: First Clay Title Since 2005

In 2009, Venus Williams won the Abierto Mexicano in Acapulco defeating Flavia Pennetta in the final. This was her first title on clay since 2005.

2006: Lindsay Davenport ranked number 1

In 2006, Lindsay Davenport continued to hold the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2007: Wimbledon Straight Sets Streak

By advancing to her eighth Wimbledon final in 2009, Venus Williams had won 34 straight sets, a streak held since Wimbledon 2007.

2007: Fastest serve on WTA Tour

In 2007, Venus Williams recorded the fastest serve on the WTA Tour at the US Open, at 208 km/h (129 mph).

2007: Victory at Cellular South Cup

In 2007, Venus Williams withdrew from the Australian Open due to her recurring wrist injury. She returned in February at the Cellular South Cup in Memphis, defeating Shahar Pe'er in the final, securing her first singles title since her victory at Wimbledon in 2005.

2007: Return to Form

Starting in 2007, Venus Williams returned to form, demonstrated by winning Wimbledon that year.

2008: Justine Henin and Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Janković ranked number 1

In 2008, Justine Henin, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Janković each achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2008: Beijing Olympics and US Open Quarterfinals

In 2008, Venus Williams lost in the quarterfinals of the Beijing Olympics to Li Na but earned a gold medal in women's doubles with her sister Serena, their second as a team. At the 2008 US Open, she was defeated by Serena in a close quarterfinal match.

2008: Olympic Gold in Doubles

In 2008, Venus Williams won an Olympic gold medal in women's doubles, adding to her list of achievements.

2008: WTA Tour Championships Win

In 2008, Venus defeated Dinara Safina at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, reached the Zurich Open final and secured a spot at the WTA Tour Championships. At the Championships, she defeated multiple top-ranked players, including Serena Williams and Jelena Janković, and won the tournament by defeating Vera Zvonareva, ending the year ranked No. 6.

2008: Straight Sets Victory against Serena since 2008

In 2018 at the Indian Wells Open, Venus Williams defeated Serena Williams for the 12th time in her career – her first straight sets victory against her since the 2008 Wimbledon Championships final almost a decade earlier.

2009: US Open Doubles Title

At the 2009 US Open, Venus Williams and Serena Williams won the doubles title, claiming their third major doubles title in 2009.

2009: Defeated Dinara Safina at Wimbledon Championships

At the 2009 Wimbledon Championships, Venus Williams defeated Dinara Safina 6–1, 6–0 in the semifinals.

2009: Dinara Safina and Jelena Janković ranked number 1

In 2009, Dinara Safina and Jelena Janković each achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2009: Australian Open Doubles Title and Dubai Championships Win

In 2009, Venus and Serena Williams won the Australian Open doubles title. Venus also won the Dubai Tennis Championships, defeating Serena Williams in the semi-finals and Virginie Razzano in the final, marking her 40th professional singles title and placing her in the top five rankings for the first time since 2003. She followed this with a win at the Abierto Mexicano in Acapulco, her first title on clay since 2005.

2009: First Top-3 Victory Since 2009

In 2012, Venus Williams defeated No. 3 Petra Kvitová at the Miami tournament, marking her first top-3 victory since beating Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2009.

June 7, 2010: World No. 1 in Doubles

On June 7, 2010, Venus Williams became the world No. 1 in doubles for the first time, partnering with her sister Serena, after completing a non-calendar-year Grand Slam at the French Open.

2010: Caroline Wozniacki ranked number 1

In 2010, Caroline Wozniacki achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2010: US Open Semifinal and Consistent Grand Slam Performance

In 2010, Venus Williams reached the US Open semifinal. Venus became one of only two women to reach at least the fourth round at all four Grand Slam singles tournaments in 2010.

2010: Return to World No. 2

In 2010, Venus Williams returned to the world No. 2 position in singles, showcasing her continued competitiveness.

2010: Madrid Open Title

In 2010, Venus Williams won her biggest title since the Madrid Open. At 33 years and 8 months of age, Venus became the seventh-oldest woman to win a WTA singles title.

2010: Second week of all majors in a single season

In 2010, Williams reached the second week of all majors in a single season for the first time since 2010, and reached the second week of seven consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, the longest streak among WTA players at that time, in 2017.

2010: Fifth Wimbledon Doubles Title

In 2012, Venus Williams and Serena Williams claimed their fifth Wimbledon doubles title after defeating Andrea Hlaváčková and Lucie Hradecká.

2011: Kim Clijsters ranked number 1

In 2011, Kim Clijsters continued to hold the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2011: Matched by Nadal and Djokovic

In 2011, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic matched the record of Venus and Serena Williams to meet in four consecutive Grand Slam finals.

2011: Highest ranking since Sjögren's syndrome diagnosis

In 2011, after her result at the Stanford Classic, Venus Williams ascended to No. 6 in the rankings, her highest position since being diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome.

2011: Re-entered top ten for the first time since 2011

With her results throughout the 2011 season, Venus Williams re-entered the top ten for the first time since 2011 and ended the year at No. 7 in the WTA rankings

2012: Third Olympic Gold Medal in Doubles

At the 2012 London Olympics, Venus Williams and Serena Williams won their third gold medal in doubles. This win resulted in the Williams sisters having the most Olympic gold medals of any other tennis player, male or female.

2012: Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka ranked number 1

In 2012, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka each achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2012: Matched by Nadal and Djokovic

In 2012, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic matched the record of Venus and Serena Williams to meet in four consecutive Grand Slam finals.

2012: Won 14th Major Title Together

In 2012, Venus and Serena Williams won their 14th major title together and sixth at Wimbledon.

2012: First quarterfinal in Rome since 2012

Venus Williams reached her first quarterfinal in Rome since 2012 at the Italian Open in 2017, losing to Garbiñe Muguruza. During this match, Williams hit a reactionary lob off an attacking forehand that was voted WTA shot of the month.

2013: Victoria Azarenka ranked number 1

In 2013, Victoria Azarenka continued to hold the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2015: Won 46th Career Singles Title

In 2015, Venus Williams won her 46th career singles title at the Auckland Open, defeating Caroline Wozniacki.

2016: US Open

At the 2016 US Open, Venus Williams surpassed Amy Frazier's record with the most major appearances at 71. She was seeded in the top ten at all four Grand Slam tournaments for the first time since 2010. After winning her first three matches, she lost in the fourth round to Karolína Plíšková.

2016: Angelique Kerber ranked number 1

In 2016, Angelique Kerber achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2016: Rio Summer Olympics

In 2016, Venus Williams failed to medal in both singles and doubles events at the Rio Summer Olympics, with first-round exits in both. However, she won a silver medal in mixed doubles with Rajeev Ram, making her the only female player besides Kathleen McKane Godfree to win a medal in all three events, sharing the record for most Olympic medals won in tennis with Godfree.

2016: Mixed Doubles Silver

In 2016, Venus Williams won a silver medal in mixed doubles, adding to her Olympic medal count.

2016: Won 49th career title at Taiwan Open

In 2016, Venus Williams won her 49th career title at the Taiwan Open, defeating Misaki Doi in the final.

2017: Serena Williams, Karolína Plíšková, Garbiñe Muguruza and Simona Halep ranked number 1

In 2017, Serena Williams, Karolína Plíšková, Garbiñe Muguruza and Simona Halep each achieved the number one ranking in women's tennis.

2017: Wimbledon and WTA Ranking

In 2017, Venus Williams reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Garbiñe Muguruza, and achieved the No. 9 ranking. Also in 2017, she reached two slam finals for the first time since 2003.

2017: 2017 Season Highlights

In 2017, Venus Williams started the season in Auckland, withdrew due to a right arm pain. Reached Australian Open final for the first time since 2003, losing to Serena. She won her first match at Indian Wells since 2001. She also scored her first top-ten win since 2015, against Svetlana Kuznetsova, and reached the Miami Open Semifinals since 2010.