On June 9, 2002, the then twenty-year-old Serena Williams played her first Roland Garros final. As if this wasn't special enough, she also faced her older sister Venus Williams. It was a historic moment in tennis, as the famous Williams sisters had never before played against each other in the final of a Grand Slam tournament. Serena won the match in straight sets (7-5, 6-3) and captured her first Roland Garros title. This marked not only her second Grand Slam singles victory but also a new era in which she and Venus dominated women's tennis. Serena Williams became one of the greatest athletes of all time and ultimately won 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
Name: Serena Williams
Nationality: American
Born on: September 26, 1981
Tennis hand: Right
Current WTA ranking: retired in 2022
From young promise to tennis icon
Williams and tennis are inextricably linked. Serena Williams, along with Venus, began playing the sport at a young age under the guidance of their father, Richard Williams. At just fourteen (!) years old, Serena made her debut on the WTA Tour, and it quickly became clear that she and her sister Venus would conquer the tennis world. It didn't take long for Serena to win her first Grand Slam: in 1999, at eighteen, she won the US Open. This proved to be just the beginning of an impressive career, during which Williams would break record after record and become a true legend in the sport.
Good on all surfaces
What typified Serena Williams was that she wasn't just successful on one specific surface. She dominated every court. Whether it was the hard courts of the US Open and Australian Open, the slow clay of Roland Garros , or the hallowed grass of Wimbledon, Williams captured titles everywhere. Her aggressive playing style, combined with an unparalleled mental strength, was undoubtedly responsible for this. Serena Williams' victory at Wimbledon in 2002 (in the final against her sister) marked the beginning of her dominance on grass. She ultimately won the tournament seven times: in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2016.
A career full of records
Besides her seven Wimbledon titles, Williams also achieved success at the Australian Open (seven times), Roland Garros (three times), and the US Open (six times), bringing their total to 23 Grand Slam titles. Venus and Serena Williams also won fourteen Grand Slam doubles titles together. The Williams duo were unbeatable in doubles for years, further enhancing their impact on the sport. Together, they also won three Olympic gold medals, further cementing their status as one of the greatest tennis duos of all time.
In 2017, Serena won the Australian Open at the age of 35 , while pregnant with her daughter. This further underscored her unparalleled perseverance and dedication to tennis. After her pregnancy, she returned to the circuit and reached four more Grand Slam finals, all of which she failed to win. Her last Grand Slam title thus came in January 2017.
Inspiration both on and off the track
Besides her achievements on the court, Serena Williams is also an important figure off the court. She has become a symbol of perseverance and empowerment, especially for young girls and women around the world. Her influence extends beyond tennis. Williams is now active as an entrepreneur and investor, and she has also appeared in several films. One such film is King Richard , a film in which Serena Williams's father played the central role.
The end of an era
In 2022, Serena Williams announced her retirement from professional tennis. She played her final match at the US Open, after which she bid farewell to her fans – to thunderous applause from the large crowd. Although she is no longer active on the WTA Tour, her impact on the sport and society will be felt for generations to come. Her legacy is seen not only in her titles and records, but also in the inspiration she provides to athletes worldwide. Her journey from young talent to legendary champion is a story of hard work, perseverance, and unparalleled class. The tennis world will miss her, but her influence will never fade.
