Serena Williams is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. The tennis icon made her first Sports Illustrated Swimsuit appearance in 2003, photographed by Walter Iooss Jr. in Miami. She returned the following year for another shoot in South Florida, beginning a long connection with the magazine.
Over her legendary career, Williams collected 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 doubles crowns alongside her sister Venus, and four Olympic gold medals. She officially played her final professional match at the 2022 U.S. Open.
Off the court, Serena is much more than an athlete. She is a businesswoman, philanthropist, and mother. She founded Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm, and also runs her own fashion brand, S by Serena.
Her most recent Swimsuit Issue appearance came in 2017, when she was photographed by Emmanuelle Hauguel in Turks and Caicos. The shoot showcased Serena’s confidence and body positivity. Speaking about the experience, she said:
“Women should be celebrated for who they are. Every time I put on that swimsuit, I was embracing my inner beauty. That’s what showed in my poses and in everything I did.”
The feature included a series of striking images: Serena posing under a beachside shower in a red bikini, showing off a vibrant blue one-piece against the ocean backdrop, and playfully lying on the sand while smiling at the camera.
In her interview, she opened up about body image, saying:
“It’s okay not to be a size two and still look and feel good. I’m strong, I’m sexy, and I’m a woman. I want people with my body type to feel empowered and think, ‘I look good too.’”
Serena also revealed that wearing a thong bikini for the first time was a bold step:
“That first shot in a thong was like a wake-up call. But it made me feel surprisingly comfortable—I guess I’m officially a thong girl now.”
Through both her achievements and her openness, Serena continues to inspire millions—proving that strength, confidence, and beauty come in many forms.
