Serena Williams, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in tennis history, has announced her retirement to focus on family life and business ventures. The 43-year-old, who turns 41 this month, revealed in a heartfelt piece for Vogue that walking away from the sport was one of the toughest choices of her life. Despite her decision, she gave fans one last chance to see her compete at the 2022 US Open, where she is a six-time singles champion.
Williams’ career has been filled with unforgettable achievements, from early breakthroughs to historic titles. Here’s a look back at ten defining moments from her journey:
10. Breakthrough in Chicago (1997)
Ranked just 304, Serena stunned the tennis world by beating top players like Mary Pierce and Monica Seles to reach the semifinals, signaling the arrival of a future star.
9. First Grand Slam Title (1999)
At just 17, Serena captured her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open, defeating World No.1 Martina Hingis in straight sets, a win that marked the start of her dominance.
8. Standing Against Racism (2001)
After her sister Venus withdrew from Indian Wells, Serena faced boos and hostility from the crowd amid accusations against her father. She and Venus boycotted the event for 14 years in protest against the racism they endured.
7. Becoming World No.1 (2002)
Serena reached the top of the rankings for the first time after defeating Venus at the French Open, beginning a 57-week reign as the world’s best player.
6. First ‘Serena Slam’ (2003)
By winning four consecutive majors, Serena became the reigning champion of all Grand Slams, a feat not seen since Steffi Graf in 1994.
5. Inspirational Comeback (2007)
Following injuries, personal loss, and depression, Serena returned triumphantly at the Australian Open, winning the title while ranked 84th in the world. She crushed Maria Sharapova in the final.
4. Golden Slam Glory (2012)
At the London Olympics, Serena added singles gold to her collection, completing the rare Golden Slam — all four majors plus Olympic gold — becoming only the second woman after Graf to do so.
3. Doubles Gold with Venus (2012)
Alongside her sister, Serena also claimed doubles gold in London, cementing the Williams sisters’ legacy as one of the greatest pairs in tennis history.
2. Second ‘Serena Slam’ (2015)
Defying age and health setbacks, Serena captured four consecutive majors again, ending with Wimbledon. She became the oldest women’s World No.1, proving her longevity and resilience.
1. Winning While Pregnant (2017)
In an astonishing feat, Serena won the Australian Open without dropping a set — later revealing she was two months pregnant at the time.
From her fearless fight against adversity to rewriting history books, Serena Williams’ career has left an indelible mark on tennis and sport as a whole.
