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VariableValue
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'{{short description|American tennis player}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}} {{Infobox tennis biography | name = Serena Williams | fullname = Serena Jameka Williams | image = Serena Williams at 2013 US Open.jpg | caption = Williams at the [[2013 US Open (tennis)|2013 US Open]] | country = {{flagu|United States}} | residence = [[Palm Beach Gardens, Florida]], U.S.<ref name="WTA profile">{{WTA|id=230234<!-- was 9044 -->|name=Serena Williams}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|9|26}} | birth_place = [[Saginaw, Michigan]], U.S. | height = 5 ft 9 in<ref name="WTA profile" /> | turnedpro = October 1995 | coach = [[Richard Williams (tennis coach)|Richard Williams]] (1994{{ndash}})<br />[[Oracene Price]]<br />[[Patrick Mouratoglou]] (2012{{ndash}})<ref>{{cite news |last=Rankine |first=Claudia | title=The Meaning of Serena Williams | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=2015-08-25 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-meaning-of-serena-williams.html | accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref> | plays = Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | careerprizemoney = [[US$]]92,543,816<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/rankings/All_Career_Prize_Money.pdf.|title=wtatennis.com|date=April 29, 2019|accessdate=April 29, 2019}}</ref> * [[WTA Tour records#WTA career prize money leaders|1st in all-time rankings (female)]] | website = {{url|https://www.serenawilliams.com}} | singlesrecord = {{tennis record|won=826|lost=142}} | singlestitles = 72 [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] ([[Tennis records of the Open Era – Women's Singles#All tournaments|5th in overall rankings]]), 0 [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]] | highestsinglesranking = [[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players|No. '''1''']] (July 8, 2002) | currentsinglesranking = No. 10 (November 4, 2019) | AustralianOpenresult = '''W''' ([[2003 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2003]], [[2005 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2005]], [[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2007]], [[2009 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2009]], [[2010 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2010]], [[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2015]], [[2017 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2017]]) | FrenchOpenresult = '''W''' ([[2002 French Open – Women's Singles|2002]], [[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|2013]], [[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|2015]]) | Wimbledonresult= '''W''' ([[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2002]], [[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2003]], [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2009]], [[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2010]], [[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2012]], [[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2015]], [[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2016]]) | USOpenresult = '''W''' ([[1999 US Open – Women's Singles|1999]], [[2002 US Open – Women's Singles|2002]], [[2008 US Open – Women's Singles|2008]], [[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|2012]], [[2013 US Open – Women's Singles|2013]], [[2014 US Open – Women's Singles|2014]]) | Othertournaments = yes | GrandSlamCupresult = '''W''' ([[Grand Slam Cup#Women 3|1999]]) | WTAChampionshipsresult = '''W''' ([[2001 WTA Tour Championships|2001]], [[2009 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2009]], [[2012 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2012]], [[2013 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2013]], [[2014 WTA Finals – Singles|2014]]) | doublesrecord = {{tennis record|won=187|lost=33}} | doublestitles= 23 [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]], 0 [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]] | highestdoublesranking = [[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players#Doubles|No.{{nbsp}}'''1''']] (June 21, 2010) | currentdoublesranking = | AustralianOpenDoublesresult = '''W''' ([[2001 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2001]], [[2003 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2003]], [[2009 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2009]], [[2010 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2010]]) | FrenchOpenDoublesresult = '''W''' ([[1999 French Open – Women's Doubles|1999]], [[2010 French Open – Women's Doubles|2010]]) | WimbledonDoublesresult = '''W''' ([[2000 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2000]], [[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2002]], [[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2008]], [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2009]], [[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2012]], [[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2016]]) | USOpenDoublesresult = '''W''' ([[1999 US Open – Women's Doubles|1999]], [[2009 US Open – Women's Doubles|2009]]) | OthertournamentsDoubles = yes | WTAChampionshipsDoublesresult = SF ([[2009 WTA Tour Championships|2009]]) | Mixed = yes | mixedrecord = 27–4 (87.1%) | AustralianOpenMixedresult = F ([[1999 Australian Open – Mixed Doubles|1999]]) | FrenchOpenMixedresult = F ([[1998 French Open – Mixed Doubles|1998]]) | WimbledonMixedresult = '''W''' ([[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Mixed Doubles|1998]]) | USOpenMixedresult = '''W''' ([[1998 US Open – Mixed Doubles|1998]]) | Team = yes | FedCupresult = '''W''' ([[1999 Fed Cup|1999]]), record 16–1 | HopmanCupresult = '''W''' ([[2003 Hopman Cup|2003]], [[2008 Hopman Cup|2008]]) | updated = November 4, 2019 | medaltemplates-expand = yes | medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry | {{USA}}}} {{MedalCompetition|[[Tennis at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}} {{MedalGold | [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney]] | [[Tennis at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles|Doubles]]}} {{MedalGold | [[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]] | [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles|Doubles]]}} {{MedalGold | [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]] | [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's singles|Singles]]}} {{MedalGold | 2012 London | [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles|Doubles]]}} }} '''Serena Jameka Williams''' (born September 26, 1981)<ref name="WTA profile" /> is an American professional tennis player and former world No. 1. She has won 23 [[Grand Slam (tennis)|major]] singles titles, most by any man or woman in the [[Open Era]]. The [[Women's Tennis Association]] (WTA) ranked her world No. 1 in singles on eight separate occasions between 2002 and 2017. She reached the No. 1 ranking for the first time on July 8, 2002. On her sixth occasion, she held the ranking for [[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players#Weeks at No. 1|186 consecutive weeks]], tying the record set by [[Steffi Graf]]. In total, she has been No. 1 for 319 weeks, which ranks [[Open Era tennis records – women's singles|third in the Open Era]] among female players behind Graf and [[Martina Navratilova]]. Williams holds the most [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles combined among active players. Her 39 Grand Slam titles put her joint-third on the all-time list and second in the Open Era: 23 in singles, 14 in women's doubles, and two in mixed doubles. She is the most recent female player to have held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously (2002–03 and 2014–15) and the third player to achieve this twice, after [[Rod Laver]] and Graf. She is also the most recent player to have won a Grand Slam title on each surface (hard, clay and grass) in one calendar year (2015). She is also, together with her older sister [[Venus Williams|Venus]], the most recent player to have held all four Grand Slam women's doubles titles simultaneously (2009–10). Williams has won a record of 13 Grand Slam singles titles on [[hardcourt|hard court]]. Williams holds the Open Era record for most titles won at the [[Australian Open]] (7) and shares the Open Era record for most titles won at the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] with [[Chris Evert]] (6). She also holds the record for the most women's singles matches won at majors with 349 matches. Williams has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, all with her sister Venus, and the pair are unbeaten in Grand Slam doubles finals.<ref>{{cite web |last=Neworth |first=Jack |url=http://www.10sballs.com/2012/09/10/almost-serene-serena-by-jack-neworth/ |title=Almost Serene Serena |website=10sballs.com |date=September 10, 2012 |accessdate=May 30, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508062539/http://www.10sballs.com/2012/09/10/almost-serene-serena-by-jack-neworth// |archivedate=May 8, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> As a team, she and Venus have the third most women's doubles Grand Slam titles, behind the 18 titles of [[Natasha Zvereva]] (14 with [[Gigi Fernández]]) and the record 20 titles won by Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver. Williams is also a five-time winner of the [[WTA Tour Championships]] in the singles division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/20120910/serena-liezel-lisa-andrea-lucie-qualify_2256076_2914805 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913042956/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/20120910/serena-liezel-lisa-andrea-lucie-qualify_2256076_2914805 |archivedate=September 13, 2012 |title=Serena, Liezel & Lisa, Andrea & Lucie Qualify |date=September 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |website=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |accessdate=June 18, 2013}}</ref> She has also won four [[Olympic medal|Olympic gold medals]], one in women's singles and three in women's doubles—an all-time record shared with her sister, Venus.<ref name="CBS-Olympic">{{cite news |date=August 5, 2012|title=Venus and Serena Williams win Olympic gold |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/venus-and-serena-williams-win-olympic-gold/|location= London, England|publisher= CBS News|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=April 24, 2017}}</ref> The arrival of the [[Williams sisters]] has been credited with ushering in a new era of power and athleticism on the women's professional tennis tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1350759-the-williams-sisters-and-the-rise-of-the-womens-power-game |title=The Williams Sisters and the Rise of the Women's Power Game |last=Allen |first=Ja |website=Bleacher Report |date=September 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/magazine/29Tennis-t.html |title=How Power Has Transformed Women's Tennis|last=Kimmelman |first=Michael|date=August 25, 2010|work=[[The New York Times]]|page=MM23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/sports/tennis/31williams.html|title=Williams Sisters Write Their Own Story|last=Crouse |first=Karen|date=August 30, 2009|page=F2|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennishead.net/news/on-tour/2011/12/15/girl-power-evolution-of-the-womens-game|title=Girl power: Evolution of the women's game|publisher=Advantage Publishing|date=December 15, 2011|publication-date=November 2011 }}</ref> She is [[WTA Rankings#Current rankings|ranked]] at No. 10 in the world by the WTA as of November 4, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/rankings |title=WTA Rankings|publisher=Women's Tennis Association |accessdate=20 May 2019}}</ref> Earning almost $29{{nbsp}}million in prize money and endorsements, Williams was the highest paid female athlete in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/mli45ffmff/1-serena-williams/|title=Serena Williams – In Photos: The World's Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2016|first=Kurt|last=Badenhausen|work=Forbes}}</ref> She repeated this feat in 2017 when she was the only woman on ''[[Forbes]]''{{'}} list of the 100 highest paid athletes with $27{{nbsp}}million in prize money and endorsements. She has won the 'Laureus Sportswoman of the Year' award four times (2003, 2010, 2016, 2018), and in December 2015, she was named [[Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year|Sportsperson of the Year]] by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite news | last=McCarvel | first=Nick | title=Serena Williams revels in Sports Illustrated cover limelight | work=USA Today | date=December 16, 2015 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/12/15/serena-williams-explains-idea-behind-sports-illustrated-cover/77391104/ | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505162455/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/12/15/serena-williams-explains-idea-behind-sports-illustrated-cover/77391104/ |archivedate=May 5, 2016|accessdate=December 17, 2015 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2019, she was ranked 63rd in ''Forbes''{{'}} World's Highest-Paid Athletes list.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/athletes/ |title=The World's Highest-Paid Athletes|magazine=Forbes |accessdate=June 13, 2019 |date=June 11, 2019 |first=Kurt |last=Badenhausen}}</ref> {{TOC limit|2}} ==Early life== Williams was born in [[Saginaw, Michigan]], to [[Oracene Price]] and [[Richard Williams (tennis coach)|Richard Williams]], and is the youngest of Price's five daughters: half-sisters [[Murder of Yetunde Price|Yetunde]], Lyndrea, and Isha Price, and full older sister [[Venus Williams|Venus]].<ref name="WTA profile" /> She also has at least seven paternal half-siblings.<ref name="Edmondson">{{cite book |last=Edmondson |first=Jacqueline |title=Venus and Serena Williams: A Biography |year=2005 |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]] |location= |isbn=978-0-313-33165-7 |page=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theroot.com/intimate-look-at-the-williams-sisters-1790896499|title=Intimate Look at the Williams Sisters|first=Hillary|last=Crosley|website=The Root}}</ref> When the children were young, the family moved to [[Compton, California]], where Williams started playing tennis at the age of four.<ref name="Serenabio">{{cite web|url=http://serenawilliams.com/about/ |title=About Serena – Serena Williams |website=SerenaWilliams.com |date=June 14, 2013 |accessdate=April 20, 2017 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107060752/http://serenawilliams.com/about/ |archivedate=November 7, 2016 |df=}}</ref>{{sfn|Morgan|2001|p=19}} Her father home schooled Serena and her sister, Venus.{{sfn||Morgan|2001|p=28}}<ref>{{cite web | url = http://sharebradenton.homestead.com/Famous.html |title = Successful & Famous People that were Homeschooled|date=April 22, 2009|accessdate=April 20, 2017|publisher=sharebradenton.homestead.com}}{{better source|date=April 2017}}<!-- this source is a personal website. Is there a more [[WP:RS]] out there? --></ref> While he and subsequently her mother have been the official coaches, other mentors who helped her learn the game included Richard Williams, a Compton man who shared her father's name and would go on to found The Venus and Serena Williams Tennis/Tutorial Academy.<ref name="Tennis Week, March 6, 2006">{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzRbETeZHav7MTI0YzZlYzItZGUwZi00OTE4LWE2NmItM2YwMmU5NTdlMWVm/view |title=Williams Tennis Academy Other Richard Williams Kent |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> [[File:Venus and Serena 1993.jpg|thumb|right|Williams sisters at a [[Pam Shriver]] event in Baltimore, 1993]] When Williams was nine, she and her family moved from Compton to [[West Palm Beach, Florida]],<ref name="Serenabio" /> so that she could attend the tennis academy of [[Rick Macci]]; Macci began to provide additional coaching. Macci did not always agree with Williams's father, but respected that "he treated his daughters like kids, allowed them to be little girls".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blackathlete.net/artman2/publish/Tennis_35/Venus_Serena_Reflect_As_They_Prepare_For_Fed_Cup_3202.shtml|title=Venus, Serena reflect as they prepare for Fed Cup|publisher=blackathlete.net |accessdate=April 22, 2009|first=Michelle |last=Kaufman |date=April 22, 2007}}</ref> Richard stopped sending his daughters to national junior tennis tournaments when Williams was 10, since he wanted them to go slowly and to focus on school work. Experiences of racism also drove this experience, as Richard Williams had heard white parents talk about the Williams sisters in a derogatory manner during tournaments.<ref name="Newsweek1998">{{cite news|url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/1012925/venus-serena-against-world |title=Venus And Serena Against The World |first=Marc |last=Peyser |first2=Allison |last2=Samuels |date=August 24, 1998 |work=Newsweek |accessdate=April 19, 2009}}</ref> At that time, Williams had a 46–3 record on the [[United States Tennis Association]] junior tour and was ranked number one among under-10 players in Florida.<ref name="EdmonsonsEarly">Edmonson, 2005, ''Venus and Serena Williams'', pp. 46–47.</ref> In 1995, when Williams was in the ninth grade, her father pulled his daughters out of Macci's academy and, from then on, took over all coaching at their home. When asked in 2000 whether having followed the normal path of playing regularly on the junior circuit would have been beneficial, Williams responded: "Everyone does different things. I think for Venus and I, we just attempted a different road, and it worked for us."<ref name="EdmonsonsEarly" /> ==Playing style== Williams is primarily a [[Tennis strategy#Baseliner strategies|baseline player]], and her game is built around taking immediate control of rallies with her powerful and consistent serve,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/aus08/news/story?id=3207822 |title=Gimpy Jankovic swats away defending champion Williams|publisher=ESPN |last= Ford|first= Bonnie D.|date=January 22, 2008|accessdate=April 29, 2009}}</ref> return of serve, and forceful [[groundstroke]]s from both her [[forehand]] and [[backhand]] swings. Williams's forehand is considered to be among the most powerful shots in the women's game,<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. Open 2014: Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Sam Stosur Among Best Tennis Strokes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/25/sports/tennis/us-open-2014-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-and-agnieszka-radwanska-among-best-tennis-strokes.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 24, 2014|accessdate=July 29, 2015|issn=0362-4331|first=Christopher|last=Clarey}}</ref> as is her double-handed backhand. Williams strikes her backhand groundstroke using an open stance, and uses the same open stance for her forehand. Williams's aggressive play, a "high risk" style, is balanced in part by her serve, which most say is the greatest in women's tennis history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12739719/stars-serve-praise-serena-williams-biggest-weapon |title=20 For 20: Stars Serve Up Praise of Serena Williams' Biggest Weapon |publisher=ESPN |date=May 20, 2015 |accessdate=May 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/the-serve-returned |title=The Serve, Returned |work=The New Yorker|first=Reeves |last=Wiedeman |date=September 5, 2012 |accessdate=September 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis.com/gear/2011/04/gear-talk-qa-with-pam-shriver/38721/ |title=Gear Talk: Q&A With Pam Shriver |website=Tennis.com |date=April 7, 2011 |first=Richard |last=Pagliaro |accessdate=September 27, 2014}}</ref> She consistently projects great pace and placement with her serves; in the 2013 Australian Open, she had a peak serve speed of {{convert|128.6|mph|abbr=on}} which is the third fastest all-time among female players (only [[Venus Williams|Venus's]] 129{{nbsp}}mph<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/1978722/title/ids-serve-speed-leaders |title=IDS Serve Speed Leaders |date=November 3, 2015 |website=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |accessdate=April 25, 2017}}</ref> and [[Sabine Lisicki]]'s 131{{nbsp}}mph<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/30/sabine-lisicki-record-fastest-serve-women-tennis-stanford |title=Sabine Lisicki sets record for fastest serve in women's tennis – but loses |first=Marcin |last=Bryszak |work=The Guardian |date=July 30, 2014 |accessdate=August 13, 2014}}</ref> recorded speeds are faster). What makes her serve even more deadly is her ball placement and her ability to consistently place powerful shots with great accuracy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012-08-27/us-open-serena-williams-serve-is-best-shot-in-tennis/57336298/1 |title=Serena Williams serves up the best weapon in tennis |work=USA Today |first=Douglas |last=Robson |date=August 27, 2012 |accessdate=September 3, 2014}}</ref> At the 2012 Championships at Wimbledon, she hit a women's tournament record of 102 aces, which was more than any of the men hit during the two weeks, a rarity given that aces are more common in the men's game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennisnow.com/News/Reigning-Ace--Williams-Serves-up-a-Title-at-Wimble.aspx |title=Reigning Ace: Williams Serves up a Title at Wimbledon |publisher=Tennis Now |first=Chris |last=Oddo |date=July 7, 2012 |accessdate=June 16, 2013}}</ref> Williams also possesses a very solid and powerful overhead. Although many think of Williams as only an offensive player,{{who|date=April 2017}} she also plays a strong defensive game.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Wertheim |first=L. Jon |title=Not So Fast, Kiddo |journal=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date= September 15, 2008 |url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1145172/2/index.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708171211/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1145172/2/index.htm |archivedate=July 8, 2011 |accessdate=May 20, 2009 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/sports/olympics/serena-williams-beats-sharapova-for-olympic-gold-in-tennis.html |title=Williams Coasts to Gold, and a Career Golden Slam |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=August 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012/09/9/serena-williams-wins-fourth-us-open-crown/57720804/1 |title=Serena Williams wins fourth U.S. Open crown |last=Robson |first=Douglas |date=September 10, 2012 |newspaper=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> She has stated that her favorite surface is clay because it gives her extra time to set up her shots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/tennis/serena-declares-clay-her-favourite-surface/|title=Serena declares clay her 'favourite surface' |work=Sportsnet.ca|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> Williams is known for producing exceptional comebacks, particularly on the Grand Slam level. She has won three Grand Slam singles titles after saving match points (the 2003 Australian Open semifinal versus [[Kim Clijsters]], the 2005 Australian Open semifinal versus [[Maria Sharapova]], and the 2009 Wimbledon semifinal versus [[Elena Dementieva]]), a feat achieved more often than any other player in history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tennisplanet.me/blog/2012/06/grand-slam-champions-who-saved-match-points-from-2000-is-Djokovic-about-to-make-his-second-entry-her.html |title=Grand slam champions who saved match points (from 2000). |date=June 5, 2012 |work=Tennisplanet.me}}</ref> She also came back from a 3–5 deficit in the third set against [[Kim Clijsters]] in the 1999 US Open en route to her first Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1102987/bio|title=Serena Williams|website=IMDb|accessdate=August 8, 2017}}</ref> In the [[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|2012 US Open]] final against [[Victoria Azarenka]], she was down 3–5 in the third set and found herself two points away from losing the match. Williams then proceeded to win the next 4 games and defeated Azarenka.<ref>{{ cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/serena-williams-wins-2012-u-s-open-overpowers-1-victoria-azarenka-flushing-article-1.1155505 |title=Serena Williams wins 2012 U.S. Open championship to add to her amazing summer, overpowers No. 1 Victoria |last=Bondy |first= Filip |newspaper=Daily News|location=New York |date=September 10, 2012}}</ref> In the semifinals of the [[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|2015 French Open]], Williams was ill and barely able to walk during changeovers, yet beat her opponent, [[Timea Bacsinszky]], 6–0 in the third set.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ubha |first=Ravi |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/04/sport/french-open-tennis-serena-ivanovic-safarova/|title=French Open 2015: Serena Williams rallies to reach final|publisher=CNN|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> Another improbable win occurred in the third round of the [[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2015 Wimbledon Championships]], when she recovered from two breaks of service in the third set to defeat Great Britain's number-one female player, [[Heather Watson]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Perrotta |first=Tom |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/serena-williams-beats-back-heather-watson-to-advance-at-wimbledon-1435949099|title=Serena Williams Makes Tennis Miracles Look Easy|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=July 3, 2015}}</ref> Williams has bounced back from a set down to win in 37 Grand Slam matches.<ref>{{cite web|last=Isaacson |first=Melissa |url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13142903/how-serena-williams-mastered-art-comeback|title=How Serena Williams Has Mastered The Art Of The Comeback|work=espnW|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> In recent years,{{when|date=July 2019}} Williams has shown an ability to serve aces at critical moments. One of these instances was the [[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|2013 French Open]] final, were in the last game of the match, she fired three aces, including one which clocked at 123{{nbsp}}mph (198{{nbsp}}km/h) on match point.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/serena-williams-powers-to-her-16th-grand-slam-in-paris-29330611.html |title=Serena Williams powers to her 16th Grand Slam in Paris |last=Crooks |first=Eleanor |date=June 8, 2013 |work=The Irish Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/06/serena-williams-wins-roland-garros/47851/ |title=Serena Williams wins Roland Garros |work=[[Tennis (magazine)|Tennis.com]] |agency=Associated Press |date=June 8, 2013}}</ref> She repeated the feat similarly against [[Angelique Kerber]] in the finals of the [[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2016 Wimbledon Championships]]{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} to tie the Open Era record for Grand Slam singles titles.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams fired three un-returnable serves in her final service game{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} before winning the match and the title with a casual forehand volley on the next point.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} ==Professional career== ===1995–1998: Professional debut=== Williams's parents wanted their daughter to wait until she was 16 to participate in professional tournaments.<ref name=familytradition>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; A Family Tradition At Age 14 | work=The New York Times | date=October 31, 1995 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/31/sports/tennis-a-family-tradition-at-age-14.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> In 1995 just after turning 14, Williams planned to make her professional debut as a [[Wild card (sports)#Professional tennis|wild-card]] entry in the [[Bank of the West Classic]] in [[Oakland, California]], but was denied by the WTA due to age-eligibility restrictions of the organization.<ref name=Finn>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; Teen-Ager, Fighting To Turn Pro At 14, Puts Off Lawsuit For Now | work=The New York Times | date=October 6, 1995 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/06/sports/tennis-teen-ager-fighting-to-turn-pro-at-14-puts-off-lawsuit-for-now.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> She subsequently filed an antitrust lawsuit against the women's tour, but withdrew it at the behest of her parents.<ref name=Finn/> Her first professional event was in October 1995 at the [[Bell Challenge]] in [[Quebec]],<ref name=familytradition /><ref>{{cite news | title=Tennis Muster Stuns Sampras Indoors In Germany | work=The New York Times | date=October 29, 1995 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/29/sports/results-plus-859495.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> where she used a wild-card entry to circumvent age-eligibility rules.<ref name=familytradition /> She lost in the first round of qualifying to then 18-year-old American [[Annie Miller (tennis)|Annie Miller]], winning just two games.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|pp=114–115}} Williams did not play a tournament in 1996.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} The following year, she lost in the qualifying rounds of three tournaments,{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} before winning her first main-draw match in November at the [[Ameritech Cup Chicago]].<ref name=youngerwilliams>{{cite news | title=Tennis: Roundup; Younger Williams Wins In Chicago | work=The New York Times | date=November 4, 1997 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/04/sports/tennis-roundup-younger-williams-wins-in-chicago.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> Ranked No. 304, she upset No. 7 [[Mary Pierce]], and No. 4 [[Monica Seles]],<ref>{{cite news | title=Serena Williams Upsets Pierce | work=The New York Times | date=November 7, 1997 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/07/sports/tennis-roundup.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref><ref name=tennisnyt>(November 8, 1997), "Tennis". ''The New York Times''. '''147''' (50970):C4</ref> recording her first career wins over top{{nbsp}}10 players and becoming the lowest-ranked player in the Open Era to defeat two top-10 opponents in one tournament.<ref name="WTA profile" /> She ultimately lost in the semifinals to No. 5 [[Lindsay Davenport]].<ref>{{cite web | author=The Associated Press | title=Tennis: Roundup – Ameritech Open; Serena Williams Loses In Semi | work=The New York Times | date=November 9, 1997 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/09/sports/tennis-roundup-ameritech-open-serena-williams-loses-in-semi.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> She finished 1997 ranked No. 99.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tennisabstract.com/reports/wtaRankings1999.html|title=Tennis Abstract: 1999 WTA Rankings|website=tennisabstract.com |accessdate=October 12, 2017}}</ref> Williams began 1998 at the [[Medibank International Sydney]].<ref name=headtohead /> As a qualifier ranked No. 96,<ref name=stunsdavenport>{{cite news | agency=Associated Press | title=Plus: Tennis – Sydney International; Serena Williams Stuns Davenport | work=The New York Times | date=January 15, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/15/sports/plus-tennis-sydney-international-serena-williams-stuns-davenport.html | accessdate=June 22, 2017}}</ref> she defeated No. 3 Davenport in the quarterfinals,<ref name=stunsdavenport /> before losing to [[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]] in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite news | last=Stevenson | first=Samantha | title=Tennis; Williams Sisters Won't Meet in the Final | work=The New York Times | date=January 16, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/sports/tennis-williams-sisters-won-t-meet-in-the-final.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> Williams made her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament at the [[1998 Australian Open|Australian Open]],<ref>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; Australian Crucible: Blowflies, Heat and Teen-Agers | work=The New York Times | date=January 18, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/18/sports/tennis-australian-crucible-blowflies-heat-and-teen-agers.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> where she defeated sixth-seeded [[Irina Spîrlea]] in the first round,<ref name=Irina>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; In Williams vs. Williams, Big Sister Moves Ahead | work=The New York Times | date=January 21, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/21/sports/tennis-in-williams-vs-williams-big-sister-moves-ahead.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> before losing to her sister, Venus, in the second round in the first professional match for the sisters.<ref name=Irina/><ref name=headtohead>{{cite web |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/9027 |title=Head to Head – Serena Williams vs Venus Williams |website=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |accessdate=April 20, 2017 |date=April 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129022820/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/9027 |archivedate=January 29, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Williams reached six other quarterfinals during the year, but lost all of them,<ref name=Looney /> including her first match against No. 1-ranked [[Martina Hingis]] at the [[Lipton International Players Championships]] in Key Biscayne,<ref>Finn, Robin (March 25, 1998), "Hingis just escapes the clutches of the younger Williams". ''The New York Times''. '''147''' (51107):C4</ref> and her second match against Venus at the [[Rome Masters|Italian Open]] in Rome.<ref name=Looney>{{cite news | first=Douglas S. | last=Looney | title=Venus Rising | work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]] | date=May 22, 1998 | url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1998/0522/052298.feat.feat.2.html | accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> She failed to reach the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam tournament the remainder of the year,{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} losing in the fourth round of the French Open to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario,<ref>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; Emotions Hit the Heights In Bitter Day on the Clay | work=The New York Times | date=June 1, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/01/sports/tennis-emotions-hit-the-heights-in-bitter-day-on-the-clay.html | accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> and the third round of the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] to Spîrlea.<ref>{{cite news | last=Clarey | first=Christopher | title=Tennis: U.S. Open; One Year Later, Spirlea Defeats a Williams Sister | work=The New York Times | date=September 5, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/05/sports/tennis-us-open-one-year-later-spirlea-defeats-a-williams-sister.html | accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> She withdrew from [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] two games into a match with [[Virginia Ruano Pascual]], after straining her calf muscle during the first set.<ref>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; Serena Williams Is Out; Henman Uplifts Locals | work=The New York Times | date=June 30, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/30/sports/tennis-serena-williams-is-out-henman-uplifts-locals.html | accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> She did win the mixed doubles titles at [[1998 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] and the [[1998 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] with [[Max Mirnyi]], completing the Williams family's sweep of the 1998 mixed doubles Grand Slam tournaments. Williams won her first professional title in doubles in Oklahoma City<!-- title needed instead of city --> with Venus, becoming the third pair of sisters to win a WTA title.<ref name="WTA profile" /> Serena and her sister won two more doubles titles together during the year. Williams finished the year ranked No. 20 in singles.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} ====Battle of the sexes: Karsten Braasch vs. the Williams sisters==== {{Main|Battle_of_the_Sexes_(tennis)#1998:_Karsten_Braasch_vs._the_Williams_sisters|l1=Battle of the Sexes (tennis)}} A 16-year-old Serena competed in a tennis "Battle of the Sexes", along with her sister [[Venus Williams]], against [[Karsten Braasch]] at the 1998 Australian Open.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130413074213/http://www.ontennis.com/news/serena-williams-still-savouring-andy-roddick-%26%23039%3Bwin%26%23039%3B-16-years "Serena Williams still savouring Andy Roddick 'win' 16 years on"], OnTennis.com, posted January 22, 2009</ref> At the time Braasch was 203rd in the ATP rankings. The Williams sisters had claimed they could beat any man outside the top 200, and accepted his challenge. Braasch beat both Williams sisters, playing a single set against each. The score vs Serena was 6–1 and vs Venus 6–2.<ref>Steve Wilstein (January 27, 1998), [http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1998/Sister-Act-Falls-in-Battle-of-Sexes/id-5dc73280424bc3fe43f41dfaeb943f43 "Sister Act Falls In Battle Of Sexes"]. Associated Press. Retrieved April 29, 2017.</ref> Braasch said afterward, "500 and above, no chance." The sisters later tweaked the number to beating men outside the top 350.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/01/28/sport/WILLIAMS.HTM |title=Welcome to Dispatch Online |website=Daily Dispatch |date=November 12, 2010 |accessdate=March 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428044804/http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/01/28/sport/WILLIAMS.HTM |archivedate=April 28, 2009 |df=}}</ref> ===1999–2001: Becoming a top-10 player=== Williams lost in the third round of the [[1999 Australian Open]] to [[Sandrine Testud]]. A month later, Williams won her first professional singles title when she defeated [[Amélie Mauresmo]] in the final of the [[Open Gaz de France]] in Paris. With Venus also winning the [[Cellular South Cup|IGA Superthrift Classic]] in Memphis, Tennessee that day, the pair became the first sisters to win professional tournaments in the same week.<ref>{{cite news |title = Continents Apart, Williams Sisters Make History |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/01/sports/tennis-continents-apart-williams-sisters-make-history.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=April 22, 2009 |date=March 1, 1999 |first=Sal A.|last=Zanca}}</ref> In March of that year, at the [[BNP Paribas Open|Evert Cup]] in California, Williams won her first [[Tier I]] title, defeating [[Steffi Graf]] in the final. Soon afterward at the [[Miami Masters]], Williams had her 16-match winning streak ended by her sister in the first all-sister singles final in WTA history,<ref name=headtohead /> and she then made her top-10 debut, at No. 9. She then lost in the quarterfinals of the [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Hingis beats one Williams, gets the other in semis|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/05/08/oth_260961.shtml#.WX_2S4g1-00|accessdate=August 1, 2017|agency=Associated Press|work=The Augusta Chronicle|date=May 8, 1999|location=Rome}}</ref> and the [[German Open (WTA)|German Open]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Finn|first1=Robin|title=Tennis: Roundup – German Open; Graf Is Eliminated; Williams Pulls Out|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/15/sports/tennis-roundup-german-open-graf-is-eliminated-williams-pulls-out.html|accessdate=August 1, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=May 15, 1999}}</ref> and the third round of the [[1999 French Open|French Open]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dillman|first1=Lisa|title=Fernandez's Big Upset Is Predictable|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1999/may/29/sports/sp-42257|accessdate=August 1, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 29, 1999|location=Paris}}</ref> where she and Venus won the women's doubles title.<ref name=headtohead /> Williams then missed [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] because of injury. When she returned to the tour, Williams won a [[Fed Cup]] singles match and then won the [[JPMorgan Chase Open]] in Los Angeles, beating [[Julie Halard-Decugis]] in the final. She then defeated in succession Grand Slam champions [[Kim Clijsters]], [[Conchita Martínez]], [[Monica Seles]], and defending champion Lindsay Davenport to reach the [[1999 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] final, where she defeated No. 1, Hingis, to become the second African-American woman, after [[Althea Gibson]] in 1958, to win a Grand Slam singles tournament.<ref Name ="WTA profile" /> The Williams sisters also won the doubles title at this tournament. To complete her 1999 season, Williams won a doubles match in the Fed Cup final against Russia. Williams ended the year ranked No. 4 in just her second full year on the main tour.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams started 2000 by losing in the fourth round of the [[2000 Australian Open|Australian Open]] to [[Elena Likhovtseva]]. She failed to defend her titles in Paris and Indian Wells, although she did win the [[Faber Grand Prix]] in Germany. Soon afterwards, Williams missed the [[2000 French Open|French Open]] because of injury. She returned from injury at the [[2000 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon Championships]], where she lost to Venus in the semifinals, but the pair won the doubles title at the event. Williams successfully defended her title in Los Angeles, defeating Davenport in the final. She reached the final of the [[Rogers Cup (tennis)|Du Maurier Open]] where an injury forced her to retire from her match with Hingis. Her defense of the [[2000 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] title ended when she lost in the quarterfinals to Davenport. Williams teamed with Venus to win the gold medal in doubles at the [[Sydney Olympics]] that September. She ended the year winning the [[Toyota Princess Cup]] in Japan and she finished the year ranked No. 6.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams began 2001 losing to Martina Hingis in the quarterfinals of the Medibank International in [[Medibank International|Sydney]] and the Australian Open in Melbourne. Williams and her sister won the doubles title at the latter tournament, becoming only the fifth doubles team in history to win all four Grand Slam women's doubles titles during their career, completing a "Career Grand Slam". Her next event was the [[Pacific Life Open]] in California, where she defeated Kim Clijsters in the final. The final was marred by the behavior of the crowd toward Williams and her family. Crowd members were incensed at the perceived match-fixing of games involving the family after [[Boycott of BNP Paribas Open by Venus and Serena Williams|Venus withdrew]] before their semifinal. Neither Williams nor her sister entered the tournament for fourteen years until Williams entered in 2015 as a wildcard (and the top seed).<ref>{{cite web| url=https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/Indian-Wells-boycott-hurts-Williamses-more-than-?urn=ten,149332 |title=Indian Wells boycott hurts Williamses more than it helps |last=Rogers |first=Martin |date=March 19, 2009 |work=Busted Racquet |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204050557/http://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/Indian-Wells-boycott-hurts-Williamses-more-than-?urn=ten%2C149332 |archivedate=February 4, 2015 |df=}}</ref> The following week at the [[Ericsson Open]] in Miami, Williams lost to [[Jennifer Capriati]] in the quarterfinals. She then lost in the quarterfinals to Capriati at both the [[2001 French Open|French Open]] and [[2001 Wimbledon|Wimbledon Championships]]. That was the fourth consecutive Grand Slam tournament at which Williams had exited in the quarterfinals. During the North American hard-court season, she lost in the quarterfinals of [[East West Bank Classic|Los Angeles]] against Monica Seles, then captured her second title of the year at the [[Rogers Cup (tennis)|Rogers Cup]], defeating Capriati in the final. Williams reached the final of the 2001 US Open, losing to sister Venus. That was the first Grand Slam tournament final contested by two sisters during the Open Era. At the 2001 season-ending [[WTA Tour Championships|Tour Championships]], Williams won the championship by walkover when Davenport withdrew before the start of the final due to a knee injury. Williams finished 2001 at No. 6 for the second straight year.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} ===2002–2003: "Serena Slam"=== Early 2002, injury saw Williams retire from the semifinal at the [[Medibank International Sydney]] and later withdraw from the [[2002 Australian Open|Australian Open]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/14/sports/tennis-agassi-and-serena-williams-withdraw-in-australia-kuerten-is-beaten.html|title=Tennis; Agassi And Serena Williams Withdraw In Australia; Kuerten Is Beaten|last=Clarey|first=Christopher|date=January 14, 2002|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|accessdate=October 25, 2016}}</ref> [[File:SWilliams-SYD-1.jpg|thumb|right|<div style="text-align: center;">Playing Amélie Mauresmo in the quarterfinals of the tournament in Sydney in 2002</div>]] Returning from injury, Williams won her first title of the year in [[State Farm Women's Tennis Classic|Scottsdale, Arizona]], defeating No. 2 Jennifer Capriati, in the final. She then won the Miami Masters for the first time, becoming one of three players in the Open Era to defeat the world's top 3 ranked players at one tournament,<ref name="WTA profile" /> after beating No. 3, Martina Hingis, in the quarterfinals, No. 2 Venus in the semifinals, and the top-ranked player, Capriati, in the final. Serena's straight set win over Venus was her second career win over her sister.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams played three clay-court tournaments before the [[2002 French Open]]. Her first tournament was at [[Family Circle Cup|Charleston]], where she was the third seed. Williams reached the quarterfinals before losing to [[Patty Schnyder]]. She reached her first clay-court final in May, at the [[WTA German Open|Eurocard German Open]] losing to [[Justine Henin]] in a third set tiebreak. Williams went on to win her first clay court title at the [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Italian Open]], defeating Capriati in the semifinals and Henin in the final.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/may/20/tennis1 |title=Hingis may be out to end of year |work=The Guardian |accessdate=April 23, 2009 |date=May 20, 2002 |first=Eleanor |last=Preston}}</ref> This raised her ranking to a new high of No. 3. Williams was the third seed at the French Open at Roland Garros, where she claimed her first title there by defeating defending champion Capriati in the semifinals and sister Venus in the final to win her second Grand Slam tournament title (and her first in two-and-a-half years). As a result of raising the trophy at [[Court Philippe Chatrier]], Williams rose to a career high of No. 2, second only to Venus.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} At the [[2002 Wimbledon Championships]], Williams won tennis' oldest championship for the first time in her life, defeating Venus to win a Grand Slam singles title without dropping a set for the first time in her career. This victory earned Williams the world No. 1 ranking for the first time, dethroning her sister and becoming only the third African American woman to hold that ranking.<ref name="WTA profile" /> The Williams sisters also won the doubles title at the tournament, the fifth Grand Slam doubles title for the pair. Williams played just one tournament between Wimbledon and the [[2002 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], losing in the quarterfinals of the [[JPMorgan Chase Open]] in Los Angeles to American [[Chanda Rubin]] and ending a 21-match winning streak. The top-seeded player at the US Open, Williams reached the final where, for the third Grand Slam in a row, she defeated her sister to win the title, the second US Open crown of her career. Williams won two consecutive singles titles in the fall, defeating Kim Clijsters to win the [[Toyota Princess Cup]] in Tokyo, and [[Anastasia Myskina]] to win the [[Sparkassen Cup (tennis)|Sparkassen Cup]] in Leipzig, Germany. She reached the final at the year-end [[WTA Tour Championships|Home Depot Championships]] at the [[Staples Center]] in Los Angeles, where she lost to fifth-seeded Clijsters in straight sets, ending an 18-match winning streak.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams finished 2002 with a 56–5 W/L record, eight singles titles, and the No. 1 ranking. She was the first African-American to end a year with that ranking since [[Althea Gibson]] in 1958 {{citation needed|date=August 2015}} and was the first woman to win three Grand Slam tournament titles in one year since Hingis in 1997.<ref name="WTA profile" /> Her three consecutive Grand Slam titles to close 2002 also made Williams only the third player in tennis history to win the "Surface Slam",<ref>{{cite news |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1536384-forget-calendar-slam-surface-slam-almost-as-rare|title=Forget Calendar Slam, "Surface Slam" Almost as Rare |work=Bleacher Report|date=February 20, 2013|accessdate=July 15, 2015}}</ref> three Slam titles on three surfaces in the same calendar year, after Navratilova (1984) and Graf (1993, 1995, 1996).{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} At the [[2003 Australian Open]], Williams reached the tournament's semifinals for the first time, where she recovered from 5–1 down in the third set and saved two match points before defeating Clijsters. In the final, Serena faced Venus for the fourth consecutive Grand Slam tournament final, defeating her older sister to become the sixth woman in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam, alongside [[Margaret Court]], [[Billie Jean King]], [[Chris Evert]], [[Martina Navratilova]], and [[Steffi Graf]]. She also became the fifth woman to hold all Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously, joining [[Maureen Connolly Brinker]], Court, Graf, and Navratilova. This feat was dubbed the "Serena Slam" by the press.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/australian_open/2003/2693425.stm|title=Serena completes Slam |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=January 25, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennischannel.com/news/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=5055 |title=Grand Slam for Serena Williams? |first=John |last=Leicester |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=Tennis Channel |accessdate=April 22, 2009 |date=February 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716210454/http://www.tennischannel.com/news/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=5055 |archivedate=July 16, 2011 |df=}}</ref> The [[Williams sisters]] won their sixth Grand Slam doubles title together at this event.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/australian_open/2003/2690067.stm|title=Williams pair take doubles crown |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=January 24, 2003}}</ref> During the spring of 2003, Williams captured the singles titles at the [[Open Gaz de France]] and the [[Sony Ericsson Open]]. Williams's winning streak came to an end when she lost the final of the [[Family Circle Cup]] to Henin, her first loss of the year after 21 wins. She also lost to Mauresmo in the semifinals of the [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] in Rome. Despite these losses, Williams was the top seed at the [[2003 French Open – Women's Singles|French Open]], where she lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Henin, marking Williams's first loss in a Grand Slam tournament since 2001. The match was controversial, as Williams questioned Henin's sportsmanship, and spectators applauded Williams's errors.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/french_open_2003/2967190.stm|title=Williams 'hurt' by jeers |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=June 6, 2003}}</ref> Williams rebounded from the French Open loss a couple weeks later at the [[2003 Wimbledon Championships]], defeating Henin in the semifinals and Venus in the final. This was Williams's second consecutive Wimbledon title and her sixth Grand Slam singles title overall. Wimbledon was Williams's last tournament of 2003; she pulled out of three events in the US and then underwent surgery on the quadriceps tendon in her knee in early August. Williams was initially expected to be out for six to eight weeks.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harris |first=Beth |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-08-01-serena-out-us-open_x.htm |agency=Associated Press |title=Serena Williams to miss U.S. Open after knee surgery |newspaper=USA Today |date=August 2, 2003 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910034041/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-08-01-serena-out-us-open_x.htm |archivedate=September 10, 2014 |df=}}</ref> ===2004–2007: Injuries and the comeback=== {{Main|2004 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2004|2005 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2005|2006 Serena Williams tennis season|l3=2006|2007 Serena Williams tennis season}} After eight months away from the tour, during which time her desire was questioned,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/3563759.stm|title=Serena's biggest test|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|date=March 24, 2004|accessdate=April 20, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Williams began her comeback at the 2004 [[NASDAQ-100 Open]] in Miami in March, where she made a triumphant return as she won the title for the third consecutive year.[[File:Serena serving.jpg|thumb|<div style="text-align: center;">Delivering a serve at an exhibition in November 2004</div>]] Although ranked No. 7, Williams was seeded second at the French Open, where, after winning four matches, she lost to Capriati in the quarterfinals. That was the first time that Williams had lost before the semifinals at a Grand Slam singles tournament since Wimbledon in 2001. A few weeks later, even though her ranking had dropped to No. 10, Williams was seeded first at [[2004 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]]. She won six matches en route to the final, where 13th-seeded Sharapova defeated her in straight sets. This loss caused her ranking to drop out of the top 10 for the first time since 1999. Later that summer, Williams reached her third final of the year at the JPMorgan Chase Open in Los Angeles where she lost to Lindsay Davenport which was her first loss to the American since the 2000 US Open. After missing her national championship in 2003, Williams returned for the 2004 [[2004 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], where she was seeded third despite her No. 11 ranking. She lost in the U.S. Open quarterfinals to Capriati in three sets in controversial fashion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/us_open/2004/09/07/capriati.serena.ap/index.html |title=High drama. Serena falls to Capriati amid controversy; Roddick continues to roll |agency=Associated Press |work=Sports Illustrated |date=September 7, 2004 |accessdate=May 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608075909/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/us_open/2004/09/07/capriati.serena.ap/index.html |archivedate=June 8, 2009 |df=}}</ref> That fall, Williams won her second title of the year, at the [[China Open (tennis)|China Open]], defeating US Open champion [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] in the final. Williams' successful season allowed her to qualify for the [[2004 WTA Tour Championships|Tour Championships]], held again in Los Angeles. In the round-robin phase of the tournament, Williams defeated Dementieva and [[Anastasia Myskina]] and lost to Davenport, but still advanced to the elimination stage. After winning her semifinal, she lost to Sharapova in the final, where she suffered an abdominal injury.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=November 16, 2004 |location=Los Angeles, California |accessdate =April 23, 2009|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6474040|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127000326/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6474040|archivedate=November 27, 2012|title=Sharapova tops injured Serena for WTA title|publisher=NBC Sports}}</ref> Williams finished 2004 ranked No. 7, but did not win a Grand Slam singles tournament for the first season since 2001.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} At the [[2005 Australian Open]], Williams rejected suggestions that she and sister Venus were a declining force in tennis, following Venus's early exit.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4204449.stm|title=Angry Williams rejects criticism |work=BBC Sport|accessdate=May 30, 2017|date=January 25, 2005}}</ref> Williams saved three match points to defeat Sharapova 8–6 in the third of their semifinal. In the final, Williams defeated top seed Davenport to win her second Australian Open and seventh Grand Slam singles title, winning 12 of the last 15 games.<ref>{{cite news|url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4214545.stm|title=Williams battles to Aussie title |work=BBC Sport|date=January 29, 2005|accessdate=May 30, 2013}}</ref> The win moved Williams back to No. 2 but stated she was targeting the top spot.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4217997.stm |title= Williams eyes return to top spot |date=January 29, 2005 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate= April 20, 2017}}</ref> Williams completed just two tournaments between the Australian Open and Wimbledon, losing to Venus in Miami and at Internazionali BNL d'Italia to [[Francesca Schiavone]] as Williams suffered a series of retirements and withdraws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2005-02-12/k.php |title=Serena Williams Pulls from WTA Paris with Stomach Illness |website=Tennis-X.com |date=February 12, 2005 |accessdate=January 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7884299.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905095603/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7884299.html |url-status=dead |archivedate=September 5, 2013 |title=Strained Tendon Forces Serena Out |website=Highbeam.com |date=March 5, 2005 |accessdate=January 27, 2011}}</ref> A reoccurring ankle injury causing her to miss the [[2005 French Open|French Open]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2005/may/21/sports/sp-french21 |title=Serena Pulls Out, Citing Ankle Injury |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 21, 2009 |accessdate=January 27, 2011 |first=Lisa |last=Dillman}}</ref> She returned for [[2005 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] as the 4th-seeded player, but was defeated in the third round by No. 85, [[Jill Craybas]]. At the [[2005 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Williams lost to her sister Venus in the fourth round. This was the earliest the sisters had met in a Grand Slam tournament since their first meeting, at the 1998 Australian Open. Williams played just one more match that fall, a loss to No. 127 [[Sun Tiantian]] at the [[China Open (tennis)|tournament in Beijing]]. She failed to qualify for the year-end championship for the first time since 1998 and she finished the year 2005 ranked No. 11, her first time finishing the season outside the top 10 since 1998.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams made her 2006 debut at the [[2006 Australian Open|Australian Open]]. Defending the title, Williams lost to [[Daniela Hantuchová]] in the third round.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4631036.stm|title=Hantuchova stuns champion Serena|date=January 20, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> After the tournament, she told the press that she was injured, blaming a lack of fitness and a knee injury for keeping her off the court.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4818448.stm |title=Injured Serena pulls out of Miami|date=March 17, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> In her biography, Williams claims that she was actually suffering from depression. She stayed away from pro tennis for six months during the 2006 season. After she had shut herself off from the world for a period, Williams saw a therapist daily.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=175–176}} After a chance meeting with a young girl who idolized Williams and believed that she could still win, Williams signed up to play in Cincinnati,{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=198–199}} her first tournament since Melbourne. Williams had slipped to No. 139, the lowest ranking she had held since 1997. On her return, Williams defeated Myskina and [[Bethanie Mattek]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5175132.stm |title=Serena scores big win on return |date=July 19, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5201908.stm |title=Serena comeback gathers momentum |date=July 21, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> before losing in the semifinals to [[Vera Zvonareva]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5207094.stm |title=Serena run comes to end in semis |date=July 23, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> She also reached the semifinals in Los Angeles, losing to Janković in straight sets. At the [[2006 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Williams needed a wildcard to enter the tournament, as her ranking at the cut-off time was No. 139, outside the automatic 102. Her ranking had improved to 79th by the time the tournament came around.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4801379.stm |title =Serena granted US Open wildcard |date=August 17, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> She lost to top-seeded Mauresmo in the fourth round.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5314730.stm |title=Mauresmo sees off tired Williams |date=September 5, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Following the US Open, she did not play again in 2006, ending the year ranked No. 95, her lowest year-end ranking since 1997.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams began 2007 with renewed confidence, stating her intention to return to the top of the rankings,<ref name="targets#1">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6236551.stm |title=Serena targets number one ranking |date=March 17, 2006 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate =April 23, 2009}}</ref> a comment 1987 Wimbledon men's singles champion and commentator [[Pat Cash]] branded "deluded".<ref name="cash">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1292868.ece|title=Williams is lost cause|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821180813/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1292868.ece|archivedate=August 21, 2008}}</ref> Williams lost in the quarterfinals of the [[Moorilla Hobart International|Hobart International]], a warm-up for the [[2007 Australian Open|Australian Open]] where Williams was unseeded because of her No. 81 ranking and was widely regarded as "out of shape".<ref name="shape">Tandon, Kamakshi (January 14, 2008) [https://web.archive.org/web/20091026224342/http://www.tennis.com/tournaments/2008/australianopen/australianopen.aspx?id=110906 New Mindset: Serena Playing for Herself]. tennis.com</ref> She experienced a huge amount of pressure on herself before the tournament, coming from her fans and the press as well as Williams herself about her weight, focus and needing a good showing.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Shortly before her first match, a representative from Nike paid her a visit in the players' lounge, informing her that if she did not perform to her accustomed level, the company might drop her. Williams claimed that Nike's ultimatum meant that she would have to reach the quarterfinals at least.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=205–206}} The distraction from Nike did not distract Williams, as she lost just three games to [[Mara Santangelo]] and defeated Anne Kremer in straight sets.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|p=206}} By this point, a blister had developed on Williams's foot and she had contracted a cold. In the third round, Williams found herself two points away from going home against [[Nadia Petrova]], but fought back to win in three sets, which was her first win over a top-10 player since defeating Lindsay Davenport in the 2005 Australian Open final. Williams then made it to the final, defeating Janković, Pe'er and Vaidišová. Williams described them as "good players. Strong players. Players who certainly didn't expect an overweight, out-of-shape, has been champion like me to give them a game."{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|pp=208–209}} Williams also found herself two points from going out against Peer before turning it around.<ref name="NY 2007 AUS" /> By the time Williams had reached the final, the cold and blister had both left. Previewing the finals, [[Tracy Austin]] stated that, although Williams had a great tournament, she believed that the ride was over and that Sharapova would have no trouble with Williams. Williams thought it was mean and unnecessary and used it as motivation along with other criticism.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|p=209}} In the final, Williams lost just three games against Maria Sharapova, winning her first title at any tournament since winning the 2005 Australian Open 24 months prior.<ref name="NY 2007 AUS">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/27/sports/27iht-web.0127tennis.4368100.html | title=Williams shocks Sharapova to win Australian Open|date=January 27, 2007 |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Williams became the first player since [[Chris O'Neil (tennis)|Chris O'Neil]] to win the title while not being seeded, and claimed her third Australian Open and eighth Grand Slam singles title overall. The win elevated Williams to 14th in the rankings. Williams dedicated the title to her deceased half-sister Yetunde.<ref name="ausopen07">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6299369.stm |title=Superb Williams wins Aussie title |work=BBC Sport|last=Newbery |first=Piers|accessdate=May 30, 2017 |date=January 27, 2007}}</ref> Her performance in the final was described in the press as "one of the best performances of her career" and "arguably the most powerful display ever seen in women's tennis".<ref name="shape" /><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6669051.stm "Resurgent Serena targets Paris"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913202752/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6669051.stm |accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=September 13, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> In her post match interview, Williams took a swipe at her critics, stating that she had proved them wrong.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6304837.stm|title=I proved critics wrong – Williams|date=January 27, 2007 |accessdate=May 30, 2017| work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Williams won the [[Sony Ericsson Open]] in Miami for the fourth time by defeating Justine Henin. Williams had to record a come-from-behind win after being whitewashed in the first set and saving two match points in the second.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6514957.stm "Serena takes title in epic final"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009030840/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6514957.stm |accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=October 9, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> She played for her country in the Fed Cup for the first time since 2003 in a tie against [[Belgium Fed Cup team|Belgium]], and won her opening match<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/9507-williams-sisters-give-us-lead |location=Florida |title=Williams sisters give US lead &#124; Tennis &#124; NDTVSports.com |website=Sports.ndtv.com |accessdate=May 30, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610181217/http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/9507-williams-sisters-give-us-lead |archivedate=June 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> but withdrew from her second, because of a knee injury.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/9596-teenage-sub-for-serena-seals-win |title=Teenage sub for Serena seals win |publisher=NDTV Sports |accessdate=May 30, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610181215/http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/9596-teenage-sub-for-serena-seals-win |archivedate=June 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> At the [[2007 French Open|French Open]], Williams lost in the quarterfinals to Henin.<ref name=activity /> During her fourth round match against Hantuchová at Wimbledon, Williams collapsed from an acute muscle spasm at 5–5 in the second set. After a medical timeout and holding serve to force a tiebreak, rain forced play to be suspended for nearly two hours. When the players returned, Williams won the match in three sets.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6262654.stm Injured Serena seals amazing win] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716094757/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6262654.stm |date=July 16, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> Williams then lost her quarterfinal match with Henin, whilst suffering from the injuries sustained in the previous round.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cheese |first=Caroline |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6270864.stm |title=Henin overcomes battling Serena |work=BBC Sport |date=July 4, 2007 |accessdate=May 30, 2013}}</ref> At the US Open, Williams lost her third consecutive Grand Slam singles quarterfinal to Henin.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/05/sports/tennis/05tennis.html| title = Henin Defeats Serena Williams Again| last = Robbins | first = Liz| date = September 5, 2007| work = The New York Times}}</ref> Williams reached the final of [[Kremlin Cup]], losing to [[Elena Dementieva]]. Williams qualified for the WTA Championships, but retired from her first match with [[Anna Chakvetadze]] with a knee injury and subsequently withdrew from the event.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/07/AR2007110702033.html| title = Serena Williams Hurts Knee in Madrid| date = November 7, 2007| agency = Associated Press| website= The Washington Post |accessdate=April 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/11/08/us-tennis-women-championships-williams-idUSL0857371820071108| title = Williams withdraws from Madrid through injury| agency = Reuters| date = November 8, 2007}}</ref> Williams finished 2007 as No. 7 and the top-ranked American for the first time since 2003.<ref name=activity /> ===2008–2010: Back to No. 1 and injuries=== {{Main|2008 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2008|2009 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2009|2010 Serena Williams tennis season}} Williams started 2008 by participating on the U.S. team that won the [[Hopman Cup]] with [[Mardy Fish]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7170304.stm USA beat Serbia to take Hopman Cup] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106100258/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7170304.stm |date=January 6, 2008}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> At the [[2008 Australian Open|Australian Open]] she lost in the quarterfinals to [[Jelena Janković]],<ref name=activity>[https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/230234/title/serena-Williams Serena Williams Playing Activity], [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]]. Retrieved August 19, 2008.{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> her fourth straight loss in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam singles tournament. In the women's doubles event, she and Venus were defeated in the quarterfinals. Williams withdrew from her next three scheduled tournaments because of an urgent need for dental surgery.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7279958.stm |title=Serena returns to action with win |work=BBC Sport |date=March 5, 2008 |accessdate=August 19, 2008}}</ref> Williams then won three consecutive singles titles at [[Bangalore Open|Bangalore]] and her fifth [[Sony Ericsson Open|Miami]] title, tying Steffi Graf for the most singles titles at this tournament.[[File:Serena Williams Australian Open 2009 5.jpg|thumb|<div style="text-align: center;">At the 2009 Australian Open</div>]] Williams won at the [[Family Circle Cup]], her first clay-court title since the 2002 French Open. Her 17-match winning streak was ended by [[Dinara Safina]] in the quarterfinals of [[Qatar Telecom German Open|Berlin]].<ref name=activity /> Williams withdrew in [[2008 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome]] in the quarterfinals against [[Alizé Cornet]] due to a back injury. Williams was the only former winner of the [[2008 French Open|French Open]] in the draw, but lost in the third round to [[Katarina Srebotnik]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} At [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], Williams reached the finals for the first time in four years but lost to her older sister Venus in straight sets, in their first Slam final since 2003. Serena and Venus teamed to win the women's doubles title in their first Grand Slam women's doubles title since 2003. Williams played at [[Bank of the West Classic|Stanford]], but retired 6–2, 3–1 down with a left knee injury from her semifinal match against qualifier [[Aleksandra Wozniak]]. The injury forced her to withdraw from [[East West Bank Classic|Los Angeles]]. At the [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics|Olympics]] in Beijing, Williams lost to Dementieva in the quarterfinals. Serena and Venus won the gold medal in doubles, beating [[Anabel Medina Garrigues]] and [[Virginia Ruano Pascual]] in the final. At the [[2008 US Open – Women's Singles|US Open]], Williams defeated sister Venus, Safina and Jelena Janković in the final. That was her third US Open and ninth Grand Slam singles title. The victory returned her to the No. 1 ranking for the first time since 2003.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://usopen.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/match-tracking-jelena-jankovic-vs-serena-williams/?hp |first=Thomas|last= Lin |title= Serena Williams Wins to Regain No.&nbsp;1 Ranking |work=The New York Times |date=September 7, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2009}}</ref> At the year-end championships she defeated Safina and lost to Venus in her round-robin matches, but withdrew from her match against Dementieva, citing a stomach muscle injury. She ended 2008 ranked No. 2 and with four singles titles, her strongest performance in both respects since 2003.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams began 2009 at the [[2009 Sydney International|Medibank International]] losing in the semifinals to [[Elena Dementieva]]. At the [[2009 Australian Open|Australian Open]], she claimed her tenth Grand Slam singles title by defeating [[Dinara Safina]] in the final in 59 minutes. This win returned her to the No. 1 ranking and resulted in her becoming the all-time career prize money leader in women's sports, overtaking golfer [[Annika Sörenstam]]. In women's doubles, with Venus, they captured the title for the third time.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} At the [[2009 Open GDF Suez – Singles|Open GdF Suez]], Williams withdrew before her semifinal with Dementieva because of a knee injury.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Serena then played at [[2009 Dubai Tennis Championships – Women's Singles|Dubai]], losing to Venus in the last 4.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} At the [[Sony Ericsson Open]] Williams, hampered with ankle and quad injuries, was upset in the final by [[Victoria Azarenka]]. This was the first of four consecutive losses for her, the longest losing streak of her career.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tandon |first=Kamakshi |title=Serena's protests lack teeth |publisher=ESPN |date=May 13, 2009 |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/columns/story?columnist=tandon_kamakshi&id=4161689 |accessdate=May 19, 2009}}</ref> She was defeated in her opening matches at [[Andalucia Tennis Experience|Barcelona]], [[Internazionali d'Italia|Rome]], and [[Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open|Madrid]]. Despite not having won a match on clay in 2009 before the French Open, she lost in the quarterfinals to the eventual champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. This ended her 18-match Grand Slam tournament winning streak. She rebounded at [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|Wimbledon]], saving a match point in defeating fourth seeded Dementieva in the semifinals. In the final, Serena defeated her sister Venus to win her third Wimbledon title and her 11th Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite news|last=Newbery |first=Piers |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8134542.stm |title=Serena shocked to stay number two |work=BBC Sport |date=July 4, 2009 |accessdate=January 27, 2011}}</ref> Serena and Venus teamed to win the women's doubles title at Wimbledon for the second consecutive year, their ninth Grand Slam title in women's doubles.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} As a US Open preparation, Williams played at [[Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open|Cincinnati]] losing in the third round, followed by a semifinal defeat at the Rogers Cup. At the US Open, she lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Kim Clijsters amid [[#2009 US Open|controversy]] involving shouting at a line judge when defending match point, an offense which cost Williams the point and consequently the match. She continued in the doubles competition, teaming up with Venus to win their third Grand Slam doubles title of the year and tenth of their career.<ref name=lat2009 /> Williams won all three of her round-robin matches at the year-end [[2009 WTA Tour Championships|WTA Tour Championships]], defeating Venus, Dementieva, and Kuznetsova, saving a match point against Venus. She then advanced to the final, when Wozniacki retired from their semifinal match. In the final, Williams defeated Venus for her second singles title at this event.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8336793.stm|title=Serena ends Venus reign in Doha |date=November 1, 2009 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=May 30, 2017}}</ref> [[File:Melbourne Australian Open 2010 Serena Serve.jpg|thumb|left|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams on her way to the singles and doubles title at the 2010 Australian Open</div>]] Williams finished the year ranked No. 1 for the second time in her career, having played in 16 tournaments, more than any other year. She also broke the record previously set by Justine Henin for the most prize money earned by a female tennis player in one year, with Williams earning $6,545,586. For doubles that year, the Williams sisters finished the year ranked No. 2, despite playing only six tournaments together as a pair. Williams had won five Grand Slam tournament titles, putting her total of Grand Slam titles won thus far at 23, and she was consequently named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press for 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Williams wins AP's Female Athlete of the Year award |website=tennis.com |date=December 22, 2009 |url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2009/12/williams-wins-aps-female-athlete-of-the-year-award/19661/ |accessdate=December 24, 2009}}</ref> Williams was also the [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]] World Champion in both the singles and doubles events.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena ITF World Champion |publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |date=December 23, 2009 |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/serena-itf-world-champion-20091223_2256076_1912973 |accessdate=December 24, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904024154/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/serena-itf-world-champion-20091223_2256076_1912973 |archivedate=September 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2010, Williams's first scheduled tournament was in [[Medibank International Sydney|Sydney]], losing in the final to Elena Dementieva. At the [[2010 Australian Open|Australian Open]], Williams was the defending champion in both singles and doubles. She reached the final and defeated Justine Henin, who had just recently come out of retirement, for her twelfth Grand Slam singles title. In doubles, Williams and her sister, Venus, successfully defended their title by defeating [[Cara Black]] and [[Liezel Huber]] in the final.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams withdrew with a leg injury from her next few events,{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} and returned at the [[2010 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome Masters]], losing to Jelena Janković in the semifinals. At [[2010 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open|Madrid]], she fell to Nadia Petrova in the third round but partnered Venus to win the doubles title.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} At the [[2010 French Open|French Open]], Williams was defeated by [[Samantha Stosur]] in the quarterfinals. She and Venus were the top seeds in the doubles event and won the title, defeating [[Květa Peschke]] and [[Katarina Srebotnik]] in the final to win their fourth consecutive Grand Slam doubles title and improving their doubles ranking to No. 1.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams's next tournament was Wimbledon, where she defeated Russian Vera Zvonareva in the final without facing a break point and breaking the serve of Zvonareva three times.<ref name=NYTIMESW10>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/sports/tennis/04wimbledon.html|title=A Booming Serena Williams Keeps Title|last=Bishop |first= Greg|date=July 3, 2010|work=The New York Times |accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref><ref name=TennisSW10>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2010/07/serena-routs-zvonareva-for-fourth-wimbledon-title/23255/|title=Serena routs Zvonareva for fourth Wimbledon title|agency=Associated Press|date=July 3, 2010|work=[[Tennis Magazine]]|accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref> She did not lose a set in the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/3/serena-williams-beats-vera-zvonareva-win-wimbledon/?page=all |title=Serena Williams beats Zvonareva to win Wimbledon |last=Wilson |first=Stephen |agency=Associated Press |date=July 3, 2010 |work=[[The Washington Times]] |accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref> After the match, Martina Navratilova said that Williams is in the top five of all the women's tennis players in all of history, which she said that "it's not just about how many Slams you win or how many tournaments you win—it's just your game overall. And she's got all the goods."<ref name=TennisSW10 /> Serena was the defending champion in doubles with her sister Venus, winning the last two years. They lost in the quarterfinals to [[Elena Vesnina]] and Zvonareva. In Munich on July 7, Williams stepped on broken glass while in a restaurant, and the injury caused her to miss the rest of the year.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams ended the year ranked No. 4 in singles after six tournaments,{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} and No. 11 in doubles after four tournaments.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} On March 2, 2011, she confirmed that she had suffered a [[hematoma]] and a [[pulmonary embolism]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/03/serena-williams-has-emergency-health-treatement/1 |title=Tennis star Serena Williams home after treatment for blood clot |last=Cherner |first=Reid |date=March 2, 2011 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.celebritydiagnosis.com/2011/03/serena-williams-undergoes-emergency-treatment-for-pulmonary-embolism/ |title=Serena Williams undergoes emergency treatment for pulmonary embolism |last=Berman |first=Michele |work=Celebrity Diagnosis |date=March 2, 2011|accessdate=January 5, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.celebritydiagnosis.com/2011/03/serena-williams-gives-more-details-about-recent-health-scare/ |last=Berman |first=Michele |title=Serena Williams gives more details about recent health scare |work=Celebrity Diagnosis |date=March 9, 2011 |accessdate=January 5, 2012}}</ref> ===2011–2013: Return to dominance, career golden slam=== {{Main|2011 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2011|2012 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2012|2013 Serena Williams tennis season}} Williams finally made a return to the practice court in March 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/13057197 |title=Serena Williams returns to tennis court after lay-off |date =April 12, 2011 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> She made her first appearance on the WTA tour in almost a year in [[2011 Aegon International|Eastbourne]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/sports/tennis/serena-williams-plans-to-play-at-wimbledon.html |title=Serena Williams Plans to Play at Wimbledon |accessdate=June 6, 2011 |work=The New York Times |first=Christopher |last=Clarey |date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> Williams lost in round two to Vera Zvonareva, in a match that lasted over three hours.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/tennis/06/15/tennis.eastbourne.zvonareva.serena/index.html |title=Serena comeback ended by Zvonareva |date=June 15, 2011 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Her next tournament was [[2011 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], where she was the defending champion. She reached the round of 16, where she lost to [[Marion Bartoli]]. After the loss her ranking dropped to 169. Williams won her first titles since her return to tennis triumphing in [[2011 Bank of the West Classic|Stanford]] and [[2011 Rogers Cup|Toronto]]. At the [[2011 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]], Williams defeated [[Lucie Hradecká]], only to withdraw the next day, citing a right toe injury. She then played at the [[2011 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] going all the way to the final losing to Samantha Stosur, during a match which featured her [[#2011 US Open|verbally abusing the chair umpire]]. The US Open final turned out to be Williams's last match in 2011, and she ended the year ranked No. 12 with two titles and with a 22–3 record for the season. She only participated in six tournaments throughout the season. [[File:Serena Williams wins Gold cropped.jpg|thumb|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams won the singles gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games.</div>]] Williams started the 2012 season at the [[2012 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]], however, during her match against [[Bojana Jovanovski]], she injured her left ankle when serving for the match. As a result, Williams was forced to withdraw from the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2012/01/serena-withdraws-from-brisbane-international |title=Serena withdraws from Brisbane International |work=Brisbane International |date=January 4, 2012 |accessdate=July 10, 2012}}</ref> Next she participated at the [[2012 Australian Open – Women's Singles|Australian Open]] where she was upset by [[Ekaterina Makarova]] in the fourth round. After a month layoff, Williams returned to competition in [[2012 Sony Ericsson Open|Miami]] losing in the quarterfinals to Caroline Wozniacki. Williams then won consecutive titles at [[2012 Family Circle Cup|Charleston]] and [[2012 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid]] beating [[Lucie Šafářová]] and Victoria Azarenka, but withdrew from her semifinal match against [[Li Na (tennis)|Li Na]] in [[2012 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome]] citing a lower back injury. Williams suffered her first ever loss in the opening round of a Grand Slam tournament at the French Open against [[Virginie Razzano]]. Williams notched up a 33–1 record for the second half of the season winning five titles in the process.<ref name="BBC 2012">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/20117316 |title=Serena Williams beats Sharapova in WTA Championships final |date=October 28, 2012 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Williams won her fifth [[2012 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] singles title, her fourteenth Grand Slam title;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon-2012/top-stories/Serena-Williams-beats-Radwanska-to-clinch-fifth-Wimbledon-title/articleshow/14738318.cms |title=Serena Williams beats Radwanska to clinch fifth Wimbledon title |date=July 8, 2012 |work=The Times of India |last=Hegde |first=Prajwal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/wimbledon12/story/_/id/8138336/wimbledon-2012-serena-williams-stretched-three-sets-wins-5th-title |title=Wimbledon 2012 – Serena Williams stretched to three sets, wins 5th title |agency=Associated Press |date=July 7, 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> setting a serving record of 24 aces by a female in a match as well as having the most aces, male or female, during the tournament (102).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/158997.html |title=Serena books latest Wimbledon final appearance |publisher=ESPN |date=July 5, 2012 |accessdate=April 28, 2017}}</ref> Williams returned to America to successfully defend her title in [[2012 Bank of the West Classic|Stanford]] beating [[CoCo Vandeweghe]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012-07-15/serena-williams-wins-back-of-the-west-classic/56240708/1 |title=Serena Williams wins at Stanford in final Olympic tuneup |date=July 20, 2012 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=USA Today}}</ref><ref name="huffingtonpost.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/serena-williams-gold-medal-olympics-sharapova_n_1741297.html |title=Serena Williams Wins Gold Medal In Olympic Singles Tennis, Beats Maria Sharapova In Final |last=Wine |first=Steven |agency=Associated Press |date=August 4, 2012 |work=[[HuffPost]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917023255/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/serena-williams-gold-medal-olympics-sharapova_n_1741297.html |archivedate=September 17, 2012 |df=}}</ref> Williams then returned to Wimbledon to represent her country at the Olympic Games where she won gold, defeating Maria Sharapova in a dominating performance. Williams failed to drop more than three games per set en route to winning the medal.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com" /> Williams undefeated streak ended with a loss in Cincinnati to [[Angelique Kerber]]. In New York City, Williams went on to win her fourth [[2012 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] singles title and her 15th career Grand Slam title overall beating Azarenka in the final.<ref name="BBC 2012" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20120909/serena-williams-wins-us-open-victoria-azarenka/ |title=Serena tops Azarenka for fourth U.S. Open championship |agency=Associated Press |date=September 9, 2012|accessdate=September 10, 2012}}</ref> Williams ended the season by competing at the WTA Championships and went undefeated throughout the tournament to win the event for her third title.<ref name="BBC 2012" /> Williams was voted WTA Player of the Year for the fourth time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/20540525|title=Serena Williams wins WTA Tour Player of the Year award |accessdate=November 29, 2012 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Based on her brilliant show in 2012, Williams was also named [[International Tennis Federation]] World Champion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Novak-Djokovic-Serena-Williams-crowned-ITF-world-champions/articleshow/17572209.cms? |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20121212040808/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Novak-Djokovic-Serena-Williams-crowned-ITF-world-champions/articleshow/17572209.cms |archivedate=December 12, 2012 |title=Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams crowned ITF world champions |date=December 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=}}</ref> Williams also returned to doubles competitions with Venus; in the pair's first tournament since [[2010 Wimbledon Championships|2010 Wimbledon]], they claimed their fifth Wimbledon doubles title and the 13th grand slam doubles title.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bondy |first=Filip |date=July 8, 2012 |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-08/news/32591733_1_venus-williams-serena-and-venus-williams-sisters |title=Bondy: Williams sisters are kin-do at Wimby |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York |accessdate=August 4, 2012}}</ref> The pair successfully defended their Olympic doubles title which meant that they became the only tennis players to win four gold medals.<ref name="CBS-Olympic" /> Williams's first tournament of the 2013 season was in [[2013 Brisbane International|Brisbane]], where she won the title without dropping a set. Williams was upset in the quarterfinals of the [[2013 Australian Open|Australian Open]] by fellow American player [[Sloane Stephens]]. By virtue of defeating [[Petra Kvitová]] in Doha, Williams returned to the No. 1 position for the sixth time in her career and became the oldest woman in the Open Era to hold the ranking.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3077758/title/serena-to-return-to-no1-for-sixth-time |title=Serena To Return To No. 1 For Sixth Time |date=February 15, 2013 |publisher=WTA |accessdate=April 25, 2017}}</ref> Williams went on to lose to Victoria Azarenka in the final. In the Miami final, Williams lost a set to Maria Sharapova for the first time since 2008. This setback did not stop Williams who recorded her 70th come-from-behind win. The win made Williams a six-time champion in Miami breaking the record she held with Steffi Graf and became only the fourth woman in the Open Era to have won a tournament at least six times.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3126967/title/serena-conquers-sharapova-miami |title=Serena Conquers Sharapova & Miami |accessdate=April 25, 2017 |date=March 30, 2013 |publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]]}}</ref> Williams successfully defended her Charleston title, winning it for the third time overall.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3136277/title/serena-wins-49th-wta-title-in-charleston |title=Serena Wins 49th WTA Title In Charleston |date=April 6, 2013 |accessdate=April 25, 2017 |publisher=WTA}}</ref> Williams won her fiftieth career singles title in [[2013 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid]], defeating Sharapova in the final. Williams then played Rome, where she won the title without dropping a set, defeating Victoria Azarenka in the final to take her second title. Williams only dropped ten games in reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. There, she played Svetlana Kuznetsova and lost her first set of the tournament. In the semifinal Williams only lost one game when she defeated Sara Errani, something seven-time French Open champion Chris Evert described as the finest female performance on clay she had ever seen.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caple|first=Jim |date=June 7, 2013 |title=New Heights For Serena Williams|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/9352085/2013-french-open-serena-williams-looks-better-ever-heading-final-maria-sharapova |publisher=[[ESPN]] |accessdate=June 7, 2013}}</ref> Williams defeated Sharapova to claim her second Roland Garros title, her sixteenth grand slam tournament title overall. She became the fourth woman in the Open Era after Navratilova, Evert and Graf to win each Grand Slam tournament title on at least two occasions. At [[2013 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], she advanced easily to the fourth round before being upset by eventual finalist [[Sabine Lisicki]] in three sets. After Wimbledon, Williams won the Swedish Open by defeating [[Johanna Larsson (tennis)|Johanna Larsson]] in the final, the tournament win marked the first occasion that she had won an [[WTA International tournaments|International]] level title. By winning the tournament this meant that Williams had managed to be undefeated on clay during the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Wins 53rd WTA Title in Bastad|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3323512/title/serena-wins-53rd-wta-title-in-bastad |publisher=WTA |accessdate=July 21, 2013|date=July 20, 2013}}</ref> [[File:Serena Williams serves at the US Open (9665931630).jpg|thumb|left|300px|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams winning her fifth US Open title</div>]] Williams won her 3rd Rogers Cup title in Toronto beating [[Sorana Cîrstea]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams wins Rogers Cup women's title|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/story/2013/08/11/sp-wta-tennis-rogers-cup-final.html|publisher=[[CBC News]]|accessdate=August 11, 2013|date=August 11, 2013}}</ref> Williams reached the final of the [[2013 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]] for the first time but lost to Azarenka.<ref>{{cite news|first=Steve |last=Keating |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/azarenka-beat-williams-cincinnati-title-231248255.html |title=Azarenka beats Williams for Cincinnati title |publisher=Yahoo! |date=August 18, 2013 |accessdate=September 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823010432/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/azarenka-beat-williams-cincinnati-title-231248255.html |archivedate=August 23, 2013 |df=}}</ref> At the [[2013 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Williams began as top seed and defending champion. She reached the final—rematch of the 2012 final against Azarenka—and won in three sets, capturing her 17th Grand Slam singles title.<ref name=usopen>{{cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Kevin|title=Serena Williams crowns 14-year reign with fifth US Open title|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/sep/09/serena-williams-victoria-azarenka-us-open-final1|website=The Guardian|date=September 9, 2013|accessdate=September 9, 2013}}</ref> Williams became the oldest US Open champion in the Open Era and pushed her career prize money past $50{{nbsp}}million.<ref name=usopen /> After the US Open, Williams beat Jelena Janković to win the China Open in Beijing for her 10th title of 2013.<ref>{{cite news | title=Serena Williams beats Jelena Jankovic to win China Open | work=BBC Sport | date=October 6, 2013 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/24420636 | accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>[https://sports.yahoo.com/news/serena-powers-past-jankovic-10th-title-2013-143744440--ten.html "Serena powers past Jankovic for 10th title in 2013"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305220750/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/serena-powers-past-jankovic-10th-title-2013-143744440--ten.html |date=March 5, 2016}}. Yahoo! Sports. October 6, 2013.</ref> Williams went through the WTA Championships undefeated winning the final against Li Na, to become the first person to defend the title since Justine Henin in 2007. Williams won her 11th title of 2013 becoming the 8th player to win 11 titles or more in a year and the first since Martina Hingis in 1997.<ref>Fuller, Russell (October 27, 2013), [https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/24694991 "Serena Williams beats Li Na to win WTA Championships"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419185211/http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/24694991 |date=April 19, 2014}}. BBC Sport. Retrieved April 19, 2014.</ref> Also, she became the oldest person to win the WTA Championships and 4th player to win it 4 times or more. By winning the championship, Williams became the first woman to win more than $10{{nbsp}}million in a season and with her total of $12,385,572, only [[Rafael Nadal]], in 2013, and [[Novak Djokovic]], in 2011, 2012 and 2013, have earned more money in one season.<ref>[http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3513171/title/serena-conquers-li-istanbul "Serena Conquers Li & Istanbul"]. WTA.</ref> Williams finished as the year end No. 1 for the third time, becoming the oldest No. 1 player in WTA history.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 27, 2013|title=Serena Williams rallies in WTA final|url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/9888972/serena-williams-forced-rally-vs-li-na-final-wta-championships|location=Istanbul, Turkey|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=April 24, 2017}}</ref> She was also named the 2013 ITF World Champion, the fourth time that she has been given the World Champion's crown.<ref>(December 18, 2013), [http://www.itftennis.com/news/163361.aspx Williams and Djokovic named 2013 ITF World Champions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429215902/http://www.itftennis.com/news/163361.aspx |date=April 29, 2016}}. itftennis.com. Retrieved April 29, 2016.</ref> Williams received two prizes at the [[2013 ESPY Awards]]. Williams won Best Female Athlete and Best Female Tennis Player. Williams is just the fourth person to win Best Female Athlete on two occasions and she won Best Female Tennis player for a record sixth time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Wins Best Female Athlete ESPY|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3282995/title/serena-wins-best-female-athlete-espy |website =WTA |accessdate=July 19, 2013|date=July 18, 2013}}</ref> In late December 2013, Williams capped off her year by receiving the Associated Press 2013 Female Athlete of the Year award, her third AP award after 2002 and 2009. Only two women, Chris Evert and [[Babe Didrikson]], have been chosen more often as AP Athlete of the Year since the annual awards were first handed out in 1931.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fendrich |first=Howard |date=December 25, 2013 |title=Serena Williams Wins 3rd AP Athlete Of Year Award |url=http://dailydigest.com/18803/serena-williams-wins-3rd-ap-athlete-of-year-award/ |website=DailyDigest |agency=Associated Press |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228220845/http://dailydigest.com/18803/serena-williams-wins-3rd-ap-athlete-of-year-award/ |archivedate=December 28, 2013 |df=}}</ref> ===2014–2015: Second 'Serena Slam'=== {{Main|2014 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2014|2015 Serena Williams tennis season}} Williams defended her title at the [[2014 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]] by defeating No. 2, Victoria Azarenka, in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Victoria Azarenka 6–4, 7–5 to win Brisbane International title|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/10550797/Serena-Williams-beats-Victoria-Azarenka-6-4-7-5-to-win-Brisbane-International-title.html|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> At the [[2014 Australian Open|Australian Open]] she ended up losing to former No. 1, Ana Ivanovic, in the fourth round. At [[2014 Dubai Tennis Championships|Dubai]], Williams lost her semifinal match to [[Alizé Cornet]] in straight sets. Williams next headed to the Miami Open where she won her record seventh title with a straight-sets victory over No. 2 [[Li Na]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams vs Li Na Final Miami 2014 Highlights |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMQzynsGhVg|via=YouTube|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> Williams lost to [[Jana Čepelová]] in the second round of the [[2014 Family Circle Cup|Family Circle Cup]]. She made it to the quarterfinals at the [[2014 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Open]] before withdrawing with a left thigh injury. Williams won her third title of the season at the [[2014 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome]]. She was then handed the worst loss of her Grand Slam tournament career by [[Garbiñe Muguruza]] at the second round of the [[2014 French Open|French Open]], who defeated Serena losing just four games in two sets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams's shocking loss is the worst of her legendary career|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/05/serena-williams-french-open-loss-worst|work = USA Today|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> [[Alizé Cornet]] defeated Williams for the second time in the year in the third round of [[2014 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], thus handing Williams her earliest Wimbledon exit since 2005. Serena was then forced to withdraw from the doubles event alongside sister Venus while trailing 0–3 in the second round. A disoriented Serena hit 4 consecutive doubles faults and was having trouble with both her ball toss and movement before being removed from what has been described as one of the most unusual scenes ever seen in tennis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams in tears after illness ends doubles hopes |url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2014-07-01/serena_williams.html |publisher=The Championships, Wimbledon |accessdate=March 16, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503160856/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2014-07-01/serena_williams.html |archivedate=May 3, 2015 |df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Navratilova on Serena: 'It's not right'|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/11168116/espnw-martina-navratilova-critical-serena-williams-wimbledon-exit|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> Williams rebounded by winning 19 out of her next 20 matches (losing only to sister Venus in the semifinals of the [[2014 Rogers Cup|Rogers Cup]]). This streak include titles at the [[2014 Bank of the West Classic|Bank of the West Classic]] as well as her first [[2014 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]] title and her third consecutive and sixth overall [[2014 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] singles title which she won without having dropped a set.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams wins 18th Slam|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen14/story/_/id/11484243/2014-us-open-serena-williams-beats-caroline-wozniacki-win-3rd-straight|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=US Open: Serena Williams powers past Caroline Wozniacki for sixth title |first=Kevin |date=September 8, 2014 |last=Mitchell |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/07/serena-williams-caroline-wozniacki-us-open-2014-sixth-title|work = The Guardian|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> With this victory Williams tied Chris Evert for most singles titles won by a woman at the US Open in the Open Era. Williams also tied Evert and Navratilova's 18 Grand Slam singles titles won in the Open Era. By virtue of having won both the [[2014 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] and the [[2014 US Open Series|US Open Series]], Williams collected $4,000,000 – the biggest payday in tennis history. At the [[2014 Wuhan Open|Wuhan Open]] a viral illness forced her to retire while up a break in the first set against [[Alizé Cornet]]. Cornet thus became the first woman since Justine Henin in [[2007 WTA Tour|2007]] to record three victories over Williams in one year. At the [[2014 China Open (tennis)|China Open]] Williams retired prior to her quarterfinal match versus Samantha Stosur. At the [[2014 WTA Finals]] in Singapore Williams advanced to the final for the third consecutive year despite having equaled her career worst loss in her second round robin match versus [[Simona Halep]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/halep-routs-serena-williams-wta-finals-092843864.html |title=Halep routs Serena Williams at WTA Finals |work=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=October 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305025929/http://news.yahoo.com/halep-routs-serena-williams-wta-finals-092843864.html |archivedate=March 5, 2016 }}</ref> Williams won her fifth [[WTA Finals]] title by avenging her loss to Halep in the championship match for her seventh title of the year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams Punishes Simona Halep for Earlier Defeat at WTA Finals|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-punishes-simona-halep-for-earlier-defeat.html|work=The New York Times|first=Ben|last=Rotherberg|date=October 26, 2014|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> Williams finished the year ranked No. 1 for the fourth time in her career. She held the No. 1 ranking for the entire calendar year, a feat not accomplished since Steffi Graf in 1996. She was also voted WTA Player of the Year and ITF World Champion for a third consecutive year (sixth overall).{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams began the [[2015 WTA Tour|2015 season]] by representing the [[United States at the Hopman Cup|United States]] alongside [[John Isner]] at the [[2015 Hopman Cup|Hopman Cup]]. The American pair lost the final to the Poland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Poland defeat United States to lift Hopman Cup for first time|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/388281.html |publisher=ESPN|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=February 22, 2015}}</ref> At the [[2015 Australian Open|Australian Open]] Williams defeated Maria Sharapova for the 16th consecutive time to claim her 6th Australian Open singles title and 19th career Grand Slam singles title, winning the title on her third match point in the second set.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams Wins Australian Open With Coughs, Guts and Aces|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/sports/tennis/serena-williams-beats-maria-sharapova-in-australian-open-final.html|work=The New York Times|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova to win Australian Open – as it happened |first=Katy |last=Murrells |date=January 31, 2015|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/jan/31/serena-williams-v-maria-sharapova-australian-open-womens-final-live|work=The Guardian|accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=How Serena Williams won the shouting match and more in Australia|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12257852/how-serena-williams-won-shouting-match-more-australia|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams wins Australian Open, 19th Grand Slam title in champion form|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/01/31/serena-williams-beats-sharapova-wins-australian-open-title|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=February 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Australian Open 2015 Final – Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80ba6nJH1MQ|via=YouTube|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> With this victory Williams surpassed both, Evert and Navratilova, for [[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions|second most Grand Slam singles titles won]] in the Open Era. The title was also her sixth Grand Slam singles title since turning 30 years of age, three more than the next closest to do so (Margaret Court, Martina Navratilova with three each). She is the only player in history to win all four Grand Slams at least once after having turned 30. The following weekend, Serena and sister Venus traveled to Buenos Aires to face Argentina in a World Group II tie for [[Fed Cup]]. She played and won her only match against [[María Irigoyen]] to help Team USA to a 4–1 win over Argentina.<ref>{{cite news|title=Williams sisters see U.S. through in Fed Cup promotion bid|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/08/us-tennis-fed-argentina-idUSKBN0LC0XG20150208|agency=Reuters|accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Williams announced that she would be competing at the [[2015 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells Masters]] ending her 14-year boycott of the event.<ref name=NYT20150205>{{cite news|title=After a 14-Year Boycott, Serena Williams Plans to Play at Indian Wells|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/sports/tennis/serena-williams-will-play-indian-wells-ending-boycott.html |first=Christopher |last=Clarey |date=February 4, 2015|work=The New York Times |accessdate=March 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams ends Indian Wells boycott, 14 years after racist incident|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/02/serena-williams-end-indian-wells-boycott-14-years-after-racist-incident|first=Chris|last=Chase|work=USA Today|date=February 4, 2015|accessdate=February 27, 2015}}</ref> Upon her return Williams received a standing ovation from the crowd and won her first match in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams received standing ovation, fought tears and won while ending 14-year boycott at Indian Wells|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/serena-williams-return-indian-wells-score-2001-racism|work=USA Today|accessdate=March 16, 2015|date=March 14, 2015}}</ref> She reached the semifinals, where she was due to face No. 3, [[Simona Halep]], for a place in the final, but was forced to withdraw because of a knee injury. By virtue of having defeated Sabine Lisicki in the quarterfinals of the [[2015 Miami Open|Miami Open]], Williams became only the eighth woman in the Open Era to record 700 match wins in her career.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Press Association|title=Serena Williams beats Sabine Lisicki in Miami to seal 700th career win|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/02/serena-williams-sabine-lisicki-700th-career-win|website=The Guardian|date=April 2, 2015|accessdate=April 4, 2015}}</ref> This also made her one of only three active players to have won 700 or more matches in singles, others being [[Roger Federer]] and [[Rafael Nadal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/slideshow/12597799/tennis-exclusive-700-club |title=Tennis' Exclusive 700 Club |publisher=ESPN |date=July 16, 2013 |accessdate=April 15, 2015}}</ref> In the semifinals she won against Halep to advance to her tenth final at the event<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Outlasts Halep In Miami Classic|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4610499/title/serena-outlasts-halep-in-miami-classic|publisher=WTA |date=April 1, 2015|accessdate=April 4, 2015}}</ref> where she won a record eighth title and extended her winning streak to 21 by beating [[Carla Suárez Navarro]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Serena Wins Miami Title No. 8 |url= http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4614412/title/super-serena-wins-miami-title-no8 |publisher=WTA |accessdate=April 5, 2015|date= April 4, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= As Serena Williams Ascends, Grand Slam Buzz Grows |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/sports/tennis/as-serena-williams-ascends-grand-slam-buzz-grows.html |work = The New York Times|accessdate=April 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams wins eighth Miami Open |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/04/04/serena-williams-wins-eighth-miami-open/ |work=[[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=April 5, 2015}}</ref> [[File:Serena Williams Won Roland Garros in 2015.JPG|thumb|left|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams celebrating her third French Open title</div>]] As preparation for the clay court season (and to ensure her eligibility for the 2016 Summer Olympics), Williams travelled to [[Brindisi, Italy]], to face Italy's team for a place in the [[Fed Cup]]'s World Group. Williams lost the decisive doubles match alongside [[Alison Riske]] to Sara Errani and Flavia Pennetta, and as a result the [[United States Fed Cup team|United States team]] were relegated to World Group II. It was Williams's first loss in the Fed Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Italy beats United States 3–2 in Fed Cup World Group playoff |place=Brindisi, Italy |url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12721344/italy-edges-united-states-serena-williams-fed-cup-playoff |publisher=ESPN |accessdate= April 22, 2015|date=April 19, 2015 }}</ref> She maintained her perfect record in singles by defeating [[Camila Giorgi]] and Errani. The week of April 20 marked Williams's 114th consecutive week ranked No. 1, the third-longest run in WTA history, behind Steffi Graf's 186 weeks and Navratilova's 156.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} Williams suffered her first defeat of the season in the semifinals of the [[2015 Mutua Madrid Open|Mutua Madrid Open]] to No. 4, Petra Kvitová.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams' win streak, Madrid run come to an end |url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12845988/tennis-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-barely-put-fights-madrid-losses |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=May 9, 2015|date=May 8, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams' perfect season ended |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/05/serena-williams-loss-madrid-petra-kvitova-win-grand-slam-french-open-rome |work=USA Today |accessdate=May 9, 2015|date=May 8, 2015 }}</ref> This loss ended a 27-match winning streak for Williams as well as a 50-match winning streak at [[WTA Premier tournaments|Premier-Mandatory events]], and also a 19-match winning streak at the particular event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kvitova Stuns Serena in Madrid|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4701085/title/kvitova-stuns-serena-in-madrid |publisher=WTA |accessdate=May 9, 2015|date=May 8, 2015 }}</ref> Williams played one match at the 2015 [[2015 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] before withdrawing from the tournament with an elbow injury.<ref>{{cite news |title=Serena Williams pulls out of Italian Open with elbow injury |year=2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/32741356 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=May 17, 2015}}</ref> By virtue of having defeated Victoria Azarenka in the third round of the [[2015 French Open|French Open]], Williams became the first woman in the Open Era to win 50 matches at all four of the Grand Slams.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena: 50 Wins at Every Grand Slam |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4755478/title/serena-50-wins-at-every-grand-slam |website=WTA |accessdate=June 1, 2015|date=May 30, 2015 }}</ref> Williams then defeated [[Sloane Stephens]] to reach her 40th Grand Slam singles quarterfinal.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams survives Sloane Stephens test to reach French Open quarter-final |url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/581476/Serena-Williams-Sloane-Stephens-French-Open-quarter-final |publisher=Express |accessdate=June 2, 2015|date=June 2015 }}</ref> Williams won her next match easily, but had to come back from a set down in the semifinals versus [[Timea Bacsinszky]] for the fourth time in five matches to reach the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sick with flu, Serena Williams pulls it together to make French Open final |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/06/04/serena-williams-timea-bacsinszky-french-open/28473645/ |work=USA Today |accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=French Open: Serena Williams reaches final despite illness |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/33016288 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref> She would go on to defeat [[Lucie Šafářová]] from the [[Czech Republic]] in three sets to win her third French Open and 20th Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams beats Lucie Safarova at French Open to win 20th grand slam |first=Simon |last=Cambers |date=June 6, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/06/serena-williams-safarova-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title|work=The Guardian |accessdate=June 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Serena Williams Wins French Open for Her 20th Grand Slam Title |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/tennis/serena-williams-wins-french-open-for-her-20th-grand-slam-title.html |work=The New York Times |accessdate=June 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams wins French Open for 20th Grand Slam title |url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/french15/story/_/id/13023322/serena-williams-wins-2015-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title|publisher=ESPN |date=June 6, 2015 |accessdate=June 6, 2015}}</ref> The win made Williams only the third person in history to win each Grand Slam at least three times, joining Margaret Court and Steffi Graf. She is the first player to win three straight Grand Slams since she did it herself during the Serena Slam. She also became the first player to win the Australian-French Open double since Jennifer Capriati in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Battles To Milestone 20th Major |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4773153/title/serena-battles-to-milestone-20th-major |publisher=WTA |date=June 5, 2015|accessdate=June 6, 2015}}</ref> Williams completed her second "Serena Slam" (winning all four Grand Slams in a row) by winning the [[2015 Wimbledon Championships]] – her 6th Wimbledon and 21st [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] singles title overall.<ref>{{cite news|first=Tom |last=Perrotta|date=July 11, 2015|title=Serena Williams Wins Sixth Wimbledon Championship|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/serena-williams-wins-sixth-wimbledon-championship-1436626560|website=The Wall Street Journal|accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Garbine Muguruza to win her 6th Wimbledon title|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3157230/Serena-Williams-takes-21-year-old-Garbine-Muguraza-Wimbledon-Ladies-Final-star-studded-crowd.html|work=Daily Mail|accessdate=July 12, 2015|date=July 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Beats Garbiñe Muguruza In Straight Sets To Win Wimbledon|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/11/serena-williams-wimbledon_n_7775932.html|work=HuffPost|accessdate=July 12, 2015|date=July 11, 2015}}</ref> Her path to victory at Wimbledon was particularly challenging. She was down a double break in the third round versus [[Heather Watson]] and two points from defeat twice before rallying for the win<ref>{{cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Courtney |date=July 3, 2015 |title=Serena avoids upset against Watson to set up clash with sister Venus|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/07/03/wimbledon-2015-serena-williams-defeats-heather-watson |website=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref> and becoming the first player to qualify for the [[2015 WTA Finals|WTA Finals]]<ref>{{cite news |date=July 6, 2015 |title=Serena becomes first player to qualify for WTA Finals |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-3150819/Serena-Williams-player-qualify-WTA-Finals-edging-Heather-Watson-Wimbledon-thriller.html |work=Daily Mail |accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref> (the earliest that a player had qualified since the event switched to the round-robin format in 2003). Williams then defeated three [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|former No. 1 players]]–Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova—in succession to advance to the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Incredible Record Against Top Players Adding to Serena Williams' Historic Run|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2518904-incredible-record-against-top-players-adding-to-serena-williams-historic-run|website=Bleacher Report|accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref> Awaiting her there was 21-year-old Garbiñe Muguruza, who had previously handed Williams the worst Grand Slam tournament defeat of her career at the 2014 French Open.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams shocked by Garbine Muguruza in French Open second round|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2014/05/28/serena-williams-loses-to-garbine-muguruza-french-open-round-two|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref> Williams defeated Muguruza in a tight two-setter.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} The victory made Williams the oldest woman in the Open Era to win a grand slam singles title, in addition to having the distinction of being the oldest ladies' grand slam singles champion of all time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Serena Wins Wimbledon & Serena Slam 2|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4856959/title/serena-wins-wimbledon-serena-slam-2 |publisher=WTA |accessdate=July 12, 2015|date=July 12, 2015 }}</ref> It also was her eighth consecutive victory in Grand Slam singles finals appearances, [[Steffi Graf career statistics|breaking Steffi Graf's Open Era record of seven]] from 1995 through 1999 and, on the men's side, [[Pete Sampras career statistics|tying Pete Sampras's Open Era record of eight]] from 1995 through 2000. Her 21st Grand Slam singles titles equaled the tally of the rest of the women's tour, combined.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/13/stats-show-serena-williams-is-better-than-every-other-tennis-player-combined-5293619/|title=Stats show Serena Williams is as good as every other tennis player combined|website=Metro|location=UK|accessdate=July 15, 2015|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref> The week of July 13 marked the first time in WTA history that the No. 1 player had more than twice as many points as No. 2.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|title=Historic Ranking Milestone For Serena|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4863665/title/historic-ranking-milestone-for-serena|publisher=WTA |accessdate=July 16, 2015|date=July 14, 2015}}</ref> Following her win at Wimbledon, Williams was awarded her 7th [[ESPY Award|ESPY]] for [[Best Female Tennis Player ESPY Award|Best Female Tennis Player]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewrap.com/espy-awards-winners-2015-complete-list/|title=ESPYS Awards Winners: The Complete List|website=TheWrap|accessdate=August 18, 2015|date=July 16, 2015}}</ref> Williams played one match at the [[2015 Swedish Open|Swedish Open]] in [[Båstad]] before withdrawing with an elbow injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Elbow injury forces Serena out of Swedish Open|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/elbow-injury-forces-serena-williams-out-of-swedish-open-20150716-giebr4.html|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=July 19, 2015|date=July 16, 2015}}</ref> She was the defending champion at the [[2015 Bank of the West Classic|Bank of the West Classic]] but withdrew from the tournament in order for her elbow to get better.<ref>{{cite web|title=World No. 1 Serena Williams withdraws from Bank of West with hurt elbow|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/07/31/serena-williams-withdraws--bank--west--hurt-elbow/30955719/|website=USA Today|accessdate=August 3, 2015}}</ref> Williams had her 19 match winning streak ended by 18-year-old Swiss [[Belinda Bencic]], the No. 20, in three tight sets in the semifinals of the [[2015 Rogers Cup|Canadian Open]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams battles from third-set hole but falls short in Rogers Cup|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13446751/serena-williams-upset-18-year-old-belinda-bencic-rogers-cup-semifinals|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=August 16, 2015|date=August 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams falls in Toronto semifinals|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/08/15/ap-ten-toronto#|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=August 16, 2015}}</ref> It was her second defeat of the year and first on hard courts since the 2014 WTA Finals. The next week Williams defended her title at the [[2015 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]] with a straight sets victory over No. 3 Simona Halep for her 69th WTA title, breaking a tie with [[Evonne Goolagong]] for standalone fifth-most WTA titles won.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams wins Cincinnati tournament for second time|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13495801/serena-williams-defeats-simona-halep-win-cincinnati-title|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=August 24, 2015|date=August 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Edges Halep & Wins Cincinnati|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4953555/title/serena-edges-halep-wins-cincinnati|publisher=WTA |accessdate=August 24, 2015|date=August 23, 2015}}</ref> Williams's attempt at capturing the "Grand Slam" (winning all four Grand Slams in a calendar year) came to an end in the semifinals of the [[2015 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], where she lost to Roberta Vinci in three sets.<ref>{{cite news|title=Roberta Vinci Ends Serena Williams's Grand Slam Bid at U.S. Open|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/12/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-ends-serena-williamss-grand-slam-run-at-us-open.html|work=The New York Times|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Roberta Vinci upsets Serena Williams at the U.S. Open |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-upsets-serena-williams-at-the-us-open/2015/09/11/c5fdc6ca-5884-11e5-8bb1-b488d231bba2_story.html |first=Jacob |last=Feldman |date=September 11, 2015|website=The Washington Post |accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams' grand slam dream ended by Roberta Vinci's shock win |first=Kevin |last=Mitchell |date=September 11, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/11/serena-williams-grand-slam-ended-roberta-vinci|work=The Guardian|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref> The loss has been described by some as one of the biggest upsets in tennis history.<ref>{{cite web|title=No indication Vinci would stop Serena's Slam streak|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen15/story/_/id/13633288/tennis-roberta-vinci-shatters-serena-dreams-monumental-upset|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=13 reasons Serena Williams' loss to Roberta Vinci was the biggest upset in tennis history|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/09/13-reasons-serena-williams-loss-was-the-biggest-upset-in-tennis-history-roberta-vinci-us-open-grand-slam|work=USA Today|date=September 11, 2015|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Why Serena's loss is one of the biggest upsets in sports history|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/serenas-loss-one-biggest-upsets-sports-history/|first=Chris |last=Chase |publisher=PBS NewsHour|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref> Nonetheless, Williams secured the year-end No. 1 ranking with her results at the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Clinches Year-End world No. 1|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4995291/title/serena-clinches-year-end-world-no1|publisher=WTA |accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref> On October 1, Williams called an end to her season, stating that she had been injured for most of the year and wanted to address her fitness issues.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Ends 2015 Season, Withdraws from China Open and WTA Finals|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2574337-serena-williams-ends-2015-season-withdraws-from-china-open-and-wta-finals|work=Bleacher Report|accessdate=October 13, 2015}}</ref> Prior to the announcement, coach [[Patrick Mouratoglou]] hinted that Williams might not play again in 2015 due to a lack of motivation and disappointment following her loss at the [[2015 US Open (tennis)|Open]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Disappointed Serena Williams may not play again in 2015, says coach |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/29/disappointed-serena-williams-may-not-play-again-in-2015-says-coach|work=The Guardian|accessdate=October 13, 2015}}</ref> On October 5, Williams surpassed Chris Evert for [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|third-most weeks ranked world No. 1]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Stays On Top Of WTA Rankings And Moves Third On All Time List|url=https://www.beinsports.com/us/tennis/news/serena-williams-stays-on-top-of-wta-rankings-/109739|publisher=beIN SPORTS|accessdate=October 13, 2015}}</ref> Williams held the No. 1 ranking the entire season for the second consecutive year, finishing there for the fifth time in her career. She was voted [[WTA Awards|WTA Player of the Year]] for the seventh time in her career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams: WTA Player Of The Year|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5194460/title/serena-williams-wta-player-of-the-year|publisher=WTA |accessdate=December 9, 2015}}</ref> On December 14, [[Sports Illustrated]] announced Williams as their [[Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year|Sportsperson of the Year]].<ref name=SISPOTY2015>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams is SI's Sportsperson of the Year|url=https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2015/12/14/serena-williams-si-sportsperson-year|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=December 14, 2015}}</ref> She thus became the third solo woman, and first since 1983, to receive the award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why it matters that Serena Williams is on the cover of Sports Illustrated|url=https://www.vox.com/2015/12/14/10131368/serena-williams-sports-illustrated|publisher= Vox|accessdate=December 27, 2015}}</ref> Williams was also named [[ITF World Champions|ITF World Champion]] for the sixth time in her career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams: ITF World Champion|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5226383/title/serena-williams-itf-world-champion|publisher=WTA |accessdate=December 22, 2015}}</ref> Soon after, it was announced that she was voted [[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|Female Athlete of the Year]] by the [[Associated Press]] for the fourth time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams wins fourth AP female athlete of the year title|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/serena-williams-wins-fourth-ap-female-athlete-of-the-year-title/article27939491/|work=The Globe and Mail|accessdate=December 26, 2015}}</ref> ===2016: Open Era Grand Slam record=== {{BLP sources section|date=July 2016}} {{Main|2016 Serena Williams tennis season}} Williams withdrew from the [[2016 Hopman Cup|Hopman Cup]] after retiring from her singles match against [[Australia at the Hopman Cup|Australia Gold]] with inflammation of her left knee.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams withdraws from Hopman Cup with knee injury|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/06/serena-williams-withdraws-hopman-cup-knee-injury|work=The Guardian |agency=Press Association |date=January 6, 2016 |accessdate=January 14, 2016}}</ref> Her next tournament was the [[2016 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she was the No. 1 seed and defending champion. She reached the final without dropping a set, including wins over No. 5, Maria Sharapova, and No. 4, Agnieszka Radwańska, and faced first time Grand Slam finalist [[Angelique Kerber]]. She was considered the heavy favorite to win the title, as she had never lost an Australian Open final or semifinal. She also dominated the head-to-head against Kerber, having lost only once in six meetings and having not lost a set to her in four years. Williams lost the final in three sets and Kerber won her first Grand Slam title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/30/serena-williams-angelque-kerber-australian-open-final-tennis|title=Angelique Kerber stuns Serena Williams to clinch Australian Open title|last=Mitchell|first=Kevin|date=January 30, 2016|website=the Guardian|accessdate=June 4, 2018}}</ref> This marked Williams's first-ever loss in the final of the Australian Open, as well as her first three-set loss in the final of a Grand Slam.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/sports/angelique-kerber-upsets-serena-williams-to-win-australian-open.html|title=Angelique Kerber Upsets Serena Williams to Win Australian Open|date=January 30, 2016|work=The New York Times|accessdate=June 4, 2018|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> She had previously been 6–0 and 8–0 respectively. [[File:Williams S. WM16 (20) (28339693721).jpg|thumb|Serena at the 2016 Wimbledon, winning her 22nd Grand Slam title]] The week of February 15 marked Williams's 157th consecutive week ranked No. 1, passing Navratilova's mark of 156 to have the second-longest run in WTA history behind Steffi Graf's 186. She competed in [[2016 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]] as the No. 1 seed. She reached her first final here since winning in 2001 and before boycotting the event, by defeating Simona Halep in the quarterfinals and Agnieszka Radwańska in the semifinals. She did not drop a set en route to the final. Williams was upset by No. 13 seed Victoria Azarenka, whom she had defeated the last five times the pair had met, in straight sets. This marked the first time since 2004 where Williams lost two consecutive finals. She next played the [[2016 Miami Open|Miami Open]] as the defending champion. She lost in the fourth round to Svetlana Kuznetsova. This marked her first loss here since 2012 and ended her 20 match winning streak in Miami. This was also her earliest exit here since 2000, where she lost in the same round. During the clay court swing, Williams withdrew from Madrid but entered Rome. She beat [[Anna-Lena Friedsam]] and [[Christina McHale]] to progress to the quarterfinals where she defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova to avenge her loss in Miami. She then went on to beat [[Irina-Camelia Begu]] and [[Madison Keys]] to win her 70th career WTA title and to win her first title of the year. This was her third Rome title in four years and fourth overall.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} At the [[2016 French Open|French Open]], Williams dropped only one set en route to the final. She defeated [[Yulia Putintseva]] in the quarterfinals despite being five points away from losing. She then beat surprise semifinalist [[Kiki Bertens]] to reach her fourth French Open final where she faced Garbiñe Muguruza in a repeat of last year's Wimbledon final where Williams was victorious. The result was not the same as that Wimbledon final as Williams lost to Muguruza in straight sets. With this loss, Williams had lost two consecutive Grand Slam finals for the first time in her career. On top of failing to equal Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, Williams also completed the Career Grand Slam runner-up set with this loss.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} At [[2016 Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], Williams only lost one set en route to the final where she faced Angelique Kerber in a rematch of their Australian Open final earlier in the year. This time, Williams defeated Kerber in straight sets to finally equal Steffi Graf's record of 22 Grand Slams in the Open Era. That was Williams's first Grand Slam title of the year, as well as her 71st career WTA title overall. In what was a brilliant serving performance, Williams only faced one break point in the whole match against Kerber which she saved with an ace. Later that day, Williams partnered with sister Venus to win their sixth Wimbledon doubles title and 14th doubles Grand Slam title overall, keeping their perfect record at Grand Slam doubles finals intact. On July 24, 2016, Williams withdrew from [[2016 Rogers Cup|Rogers Cup]] citing a shoulder inflammation injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12040/10511583/serena-williams-withdraws-from-rogers-cup-in-montreal|title=Serena Williams withdraws from the Rogers Cup in Montreal|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=July 24, 2016|accessdate=August 24, 2016}}</ref> She next participated in the [[2016 Summer Olympics|Olympics]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]], where she was the defending gold medalist in both singles and doubles and was the heavy favourite to retain those titles. Partnering with her sister Venus in the doubles, they suffered a shock exit in the first round, losing to the Czech duo of Lucie Šafářová and Barbora Strýcová, which ended their career record of 15–0 dating back to the [[Tennis at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles|2000 Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/37006469|title=Rio Olympics 2016: Serena & Venus Williams lose in doubles |work=BBC Sport|date=August 8, 2016|accessdate=August 24, 2016}}</ref> In singles, after defeating [[Daria Gavrilova]] and [[Alizé Cornet]] in the first two rounds, Williams faced Ukraine's [[Elina Svitolina]] in the third round in what was a rematch of this year's French Open fourth round, but lost to the Ukrainian, bringing an end to her Olympics campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/serena-williams-loses-singles-round-three-out-rio-olympics|title=Serena Williams loses in singles round three, out of Rio Olympics|publisher=NBC Sports|first=Alan |last=Levinsohn |date=August 10, 2016|accessdate=August 24, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811131031/http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/serena-williams-loses-singles-round-three-out-rio-olympics|archivedate=August 11, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Days after the Olympics, Williams took a late wildcard for the [[2016 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]], where she was the defending champion, but then decided to withdraw due to concerns from the same shoulder injury/inflammation from earlier in the summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016/08/shoulder-injury-forces-serena-williams-out-of-tourney/59966/|title=After practice session, Serena Williams withdraws from Cincinnati with shoulder injury|website=Tennis.com|date=August 16, 2016|accessdate=August 24, 2016}}</ref> The week of September 5, 2016, marked Williams's 186th consecutive week ranked No. 1, equalling Steffi Graf's record for longest run in WTA history. In the semifinals of the US Open, Williams lost to [[Karolína Plíšková]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/us-open-women/2016/serena-williams-v-karolina-pliskova-us-open-live_sto5835691/story.shtml|title=Serena Williams suffers shock US Open semifinal defeat to Karolina Pliskova|date=September 9, 2016|work=Eurosport|accessdate=June 4, 2018}}</ref> Having won the US Open, Angelique Kerber became the No. 1, ending Williams's No. 1 streak. Williams also pulled out of the WTA Finals due to a shoulder injury.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} ===2017: Australian Open victory and pregnancy=== {{Main|2017 Serena Williams tennis season}} Williams started her 2017 season by participating in the [[WTA Auckland Open]] for the first time in her career. She defeated [[Pauline Parmentier]] to win her first match since the US Open. In the second round, she lost to [[Madison Brengle]]. At the Australian Open, she beat former and present top 10 players [[Belinda Bencic]], Lucie Šafářová, [[Johanna Konta]] among others to reach her 8th Australian Open final. On January 28, 2017, she won the Australian Open for an Open Era record seventh time, defeating her sister, Venus.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Serena-Williams|title=Serena Williams {{!}} Biography, Titles, & Facts|work=Encyclopædia Britannica|accessdate=August 8, 2017}}</ref> It was her 23rd Grand Slam singles title, surpassing Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22. It was the first time in the Open Era that two players aged 35 or older had competed in the final of a Grand Slam tournament. The win ensured her return to the No. 1 ranking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/01/27/2017-australian-open-watch-live-stream-online-finals-full-schedule-ao-venus-serena-williams.html|title=How to Watch the 2017 Australian Open Finals|last=Warshaw|first=Amelia|date=January 27, 2017|website=The Daily Beast|accessdate=January 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38781553|title=Australian Open 2017: Serena Williams beats Venus Williams to set Grand Slam record|date=January 28, 2017|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=January 28, 2017}}</ref> Williams subsequently withdrew from the [[2017 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]] and [[2017 Miami Open|Miami]] Opens, citing a knee injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Withdraws from BNP Paribas Open|url=http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/en/media-and-news/news/2017/03/07/serena-williams-withdraws-from-bnp-paribas-open|publisher=BNP Paribas Open|accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref> On April 19, 2017, Williams revealed that she was 20 weeks pregnant and would miss the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams planning 2018 return after confirming pregnancy|url=http://sport.bt.com/tennis/serena-williams-planning-2018-return-after-confirming-pregnancy-S11364174403855|publisher=BT Sport|accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref> The timing of her announcement led to the conclusion that she would have been roughly eight to nine weeks pregnant when she won the Australian Open.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams: How can you win a Grand Slam while pregnant?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39653317 |work=BBC Sport|accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref> In interviews, she maintained that she intended to return to tennis after her pregnancy,<ref name="voguesept17" /> saying that she had an "outrageous plan" of competing in the 2018 Australian Open.<ref name="voguesept17" /> On September 1, 2017, Williams gave birth to a daughter named Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/09/13/serena_williams_revealed_her_daughter_s_name_and_her_first_photo.html|title=Serena Williams Revealed Her Daughter's Name and Shared the Baby's First Photo|last=Olmstead|first=Molly|date=September 13, 2017|work=Slate|accessdate=September 14, 2017|issn=1091-2339}}</ref> She had a cesarean-section delivery due to a [[pulmonary embolism]] during labor.<ref name="Rubenstein">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/parents/serena-williams-emergency-c-section-postpartum-problems/|title=Serena Williams Recalls Being 'Devastated' By Emergency C-Section and Postpartum Problems|work=People|first=Janine|last=Rubenstein|date=April 26, 2018|accessdate=February 1, 2019}}</ref> She suffered another pulmonary embolism after giving birth, leaving her bedridden for six weeks and delaying her return to training.<ref name="vogue.com">{{cite web|last1=Haskell|first1=Rob|title=Serena Williams on Motherhood, Marriage, and Making Her Comeback|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/serena-williams-vogue-cover-interview-february-2018|website=Vogue|accessdate=January 17, 2018}}</ref> On December 30, 2017, Williams played her first match since giving birth, an exhibition match at the [[World Tennis Championship]] in [[Abu Dhabi]], losing to reigning French Open champion [[Jeļena Ostapenko]]. === 2018: Return to tennis, Wimbledon and US Open runner up === On January 5, 2018, Williams withdrew from the upcoming Australian Open, citing a lack of sufficient preparation in the wake of her pregnancy.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Spits|first1=Scott|title=Australian Open 2018: Serena Williams to miss but vowing to return to Melbourne|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2018-serena-williams-wont-compete-20180105-h0dv52.html|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=January 17, 2018}}</ref> In February, after overcoming her pregnancy-induced health problems, she returned to the tennis court with her sister. The pair lost to Lesley Kerkhove and Demi Schuurs (Netherlands) in the Fed Cup's first round on February 11.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://jezebel.com/serena-williams-made-her-return-to-competitive-tennis-t-1822914914|title=Serena Williams Made Her Return to Competitive Tennis This Weekend|last=Fishbein|first=Rebecca|work=Jezebel|accessdate=February 12, 2018}}</ref> Despite saying she was 100% ready to come back to tennis, Williams suffered back to back early exits at Indian Wells and Miami, losing in the third round at Indian Wells to her sister Venus and the first round at Miami to 2018 Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} [[File:Williams S. RG18 (17) (41168711240).jpg|thumb|left|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams at the 2018 French Open</div>]] Williams made her return to Grand Slam tennis at the [[2018 French Open]], playing singles as well as doubles with her sister Venus. In the first round, she defeated [[Kristýna Plíšková]] in two tight sets before defeating 17th seed [[Ashleigh Barty]] in the second round. Then, she defeated 11th seed [[Julia Görges]] to set up a fourth-round match against 28th seed [[Maria Sharapova]], whom she had beaten 18 consecutive times since 2004. Williams withdrew due to an injury to her [[Pectoralis major muscle|pectoral]] muscle sustained in a third-round match in doubles where she and Venus were defeated by [[Andreja Klepač]] and [[María José Martínez Sánchez]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/04/sport/french-open-serena-sharapova-nadal-tennis/index.html|title=Serena Williams pulls out of French Open due to injury|last=CNN|first=Ravi Ubha|work=CNN|accessdate=June 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jun/04/serena-williams-withdraws-french-open-injury-sharapova|title=Serena Williams withdraws from French Open clash with Maria Sharapova|last=Mitchell|first=Kevin|date=June 4, 2018|website=the Guardian|accessdate=June 4, 2018}}</ref> In July, Williams entered the [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon Championships]] and was controversially seeded #25. With a world ranking at the time of 181,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/230234/title/serena-williams|title=Serena Williams|last=|first=|date=July 10, 2018|website=WTA Tennis|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref> many felt that the decision showed bias and favored Williams unduly.<ref name=surprise>{{cite web |title=Serena Willams reveals 'surprise' at Wimbledon seeding |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/01/serena-willams-reveals-surprise-wimbledon-seeding/ |website=The Telegraph |accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref> Others argued that the [[All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club|All England Club]], who do not base their seedings on players' current world rankings – as other grand slam tournaments do{{nbsp}}– had sensibly taken Williams' excellent historic record at the tournament into account. Williams herself said: "I was pleasantly surprised. I came in here expecting that maybe I wouldn't get a seed."<ref name=surprise /> Her seeding meant that [[Dominika Cibulková]] lost her place as a seeded player.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} By the second week of the tournament, for the first time in grand slam history, none of the top ten seeded female players had made it to the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/07/wimbledon-2018-seeds-exodus-questions|title=Federer and Serena Williams remain but exodus of seeds raises questions|last=|first=|date=July 10, 2018|website=The Guardian|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref> On her own way to the quarterfinals, Williams had beaten [[Arantxa Rus]] of Holland in round one, [[Viktoriya Tomova]] of Bulgaria in round 2, [[Kristina Mladenovic]] of France in round 3 and [[Evgeniya Rodina]] of Russia in round 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/draws/index.html?event=LS|title=The Ladies' Singles Draw|last=|first=|date=July 10, 2018|website=The Championships, Wimbledon 2018 – Official Site by IBM|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref> She had not yet lost a set in any of her matches to that point. Williams then beat Italian [[Camila Giorgi]] in the quarterfinals after yielding one set, and became the lowest ranked player to ever reach the Wimbledon semifinals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oxley |first1=Sonia |title=Serena Williams into Wimbledon semifinals with win over Camila Giorgi |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/44783078 |accessdate=July 11, 2018 |agency=BBC}}</ref> She met 13th seed [[Julia Görges]] of Germany in the semifinal and beat her comfortably in two sets to reach her tenth Wimbledon final, and her first since giving birth. She lost in the final in straight sets to [[Angelique Kerber]] of Germany in a rematch of the 2016 Wimbledon final. Following her Wimbledon finals run, Williams entered the [[2018 Silicon Valley Classic]], her first appearance in a US Open series tournament since 2015. She recorded her most lopsided loss in her career to [[Johanna Konta]] in the first round, winning just a single game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/01/tennis/serena-williams-johanna-konta-silicon-valley-classic-spt-intl/index.html|title=Serena Williams suffers worst defeat of her career|publisher=CNN|accessdate=August 1, 2018}}</ref> Williams later revealed in an interview with [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] that she checked [[Instagram]] ten minutes prior to the match starting, and found out that the man who had [[Murder of Yetunde Price|fatally shot]] her half-sister, Yetunde, in 2003 was released on parole earlier in the year. She said in the interview, "I couldn't shake it out of my mind."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://time.com/5368858/serena-williams-comeback/|title=Serena Williams Opens Up About Her Complicated Comeback, Motherhood And Making Time to Be Selfish|website=Time|accessdate=August 17, 2018}}</ref> She then withdrew from Toronto, citing personal reasons, which were later revealed to be [[post-natal depression]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams' next tournament was the [[2018 Western & Southern Open – Women's Singles|Cincinnati Masters]]. She beat [[Daria Gavrilova]] of Australia in straight sets in the first round, but lost to [[Petra Kvitova]] in the second round in a three-set match that lasted over two hours.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Her next tournament was the 2018 US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York, where she was seeded 17th, although ranked 26th in the WTA ranking at the time seeds were determined. She defeated [[Magda Linette]] in the first round, [[Carina Witthöft]] in the second round, her sister and 16th seed Venus in the third round, [[Kaia Kanepi]] in the fourth round, and 8th seed [[Karolína Plíšková]] in the quarterfinals. The match against Plíšková was a rematch of the 2016 US Open semifinal, which Plíšková had won. This was Williams' first win against a player in the top 10 (at the time of the match) since her return from pregnancy. Williams won her semifinal match against 19th seed [[Anastasija Sevastova]] of Latvia, winning a spot in the [[2018 US Open – Women's Singles final|women's singles final]] against [[Naomi Osaka]] of Japan which she lost in straight sets. Williams was warned for illegal coaching, penalized a point for breaking her racket, and then penalized a game for verbal abuse of the chair umpire. ===2019: Return to the top 10, injuries, Wimbledon and US Open runner-up=== [[File:Murraywilliams 2019.jpg|thumb|260px|Williams and [[Andy Murray]] have joined up for the mixed doubles at Wimbledon 2019]] Williams started her 2019 season at the [[2019 Australian Open|Australian Open]], having not made an appearance at the tournament since winning the 2017 edition. Seeded 16th, she defeated [[Tatjana Maria]], [[Eugenie Bouchard]], and [[Dayana Yastremska]] in the first three rounds, before defeating top seed and world number one [[Simona Halep]] in the fourth. In the quarterfinals, she met 7th seed [[Karolína Plíšková]]. Plíšková won the first set and lead in the second, but Williams took control of the match, winning the second and rapidly taking a huge lead in the third. However, after Williams twisted her ankle while up match point, Plíšková won six consecutive games, saving four match points throughout the set to win the match. This was Williams' earliest defeat at the Australian Open since her fourth-round loss in [[2014 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2014]], and broke a streak of fourteen consecutive match wins in Grand Slam quarterfinals (having last lost a Grand Slam quarterfinal at the [[2013 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2013 Australian Open]]). Despite this loss, her ranking climbed up to number 11.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams went on to defeat [[Victoria Azarenka]] in the second round of the [[Indian Wells Masters]] in her 2019 campaign for a third Indian Wells crown. In the third round, viral illness caused her to retire against Spain's [[Garbiñe Muguruza]]. This was the second consecutive year she had exited at this stage. She then sustained a recurrence of a long-term knee injury which caused her to pull out of Miami and Rome after playing one match. She could not train properly until after the French Open, where she lost in the third round.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clarey |first1=Christopher |title=Serena Williams's Coach Says She Is Pain Free. Watch Out, Wimbledon? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/29/sports/wimbledon-serena-williams.html |website=Newyork Times}}</ref> At [[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|Wimbledon]], Williams reached a major final for the 13th consecutive year. She also became the oldest grand slam finalist in the open era.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oxley |first1=Sonia |title=Serena Williams beats Barbora Strycova to reach Wimbledon final |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48952703 |website=BBC}}</ref> She lost the final to [[Simona Halep]] in two straight sets in under an hour.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} At the [[Canadian Open (tennis)|Canadian Open]], Williams defeated [[Naomi Osaka]] in straight sets in the quarterfinals and Czech qualifier [[Marie Bouzkova]] in three sets in the semi finals. Against Canadian teenager [[Bianca Andreescu]], she retired in the first set after 19 minutes. She told the chair umpire of her decision to retire because of back spasms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rush |first1=Curtis |title=Serena Williams Leaves Rogers Cup Final With Back Spasms; Andreescu Wins |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/sports/tennis/serena-williams-rogers-cup-bianca-andreescu.html?module=inline |website=The New York Times |date=11 August 2019}}</ref> Her back problems continued at the [[Cincinnati Masters|Cincinnati Open]], where she withdrew shortly before her first-round match, stating, "Unfortunately my back is still not right."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rothenberg |first1=Ben |title=Serena Williams, Citing Back Pain, Withdraws From Cincinnati Masters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/sports/tennis/serena-williams.html |website=New York Times}}</ref> Williams was seeded eighth at the [[2019 US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. In the first round she met Maria Sharapova for the first time since the 2016 Australian Open, defeating her in straight sets, yielding just one game in each set. She defeated [[Caty McNally]] in three sets in the second round, and [[Karolína Muchová]] and [[Petra Martić]] in straight games in the third and fourth. In the quarterfinals she faced 18th seed [[Wang Qiang (tennis)|Wang Qiang]], who she overcame in just 45 minutes, yielding a single game. In the semifinals she defeated fifth seed Elina Svitolina, proceeding to the final where she faced 15th seed Bianca Andreescu for the second time in under a month. With Andreescu up a set and five games to one in the second set, Williams launched a spirited comeback to level the set at 5-games-all. However, Andreescu was able to hold serve and break Williams to win the title in straight sets.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/sep/07/us-open-women-final-bianca-andreescu-serena-williams-live</ref> ==Rivalries== ===Serena vs. Venus=== {{Main|Williams sisters rivalry}} Williams has played older sister [[Venus Williams|Venus]] in 30 professional matches since 1998.<ref name=headtohead /> Overall, Serena is 18–12 against her sister.<ref name=headtohead/> Serena has played Venus 15 times in Grand Slam singles and 13 times in other tournaments (including 11 finals).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/slideshow/18550742/serena-vs-venus-rivalry-lifetime|title=14 major showdowns between tennis legends Serena Williams and Venus Williams|work=espnW|accessdate=October 12, 2017}}</ref> They have met in nine Grand Slam tournament finals, with Serena winning seven times.<ref name=headtohead /> Beginning with the [[2002 French Open]], they played each other in four consecutive Grand Slam finals, which was the first time in the Open Era that the same two players had contested four consecutive finals in Grand Slam singles.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} ===Williams vs. Hingis=== {{Main|Hingis–S. Williams rivalry}} Williams leads the series 7–6.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/3491/player2/9044 |title=Head 2 Head – WTA Tennis English |website=WTA |accessdate=August 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911214922/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/3491/player2/9044 |archivedate=September 11, 2015 |df= }}</ref> One of Williams's first rivalries was with Martina Hingis, who turned pro less than one year before her (Hingis in October 1994, Williams in 1995). They first played each other at the 1998 Miami Open where Hingis won in three sets. All but one of their matches was played on a hard court with the exception being a contest on clay in Rome 1999, which Hingis won in straight sets. Their last match took place at the 2002 Miami Open with Williams winning in a loss of just four games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/3491/title/martina-hingis|title=Players – WTA Tennis English|publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref> Hingis was forced to briefly retire citing ankle injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/martina-hingis-9339702|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504092439/http://www.biography.com/people/martina-hingis-9339702|url-status=dead|title=Martina Hingis Biography Tennis Player, Athlete (1980–)|archivedate=May 4, 2016}}</ref> ===Williams vs. Capriati=== Williams leads the series 10–7.<ref name="wtatennis.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/1325/player2/9044 |title=Head 2 Head – WTA Tennis English |website=WTA |accessdate=August 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031074058/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/1325/player2/9044 |archivedate=October 31, 2016 |df= }}</ref> Once considered one of the best rivalries in women's tennis,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/jen-serena-hot-stuff-respect-power-match-article-1.554433 |accessdate=August 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025110824/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/jen-serena-hot-stuff-respect-power-match-article-1.554433 |title=Jen, Serena Hot Stuff Respect With Power To Match|first=Filip|last=Bondy|work=Daily News|location=New York|archivedate=October 25, 2016 | date=June 30, 2004}} 3. {{cite web|url=http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/ |accessdate=August 18, 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025173017/http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/ |title=Jennifer Capriati: Too Little, Too Late?|work=Tennis Buz|first=Bruce| last=Schoenfeld|archivedate=October 25, 2016 }}</ref> the competition between Williams and Capriati was stiff with 12 out of their 17 meetings going to three sets. The rivalry, starting in 1999, began one sided with Capriati winning four of their first five matches. Williams would then go on to win the next eight.<ref name="wtatennis.com" /> Williams and Capriati played with similar styles, both known for using their power and athleticism to gain quick advantages in points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/|title=Jennifer Capriati: Too little, too late?|website=TennisBuzz.com| first=Bruce |last=Schoenfeld |date=March 8, 2015 |accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14758-2004Jun29.html|title=It's Capriati, S. Williams In Rematch |first=Liz|last=Clarke|work=The Washington Post|date=June 30, 2004|accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref> ===Williams vs. Henin=== {{Main|Henin–S. Williams rivalry}} Williams leads the series 8–6. Henin and Williams met 14 times, five of which were in tournament finals. In grand slams they have faced each other seven times with Henin leading 4–3.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/3541 |title=Head 2 Head – WTA Tennis English |publisher=WTA |accessdate=August 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826083335/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/3541 |archivedate=August 26, 2015 |df= }}</ref> Opposite personalities and styles of play are often cited as what made their rivalry entertaining.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/13/sports/tennis-a-potential-rivalry-of-opposites-arises.html|title=A Potential Rivalry of Opposites Arises|date=April 13, 2004|work=The New York Times|accessdate=December 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wtatour/2296127/Serena-Williams-breaks-her-Justine-Henin-habit.html|title=Serena Williams breaks her Justine Henin habit|first=Mark |last=Hodgkinson |date=April 2, 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref> In the semifinals of the 2003 French Open, when at 4–2, 30–0 on Williams's serve in the third set, Henin raised her hand to indicate she was not ready to receive; Williams then put her serve into the net. The umpire did not see Henin raise her hand, and thus did not allow Williams a first serve. Williams lost the game and would go on to lose the match. Their last match took place in the final of the 2010 Australian Open where Williams won in three sets, earning her 12th Grand Slam title.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> ===Williams vs. Azarenka=== {{BLP unsourced section|date=July 2019}} Williams leads the series 18–4. The rivalry began at the 2008 Australian Open. Serena holds a 10–0 record in Grand Slams. Victoria Azarenka is the only person to ever win four WTA tour level finals against Serena. While their rivalry is heavily favored towards Serena, their matches are known for their fierce competitiveness.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stevegtennis.com/head-to-head/women/Serena_Williams/Victoria_Azarenka/ |website=Steve G Tennis |title=Serena Williams vs Victoria Azarenka Head To Head |access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref> ===Williams vs. Sharapova=== Williams leads the series 20–2. The pair first met at the 2004 Miami Open final, where Williams defeated Sharapova 6–4, 6–3. Their rivalry truly began at the 2004 Wimbledon final, where Williams was the two-time defending champion; Sharapova upset her 6–1, 6–4. Williams next lost to Sharapova whilst injured at the 2004 WTA finals 6–4, 2–6, 4–6. Since then, however, Williams has dominated the rivalry, winning all of their clashes, with only three of their matches going to three sets. Despite the rivalry being incredibly biased towards Williams, their rivalry is one of the most storied in women's tennis, and their matches are known for their fierce competitiveness<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2610653-why-serena-williams-vs-maria-sharapova-is-still-the-wtas-best-rivalry|title=Why Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova Is Still the WTA's Best Rivalry|first=Melissa|last=Lawrence Corbett|website=The Bleacher Report|date=January 25, 2016|accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref>. ==Match controversies== ===Accusations of match fixing=== When both of the Williams sisters entered the top ten and started meeting in tournaments, rumors of [[match fixing]] started to circulate. [[John McEnroe]], while commenting on the 2000 Wimbledon semifinal between the two sisters, said that "Serena may not be allowed to win. Richard [Williams] may have something to say about this."<ref>wine, Steve (July 6, 2000), ([https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2026&dat=20000705&id=2b8jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=29AFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1781,581859 "Williams Sister Giving Tennis a Lift with Family Feud"]. ''Moscow-Pullman Daily News''. Retrieved April 29, 2017.</ref> After losing to Venus at the Indian Wells quarterfinals in 2001, [[Elena Dementieva]] asserted during a post-match interview that Richard Williams decided the results of matches between the two sisters.<ref>[http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=35375 "ASAP Sports Transcripts – Tennis – 2001 – TMS – INDIAN WELLS, WOMEN – March 14 – Elena Dementieva"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423001654/http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=35375 |date=April 23, 2016}}. ''asapsports.com''.</ref> Shortly after that, Venus Williams pulled out of her Indian Wells semifinal match against Serena Williams at the last minute, claiming [[tendinitis]]; this occurrence garnered much speculation in the press, and some fans demanded their money back.<ref name="etank">{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/columns/kreidler/1158786.html|title=ESPN.com: GEN – There's no evidence to prove the sisters tanked|website=www.espn.com}}</ref><ref name="swn">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsworldnews.com/articles/42575/20150706/wimbledon-rumors-new-accusation-of-fixed-matches-between-serena-venus-williams-video.htm |title=New accusation of fixed matches between Serena, Venus Williams |publisher=Sports World News|date=July 6, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="telfix">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/atptour/3001048/Williams-denies-match-fixing-as-crowd-demand-refunds.html |title=Williams denies match-fixing as crowd demand refunds |work=The Telegraph|date=March 16, 2001 |last1=Parsons |first1=John }}</ref> ===Indian Wells boycott=== At the 2001 Ericsson Open the following week, Richard Williams stated that racist comments were made to him in the stands,<ref>{{cite news | last=Smith | first=Doug | title=Richard Williams decries fans as racist | work=USA Today | date=April 2, 2001 | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/stories/2001-03-26-focus-williams.htm | accessdate=July 13, 2019 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315211821/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/stories/2001-03-26-focus-williams.htm |archivedate=March 15, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and the tournament director refused to offer Williams an apology for how he was treated.{{Cn|date=November 2019}} As a result, neither sister played the tournament even though it had become a mandatory stop on the WTA tour since 2009. In 2015, Williams decided to end her 14-year boycott and played.<ref>[http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12277217/serena-williams-wants-rewrite-indian-wells-ending "Serena 'proudly returning' to tourney"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818074222/http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12277217/serena-williams-wants-rewrite-indian-wells-ending |date=August 18, 2015}}. ESPN.</ref> ===2004 US Open=== In her [[2004 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] quarterfinal match against [[Jennifer Capriati]], an incorrect overrule was made by chair umpire [[Mariana Alves]]; the video review showed that Williams's shot landed in bounds. In the same match, new technology being tested made incorrect line calls late in the third set. Williams argued with the chair over a couple of calls during the match, but was not successful. Capriati won the match, with Serena herself acknowledging that this was primarily due to her 57 unforced errors; nevertheless, she accused Alves of temporary insanity<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/08/sports/tennis/umpires-unforced-errors-help-lift-capriati.html |title=Umpire's Unforced Errors Help Lift Capriati|first=Clifton|last=Brown|date=September 8, 2004|work=The New York Times}}</ref> and said that she "felt cheated."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rankine |first1=Claudia |title=Citizen: An American Lyric |url=https://archive.org/details/citizenamericanl0000rank |url-access=registration |date=2014 |publisher=Graywolf |page=[https://archive.org/details/citizenamericanl0000rank/page/27 27]}}</ref> In a post-match interview Capriati sharply observed that bad calls had gone against her in the past as well. Alves did not officiate for the remainder of the tournament; this was not punitive, as commonly thought, as she was not scheduled to officiate.<ref>{{cite web|author=By CHRIS BROUSSARDSEPT. 9, 2004 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/09/sports/tennis/williams-receives-apology-and-umpires-open-is-over.html |title=Williams Receives Apology, and Umpire's Open Is Over |work=The New York Times |date=2004-09-09 |accessdate=2019-03-04}}</ref> The controversy renewed calls for, and was widely given credit for, the adoption of technology such as the [[MacCAM]] and [[Hawk-Eye]] systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5933547 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105051331/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5933547 |archivedate=November 5, 2013 |title=Officials apologize to Serena for bad call – U.S. Open, Aug.&nbsp;30-Sept. 12- NBC Sports |publisher=MSNBC |date=September 9, 2004 |accessdate=January 27, 2011}}</ref> ===2009 US Open=== In the [[2009 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] semifinal round against [[Kim Clijsters]], Williams slammed her racket on the court after losing the first set. She was given a warning, with a potential second violation carrying a one-point penalty. While trailing 4–6, 5–6, 15–30, Williams's second serve was called a [[foot fault]], resulting in two match points for Clijsters. Williams gestured with her racket to the lineswoman who had made the call and yelled at her, with profanities and a threat to shove a tennis ball down the lineswoman's throat.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams is fined $10,500 for US Open line judge tirade |work=The Guardian |date=September 14, 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/sep/13/serena-williams-tirade-us-open |accessdate=June 5, 2010 |first=Lawrence |last=Donegan}}</ref> During the subsequent on-court conference between the chair umpire, the lineswoman, US Open officials, and Williams, a television microphone picked up Williams saying to the lineswoman, "I didn't say I would kill you! Are you serious?"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4468762 |title=Clijsters wins after controversial ending |date=September 13, 2009 |publisher=ESPN news services |accessdate=November 11, 2010}}</ref> The incident resulted in Williams being penalized a point for unsportsmanlike conduct{{nsmdns}}necessitated by the earlier warning for racket abuse{{nsmdns}}meaning Clijsters won the match 6{{ndash}}4, 7{{ndash}}5. The following day, Williams was issued the maximum permissible on-site fine of $10,000 (plus $500 for racket abuse). After further investigation, the Grand Slam Committee in November 2009 fined her $175,000 in place of suspending her from the 2010 US Open or other Grand Slam events.<ref name="Hefty Fine NY Times">{{cite news|title=Serena Williams Given Hefty Fine but No Suspension for Tirade |work=The New York Times |date=November 30, 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/sports/tennis/01serena.html |accessdate=November 30, 2009 |first=Christopher |last=Clarey}}</ref> They also placed her on a two-year probation which provided that if Williams committed another offense at a Grand Slam event in the next two years, she would be suspended from participating in the following US Open. If, however, she committed no offenses within the next two years, her fine would be reduced to $82,500.<ref name="Hefty Fine NY Times" /> Williams initially refused to apologize for her outburst, both in her post-match press conference<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams tries to move on from uproar over outburst |date=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/15/serena.williams.outburst/index.html |accessdate=September 15, 2009 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> and in an official statement released the following day.<ref name=lat2009>Pucin, Diane. [http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-serena-williams14-2009sep14,0,454272.story Serena Williams is fined $10,500 for tirade at U.S. Open] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923122213/http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-serena-williams14-2009sep14%2C0%2C454272.story |date=September 23, 2009}} ''Los Angeles Times'' (September 13, 2009)</ref> She eventually did apologize, stating "I just really wanted to apologize sincerely because I'm a very prideful person, and I'm a very intense person and a very emotional person", and "I wanted to offer my sincere apologies to anyone that I may have offended." She said she was humbled by the experience.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4472638|title=Serena Williams apologizes for outburst toward line judge during U.S. Open semifinal|publisher=ESPN |accessdate=August 18, 2015|date=September 14, 2009}}</ref> ===2011 US Open=== In the final of the [[2011 US Open (tennis)|2011 US Open]] against [[Samantha Stosur]], Williams shouted "Come on!" as the Australian attempted to return a [[forehand]] Williams believed to be a winner. The chair umpire [[Eva Asderaki]] awarded the point to Stosur based on the [[United States Tennis Association|USTA]]'s deliberate hindrance rule, which states, "If a player commits any act which hinders his opponent in making a stroke, then, if this is deliberate, he shall lose the point or if involuntary, the point shall be replayed."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennis4you.com/links/rules/rules.htm#R21 |agency=Tennis 4 You |title=RULE 21 : Player Hinders Opponent |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930064130/http://www.tennis4you.com/links/rules/rules.htm |archivedate=September 30, 2011 |df=}}</ref> As the point was 30–40 on Williams's serve, the penalty gave the break of serve to Stosur. Williams became angry with the chair umpire and made several gestures and unflattering comments toward her during the next changeover, including telling Asderaki that if the umpire ever saw Serena coming toward her, she should "look the other way".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2011/09/serena-williamss-tirade-was-seven-years-making/42357/|title=Serena Williams' Tirade Was Seven Years in the Making|date=September 12, 2011|work=The Atlantic|last=Abad-Santos |first=Alexander}}</ref> Williams initially gained momentum in the set following the penalty, breaking back in the next game, but eventually flagged and lost the match, 2–6, 3–6. At the end of the match, she declined to offer the customary handshake to Asderaki.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/11/serena-williams-upset-samantha-stosur-us-open-final_n_957662.html |date=September 11, 2011 |accessdate=September 11, 2011 |title=Serena Williams Upset By Samantha Stosur 6–2, 6–3 In US Open Final |work=[[HuffPost]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030014958/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/11/serena-williams-upset-samantha-stosur-us-open-final_n_957662.html |archivedate=October 30, 2011 |df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/serena-williams-blows-up-again-in-u-s-open-loss?urn=ten,wp3253 |title=She did it again: Serena Williams blows up in U.S. Open loss |first=Chris |last=Chase |date=September 11, 2011 |work=Yahoo! Sports |accessdate=September 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204050527/http://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/serena-williams-blows-up-again-in-u-s-open-loss?urn=ten%2Cwp3253 |archivedate=February 4, 2015 |df=}}</ref> Williams mentioned the incident in her post-match speech as the tournament runner-up, asserting, "I hit a winner, but I guess it didn't count", but added, "It wouldn't have mattered in the end. Sam played well."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/stosur-stops-williams-in-controversial-final|accessdate=July 12, 2015|date=September 11, 2011|title=Stosur stops Williams in controversial final|work=National Post|last=Fendrich|first=Howard}}</ref> A writer for [[ESPN]] suggested that Williams could avoid being found to have violated the terms of the "probation" on which she was placed following her 2009 outburst, as she did not appear to have used [[profanity]] in addressing Asderaki during the match.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen11/story/_/id/6958687/us-open-serena-williams-loses-cool-match|publisher=ESPN|date=September 11, 2011|accessdate=September 11, 2011|title=Serena Williams loses cool, then match|first=Greg|last=Garber}}</ref> In the end, Williams was fined $2,000 and was not barred from competing in the 2012 US Open because "Williams's conduct, while verbally abusive, [did] not rise to the level of a major offence under the Grand Slam code of conduct."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/sep/12/serena-williams-us-open-tennis-fine|date=September 12, 2011|accessdate=September 15, 2011|title=Serena Williams fined $2,000 for US Open final outburst|work=The Guardian|first=Steve|last=Busfield}}</ref> ===2018 US Open=== Williams' 2018 US Open ended in controversy, with Williams falling to [[Naomi Osaka]] in straight sets following a game penalty in the second set of the [[2018 US Open – Women's Singles final|final]]. During that second set, she was given a code violation because her coach, [[Patrick Mouratoglou]], gave her coaching hand signals. Williams was upset by the violation, claiming that her coach was simply giving her a thumbs up, and demanded an apology from chair umpire [[Carlos Ramos (umpire)|Carlos Ramos]]. Mouratoglou later admitted that he had been coaching.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/tennis/news/patrick-mouratoglou-serena-williams-coaching-us-open-final/uu0mars28xk61dkz9jkmnpk4p |title=Patrick Mouratoglou admits to coaching Serena Williams during final |magazine=Sporting News |date=September 8, 2018}}</ref> She received a second violation for smashing her racket on the court, which resulted in a point penalty. After her third code violation for verbal abuse against the umpire, Williams was assessed a game penalty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/us-open-final-2018-serena-williams-demands-apology-from-umpire-after-controversial-game-penalty/|title=Serena Williams demands apology from US Open umpire|date=September 8, 2018|publisher=[[cbs]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2018/09/08/serena-williams-vs-naomi-osaka-us-open-2018-final-live-score/ |title=Serena Williams unleashes furious rant at umpire as she loses US Open |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=September 8, 2018 |accessdate=September 8, 2018}}</ref> Williams said that she believed she had been treated unfairly by the umpire because she is a woman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-09/us-open-serena-williams-says-sexism-to-blame-in-loss-to-osaka/10219364 |title=US Open: Serena Williams says she was treated more harshly because she is a woman |publisher=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |date=2018-09-09 |accessdate=2019-03-04}}</ref> Williams was fined a total of $17,000, that included $4,000 for a coaching violation, $3,000 for racket abuse and $10,000 for verbal abuse towards the umpire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/09/09/serena-williams-fined-17-000-us-open-code-violations/|title=Serena Williams Fined $17,000 for US Open Code Violations|website=TMZ}}</ref> ==Discrimination == Williams has been the focus of criticism and commentary, some of which the Williams family, news media, and scholars have stated was discriminatory against her due to her race and gender. In the beginning years of Williams’ professional career, hair beads donned by the Williams sisters were the focus of discussion by commentators such as Chris Evert and John McEnroe, with Mary Carillo characterizing their hair as "noisy and disruptive."<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal|last=Spencer|first=Nancy E.|date=May 2004|title=SISTER ACT VI: VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS AT INDIAN WELLS: "SINCERE FICTIONS" AND WHITE RACISM|url=|journal=Journal of Sport & Social Issues|volume=28|pages=115–135|via=JSTOR}}</ref> Scholar Nancy E. Spencer said that commentary that dismissed the Williams' cultural hairstyles served to [[Other (philosophy)|other]] the sisters, particularly in the context of a white dominated sport where their appearance and specifically their physicality is a popular topic for discussion.<ref name=":02" /> In 2000 the Williams sisters faced each other in a Grand Slam Tournament in a semifinal match at Wimbledon, the first time the sisters had faced each other in this setting. After Venus won in straight sets, questions arose as to whether or not Richard Williams fixed the match. These questions increased in 2001 when Venus withdrew from her scheduled semifinal match against her sister at Indian Wells. Two days later, in the finals of Indian Wells, Williams was booed throughout the match.<ref name=":02" /> When Venus and Richard Williams entered the stadium to support Williams in the finals, Richard said that a dozen fans in the stands yelled racial slurs at him and his daughter, and that one fan yelled “skin him alive."<ref name=":02" /> Following this match, the Williams sisters boycotted Indian Wells until Williams returned in 2015 and Venus in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/43379052|title=Indian Wells: Serena and Venus Williams meet after 14-year tournament boycott|date=2018-03-12|access-date=2019-09-24|language=en-GB}}</ref> Following the match controversy at the 2018 US Open final between Williams and Naomi Osaka, a cartoon was released by the Herald Sun depicting Williams having a tantrum and breaking her racket while the umpire asks her opponent to “just let her win.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-mark-knights-cartoon-rightly-mocks-serena-williams-us-open-finals-dummyspit/news-story/bff3c329c6c706b966636620bcb21be7|title=Knight’s cartoon neither racist or sexist|date=2018-09-11|website=www.heraldsun.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> This cartoon was met with much criticism for being racist and sexist. Complaints centered around the portrayal of Williams as the angry black woman with exaggerated large lips, a broad flat nose, and positioned in an ape like pose and of Williams’ opponent, Osaka, who is half Japanese half Haitian, being portrayed as white with blonde hair.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/09/10/an-australian-artists-racist-serena-williams-cartoon-receives-swift-and-international-blowback/|title=An Australian artist’s racist Serena Williams cartoon receives swift and international blowback|last=Cavna|first=Michael|date=2018-09-12|work=Washington Post|access-date=2019-09-24|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, called the cartoon sexist and misogynistic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/alexis-ohanian-calls-serena-williams-cartoon-racist-misogynistic-2018-9|title=Serena Williams' Reddit co-founder husband Alexis Ohanian slams controversial 'angry baby' cartoon for being 'racist and misogynistic'|last=Dawson|first=Alan|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> Celebrities including J.K. Rowling came to Williams’ defence with similar views while the editor of the Herald Sun argued the cartoon was “unfairly” criticized on social media.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/jk-rowling-twitter-serena-williams-cartoon-us-open-racist-sexist-a8531941.html|title=JK Rowling condemns 'racist and sexist' cartoon of Serena Williams at US Open|date=2018-09-10|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/herald-sun-backs-mark-knights-cartoon-on-serena-williams/news-story/30c877e3937a510d64609d89ac521d9f|title=I shut Twitter to save family from abuse: Knight|date=2018-09-11|website=www.heraldsun.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> The cartoonist defended his work as his contribution to “stop family from being abused," a reference to Williams defending herself as a wife and mother in her dispute with the umpire.<ref name=":12" /> The cartoonist says his satire was never about race or gender, but was about putting a spotlight on bad behaviour by sporting superstars.<ref name=":12" /> In September 2019, {{Inter-language link|Radu Banciu|ro}} said, live on Romanian television "Serena Williams looks exactly like one of those monkeys at the zoo with the red asses."<ref name=":22">National Council for Combating Discrimination in Bucharest press release, translated in {{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/serena-williams-called-monkey-by-romanian-tv-show-host-2019-9|title=A Romanian TV-show host has been accused of 'extreme racism' after saying on air that Serena Williams looks 'like one of those monkeys at the zoo'|last=Lane|first=Barnaby|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> Banciu was fined{{By whom|date=November 2019}} approximately $1,875 for his comments.<ref name=":22" /> == Legacy == Williams is hailed by many coaches, players and sportscasters to be one of the best female tennis players of the Open Era.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38802221|title=Serena Williams picked as greatest female player of the Open Era by BBC Sport users|year=2017|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=October 12, 2017}}</ref> In 2018, a Tennis.com panel selected Serena as the greatest female tennis player in the Open Era.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2018/11/goat-vote-steffi-or-serena-ten-went-one-way-you-went-another/78127/ |title = GOAT Vote: Steffi or Serena? 'The Ten' went one way; you went another}}</ref> Her numerous victories on court have largely been a positive influence on young girls and boys who see Williams as a role model and an ambassador of tennis.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/31/sports/tennis/venus-and-serena-williams-have-a-lasting-impact.html|title=Williams Sisters Leave an Impact That's Unmatched|last=Araton|first=Harvey|date=August 27, 2015|work=The New York Times|accessdate=October 12, 2017|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-34229415/serena-williams-lasting-influence-on-young-black-athletes|title=Serena William's lasting influence|work=BBC News|accessdate=October 12, 2017}}</ref> However, there is a sizable percentage of people who disagree.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rt.com/sport/438105-serena-williams-us-open-role-model/ |title=Serena Williams' history of petulance makes a mockery of her status as a role model |publisher=RT.com |accessdate=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/life/culture/article/2018/09/10/has-us-open-ruined-serena-williams-role-model |title=Has the US Open ruined Serena Williams as a role model? |publisher=SBS |accessdate=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/talkingturkey/total-meltdown-serena-williams-may-be-a-legend-but-she-wasnt-a-role-model-in-this-us-open/ |title=Total Meltdown: Serena Williams may be a legend, but she wasn't a role model in this US Open |newspaper=Times of India |accessdate=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theodysseyonline.com/serena-williams-bad-role-model |title=Sorry, but Serena Williams is a bad role model for young girls |publisher=The Odyssey |accessdate=28 June 2019}}</ref> Some commentators, players and sports writers regard Williams as the greatest female tennis player of all time.{{#tag:ref|See<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/prishe/2018/09/09/just-dont-do-it-serenas-tasteless-u-s-open-tirade-contradicts-nikes-brand-identity/|title=Serena's U.S. Open Tirade Creates A Challenge For Nike|first=Patrick|last=Rishe|website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen15/story/_/id/13576563/us-open-how-serena-williams-fare-graf-navratilova-their-prime|title=Comparing Serena Williams to two of the all-time greats|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=September 6, 2015|date=September 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/18757028|title=Wimbledon 2012: Serena Williams true great after fifth title |work=BBC Sport|accessdate=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=St. John|first1=Allen|title=Tennis' Battle Of The Sexes: Who's The Greatest Of All Time, Roger Federer Or Serena Williams?|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/allenstjohn/2017/01/31/tenniss-battle-of-the-sexes-whos-better-the-greatest-of-all-time-roger-federer-or-serena-williams/|website=Forbes|accessdate=September 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.us/sports/legends-evert-king-call-serena-williams-greatest-ever-metro-us/tmWmie---26cv55IcoExFE/|title=Legends Evert, King call Serena Williams greatest ever – Metro.us|first=Adam |last=Zagoria |date=October 12, 2014|work=Metro|accessdate=November 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com.au/andre-agassi-says-serena-williams-greatest-ever-1426225|title=Andre Agassi Says Serena Williams Is The 'Greatest Ever'|first=Rachelle |last=Corpuz |date=March 3, 2015|work=International Business Times AU|accessdate=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Schiavenza |first=Matt |accessdate=April 20, 2017|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/07/the-astonishing-greatness-of-serena-williams/398339/|title=Serena Williams Wins Wimbledon for Her 21st Grand Slam Title |work=The Atlantic|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/serena-williams-americas-greatest-athlete|title=Serena Williams Is America's Greatest Athlete|first=Ian |last=Crouch |date=September 9, 2014|work=The New Yorker|accessdate=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 20, 2017|url=http://www.complex.com/sports/2015/07/serena-williams-is-the-goat|title=Serena Williams Is the Greatest of All Time |first=Aaron |last=Randle |work=Complex|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Chase|first=Chase| url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/serena-williams-greatest-athlete-history|title=Serena Williams will go down as one of the greatest athletes in history|work=For The Win|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://observer.com/2015/07/on-the-eve-of-a-serena-slam-a-look-at-americas-greatest-athlete/|title=Short List / Things To Look Forward To|first=Alexa |last=Jaccarino |work=Observer|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Block|first1=Justin|title=Billie Jean King Thinks Serena Williams Is The Best Tennis Player Of All Time|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/billie-jean-king-serena-williams-goat_us_55f08f97e4b093be51bd4e20|website=HuffPost|date=September 9, 2015|accessdate=July 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McManus |first=Jane |accessdate=April 20, 2017|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13239462/with-drake-help-john-mcenroe-joins-chorus-praise-serena-williams|title=With Drake's Help, John McEnroe Joins Chorus Of Praise For Serena Williams|work=espnW|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Keating |first=Peter |accessdate=April 20, 2017|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13432409/why-serena-williams-greatest-tennis-player-ever|title=Powering Toward History|work=espnW|date=February 5, 2017}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/07/serena-williams-greatest-sportsperson-ever|title=Why Serena Williams is the greatest sportsperson ever {{!}} Michael Eboda|last=Eboda|first=Michael|date=September 7, 2016|website=The Guardian|accessdate=January 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/serena-williams-is-the-greatest-ever-can-we-please-stop-the-debate|title=Serena Williams Is the Greatest Ever. Can We Please Stop the Debate?|last=Fallon|first=Kevin|date=June 27, 2017|work=The Daily Beast|accessdate=January 25, 2018}}</ref> For their first match of March 2019, the women of the [[United States women's national soccer team]] each wore a jersey with the name of a woman they were honoring on the back; [[Crystal Dunn]] chose the name of Serena Williams.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ennis |first=Dawn |url=https://www.outsports.com/2019/3/4/18248520/lesbian-icons-honored-with-jerseys-worn-uswnt |title=Lesbian icons honored with jerseys worn by USWNT |publisher=Outsports |date= March 4, 2019|accessdate=2019-03-04}}</ref> ==Personal life== [[File:Web Summit 2018 - Centre Stage, Day 1 -November 6 SD5 6360 (44835575425).jpg|thumb|Serena Williams' husband [[Alexis Ohanian]] in 2018]] Williams is married to [[Reddit]] co-founder [[Alexis Ohanian]]. They were married on November 16, 2017, in [[New Orleans]]. Guests at the wedding included [[Beyoncé]], [[Anna Wintour]], [[Kelly Rowland]] and [[Kim Kardashian West]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Jason Duaine Hahn|author2=Kathy Ehrich|date=November 16, 2017|title=A Perfect Match! Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian Are Married|url=http://people.com/sports/serena-williams-alexis-ohanian-wedding-marriage/|website=People|accessdate=November 16, 2017}}</ref> She planned to move to San Francisco with Ohanian after the wedding.<ref name="voguesept17" /> On April 19, 2017, Williams posted a sideways picture of herself on [[Snapchat]] focused on her midsection. It had the caption, "20 weeks", sparking speculation that Williams was pregnant.<ref>(April 19, 2017), [http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/19193213/serena-williams-photo-sparks-pregnancy-speculation.html?_r=0 "Serena Williams photo sparks pregnancy speculation"]. ESPN. Retrieved April 19, 2017.</ref> Later that evening, her spokesperson confirmed that the couple was expecting.<ref>{{cite news | title=Serena Williams Confirms She's Pregnant After Day of Speculation | work=The New York Times | date=April 19, 2017 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/19/sports/tennis/serena-williams-pregnant-snapchat.html | accessdate=April 19, 2017}}</ref> The fact that she was 20 weeks pregnant when announcing her pregnancy meant that she was 8 weeks pregnant when she won the Australian Open in January.<ref>{{cite web|first=Erica |last=Gonzales |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/serena-williams-fans-cannot-handle-170114621.html |title=Serena Williams Fans Cannot Handle That She Won the Australian Open While Pregnant |publisher=Yahoo! |date=April 20, 2017 |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> Serena later confirmed that posting the photo on Snapchat was an accident and that she had intended to save the photo for her records.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/26/sports/tennis/serena-williams-pregnancy-picture.html|title=Serena Williams Says Posting of Pregnancy Picture Was an Accident|last=Reuters|date=2017-04-26|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2019-04-24|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In September 2017, Williams gave birth to a daughter.<ref name="uwlupohautman">{{cite web|first=Nicholas|last=Hautman|first2=Marc|last2=Lupo|date=September 1, 2017|title=Serena Williams Welcomes Her First Child!|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/serena-williams-gives-birth-welcomes-first-child-with-alexis-ohanian-w492788|website=Us Weekly|accessdate=October 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Elise |last=Solé |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/serena-williams-baby-girl-meaning-behind-name-173808990.html |title=Serena Williams's baby girl and the meaning behind her name |publisher=Yahoo! |date=September 13, 2017 |accessdate=January 4, 2019}}</ref> Williams had a cesarean-section delivery due to a [[pulmonary embolism]] during the labor of her daughter and, at first, was devastated about it.<ref name="Rubenstein"/> She suffered another pulmonary embolism after giving birth, leaving her bedridden for six weeks and delaying her return to training.<ref name="vogue.com"/> In August 2018, Williams announced she was suffering from [[postpartum depression]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trtworld.com/sport/serena-williams-struggles-with-post-partum-blues-drops-out-of-rogers-cup-19425|title=Serena Williams struggles with post-partum blues; drops out of Rogers Cup|website=Serena Williams struggles with post-partum blues; drops out of Rogers Cup|language=tr-TR|accessdate=August 9, 2018}}</ref> Williams gave her daughter a doll, [[Qai Qai]] that has become famous on social media.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wait – Is Qai Qai America's Most Important Doll|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/style/qai-qai-serena-williams-alexis-ohanian.html}}</ref> Williams was raised a [[Jehovah's Witness]], but says she has "never really practiced it."<ref name="voguesept17">{{cite web|last1=Haskell|first1=Rob|title=Serena Williams on Pregnancy, Power, and Coming Back to Center Court|date=August 15, 2017|url=http://www.vogue.com/article/serena-williams-pregnancy-vogue-september-issue-2017|website=Vogue|accessdate=August 15, 2017}}</ref> She often thanks [[Jehovah]] after winning matches.<ref>Winston, Kimberly (July 10, 2015), [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/serena-williams-secret-weapon-jehovah-god_us_55a06ed9e4b0ecec71bc445b "Serena Williams' Secret Weapon: 'Jehovah God'"]. ''HuffPost''. Retrieved April 26, 2017.</ref> Williams confirmed that she follows some practices: "Olympia doesn't celebrate birthdays. We're Jehovah's Witnesses, so we don't do that."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/style/serena-williams-says-jehovahs-witness-will-prevent-celebrating-daughters-first-birthday-090319769.html|title=Serena Williams confirms she won't celebrate her daughter's first birthday because of her Jehovah's Witness beliefs|accessdate=August 30, 2018}}</ref> ==Off-court activities== ===Equipment and endorsements=== In the early 2000s, Williams wore Puma apparel and footwear on court.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2001/06/20010625/This-Weeks-Issue/What-Theyre-Wearing-And-Hitting-With-At-Wimbledon.aspx |title=What they're wearing (and hitting with) at Wimbledon|publisher=SportsBusiness Journal |date=June 25, 2001 |accessdate=September 10, 2014}}</ref> She used the [[Wilson Sporting Goods|Wilson]] Hammer 6.4 Stretch Power Holes racket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2000/08/20000828/No-Topic-Name/WHAT-THEYRE-WEARING-AND-HITTING-WITH-AT-THE-US-OPEN.aspx |title=What They're Wearing (And Hitting With) At The U.S. Open |publisher=SportsBusiness Journal |date=August 28, 2000 |accessdate=September 10, 2014}}</ref> Williams also has endorsement deals with [[Gatorade]], [[Delta Air Lines]], [[Audemars Piguet]], [[Aston Martin]], [[Pepsi]], [[Beats by Dre]] headphones, Mission Athletecare, [[Berlei]] bras, [[OPI Products]], OnePiece, [[IBM]], [[Mini]], [[Intel]], [[Tempur]] and [[Chase Bank]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams is the current{{when|date=July 2019}} CSO (Chief Sporting Officer) for British luxury automobile manufacturer [[Aston Martin]]. She accepted the contract in June 2015. Williams then posted her first experience on social media service [[Twitter]], and said: "I'm loving my first day on the job as Chief Sporting Officer and Director of Fun!", stating her optimism on the job as the CSO.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennisworldusa.org/news/news/Serena_Williams/24641/serena-williams-chief-sports-officer-for-aston-martin/|title=Serena Williams: Chief Sports Officer for Aston Martin!|publisher=Tennis World USA|date=June 25, 2015|accessdate=June 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.informationng.com/2015/06/serena-williams-named-chief-sporting-officer-aston-martin.html|title=Serena Williams Named Chief Sporting Officer For Aston Martin|publisher=Information Nigeria|date=June 25, 2015|accessdate=June 18, 2017}}</ref> Williams is also on the Board of Directors at [[SurveyMonkey]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/24/tennis-star-serena-williams-joins-surveymonkeys-board/|title=Tennis Star Serena Williams Joins SurveyMonkey's Board|work=TechCrunch|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> ===Fashion=== Williams has been noted for her unusual and colorful outfits on court. In 2002, there was much talk when she wore a black lycra [[catsuit]] at the US Open.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/02/sports/tennis-sunny-outlook-keeps-serena-williams-winning.html|title=Tennis; Sunny Outlook Keeps Serena Williams Winning|last=Roberts|first=Selena|date=September 2, 2002|accessdate=April 24, 2009|work=The New York Times}}</ref> At the 2004 US Open, Williams wore denim skirts and knee-high boots—tournament officials did not allow her to wear the boots during matches.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,130781,00.html|title=Serena Dresses in Denim, Boots at U.S. Open|date=August 31, 2004|agency=Associated Press|publisher=FOX News Network, LLC|accessdate=April 25, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090730023418/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,130781,00.html|archivedate=July 30, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> At the 2008 Wimbledon, the white [[trench coat]] she wore during warm-up for her opening match was the subject of much discussion since it was worn despite sunny weather.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article4201164.ece|title = Serena Williams' Wimbledon raincoat stops talk about play|first=Nicola | last= Copping |date= June 24, 2008|work=The Times |accessdate=April 25, 2009}}</ref> Some social scientists have argued that the most negative reactions to Williams' on-court fashion statements, especially in newspaper coverage of the Australian Open and Wimbledon, combines with writers' fixation upon her muscular body to distract from her on-court accomplishments and fit this commentary within centuries-old narratives of the "pornographic eroticism" and "sexual grotesquerie" of African and African-American women.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=McKay|first=James|last2=Johnson|first2=Helen|date=July 2008|title=Pornographic eroticism and sexual grotesquerie in representations of African American sportswomen|url=|journal=Social Identities|volume=14|issue=4|pages=291–504|via=}}</ref> Williams formerly had a special line with [[Puma AG|Puma]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com//Courting_tennis__glamour/articleshow/1501836.cms? |title=Courting both tennis and glamour|work=The Times of India|publisher=Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd.|first=Ruhi|last=Batra|date=January 28, 2007|accessdate=April 25, 2009}}</ref> In April 2004, she signed a deal worth US$40{{nbsp}}million for a line with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty-businesses/minority-owned-businesses/767050-1.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221072308/http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty-businesses/minority-owned-businesses/767050-1.html |archivedate=February 21, 2009 |title=Serena Williams aces Nike deal worth approximately $40&nbsp;million |first=Carolyn M. |last=Brown |date=April 1, 2004 |work=Black Enterprise; Allbusiness.com|accessdate=April 24, 2009}}</ref> Since 2004, she has also run her own line of designer apparel, "Aneres"—her first name spelled backward. In 2009, she launched a signature collection of handbags and jewelry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontennis.com/news/serena-williams-has-passion-fashion|title=Serena Williams has a passion for fashion|first= Madeleine|last=Marr|date=March 3, 2009|work=The Miami Herald|publisher=Miami Herald Media Co.|accessdate=April 25, 2009}}</ref> The collection, Signature Statement, is sold mainly on the [[Home Shopping Network]] (HSN).{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} In early 2010, Williams became a certified [[Manicure#Nail care|nail technician]] in preparation for her upcoming nail collection with a company called HairTech.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/02/17/2010-02-17_serena_williams_takes_time_away_from_the_tennis_courts_to_become_a_certified_nai.html|title=Serena Williams takes time away from the tennis courts to become a certified nail technician|first= Jim|last= Farber|date=February 17, 2010|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York |accessdate=October 2, 2010}}</ref> In 2015, she became the first black female athlete to have a picture by herself on the cover of ''Vogue'', which she did for the April 2015 issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goodblacknews.org/2015/03/24/serena-williams-1st-black-female-athlete-to-solo-on-cover-of-vogue/ |title=Serena Williams 1st Black Female Athlete to Solo on Cover of Vogue |publisher=Good Black News |accessdate=March 25, 2015}}</ref> In 2015, she also presented her HSN Signature Statement collection for the second time at the New York Fashion Week Show{{nsmdns}}a clothing line exclusively made for the retailer HSN.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} In May 2018 she wore a skin-tight catsuit at the [[2018 French Open]] that was likened to a superhero outfit and helped promote her new clothing line, ''Serena''.<ref name="Racked2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.racked.com/2018/6/1/17414940/serena-williams-french-open-black-catsuit|title=Serena Williams Had Her Own Style Long Before Her Black Catsuit|date=June 1, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|work=Racked}}</ref><ref name="Vox2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/8/28/17791518/serena-williams-catsuit-ban-french-open-tennis-racist-sexist-country-club-sport|title=The Serena Williams catsuit ban shows that tennis can't get past its elitist roots|date=August 28, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]}}</ref><ref name="ESPN2018">{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/24461310/new-french-open-dress-rules-prohibit-serena-williams-catsuit-2019|title=New French Open dress rules prohibit Serena Williams' catsuit|date=August 24, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> The outfit was subsequently banned by the [[French Tennis Federation]] president Bernard Giudicelli, with the explanation: "It will no longer be accepted. One must respect the game and the place." Williams then wore a black [[Tutu (clothing)|tutu]] to her first match at the [[2018 US Open (tennis)|2018 US Open]] on August 27, 2018 against [[Magda Linette]] which she dominated in straight sets.<ref name="Time2018">{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/24461310/new-french-open-dress-rules-prohibit-serena-williams-catsuit-2019|title=Serena Williams Makes a Case for the Casual Tutu With Her 2018 US Open Outfit|date=August 28, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref><ref name="SBNation2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.sbnation.com/tennis/2018/8/27/17789234/us-open-results-2018-serena-williams-analysis-highlights-magda-linette|title=Serena Williams into second round of US Open after dominant win|date=August 27, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|work=[[SB Nation]]}}</ref> In February 2019, Serena Williams was appointed to the board of directors of online fashion marketplace [[Poshmark]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/20/serena-williams-joins-online-retailer-poshmarks-board-of-directors.html|title=Serena Williams joins online retailer Poshmark's board of directors|first=Lauren|last=Thomas|publisher=CNBC|date=February 20, 2019}}</ref> ===Activism=== Williams has become more involved in social change as her career has progressed, primarily using social media as a medium of expressing her views. In 2016 she posted her support of [[Black Lives Matter]] on her [[Facebook]] page, voicing her concern about her young nephew being in danger from police officers due to his skin color.<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/serena-williams-writes-about-black-lives-matter-on-facebook/ |title=Serena Williams posts in support of Black Lives Matter on Facebook |publisher=CBS News |date=September 27, 2016 |accessdate=February 23, 2018}}</ref> 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 about the [[LGBT]] community, followed members of the [[alt-right]], and referred to an article describing Williams's on-court behavior as "disgusting". Williams responded by tweeting her displeasure, saying, "@TennysSandgren I don't need or want one. But there is a entire group of people that deserves an apology. I can't look at my daughter and tell her I sat back and was quiet. No! She will know how to stand up for herself and others – through my example." Additionally, she attached an image that read, "Maturity is being able to apologize and admit when you're wrong because you know that your mistakes don't define you".<ref>{{cite news|last=Skiver |first=Kevin |url=https://www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/serena-williams-tells-tennys-sandgren-to-apologize-for-his-alt-right-tweets/ |title=Serena Williams tells Tennys Sandgren to apologize for his alt-right tweets |work=CBSSports.com |date=January 24, 2018 |accessdate=February 23, 2018}}</ref> Williams has received several awards for her activism, particularly for her activism directed towards Black communities. She was listed among the 35 "most remarkable and beautiful black women" in the world by Essence magazine.<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite journal |last1=Douglas |first1=Delia |title=Venus, Serena, and the Inconspicuous Consumption of Blackness: A Commentary on Surveillance, Race Talk, and New Racism(s) |journal=Journal of Black Studies |date=March 2012 |volume=43 |issue=3 |pages=127–145|doi=10.1177/0021934711410880 }}</ref> The NAACP has honored Williams with the President's Award at the annual NAACP Image Awards.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}<ref>{{cite web |title=The Power of Serena Williams |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/07/opinion/serena-williams-us-open-tennis.html?em_pos=small&ref=headline&nl_art=13&te=1&nl=opinion-today&emc=edit_ty_20190909?campaign_id=39&instance_id=12244&segment_id=16862&user_id=579ae23cfcbd75c9aac87cb571cc201c&regi_id=72995439emc=edit_ty_20190909 |work=New York Times |accessdate=9 September 2019}}</ref> ===Entertainment=== Williams has appeared on television and also provided voice work on animated shows: in a 2001 episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' Serena joined the animation along with sister Venus, [[Pete Sampras]] and [[Andre Agassi]].<ref>{{IMDb title|0701223|Tennis the Menace}}</ref> She has also provided guest voice work in a 2005 episode of Playhouse Disney's animated kids show ''[[Higglytown Heroes]]'' and a 2007 episode of the [[Nickelodeon]] cartoon ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/the-day-of-black-sun-1-the-invasion/episode/1121066/summary.html|title=Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Day of Black Sun (1): The Invasion|website=TV.com|accessdate=April 24, 2009}}</ref> which she has described as her "favorite show".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://women.webmd.com/features/serena-williams-gets-back-game |title=Serena Williams Gets Back in the Game |first=Lauren Paige|last= Kennedy | work=WebMD the Magazine |publisher=WebMD, LLC.|accessdate=April 24, 2009}}</ref> Williams has posed for the 2003 and 2004 editions of the ''Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thurmond|first=Sarah|title=Golovin, Hantuchova, Kirilenko in SI swimsuit issue|work=[[Tennis (magazine)|Tennis Magazine]]|date=February 11, 2009|url=http://tennis.com/backcourt/general/backcourt.aspx?id=164656|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215214440/http://tennis.com/backcourt/general/backcourt.aspx?id=164656|archivedate=February 15, 2009|accessdate=May 9, 2009}}</ref> In April 2005, MTV announced plans to broadcast a reality show around the lives of Serena and Venus, which was eventually aired on [[ABC Family]]. Williams has appeared twice on MTV's ''[[Punk'd]]'' and in 2007, appeared in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] reality television series ''[[Fast Cars and Superstars: The Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race]]''. In 2002, she played ''Miss Wiggins'' in the season 3 episode "Crouching Mother, Hidden Father" of ''[[My Wife and Kids]]'';<ref>{{cite news|title=On stage or on court, Serena plays the lead|work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=January 13, 2003|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/01/12/1041990178788.html|accessdate=May 10, 2009}}</ref> she has also guest-starred in episodes of ''[[The Bernie Mac Show]]'', ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'' and ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena to voice queen with 'devious plans' for planet|publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press|date=January 30, 2007|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=2748802|accessdate=May 11, 2009}}</ref> In 2007, Williams appeared in the music video of "I Want You" by the American rapper [[Common (rapper)|Common]], alongside performers [[Alicia Keys]] and [[Kanye West]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapdirt.com/common-i-want-you-video/16687/|title=Common 'I Want You' Video|website=rapdirt.com|date=October 23, 2007|accessdate=April 26, 2009}}</ref> In late 2009, Williams became the first active female professional athlete to appear in a [[feminine hygiene]] product advertising campaign. A series of online videos and print advertisements for [[Tampax]] Pearl [[tampon]]s showed her hitting balls at [[Mother Nature]], played by [[Catherine Lloyd Burns]], to prevent Mother Nature giving her a red-wrapped gift, representing her [[menstrual period]]. In the online videos, the two have dueling press conferences over the "bad blood" between them. "A lot of celebrities are not open to working with our brand, and we're thrilled that Serena is", said a [[brand manager]] for Tampax at [[Procter & Gamble]].<ref name="tampon ad NYT story">{{cite news|last=Newman|first=Andrew Adam|title=Serena Williams' Ad Deals Survive Her Outburst on Court|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/business/media/29adco.html|work=The New York Times|date=September 28, 2009|accessdate=September 28, 2009}}</ref> In July 2012, she appeared in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] comedic improv television series ''[[Trust Us with Your Life]]'' and as a lawyer on the [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] television series ''[[Drop Dead Diva]]''.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} To celebrate the 35th anniversary of [[Pac-Man]], Williams made a cameo appearance in the movie ''[[Pixels (2015 film)|Pixels]]'', which starred Adam Sandler and Kevin James, and premiered on July 24, 2015.<ref name=Pixels /> Williams is known to be close to [[Beyoncé]] and made a cameo appearance dancing in Beyoncé's music video for the song ''[[Sorry (Beyoncé song)|Sorry]]'' in the hit album ''[[Lemonade (Beyoncé album)|Lemonade]]''. Williams said the director told her, "We would love for you to be in this particular song. It's about strength and it's about courage and that's what we see you as."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/the-buzz/article/15499708/serena-williams-explains-why-beyonce-wanted-lemonade-video|title=Serena Williams explains why Beyonce wanted her in 'Lemonade' video|website=espnW}}</ref> ===Language fluency=== In addition to English as her [[native language]], Williams also speaks conversational French, and knows some Spanish and Italian. At the 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018 [[French Open]] she gave her on-court interviews in French, much to the crowd's delight.<ref name=USAToday-speaking-French>{{cite web|last1=Chase|first1=Chris|title=Serena Williams is a regular Francophile|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/serena-williams-speaking-french-open|work=USA Today|accessdate=June 14, 2015|date=June 5, 2013}}</ref><ref name=NYTimes-speaking-French>{{cite news|last1=Clarey|first1=Christopher|title=Real First-Round Foe for Women's No. 1: Microphone|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-cruises-on-opening-day-of-french-open.html|accessdate=June 14, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=May 26, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528041525/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-cruises-on-opening-day-of-french-open.html|archivedate=May 28, 2013|quote=On they went — at Williams's insistence — in the language of Molière, Charles de Gaulle and Yannick Noah. And as Williams bravely worked her way through the banter — with the odd grammatical error but a respectable flow and accent — it was clear once again how much this tournament and this city meant to her.}}</ref> ===Miami Dolphins venture=== In August 2009, Williams and her sister Venus became minority owners of the [[Miami Dolphins]] after purchasing a small stake in the team. They live near each other in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida,<ref name="voguesept17" /> which is about an hour's drive from the Dolphins' stadium. They are the first black women to hold any amount of ownership in an NFL franchise.<ref>{{cite news|title=Williams sisters buy into Dolphins group|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4422313|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN|date=August 25, 2009}}</ref> ===Charity work=== In 2004 and 2005, Serena and her sister, Venus, visited hospitals and played several tennis matches in predominantly black cities in order to raise money for the local Ronald McDonald House charities. An ESPN episode was dedicated to the Williams sisters' charity tour.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> In 2008, as part of the Serena Williams Foundation's work, Williams helped to fund the construction of the Serena Williams Secondary School in [[Makueni County|Matooni, Kenya]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91323/6534327.html |title=Serena Williams in Kenya on charity tour|work=People's Daily |date=November 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=53717 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305115551/http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=53717 |archivedate=March 5, 2010 |title=Serena Williams to Visit Kenya on Charity cause |first=Claire |last=Wanja |date=November 10, 2008 |publisher=Kenya Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=April 24, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chase.com/news/081315-serena-williams|title=Serena Williams: Service On and Off the Court|first=Danielle |last=Elliot |accessdate=August 18, 2015|display-authors=etal}}</ref> The Serena Williams Foundation also provides university scholarships for underprivileged students in the United States. In 2016, the Serena Williams Fund partnered with Helping Hands Jamaica to build the Salt Marsh Primary School for Jamaican youth in [[Trelawny Parish]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jamaica-star.com/article/features/20160209/tennis-star-serena-williams-helps-build-school-trelawny |title=Tennis Star Serena Williams helps build school in Trelawny &#124; Features |newspaper=Jamaica Star |date=February 9, 2016 |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis |first=Taylor |url=http://www.essence.com/2016/02/10/serena-williams-lends-helping-hand-build-jamaican-school |title=Serena Williams Lends a Helping Hand to Build a Jamaican School |website=Essence |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> She received a Celebrity Role Model Award from Avon Foundation in 2003 for work in breast cancer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avoncompany.com/women/news/press20031015.html |work=Avon |publisher=Avon Products, Inc. |accessdate=April 26, 2009 |date=October 15, 2003 |title=Jewel and Serena Williams Help the Avon Foundation Raise Millions for the Fight Against Breast Cancer |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114130839/http://www.avoncompany.com/women/news/press20031015.html |archivedate=November 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Williams has also been involved in a number of clinics at schools and community centers, particularly those which have programs focusing on at-risk youth.<ref name="WTA profile" /> She has also won the "Young Heroes Award" from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater L.A. and Inland (2003) and the "Family Circle and Prudential Financial Player Who Makes a Difference Award" (2004).<ref name="WTA profile" /> In response to the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]], Williams, along with other ATP and WTA stars, decided to forgo their final day of preparation for the [[2010 Australian Open]] to form a charity event in which all proceeds would go to the Haiti earthquake victims.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tennis.com.au/pages/News.aspx?id=4&pageId=11478&HandlerId=2&archive=false&newsid=6671 |title=Stars rally for a common cause |publisher=Tennis Australia |date=January 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5nDbzXsV7?url=http://www.tennis.com.au/Pages/News.aspx?id=4 |archivedate=February 1, 2010 |df= }}</ref> Serena, along with her sister Venus, is a supporter and contributor of First Serve Miami, a foundation for youth who want to learn tennis but are socially and economically challenged.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Chairman's Letter|url=http://www.firstservemiami.org/the-chairmans-letter/|publisher=First Serve Miami|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722215654/http://www.firstservemiami.org/the-chairmans-letter/|archivedate=July 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=First serve adopt-a-player program|url=http://www.firstservemiami.org/first-serve-adopt-a-player-program/|publisher=First Serve Miami|date=March 16, 2015|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722215657/http://www.firstservemiami.org/first-serve-adopt-a-player-program/|archivedate=July 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nole, Andy and Serena to benefit the First Serve Miami Foundation at Ritz-Carlton|url=http://novakdjokovic.com/en/news/events/nole-andy-and-serena-to-benefit-the-first-serve-miami-foundation-at-ritz-carlton/|website=NovakDjokovic.com|date=March 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and Other World Renowned Tennis Players Hold Court at Fifth Annual Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami All-Star Charity Tennis Event|url=http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KeyBiscayne/Information/News/Releases/fifth_annual_miami_all_star_charity_tennis.htm|publisher=Ritz-Carlton|date=February 17, 2014}}</ref> She has been an [[List of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors|International Goodwill Ambassador]] with [[UNICEF]] since 2011 and has helped launch UNICEF's Schools for Asia campaign.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tennis star Serena Williams becomes UNICEF's latest Goodwill Ambassador – with a focus on education|url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_59874.html|publisher=[[UNICEF]]|date=September 20, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams – Charity Work, Events and Causes|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/serena-williams|publisher=Look To The Stars}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Mark Piggott|title=Lionel Messsi and Serena Williams join Unicef children's education campaign|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/lionel-messsi-serena-williams-join-unicef-childrens-education-campaign-1482787|work=International Business Times|date=January 10, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecorazzi.com/2012/01/25/serena-williams-launches-unicefs-schools-for-asia/|title=Serena Williams Launches UNICEF's Schools for Asia |work=Ecorazzi |accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> In addition to the Serena Williams Fund in 2016, Serena and Venus collaborated on the Williams Sisters Fund to work on philanthropic projects together.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.serenawilliams.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301092912/https://www.serenawilliams.com/|url-status=dead|title=Serena &#124; Strong Sexy Sophisticated Clothing by Serena Williams|archivedate=March 1, 2017|website=Serena}}</ref> Also in 2016, in their native home of [[Compton, California]] Serena and Venus teamed up to found the Yetunde Price Resource Center, in honor of their late sister. The Resource Center provides services to families affected by community violence.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> Williams's return to Indian Wells in 2015 was done in partnership with the [[Equal Justice Initiative]], a non-profit organization that provides legal representation to those who might have been denied a fair trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eji.org/news/join-serena-williams-campaign-with-eji|title=Join Serena Williams' Campaign with EJI|website=EJI|accessdate=April 24, 2017|date=March 1, 2015}}</ref> EJI executive director [[Bryan Stevenson]] lauded her courage in supporting his organization. "It's so rare when athletes at the top of their game are willing to embrace a set of issues that, for a lot of people, are edgier", he said. "This is not aid to orphans. ... She was standing when a lot of her contemporaries remain seated, speaking up when others are being quiet."<ref name="SPOTY15">{{cite journal|last=Price|first=S. L. |date=December 21, 2015|title=Serena Williams is Sports Illustrated's 2015 Sportsperson of the Year|journal=Sports Illustrated|volume=123|issue=24|page=76|url=https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2015/12/14/serena-williams-si-sportsperson-year|accessdate=December 17, 2015}}</ref> In 2014, Williams began hosting an annual charity run named "The Serena Williams Ultimate Fun Run". The event is in support of the Serena Williams Fund, which helps underprivileged individuals and communities that are affected by senseless violence and to ensure equal access to education of youth.<ref>[http://theultimaterun.com/charity/ Serena Williams Live Ultimate Run] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104202844/http://theultimaterun.com/charity/ |date=November 4, 2016}}, South Beach 12.13.15.</ref><ref name=autogenerated1/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tennisontario.com/pages/story-1-ot-spin-week-of-february-19 |title=Ontario Tennis Association – Serena Gives Back- OT Spin Week of February 19 |website=Tennisontario.com |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> In 2017, Williams became Ambassador for the [[Allstate|Allstate Foundation]]'s Purple Purse project, an initiative to provide financial empowerment to domestic abuse victims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2017/06/serena-williams-allstate-foundation-purple-purse-campaign/ |title=Serena Williams Joins Allstate's Purple Purse Project |website=Vibe (magazine) |first= Luria|last= Freeman|date=June 23, 2017 |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref><ref name="mediapost1">{{cite web|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/303343/allstate-enlists-serena-williams-for-cause-campaig.html |title=Allstate Enlists Serena Williams For Cause Campaign |first= Tanya|last= Gazdik |date= June 23, 2017|website=Mediapost.com |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> In a press release, Vicky Dinges, Allstate's senior vice president of corporate responsibility, said, "we are thrilled to welcome Serena, a longtime advocate and role model for so many, to the Purple Purse family. Her voice will bring new audiences into this critical conversation."<ref name="mediapost1" /> Other charitable organizations Williams supports include the [[Elton John AIDS Foundation]], [[Great Ormond Street Hospital]], Hearts of Gold, the Common Ground Foundation, the Small Steps Project, the [[HollyRod Foundation]], Beyond the Boroughs National Scholarship Fund, World Education, the Eva Longoria Foundation, the Caliber Foundation and the Cure for MND Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/serena-williams|title=Serena Williams: Charity Work & Causes|work=Look to the Stars|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/serena-williams-mentions-mnd-in-victory-speech-115013100729_1.html |title=Serena Williams mentions MND in victory speech|work=Business Standard|date=January 31, 2015|accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref> ===Writing=== The Williams sisters, with author Hilary Beard, wrote a book titled ''Venus & Serena: Serving From The Hip: 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning'', which was published in 2005.<ref name="Hilarybeard.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.hilarybeard.com/books/ |title=The Website of Author Hilary Beard – Books |website=Hilarybeard.com |accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=January 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-134387123.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905091647/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-134387123.html |url-status=dead |archivedate=September 5, 2013 |title=Venus and Serena: Serving From the Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving, and Winning.(Brief Article)(Book Review) |website=Highbeam.com |date=July 1, 2005 |accessdate=February 23, 2011}}</ref> During the [[2009 Wimbledon Championships]], Williams said that she was in the process of writing a TV show storyline, which would be converted into script form by her agency. She stated that the show would represent subject matter from a mix of popular American television shows such as ''[[Desperate Housewives]]'' and ''[[Family Guy]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2009.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2009-06-24/200906241245864482421.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825095418/http://2009.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2009-06-24/200906241245864482421.html |accessdate=April 20, 2017|archivedate=August 25, 2009 |title=S Williams – June&nbsp;24, 2009 |publisher=2009.wimbledon.org |date=June 24, 2009}}</ref> Williams released her first solo autobiography, entitled ''On the Line'', following the [[2009 US Open (tennis)|2009 US Open]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} ==Career statistics== {{Main|Serena Williams career statistics}} ===Grand Slam tournament performance timeline=== {{performance key|short=yes}} ''Current through the [[2019 US Open – Women's Singles|2019 US Open]].'' {|class=wikitable style=text-align:center;font-size:90% |- !Tournament!![[1998 WTA Tour|1998]]!![[1999 WTA Tour|1999]]!![[2000 WTA Tour|2000]]!![[2001 WTA Tour|2001]]!![[2002 WTA Tour|2002]]!![[2003 WTA Tour|2003]]!![[2004 WTA Tour|2004]]!![[2005 WTA Tour|2005]]!![[2006 WTA Tour|2006]]!![[2007 WTA Tour|2007]]!![[2008 WTA Tour|2008]]!![[2009 WTA Tour|2009]]!![[2010 WTA Tour|2010]]!![[2011 WTA Tour|2011]]!![[2012 WTA Tour|2012]]!![[2013 WTA Tour|2013]]!![[2014 WTA Tour|2014]]!![[2015 WTA Tour|2015]]!![[2016 WTA Tour|2016]]!![[2017 WTA Tour|2017]]!![[2018 WTA Tour|2018]] ![[2019 WTA Tour|2019]]!!width=50|{{Tooltip| SR | Strike Rate}}!!width=50|{{Tooltip| W–L|Win–Loss}}!!width=40|Win % |- | style="text-align:left;"|{{nowrap|[[Australian Open]]}} | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1998 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2R]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1999 Australian Open – Women's Singles|3R]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2000 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]] | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2001 Australian Open – Women's Singles|QF]] |A |style="background:lime;"|[[2003 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] |A |style="background:lime;"|[[2005 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 Australian Open – Women's Singles|3R]] |style="background:lime;"|[[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2008 Australian Open – Women's Singles|QF]] |style="background:lime;"|[[2009 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] |style="background:lime;"|[[2010 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] |A | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2012 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]] | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2013 Australian Open – Women's Singles|QF]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2014 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]] |style="background:lime;"|[[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] |style="background:thistle;"|[[2016 Australian Open – Women's Singles|F]] |style="background:lime;"|[[2017 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] |A |style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2019 Australian Open – Women's Singles|QF]] |style="background:#efefef;"|7 / 18 |style="background:#efefef;"|85–11 |style="background:#efefef;"|{{tennis win percentage|won=85|lost=11|integer=yes}} |- | style="text-align:left;"|[[French Open]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1998 French Open – Women's Singles|4R]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1999 French Open – Women's Singles|3R]] |A | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2001 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]] |style="background:lime;"|[[2002 French Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] |style="background:yellow;"|[[2003 French Open – Women's Singles|SF]] | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2004 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]] |A |A | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 French Open – Women's Singles|3R]] | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2009 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]] | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2010 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]] |A | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2012 French Open – Women's Singles|1R]] |style="background:lime;"|[[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2014 French Open – Women's Singles|2R]] | style="background:lime;"|[[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] | style="background:thistle;"|[[2016 French Open – Women's Singles|F]] |A | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2018 French Open – Women's Singles|4R]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2019 French Open – Women's Singles|3R]] |style="background:#efefef;"|3 / 17 |style="background:#efefef;"|65–13 |style="background:#efefef;"|{{tennis win percentage|won=65|lost=13|integer=yes}} |- | style="text-align:left;"|[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|3R]] |A | style="background:yellow;"|[[2000 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|SF]] | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2001 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|QF]] | style="background:lime;"|[[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] | style="background:lime;"|[[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] | style="background:thistle;"|[[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|3R]] |A | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|QF]] | style="background:thistle;"|[[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]] | style="background:lime;"|[[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] | style="background:lime;"|[[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2011 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]] | style="background:lime;"|[[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2013 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2014 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|3R]] | style="background:lime;"|[[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] | style="background:lime;"|[[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] |A | style="background:thistle;"|[[2018 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]] | style="background:thistle;"|[[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]] |style="background:#efefef;"|7 / 19 |style="background:#efefef;"|98–12 |style="background:#efefef;"|{{tennis win percentage|won=98|lost=12|integer=yes}} |- | style="text-align:left;"|[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1998 US Open – Women's Singles|3R]] |style="background:lime;"|[[1999 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2000 US Open – Women's Singles|QF]] |style="background:thistle;"|[[2001 US Open – Women's Singles|F]] |style="background:lime;"|[[2002 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] |A | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2004 US Open – Women's Singles|QF]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]] | style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]] | style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 US Open – Women's Singles|QF]] |style="background:lime;"|[[2008 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] |style="background:yellow;"|[[2009 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]] |A | style="background:thistle;"|[[2011 US Open – Women's Singles|F]] |style="background:lime;"|[[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] |style="background:lime;"|[[2013 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] |style="background:lime;"|[[2014 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] |style="background:yellow;"|[[2015 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]] |style="background:yellow;"|[[2016 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]] |A | style="background:thistle;"|[[2018 US Open – Women's Singles|F]] | style="background:thistle;"|[[2019 US Open – Women's Singles|F]] |style="background:#efefef;"|6 / 19 |style="background:#efefef;"|101–13 |style="background:#efefef;"|{{tennis win percentage|won=101|lost=13|integer=yes}} |- style="font-weight:bold; background:#efefef;" |style=text-align:left|Win–Loss |8–4 |11–2 |12–3 |18–4 |21–0 |19–1 |14–3 |12–2 |5–2 |19–3 |19–3 |23–2 |18–1 |9–2 |17–2 |21–2 |13–3 |26–1 |24–3 |7–0 |15–2 |18–4 |{{nowrap|23 / 73}} |{{nowrap|349–49}} |{{tennis win percentage|won=349|lost=49|integer=yes}} |} <small>Note: ''Williams withdrew from the 2018 French Open before her fourth round match, which does not officially count as a loss.''</small> ===Grand Slam tournament finals=== ====Singles: 33 (23–10)==== {| class="sortable wikitable" |- !Result !Year !Tournament !Surface !Opponents !class="unsortable"| Score |- style="background:#ccf;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1999 US Open – Women's Singles|1999]]||[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]||[[Hard court|Hard]]||{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Martina Hingis]]||6–3, 7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup> |- style="background:#ccf;" | style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2001 US Open – Women's Singles|2001]]||US Open||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Venus Williams]]||2–6, 4–6 |- style="background:#ebc2af;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2002 French Open – Women's Singles|2002]]||French Open||[[Clay court|Clay]]||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||7–5, 6–3 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2002]]||[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]||[[Grass court|Grass]]||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup>, 6–3 |- style="background:#ccf;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2002 US Open – Women's Singles|2002]]||US Open <small>(2)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||6–4, 6–3 |- style="background:#ffc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2003 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2003]]||Australian Open||Hard||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup>, 3–6, 6–4 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2003]]||Wimbledon <small>(2)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||4–6, 6–4, 6–2 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2004]]||Wimbledon||Grass||{{Flagicon|RUS}} [[Maria Sharapova]]||1–6, 4–6 |- style="background:#ffc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2005 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2005]]||Australian Open <small>(2)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Lindsay Davenport]]||2–6, 6–3, 6–0 |- style="background:#ffc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2007]]||Australian Open <small>(3)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|RUS}} Maria Sharapova||6–1, 6–2 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2008]]||Wimbledon||Grass||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||5–7, 4–6 |- style="background:#ccf;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2008 US Open – Women's Singles|2008]]||US Open <small>(3)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|SRB|2004}} [[Jelena Janković]]||6–4, 7–5 |- style="background:#ffc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2009]]||Australian Open <small>(4)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|RUS}} [[Dinara Safina]]||6–0, 6–3 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2009]]||Wimbledon <small>(3)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||7–6<sup>(7–3)</sup>, 6–2 |- style="background:#ffc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2010 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2010]]||Australian Open <small>(5)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|BEL}} [[Justine Henin]]||6–4, 3–6, 6–2 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2010]]||Wimbledon <small>(4)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|RUS}} [[Vera Zvonareva]]||6–3, 6–2 |- style="background:#ccf;" | style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2011 US Open – Women's Singles|2011]]||US Open||Hard||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Samantha Stosur]]||2–6, 3–6 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2012]]||Wimbledon <small>(5)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|POL}} [[Agnieszka Radwańska]]||6–1, 5–7, 6–2 |- style="background:#ccf;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|2012]]||US Open <small>(4)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|BLR}} [[Victoria Azarenka]]||6–2, 2–6, 7–5 |- style="background:#ebc2af;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|2013]]||French Open <small>(2)</small>||Clay||{{Flagicon|RUS}} Maria Sharapova||6–4, 6–4 |- style="background:#ccf;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2013 US Open – Women's Singles|2013]]||US Open <small>(5)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|BLR}} Victoria Azarenka||7–5, 6–7<sup>(6–8)</sup>, 6–1 |- style="background:#ccf;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2014 US Open – Women's Singles|2014]]||US Open <small>(6)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Caroline Wozniacki]]||6–3, 6–3 |- style="background:#ffc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2015]]||Australian Open <small>(6)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|RUS}} Maria Sharapova||6–3, 7–6<sup>(7–5)</sup> |- style="background:#ebc2af;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|2015]]||French Open <small>(3)</small>||Clay||{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Lucie Šafářová]]||6–3, 6–7<sup>(2–7)</sup>, 6–2 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2015]]||Wimbledon <small>(6)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|Spain}} [[Garbiñe Muguruza]]||6–4, 6–4 |- style="background:#ffc;" | style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2016 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2016]]||Australian Open||Hard||{{flagicon|GER}} [[Angelique Kerber]]||4–6, 6–3, 4–6 |- style="background:#ebc2af;" | style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2016 French Open – Women's Singles|2016]]||French Open||Clay||{{Flagicon|Spain}} Garbiñe Muguruza ||5–7, 4–6 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2016]]||Wimbledon <small>(7)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|GER}} Angelique Kerber||7–5, 6–3 |- style="background:#ffc;" |style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2017 Australian Open|2017]]||Australian Open <small>(7)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||6–4, 6–4 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2018 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2018]]||Wimbledon||Grass||{{Flagicon|GER}} Angelique Kerber||3–6, 3–6 |- style="background:#ccf;" |style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2018 US Open – Women's Singles|2018]]||US Open||Hard||{{Flagicon|JPN}} [[Naomi Osaka]] ||2–6, 4–6 |- style="background:#cfc;" |style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2019]]||Wimbledon||Grass||{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Simona Halep]]|| 2–6, 2–6 |- style="background:#ccf;" |style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2019 US Open – Women's Singles|2019]]||US Open||Hard||{{Flagicon|CAN}} [[Bianca Andreescu]] || 3–6, 5–7 |} ====Women's doubles: 14 (14–0)==== {| class="sortable wikitable" |- !Result !style="width:40px" | Year !style="width:120px"| Tournament !style="width:70px" | Surface !style="width:170px"| Partner !style="width:170px"| Opponents !style="width:130px" class="unsortable" | Score |- style="background:#ebc2af;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1999 French Open – Women's Doubles|1999]]||French Open||Clay||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Venus Williams]]||{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Martina Hingis]]<br />{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Anna Kournikova]]||6–3, 6–7<sup>(2–7)</sup>, 8–6 |- style="background:#ccf;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1999 US Open – Women's Doubles|1999]]||[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Chanda Rubin]]<br />{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Sandrine Testud]]||4–6, 6–1, 6–4 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2000 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2000]]||[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Julie Halard-Decugis]]<br />{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Ai Sugiyama]]||6–3, 6–2 |- style="background:#ffc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2001 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2001]]||Australian Open||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lindsay Davenport]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Corina Morariu]]||6–2, 2–6, 6–4 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2002]]||Wimbledon <small>(2)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Virginia Ruano Pascual]]<br />{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Paola Suárez]]||6–2, 7–5 |- style="background:#ffc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2003 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2003]]||Australian Open <small>(2)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|ESP}} Virginia Ruano Pascual<br />{{flagicon|ARG}} Paola Suárez||4–6, 6–4, 6–3 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2008]]||Wimbledon <small>(3)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lisa Raymond]]<br />{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Samantha Stosur]]||6–2, 6–2 |- style="background:#ffc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2009]]||Australian Open <small>(3)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|SVK}} [[Daniela Hantuchová]]<br />{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Ai Sugiyama]]||6–3, 6–3 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2009]]||Wimbledon <small>(4)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Samantha Stosur]]<br />{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Rennae Stubbs]]||7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup>, 6–4 |- style="background:#ccf;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 US Open – Women's Doubles|2009]]||US Open <small>(2)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|ZIM}} [[Cara Black]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Liezel Huber]]||6–2, 6–2 |- style="background:#ffc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2010 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2010]]||Australian Open <small>(4)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|ZIM}} Cara Black<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Liezel Huber||6–4, 6–3 |- style="background:#ebc2af;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2010 French Open – Women's Doubles|2010]]||French Open <small>(2)</small>||Clay||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Květa Peschke]]<br />{{flagicon|SLO}} [[Katarina Srebotnik]]||6–2, 6–3 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2012]]||Wimbledon <small>(5)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Andrea Hlaváčková]]<br />{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Lucie Hradecká]]||7–5, 6–4 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2016]]||Wimbledon <small>(6)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Tímea Babos]]<br />{{flagicon|KAZ}} [[Yaroslava Shvedova]]||6–3, 6–4 |} ====Mixed doubles: 4 (2–2)==== {| class="sortable wikitable" |- !Result !style="width:40px" | Year !style="width:120px"| Tournament !style="width:70px" | Surface !style="width:170px"| Partner !style="width:170px"| Opponents !style="width:130px" class="unsortable"| Score |- style="background:#ebc2af;" | style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[1998 French Open – Mixed Doubles|1998]]||French Open||Clay||{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Luis Lobo]]||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Justin Gimelstob]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Venus Williams]]||3–6, 4–6 |- style="background:#cfc;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Mixed Doubles|1998]]||[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]||Grass||{{flagicon|BLR|1995}} [[Max Mirnyi]]||{{flagicon|IND}} [[Mahesh Bhupathi]]<br />{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Mirjana Lučić]]||6–4, 6–4 |- style="background:#ccf;" | style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1998 US Open – Mixed Doubles|1998]]||[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]||Hard||{{flagicon|BLR|1995}} Max Mirnyi||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Patrick Galbraith]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lisa Raymond]]||6–2, 6–2 |- style="background:#ffc;" | style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[1999 Australian Open – Mixed Doubles|1999]]||Australian Open||Hard||{{flagicon|BLR|1995}} Max Mirnyi||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[David Adams (tennis)|David Adams]]<br />{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Mariaan de Swardt]]||4–6, 6–4, 6–7<sup>(5–7)</sup> |} ==Records== {{Main|List of career achievements by Serena Williams}} * Records in '''bold''' indicate peer-less achievements. * Records in ''italics'' are currently active streaks.{{when|date=July 2019}} {|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |- !Time span !Selected Grand Slam tournament records !Players matched |- |1999 US Open —<br />2003 Australian Open||Career Grand Slam in singles||[[Doris Hart]]<br />[[Maureen Connolly]]<br />[[Shirley Fry Irvin|Shirley Fry]]<br />[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Billie Jean King]]<br />[[Chris Evert]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]<br />[[Maria Sharapova]] |- |2012 Wimbledon —<br />2015 Australian Open||Career Grand Slam in singles after age 30||'''Stands alone''' |- |2012 Wimbledon —<br />2017 Australian Open||Double Career Grand Slam in singles after age 30||'''Stands alone''' |- |1999 US Open —<br />2012 Olympics||Career Golden Slam in singles||[[Steffi Graf]] |- |2012 Wimbledon —<br />2015 Australian Open||Career Golden Slam in singles after age 30||'''Stands alone''' |- |1999 French Open —<br />2003 Australian Open||Career Grand Slam in both singles and doubles||[[Doris Hart]]<br />[[Shirley Fry Irvin|Shirley Fry]]<br />[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]] |- |1999 French Open —<br />2012 Olympics||Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles||'''Stands alone''' |- |2012 Wimbledon —<br />2017 Australian Open||Ten Grand Slam singles titles after age 30||'''Stands alone''' |- |2002 Wimbledon —<br />2017 Australian Open||[[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions#Winning a Grand Slam singles tournament without losing a set (Open Era)|3 different Grand Slam titles won without losing a set]]||[[Helen Wills]]<br />[[Chris Evert]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]<br />[[Lindsay Davenport]] |- |1999 US Open —<br />2017 Australian Open||Thirteen hardcourt Grand Slam singles titles||'''Stands alone''' |- |2012 Olympics —<br />2015 Wimbledon||Simultaneous holder of Olympic singles gold and all four Grand Slams in singles||[[Steffi Graf]] |- |2008 Olympics —<br />2010 French Open||Simultaneous holder of Olympic doubles gold and all four Grand Slams in doubles (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]] |- |2008 Olympics —<br />2015 Wimbledon||Simultaneous holder of Olympic gold and all four Grand Slams in both singles and doubles||'''Stands alone |- |1999 French Open —<br />2012 Olympics||Double Career Golden Slam (2+ titles at all four Grand Slams & Olympic golds) in doubles (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]] |- |2002 French Open —<br />2002 US Open||100% (21–0) match winning percentage in 1 season||[[Helen Wills]]<br />[[Maureen Connolly]]<br />[[Shirley Fry]]<br />[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Billie Jean King]]<br />[[Chris Evert]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]<br />[[Monica Seles]] |- |2002 French Open —<br />2003 Australian Open||Winner of non-calendar year Grand Slam||[[Maureen Connolly]]<br />[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]] |- |2002 French Open —<br />2015 Wimbledon||Winner of two non-calendar year Grand Slams||[[Steffi Graf]] |- |2002 French Open —<br />2010 French Open||Winner of non-calendar year Grand Slams in both singles and doubles||[[Martina Navratilova]] |- |2002 French Open —<br />2016 Wimbledon||Winner of 10+ Grand Slam singles titles in two separate decades (10 from 2000 to 2009 and 12 from 2010 to 2017) ||'''Stands alone''' |- |2002 French Open —<br />2013 French Open||Winner of all four Grand Slam singles titles in two separate decades||[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]] |- |1999 US Open —<br />2013 French Open||Winner of Grand Slam singles titles in three decades||[[Blanche Bingley]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]] |- |1999 French Open —<br />2016 Wimbledon||First 14 Grand Slam doubles finals won (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]] |- |1999 US Open —<br />2015 French Open||Triple Career Grand Slam (3+ titles at all four Grand Slams) in singles||[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]] |- |1999 US Open —<br />2013 French Open||Double Career Grand Slam in both singles and doubles||[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]] |- |1999 US Open —<br />2015 Wimbledon||6+ titles at three different Grand Slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open)||'''Stands alone''' |- |2002 Wimbledon —<br />2017 Australian Open||7 titles at two different Grand Slams (Australian Open and Wimbledon)||'''Stands alone''' |- |1998 Australian Open —<br />2019 US Open||65+ wins at all four Grand Slams ||'''Stands alone''' |- |2012 Australian Open—<br />2017 Australian Open||3 finals at each of the four Grand Slams since turning 30 ||'''Stands alone''' |- |2019 US Open||Oldest women's singles finalist (37 years 11 months)||'''Stands alone''' |} {|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |- !Grand Slam tournaments !Time span !Records at each Grand Slam tournament !Players matched |- |Australian Open||2007||Unseeded winner of singles title||[[Chris O'Neil (tennis)|Chris O'Neil]] |- |Australian Open||2003–2017||7 women's singles titles (Open Era record)||'''Stands alone''' |- |Australian Open||2003–2017||[[List of Australian Open Singles Finals appearances|8 finals overall]]||'''Stands alone''' |- |Australian Open||2003–2017||14 years between first and last title||'''Stands alone''' |- |Australian Open||2003–2017||14 years between first and last final||[[Chris Evert]]<br />[[Venus Williams]] |- |Australian Open||1998–2019||85 match wins||'''Stands alone''' |- |French Open||2002–2015||13 years between first and last title||'''Stands alone''' |- |French Open||2002–2016||14 years between first and last final||'''Stands alone''' |- |French Open—Wimbledon||2002, 2015||Accomplished a "Channel Slam": Winning both tournaments in the same year||[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Billie Jean King]]<br />Chris Evert<br />[[Martina Navratilova]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]] |- |Wimbledon||2012–2016||3 women's singles titles after age 30||'''Stands alone''' |- |Wimbledon||2002–2019||17 years between first and last final||Venus Williams |- |US Open||1999–2012||Winner of singles titles in three decades||'''Stands alone''' |- |US Open||1999–2014||6 women's singles titles (Open Era record)||Chris Evert |- |US Open||1998–2019||101 match wins||Chris Evert |- |US Open||1999–2014||15 years between first and last title||'''Stands alone''' |- |US Open||1999–2019||20 years between first and last final||'''Stands alone''' |- |US Open||2011, 2013–2014||Won as [[US Open Series]] Champion multiple times ||'''Stands alone''' |- |US Open||2012–2014||3 women's singles titles after age 30||'''Stands alone''' |} {|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |- !Time span !Other selected records !Players matched |- |1999–2016||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#WTA Premier/Tier One (since inception in 1988)|23 Tier I / Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 singles titles overall]]||'''Stands alone''' |- |1999–2016||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#WTA Premier/Tier One (since inception in 1988)|32 Tier I / Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 singles finals overall]]||'''Stands alone''' |- |1999–2015||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#Titles by court type|16 Hard court Tier I / Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 singles titles overall]]||'''Stands alone''' |- |2001||Won [[2001 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|WTA Tour Championships]] on debut||[[Maria Sharapova]]<br />[[Petra Kvitová]]<br />[[Dominika Cibulková]]<br />[[Ashleigh Barty]] |- |2010||Ranked No. 1 in singles and doubles simultaneously||[[Martina Navratilova]]<br />[[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]]<br />[[Martina Hingis]]<br />[[Lindsay Davenport]]<br />[[Kim Clijsters]] |- |2013–2016||[[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players#Consecutive|186 consecutive weeks at No. 1]]||[[Steffi Graf]] |- |2003–2008||2 [[Hopman Cup]] titles||[[Dominik Hrbatý]]<br />[[Tommy Robredo]]<br />[[James Blake (tennis)|James Blake]]<br />[[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]] |- |2002–2015||[[Miami Masters#Records|8 Miami Masters singles titles overall]]||'''Stands alone''' |- |2000–2012||[[Tennis at the Summer Olympics#Multiple medal winners (1896–2016)|4 Olympic Gold Medals overall]]||[[Venus Williams]] |- |2000–2012||[[Tennis at the Summer Olympics#Multiple medal winners (1896–2016)|3 Olympic Gold Medals in Doubles]] (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]] |- |2000–2016||[[List of Olympic medalists in tennis#Doubles (women)|93.75% (15–1) Olympic match winning record in doubles]] (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]] |- |2001, 2012||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#Year-End Championships|Two Year-End Championships won without losing a set]]||[[Martina Navratilova]] |- |2001–2015||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#Year-End Championships|Winning percentage of 82.86% at Year-End Championships]]||'''Stands alone''' |- |1995–2017||[[List of WTA Tour players by career prize money|$84,463,131 prize money overall]]||'''Stands alone''' |} ==Filmography== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ Film and television |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2001 | ''[[The Simpsons]]'' | Herself (voice) | Episode: "[[Tennis the Menace]]" |- | 2002 | ''[[My Wife and Kids]]'' | Miss Wiggins | Episode: "Crouching Mother, Hidden Father" |- | 2003 | ''[[Street Time]]'' | Meeka Hayes | Episode: "Fly Girl" |- | 2004 | ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'' | Chloe Spiers | Episode: "Brotherhood" |- | 2004 | ''[[The Division]]'' | Jennifer Davis | Episode: "Lost and Found" |- | 2004 | ''[[Hair Show]]'' | Agent Ross | |- | 2005 | ''[[Higglytown Heroes]]'' | Snowplow Driver Hero (voice) | Episode: "Higgly Hoedown/Eubie's Turbo Sled" |- | 2005 | ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'' | Alice Watson | Episode: "Two Ships " |- | 2005 | ''[[All of Us]]'' | Herself | Episode: "Not So Wonderful News" |- |2005 |''[[America's Next Top Model]]'' |Herself |Episode: "The Girl with the Worst Photo in History" |- |2005–2007 |''[[Punk'd]]'' |Herself |3 episodes |- | 2007 | ''[[Loonatics Unleashed]]'' | Queen Athena (voice) | Episode: "Apocalypso" |- | 2007 | ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'' | Ming (voice) | Episode: "The Day of Black Sun: Part 1 – The Invasion" |- | 2006 | ''[[The Bernie Mac Show]]'' | Herself | Episode: "Spinning Wheels" |- | 2008 | ''[[The Game (U.S. TV series)|The Game]]'' | Herself | Episode: "The List Episode" |- | 2008 | ''[[MADtv]]'' | Herself / Black Racket |Episode: "Episode 7" |- | 2011 | ''[[Keeping Up with the Kardashians]]'' | Herself |Episode: "Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event – Part 2" |- | 2012 | ''[[Drop Dead Diva]]'' | Kelly Stevens | Episode: "Rigged" |- | 2012 | ''[[Venus and Serena (film)|Venus and Serena]]'' | Herself | |- | 2013 | ''[[The Legend of Korra]]'' | Female Sage (voice) | Episode: "Beginnings, Part 1" |- | 2015 | ''[[7 Days in Hell]]'' | Herself | |- |2015 | ''[[Pixels (2015 film)|Pixels]]'' | Herself | Cameo Appearance<ref name=Pixels>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/videos/life/2015/05/22/27799457|title=Serena Williams serves up laughs in 'Pixels'|date=May 22, 2015|work=USA Today|accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref> |- |2016 |''[[Lemonade (Beyoncé album)|Lemonade]]'' music video |Herself |Cameo Appearance in "[[Sorry (Beyoncé song)|Sorry]]" |- |2016 |''Serena: The Other Side of Greatness'' |Herself |Documentary |- |2018 |''[[Ocean's 8]]'' |Herself |Cameo Appearance |- |2018 |''Being Serena'' |Herself |Documentary |} ==See also== {{Portal|Biography|Books|Film|Olympics|Television|United States|Tennis|Politics}} {{Div col|colwidth=30em}} * [[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions]] * [[List of Grand Slam women's doubles champions]] * [[List of Grand Slam mixed doubles champions]] * [[Henin–S. Williams rivalry]] * [[Hingis–S. Williams rivalry]] * [[Williams sisters rivalry]] * [[Women's sports]] {{div col end}} {{clear}} ==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}} {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} ==Bibliography== * {{cite book | ref=harv | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=GaphSm9ndMsC | last1=Morgan |first1=Terri | title=Venus and Serena Williams: Grand Slam Sisters | series=Sports Achievers Biographies | publisher=Lerner Publishing | year=2001 | pages=64pp | nopp=y | isbn=978-0-8225-3684-0 }} * {{cite book | ref = harv | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=n-_SalMONJUC | last1 = Williams | first1 = Venus | author2 = Serena Williams | author3 = Hilary Beard | title = Venus and Serena: Serving from the Hip: 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning | publisher = Houghton Mifflin Harcourt | year = 2005 | pages = 133pp | nopp = y | isbn = 978-0-618-57653-1 }} * {{cite book | ref = harv | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=QgAHQLkOijkC | last1 = Williams | first1 = Serena | author2 = Daniel Paisner | title = On the Line | year = 2009a | pages = 214pp | nopp = y | publisher = Hachette Digital | isbn = 978-0-446-56402-1 }} * {{cite book | ref = harv | last1 = Williams | first1 = Serena | author2 = Daniel Paisner | title = My Life: Queen of the Court | year = 2009b | pages = 257pp | nopp = y | publisher = Simon & Schuster | isbn = 978-1-84737-544-5 }} ==External links== {{wikimedia|collapsible=true|wikt=no |c=Category:Serena Williams|b=no|q=Serena Williams|s=no|v=no|species=no |voy=no|display=Serena Williams|d=Q11459}} * {{official website}} * {{WTA}} * {{ITF profile|20007765}} * {{Fed Cup player}} * {{IMDb name|1102987|Serena Williams}} * [http://www.makers.com/serena-williams Serena Williams] video produced by ''[[Makers: Women Who Make America]]'' {{Serena Williams}} {{Serena Williams start boxes}} {{navboxes|title=Serena Williams in the [[grand slam (tennis)|Grand Slam Tournaments]] |list1= {{navboxes|title=[[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions|Women's singles]] |list1= {{Australian Open women's singles champions}} {{French Open women's singles champions}} {{Wimbledon women's singles champions}} {{US Open women's singles champions}} }} {{navboxes|title=[[List of Grand Slam women's doubles champions|Women's doubles]] |list1= {{Australian Open women's doubles champions}} {{French Open women's doubles champions}} {{Wimbledon women's doubles champions}} {{US Open women's doubles champions}} }} {{navboxes|title=[[List of Grand Slam mixed doubles champions|Mixed doubles]] |list1= {{Wimbledon mixed doubles champions}} {{US Open mixed doubles champions}} }} {{navboxes|title=Others |list1= {{Women's tennis players who won two or more Grand Slam singles titles in one calendar year}} {{Tennis women grand slam three and more}} }} }} {{navboxes|title=[[Serena Williams career statistics|Serena Williams's achievements]] |list1= {{WTA world No. 1 doubles players}} {{Tennis World Number Ones (women)}} {{Footer Olympic Champions Tennis Women}} {{Footer Olympic Champions Tennis Women's Doubles}} {{WTA Year-End Championship winners}} {{Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year}} {{Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year}} {{SI Sportsman of the Year}} {{Michigan Women's Hall of Fame}} {{Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year navbox}} {{ESPY Female Athlete}} {{Top ten tennis players|wtasingles=y}} {{Top female singles tennis players from the Americas}} {{Top American female tennis players}} }} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Serena}} [[Category:20th-century African-American people]] <!-- [[Category:21st-century African-American people]] --> [[Category:1981 births]] [[Category:African-American designers]] [[Category:African-American female tennis players]] [[Category:American autobiographers]] [[Category:American female tennis players]] [[Category:American Jehovah's Witnesses]] [[Category:Australian Open (tennis) champions]] [[Category:French Open champions]] [[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in mixed doubles]] [[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in women's doubles]] [[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in women's singles]] [[Category:Hopman Cup competitors]] [[Category:Laureus World Sports Awards winners]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in tennis]] [[Category:Olympic tennis players of the United States]] [[Category:People from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida]] [[Category:Serena Williams| ]] [[Category:Sports world record holders]] [[Category:Sportspeople from Compton, California]] [[Category:Sportspeople from Saginaw, Michigan]] [[Category:Sportspeople from West Palm Beach, Florida]] [[Category:Tennis people from California]] [[Category:Tennis people from Florida]] [[Category:Tennis people from Michigan]] [[Category:Tennis players at the 2000 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Tennis players at the 2008 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Tennis players at the 2012 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Tennis players at the 2016 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors]] [[Category:US Open (tennis) champions]] [[Category:Wimbledon champions]] [[Category:Women ambassadors]] [[Category:Women autobiographers]] [[Category:World No. 1 tennis players]]'
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Unified diff of changes made by edit (edit_diff)
'@@ -1,1145 +1,1 @@ -{{short description|American tennis player}} -{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}} -{{Infobox tennis biography -| name = Serena Williams -| fullname = Serena Jameka Williams -| image = Serena Williams at 2013 US Open.jpg -| caption = Williams at the [[2013 US Open (tennis)|2013 US Open]] -| country = {{flagu|United States}} -| residence = [[Palm Beach Gardens, Florida]], U.S.<ref name="WTA profile">{{WTA|id=230234<!-- was 9044 -->|name=Serena Williams}}</ref> -| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|9|26}} -| birth_place = [[Saginaw, Michigan]], U.S. -| height = 5 ft 9 in<ref name="WTA profile" /> -| turnedpro = October 1995 -| coach = [[Richard Williams (tennis coach)|Richard Williams]] (1994{{ndash}})<br />[[Oracene Price]]<br />[[Patrick Mouratoglou]] (2012{{ndash}})<ref>{{cite news |last=Rankine |first=Claudia | title=The Meaning of Serena Williams | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=2015-08-25 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-meaning-of-serena-williams.html | accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref> -| plays = Right-handed (two-handed backhand) -| careerprizemoney = [[US$]]92,543,816<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/rankings/All_Career_Prize_Money.pdf.|title=wtatennis.com|date=April 29, 2019|accessdate=April 29, 2019}}</ref> -* [[WTA Tour records#WTA career prize money leaders|1st in all-time rankings (female)]] -| website = {{url|https://www.serenawilliams.com}} -| singlesrecord = {{tennis record|won=826|lost=142}} -| singlestitles = 72 [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] ([[Tennis records of the Open Era – Women's Singles#All tournaments|5th in overall rankings]]), 0 [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]] -| highestsinglesranking = [[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players|No. '''1''']] (July 8, 2002) -| currentsinglesranking = No. 10 (November 4, 2019) -| AustralianOpenresult = '''W''' ([[2003 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2003]], [[2005 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2005]], [[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2007]], [[2009 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2009]], [[2010 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2010]], [[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2015]], [[2017 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2017]]) -| FrenchOpenresult = '''W''' ([[2002 French Open – Women's Singles|2002]], [[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|2013]], [[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|2015]]) -| Wimbledonresult= '''W''' ([[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2002]], [[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2003]], [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2009]], [[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2010]], [[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2012]], [[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2015]], [[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2016]]) -| USOpenresult = '''W''' ([[1999 US Open – Women's Singles|1999]], [[2002 US Open – Women's Singles|2002]], [[2008 US Open – Women's Singles|2008]], [[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|2012]], [[2013 US Open – Women's Singles|2013]], [[2014 US Open – Women's Singles|2014]]) -| Othertournaments = yes -| GrandSlamCupresult = '''W''' ([[Grand Slam Cup#Women 3|1999]]) -| WTAChampionshipsresult = '''W''' ([[2001 WTA Tour Championships|2001]], [[2009 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2009]], [[2012 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2012]], [[2013 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2013]], [[2014 WTA Finals – Singles|2014]]) -| doublesrecord = {{tennis record|won=187|lost=33}} -| doublestitles= 23 [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]], 0 [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]] -| highestdoublesranking = [[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players#Doubles|No.{{nbsp}}'''1''']] (June 21, 2010) -| currentdoublesranking = -| AustralianOpenDoublesresult = '''W''' ([[2001 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2001]], [[2003 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2003]], [[2009 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2009]], [[2010 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2010]]) -| FrenchOpenDoublesresult = '''W''' ([[1999 French Open – Women's Doubles|1999]], [[2010 French Open – Women's Doubles|2010]]) -| WimbledonDoublesresult = '''W''' ([[2000 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2000]], [[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2002]], [[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2008]], [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2009]], [[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2012]], [[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2016]]) -| USOpenDoublesresult = '''W''' ([[1999 US Open – Women's Doubles|1999]], [[2009 US Open – Women's Doubles|2009]]) -| OthertournamentsDoubles = yes -| WTAChampionshipsDoublesresult = SF ([[2009 WTA Tour Championships|2009]]) -| Mixed = yes -| mixedrecord = 27–4 (87.1%) -| AustralianOpenMixedresult = F ([[1999 Australian Open – Mixed Doubles|1999]]) -| FrenchOpenMixedresult = F ([[1998 French Open – Mixed Doubles|1998]]) -| WimbledonMixedresult = '''W''' ([[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Mixed Doubles|1998]]) -| USOpenMixedresult = '''W''' ([[1998 US Open – Mixed Doubles|1998]]) -| Team = yes -| FedCupresult = '''W''' ([[1999 Fed Cup|1999]]), record 16–1 -| HopmanCupresult = '''W''' ([[2003 Hopman Cup|2003]], [[2008 Hopman Cup|2008]]) -| updated = November 4, 2019 -| medaltemplates-expand = yes -| medaltemplates = -{{MedalCountry | {{USA}}}} -{{MedalCompetition|[[Tennis at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}} -{{MedalGold | [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney]] | [[Tennis at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles|Doubles]]}} -{{MedalGold | [[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]] | [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles|Doubles]]}} -{{MedalGold | [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]] | [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's singles|Singles]]}} -{{MedalGold | 2012 London | [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles|Doubles]]}} -}} - -'''Serena Jameka Williams''' (born September 26, 1981)<ref name="WTA profile" /> is an American professional tennis player and former world No. 1. She has won 23 [[Grand Slam (tennis)|major]] singles titles, most by any man or woman in the [[Open Era]]. The [[Women's Tennis Association]] (WTA) ranked her world No. 1 in singles on eight separate occasions between 2002 and 2017. She reached the No. 1 ranking for the first time on July 8, 2002. On her sixth occasion, she held the ranking for [[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players#Weeks at No. 1|186 consecutive weeks]], tying the record set by [[Steffi Graf]]. In total, she has been No. 1 for 319 weeks, which ranks [[Open Era tennis records – women's singles|third in the Open Era]] among female players behind Graf and [[Martina Navratilova]]. - -Williams holds the most [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles combined among active players. Her 39 Grand Slam titles put her joint-third on the all-time list and second in the Open Era: 23 in singles, 14 in women's doubles, and two in mixed doubles. She is the most recent female player to have held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously (2002–03 and 2014–15) and the third player to achieve this twice, after [[Rod Laver]] and Graf. She is also the most recent player to have won a Grand Slam title on each surface (hard, clay and grass) in one calendar year (2015). She is also, together with her older sister [[Venus Williams|Venus]], the most recent player to have held all four Grand Slam women's doubles titles simultaneously (2009–10). - -Williams has won a record of 13 Grand Slam singles titles on [[hardcourt|hard court]]. Williams holds the Open Era record for most titles won at the [[Australian Open]] (7) and shares the Open Era record for most titles won at the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] with [[Chris Evert]] (6). She also holds the record for the most women's singles matches won at majors with 349 matches. - -Williams has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, all with her sister Venus, and the pair are unbeaten in Grand Slam doubles finals.<ref>{{cite web |last=Neworth |first=Jack |url=http://www.10sballs.com/2012/09/10/almost-serene-serena-by-jack-neworth/ |title=Almost Serene Serena |website=10sballs.com |date=September 10, 2012 |accessdate=May 30, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508062539/http://www.10sballs.com/2012/09/10/almost-serene-serena-by-jack-neworth// |archivedate=May 8, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> As a team, she and Venus have the third most women's doubles Grand Slam titles, behind the 18 titles of [[Natasha Zvereva]] (14 with [[Gigi Fernández]]) and the record 20 titles won by Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver. Williams is also a five-time winner of the [[WTA Tour Championships]] in the singles division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/20120910/serena-liezel-lisa-andrea-lucie-qualify_2256076_2914805 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913042956/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/20120910/serena-liezel-lisa-andrea-lucie-qualify_2256076_2914805 |archivedate=September 13, 2012 |title=Serena, Liezel & Lisa, Andrea & Lucie Qualify |date=September 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |website=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |accessdate=June 18, 2013}}</ref> She has also won four [[Olympic medal|Olympic gold medals]], one in women's singles and three in women's doubles—an all-time record shared with her sister, Venus.<ref name="CBS-Olympic">{{cite news |date=August 5, 2012|title=Venus and Serena Williams win Olympic gold |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/venus-and-serena-williams-win-olympic-gold/|location= London, England|publisher= CBS News|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=April 24, 2017}}</ref> The arrival of the [[Williams sisters]] has been credited with ushering in a new era of power and athleticism on the women's professional tennis tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1350759-the-williams-sisters-and-the-rise-of-the-womens-power-game |title=The Williams Sisters and the Rise of the Women's Power Game |last=Allen |first=Ja |website=Bleacher Report |date=September 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/magazine/29Tennis-t.html |title=How Power Has Transformed Women's Tennis|last=Kimmelman |first=Michael|date=August 25, 2010|work=[[The New York Times]]|page=MM23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/sports/tennis/31williams.html|title=Williams Sisters Write Their Own Story|last=Crouse |first=Karen|date=August 30, 2009|page=F2|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennishead.net/news/on-tour/2011/12/15/girl-power-evolution-of-the-womens-game|title=Girl power: Evolution of the women's game|publisher=Advantage Publishing|date=December 15, 2011|publication-date=November 2011 -}}</ref> She is [[WTA Rankings#Current rankings|ranked]] at No. 10 in the world by the WTA as of November 4, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/rankings |title=WTA Rankings|publisher=Women's Tennis Association |accessdate=20 May 2019}}</ref> - -Earning almost $29{{nbsp}}million in prize money and endorsements, Williams was the highest paid female athlete in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/mli45ffmff/1-serena-williams/|title=Serena Williams – In Photos: The World's Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2016|first=Kurt|last=Badenhausen|work=Forbes}}</ref> She repeated this feat in 2017 when she was the only woman on ''[[Forbes]]''{{'}} list of the 100 highest paid athletes with $27{{nbsp}}million in prize money and endorsements. She has won the 'Laureus Sportswoman of the Year' award four times (2003, 2010, 2016, 2018), and in December 2015, she was named [[Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year|Sportsperson of the Year]] by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite news | last=McCarvel | first=Nick | title=Serena Williams revels in Sports Illustrated cover limelight | work=USA Today | date=December 16, 2015 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/12/15/serena-williams-explains-idea-behind-sports-illustrated-cover/77391104/ | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505162455/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/12/15/serena-williams-explains-idea-behind-sports-illustrated-cover/77391104/ |archivedate=May 5, 2016|accessdate=December 17, 2015 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2019, she was ranked 63rd in ''Forbes''{{'}} World's Highest-Paid Athletes list.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/athletes/ |title=The World's Highest-Paid Athletes|magazine=Forbes |accessdate=June 13, 2019 |date=June 11, 2019 |first=Kurt |last=Badenhausen}}</ref> -{{TOC limit|2}} - -==Early life== -Williams was born in [[Saginaw, Michigan]], to [[Oracene Price]] and [[Richard Williams (tennis coach)|Richard Williams]], and is the youngest of Price's five daughters: half-sisters [[Murder of Yetunde Price|Yetunde]], Lyndrea, and Isha Price, and full older sister [[Venus Williams|Venus]].<ref name="WTA profile" /> She also has at least seven paternal half-siblings.<ref name="Edmondson">{{cite book |last=Edmondson |first=Jacqueline |title=Venus and Serena Williams: A Biography |year=2005 |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]] |location= -|isbn=978-0-313-33165-7 |page=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theroot.com/intimate-look-at-the-williams-sisters-1790896499|title=Intimate Look at the Williams Sisters|first=Hillary|last=Crosley|website=The Root}}</ref> When the children were young, the family moved to [[Compton, California]], where Williams started playing tennis at the age of four.<ref name="Serenabio">{{cite web|url=http://serenawilliams.com/about/ |title=About Serena – Serena Williams |website=SerenaWilliams.com |date=June 14, 2013 |accessdate=April 20, 2017 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107060752/http://serenawilliams.com/about/ |archivedate=November 7, 2016 |df=}}</ref>{{sfn|Morgan|2001|p=19}} Her father home schooled Serena and her sister, Venus.{{sfn||Morgan|2001|p=28}}<ref>{{cite web | url = http://sharebradenton.homestead.com/Famous.html |title = Successful & Famous People that were Homeschooled|date=April 22, 2009|accessdate=April 20, 2017|publisher=sharebradenton.homestead.com}}{{better source|date=April 2017}}<!-- this source is a personal website. Is there a more [[WP:RS]] out there? --></ref> While he and subsequently her mother have been the official coaches, other mentors who helped her learn the game included Richard Williams, a Compton man who shared her father's name and would go on to found The Venus and Serena Williams Tennis/Tutorial Academy.<ref name="Tennis Week, March 6, 2006">{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzRbETeZHav7MTI0YzZlYzItZGUwZi00OTE4LWE2NmItM2YwMmU5NTdlMWVm/view |title=Williams Tennis Academy Other Richard Williams Kent |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> - -[[File:Venus and Serena 1993.jpg|thumb|right|Williams sisters at a [[Pam Shriver]] event in Baltimore, 1993]] -When Williams was nine, she and her family moved from Compton to [[West Palm Beach, Florida]],<ref name="Serenabio" /> so that she could attend the tennis academy of [[Rick Macci]]; Macci began to provide additional coaching. Macci did not always agree with Williams's father, but respected that "he treated his daughters like kids, allowed them to be little girls".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blackathlete.net/artman2/publish/Tennis_35/Venus_Serena_Reflect_As_They_Prepare_For_Fed_Cup_3202.shtml|title=Venus, Serena reflect as they prepare for Fed Cup|publisher=blackathlete.net |accessdate=April 22, 2009|first=Michelle |last=Kaufman |date=April 22, 2007}}</ref> Richard stopped sending his daughters to national junior tennis tournaments when Williams was 10, since he wanted them to go slowly and to focus on school work. Experiences of racism also drove this experience, as Richard Williams had heard white parents talk about the Williams sisters in a derogatory manner during tournaments.<ref name="Newsweek1998">{{cite news|url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/1012925/venus-serena-against-world |title=Venus And Serena Against The World |first=Marc |last=Peyser |first2=Allison |last2=Samuels |date=August 24, 1998 |work=Newsweek |accessdate=April 19, 2009}}</ref> At that time, Williams had a 46–3 record on the [[United States Tennis Association]] junior tour and was ranked number one among under-10 players in Florida.<ref name="EdmonsonsEarly">Edmonson, 2005, ''Venus and Serena Williams'', pp. 46–47.</ref> In 1995, when Williams was in the ninth grade, her father pulled his daughters out of Macci's academy and, from then on, took over all coaching at their home. When asked in 2000 whether having followed the normal path of playing regularly on the junior circuit would have been beneficial, Williams responded: "Everyone does different things. I think for Venus and I, we just attempted a different road, and it worked for us."<ref name="EdmonsonsEarly" /> - -==Playing style== -Williams is primarily a [[Tennis strategy#Baseliner strategies|baseline player]], and her game is built around taking immediate control of rallies with her powerful and consistent serve,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/aus08/news/story?id=3207822 |title=Gimpy Jankovic swats away defending champion Williams|publisher=ESPN |last= Ford|first= Bonnie D.|date=January 22, 2008|accessdate=April 29, 2009}}</ref> return of serve, and forceful [[groundstroke]]s from both her [[forehand]] and [[backhand]] swings. Williams's forehand is considered to be among the most powerful shots in the women's game,<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. Open 2014: Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Sam Stosur Among Best Tennis Strokes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/25/sports/tennis/us-open-2014-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-and-agnieszka-radwanska-among-best-tennis-strokes.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 24, 2014|accessdate=July 29, 2015|issn=0362-4331|first=Christopher|last=Clarey}}</ref> as is her double-handed backhand. Williams strikes her backhand groundstroke using an open stance, and uses the same open stance for her forehand. Williams's aggressive play, a "high risk" style, is balanced in part by her serve, which most say is the greatest in women's tennis history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12739719/stars-serve-praise-serena-williams-biggest-weapon |title=20 For 20: Stars Serve Up Praise of Serena Williams' Biggest Weapon |publisher=ESPN |date=May 20, 2015 |accessdate=May 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/the-serve-returned |title=The Serve, Returned |work=The New Yorker|first=Reeves |last=Wiedeman |date=September 5, 2012 |accessdate=September 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis.com/gear/2011/04/gear-talk-qa-with-pam-shriver/38721/ |title=Gear Talk: Q&A With Pam Shriver |website=Tennis.com |date=April 7, 2011 |first=Richard |last=Pagliaro |accessdate=September 27, 2014}}</ref> She consistently projects great pace and placement with her serves; in the 2013 Australian Open, she had a peak serve speed of {{convert|128.6|mph|abbr=on}} which is the third fastest all-time among female players (only [[Venus Williams|Venus's]] 129{{nbsp}}mph<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/1978722/title/ids-serve-speed-leaders |title=IDS Serve Speed Leaders |date=November 3, 2015 |website=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |accessdate=April 25, 2017}}</ref> and [[Sabine Lisicki]]'s 131{{nbsp}}mph<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/30/sabine-lisicki-record-fastest-serve-women-tennis-stanford |title=Sabine Lisicki sets record for fastest serve in women's tennis – but loses |first=Marcin |last=Bryszak |work=The Guardian |date=July 30, 2014 |accessdate=August 13, 2014}}</ref> recorded speeds are faster). What makes her serve even more deadly is her ball placement and her ability to consistently place powerful shots with great accuracy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012-08-27/us-open-serena-williams-serve-is-best-shot-in-tennis/57336298/1 |title=Serena Williams serves up the best weapon in tennis |work=USA Today |first=Douglas |last=Robson |date=August 27, 2012 |accessdate=September 3, 2014}}</ref> At the 2012 Championships at Wimbledon, she hit a women's tournament record of 102 aces, which was more than any of the men hit during the two weeks, a rarity given that aces are more common in the men's game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennisnow.com/News/Reigning-Ace--Williams-Serves-up-a-Title-at-Wimble.aspx |title=Reigning Ace: Williams Serves up a Title at Wimbledon |publisher=Tennis Now |first=Chris |last=Oddo |date=July 7, 2012 |accessdate=June 16, 2013}}</ref> Williams also possesses a very solid and powerful overhead. Although many think of Williams as only an offensive player,{{who|date=April 2017}} she also plays a strong defensive game.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Wertheim |first=L. Jon |title=Not So Fast, Kiddo |journal=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date= September 15, 2008 |url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1145172/2/index.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708171211/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1145172/2/index.htm |archivedate=July 8, 2011 |accessdate=May 20, 2009 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/sports/olympics/serena-williams-beats-sharapova-for-olympic-gold-in-tennis.html |title=Williams Coasts to Gold, and a Career Golden Slam |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=August 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012/09/9/serena-williams-wins-fourth-us-open-crown/57720804/1 |title=Serena Williams wins fourth U.S. Open crown |last=Robson |first=Douglas |date=September 10, 2012 |newspaper=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> She has stated that her favorite surface is clay because it gives her extra time to set up her shots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/tennis/serena-declares-clay-her-favourite-surface/|title=Serena declares clay her 'favourite surface' |work=Sportsnet.ca|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> - -Williams is known for producing exceptional comebacks, particularly on the Grand Slam level. She has won three Grand Slam singles titles after saving match points (the 2003 Australian Open semifinal versus [[Kim Clijsters]], the 2005 Australian Open semifinal versus [[Maria Sharapova]], and the 2009 Wimbledon semifinal versus [[Elena Dementieva]]), a feat achieved more often than any other player in history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tennisplanet.me/blog/2012/06/grand-slam-champions-who-saved-match-points-from-2000-is-Djokovic-about-to-make-his-second-entry-her.html |title=Grand slam champions who saved match points (from 2000). |date=June 5, 2012 |work=Tennisplanet.me}}</ref> She also came back from a 3–5 deficit in the third set against [[Kim Clijsters]] in the 1999 US Open en route to her first Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1102987/bio|title=Serena Williams|website=IMDb|accessdate=August 8, 2017}}</ref> In the [[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|2012 US Open]] final against [[Victoria Azarenka]], she was down 3–5 in the third set and found herself two points away from losing the match. Williams then proceeded to win the next 4 games and defeated Azarenka.<ref>{{ cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/serena-williams-wins-2012-u-s-open-overpowers-1-victoria-azarenka-flushing-article-1.1155505 |title=Serena Williams wins 2012 U.S. Open championship to add to her amazing summer, overpowers No. 1 Victoria |last=Bondy |first= Filip |newspaper=Daily News|location=New York |date=September 10, 2012}}</ref> In the semifinals of the [[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|2015 French Open]], Williams was ill and barely able to walk during changeovers, yet beat her opponent, [[Timea Bacsinszky]], 6–0 in the third set.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ubha |first=Ravi |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/04/sport/french-open-tennis-serena-ivanovic-safarova/|title=French Open 2015: Serena Williams rallies to reach final|publisher=CNN|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> Another improbable win occurred in the third round of the [[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2015 Wimbledon Championships]], when she recovered from two breaks of service in the third set to defeat Great Britain's number-one female player, [[Heather Watson]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Perrotta |first=Tom |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/serena-williams-beats-back-heather-watson-to-advance-at-wimbledon-1435949099|title=Serena Williams Makes Tennis Miracles Look Easy|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=July 3, 2015}}</ref> Williams has bounced back from a set down to win in 37 Grand Slam matches.<ref>{{cite web|last=Isaacson |first=Melissa |url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13142903/how-serena-williams-mastered-art-comeback|title=How Serena Williams Has Mastered The Art Of The Comeback|work=espnW|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> - -In recent years,{{when|date=July 2019}} Williams has shown an ability to serve aces at critical moments. One of these instances was the [[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|2013 French Open]] final, were in the last game of the match, she fired three aces, including one which clocked at 123{{nbsp}}mph (198{{nbsp}}km/h) on match point.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/serena-williams-powers-to-her-16th-grand-slam-in-paris-29330611.html |title=Serena Williams powers to her 16th Grand Slam in Paris |last=Crooks |first=Eleanor |date=June 8, 2013 |work=The Irish Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/06/serena-williams-wins-roland-garros/47851/ |title=Serena Williams wins Roland Garros |work=[[Tennis (magazine)|Tennis.com]] |agency=Associated Press |date=June 8, 2013}}</ref> She repeated the feat similarly against [[Angelique Kerber]] in the finals of the [[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2016 Wimbledon Championships]]{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} to tie the Open Era record for Grand Slam singles titles.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams fired three un-returnable serves in her final service game{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} before winning the match and the title with a casual forehand volley on the next point.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -==Professional career== - -===1995–1998: Professional debut=== -Williams's parents wanted their daughter to wait until she was 16 to participate in professional tournaments.<ref name=familytradition>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; A Family Tradition At Age 14 | work=The New York Times | date=October 31, 1995 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/31/sports/tennis-a-family-tradition-at-age-14.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> In 1995 just after turning 14, Williams planned to make her professional debut as a [[Wild card (sports)#Professional tennis|wild-card]] entry in the [[Bank of the West Classic]] in [[Oakland, California]], but was denied by the WTA due to age-eligibility restrictions of the organization.<ref name=Finn>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; Teen-Ager, Fighting To Turn Pro At 14, Puts Off Lawsuit For Now | work=The New York Times | date=October 6, 1995 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/06/sports/tennis-teen-ager-fighting-to-turn-pro-at-14-puts-off-lawsuit-for-now.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> She subsequently filed an antitrust lawsuit against the women's tour, but withdrew it at the behest of her parents.<ref name=Finn/> Her first professional event was in October 1995 at the [[Bell Challenge]] in [[Quebec]],<ref name=familytradition /><ref>{{cite news | title=Tennis Muster Stuns Sampras Indoors In Germany | work=The New York Times | date=October 29, 1995 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/29/sports/results-plus-859495.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> where she used a wild-card entry to circumvent age-eligibility rules.<ref name=familytradition /> She lost in the first round of qualifying to then 18-year-old American [[Annie Miller (tennis)|Annie Miller]], winning just two games.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|pp=114–115}} - -Williams did not play a tournament in 1996.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} The following year, she lost in the qualifying rounds of three tournaments,{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} before winning her first main-draw match in November at the [[Ameritech Cup Chicago]].<ref name=youngerwilliams>{{cite news | title=Tennis: Roundup; Younger Williams Wins In Chicago | work=The New York Times | date=November 4, 1997 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/04/sports/tennis-roundup-younger-williams-wins-in-chicago.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> Ranked No. 304, she upset No. 7 [[Mary Pierce]], and No. 4 [[Monica Seles]],<ref>{{cite news | title=Serena Williams Upsets Pierce | work=The New York Times | date=November 7, 1997 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/07/sports/tennis-roundup.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref><ref name=tennisnyt>(November 8, 1997), "Tennis". ''The New York Times''. '''147''' (50970):C4</ref> recording her first career wins over top{{nbsp}}10 players and becoming the lowest-ranked player in the Open Era to defeat two top-10 opponents in one tournament.<ref name="WTA profile" /> She ultimately lost in the semifinals to No. 5 [[Lindsay Davenport]].<ref>{{cite web | author=The Associated Press | title=Tennis: Roundup – Ameritech Open; Serena Williams Loses In Semi | work=The New York Times | date=November 9, 1997 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/09/sports/tennis-roundup-ameritech-open-serena-williams-loses-in-semi.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> She finished 1997 ranked No. 99.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tennisabstract.com/reports/wtaRankings1999.html|title=Tennis Abstract: 1999 WTA Rankings|website=tennisabstract.com |accessdate=October 12, 2017}}</ref> - -Williams began 1998 at the [[Medibank International Sydney]].<ref name=headtohead /> As a qualifier ranked No. 96,<ref name=stunsdavenport>{{cite news | agency=Associated Press | title=Plus: Tennis – Sydney International; Serena Williams Stuns Davenport | work=The New York Times | date=January 15, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/15/sports/plus-tennis-sydney-international-serena-williams-stuns-davenport.html | accessdate=June 22, 2017}}</ref> she defeated No. 3 Davenport in the quarterfinals,<ref name=stunsdavenport /> before losing to [[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]] in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite news | last=Stevenson | first=Samantha | title=Tennis; Williams Sisters Won't Meet in the Final | work=The New York Times | date=January 16, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/sports/tennis-williams-sisters-won-t-meet-in-the-final.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> Williams made her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament at the [[1998 Australian Open|Australian Open]],<ref>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; Australian Crucible: Blowflies, Heat and Teen-Agers | work=The New York Times | date=January 18, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/18/sports/tennis-australian-crucible-blowflies-heat-and-teen-agers.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> where she defeated sixth-seeded [[Irina Spîrlea]] in the first round,<ref name=Irina>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; In Williams vs. Williams, Big Sister Moves Ahead | work=The New York Times | date=January 21, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/21/sports/tennis-in-williams-vs-williams-big-sister-moves-ahead.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> before losing to her sister, Venus, in the second round in the first professional match for the sisters.<ref name=Irina/><ref name=headtohead>{{cite web |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/9027 |title=Head to Head – Serena Williams vs Venus Williams |website=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |accessdate=April 20, 2017 |date=April 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129022820/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/9027 |archivedate=January 29, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Williams reached six other quarterfinals during the year, but lost all of them,<ref name=Looney /> including her first match against No. 1-ranked [[Martina Hingis]] at the [[Lipton International Players Championships]] in Key Biscayne,<ref>Finn, Robin (March 25, 1998), "Hingis just escapes the clutches of the younger Williams". ''The New York Times''. '''147''' (51107):C4</ref> and her second match against Venus at the [[Rome Masters|Italian Open]] in Rome.<ref name=Looney>{{cite news | first=Douglas S. | last=Looney | title=Venus Rising | work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]] | date=May 22, 1998 | url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1998/0522/052298.feat.feat.2.html | accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> She failed to reach the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam tournament the remainder of the year,{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} losing in the fourth round of the French Open to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario,<ref>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; Emotions Hit the Heights In Bitter Day on the Clay | work=The New York Times | date=June 1, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/01/sports/tennis-emotions-hit-the-heights-in-bitter-day-on-the-clay.html | accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> and the third round of the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] to Spîrlea.<ref>{{cite news | last=Clarey | first=Christopher | title=Tennis: U.S. Open; One Year Later, Spirlea Defeats a Williams Sister | work=The New York Times | date=September 5, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/05/sports/tennis-us-open-one-year-later-spirlea-defeats-a-williams-sister.html | accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> She withdrew from [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] two games into a match with [[Virginia Ruano Pascual]], after straining her calf muscle during the first set.<ref>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; Serena Williams Is Out; Henman Uplifts Locals | work=The New York Times | date=June 30, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/30/sports/tennis-serena-williams-is-out-henman-uplifts-locals.html | accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> She did win the mixed doubles titles at [[1998 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] and the [[1998 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] with [[Max Mirnyi]], completing the Williams family's sweep of the 1998 mixed doubles Grand Slam tournaments. Williams won her first professional title in doubles in Oklahoma City<!-- title needed instead of city --> with Venus, becoming the third pair of sisters to win a WTA title.<ref name="WTA profile" /> Serena and her sister won two more doubles titles together during the year. Williams finished the year ranked No. 20 in singles.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -====Battle of the sexes: Karsten Braasch vs. the Williams sisters==== -{{Main|Battle_of_the_Sexes_(tennis)#1998:_Karsten_Braasch_vs._the_Williams_sisters|l1=Battle of the Sexes (tennis)}} - -A 16-year-old Serena competed in a tennis "Battle of the Sexes", along with her sister [[Venus Williams]], against [[Karsten Braasch]] at the 1998 Australian Open.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130413074213/http://www.ontennis.com/news/serena-williams-still-savouring-andy-roddick-%26%23039%3Bwin%26%23039%3B-16-years "Serena Williams still savouring Andy Roddick 'win' 16 years on"], OnTennis.com, posted January 22, 2009</ref> At the time Braasch was 203rd in the ATP rankings. The Williams sisters had claimed they could beat any man outside the top 200, and accepted his challenge. Braasch beat both Williams sisters, playing a single set against each. The score vs Serena was 6–1 and vs Venus 6–2.<ref>Steve Wilstein (January 27, 1998), [http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1998/Sister-Act-Falls-in-Battle-of-Sexes/id-5dc73280424bc3fe43f41dfaeb943f43 "Sister Act Falls In Battle Of Sexes"]. Associated Press. Retrieved April 29, 2017.</ref> Braasch said afterward, "500 and above, no chance." The sisters later tweaked the number to beating men outside the top 350.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/01/28/sport/WILLIAMS.HTM |title=Welcome to Dispatch Online |website=Daily Dispatch |date=November 12, 2010 |accessdate=March 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428044804/http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/01/28/sport/WILLIAMS.HTM |archivedate=April 28, 2009 |df=}}</ref> - -===1999–2001: Becoming a top-10 player=== -Williams lost in the third round of the [[1999 Australian Open]] to [[Sandrine Testud]]. A month later, Williams won her first professional singles title when she defeated [[Amélie Mauresmo]] in the final of the [[Open Gaz de France]] in Paris. With Venus also winning the [[Cellular South Cup|IGA Superthrift Classic]] in Memphis, Tennessee that day, the pair became the first sisters to win professional tournaments in the same week.<ref>{{cite news |title = Continents Apart, Williams Sisters Make History |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/01/sports/tennis-continents-apart-williams-sisters-make-history.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=April 22, 2009 |date=March 1, 1999 |first=Sal A.|last=Zanca}}</ref> In March of that year, at the [[BNP Paribas Open|Evert Cup]] in California, Williams won her first [[Tier I]] title, defeating [[Steffi Graf]] in the final. Soon afterward at the [[Miami Masters]], Williams had her 16-match winning streak ended by her sister in the first all-sister singles final in WTA history,<ref name=headtohead /> and she then made her top-10 debut, at No. 9. She then lost in the quarterfinals of the [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Hingis beats one Williams, gets the other in semis|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/05/08/oth_260961.shtml#.WX_2S4g1-00|accessdate=August 1, 2017|agency=Associated Press|work=The Augusta Chronicle|date=May 8, 1999|location=Rome}}</ref> and the [[German Open (WTA)|German Open]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Finn|first1=Robin|title=Tennis: Roundup – German Open; Graf Is Eliminated; Williams Pulls Out|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/15/sports/tennis-roundup-german-open-graf-is-eliminated-williams-pulls-out.html|accessdate=August 1, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=May 15, 1999}}</ref> and the third round of the [[1999 French Open|French Open]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dillman|first1=Lisa|title=Fernandez's Big Upset Is Predictable|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1999/may/29/sports/sp-42257|accessdate=August 1, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 29, 1999|location=Paris}}</ref> where she and Venus won the women's doubles title.<ref name=headtohead /> Williams then missed [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] because of injury. When she returned to the tour, Williams won a [[Fed Cup]] singles match and then won the [[JPMorgan Chase Open]] in Los Angeles, beating [[Julie Halard-Decugis]] in the final. She then defeated in succession Grand Slam champions [[Kim Clijsters]], [[Conchita Martínez]], [[Monica Seles]], and defending champion Lindsay Davenport to reach the [[1999 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] final, where she defeated No. 1, Hingis, to become the second African-American woman, after [[Althea Gibson]] in 1958, to win a Grand Slam singles tournament.<ref Name ="WTA profile" /> The Williams sisters also won the doubles title at this tournament. To complete her 1999 season, Williams won a doubles match in the Fed Cup final against Russia. Williams ended the year ranked No. 4 in just her second full year on the main tour.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams started 2000 by losing in the fourth round of the [[2000 Australian Open|Australian Open]] to [[Elena Likhovtseva]]. She failed to defend her titles in Paris and Indian Wells, although she did win the [[Faber Grand Prix]] in Germany. Soon afterwards, Williams missed the [[2000 French Open|French Open]] because of injury. She returned from injury at the [[2000 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon Championships]], where she lost to Venus in the semifinals, but the pair won the doubles title at the event. Williams successfully defended her title in Los Angeles, defeating Davenport in the final. She reached the final of the [[Rogers Cup (tennis)|Du Maurier Open]] where an injury forced her to retire from her match with Hingis. Her defense of the [[2000 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] title ended when she lost in the quarterfinals to Davenport. Williams teamed with Venus to win the gold medal in doubles at the [[Sydney Olympics]] that September. She ended the year winning the [[Toyota Princess Cup]] in Japan and she finished the year ranked No. 6.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams began 2001 losing to Martina Hingis in the quarterfinals of the Medibank International in [[Medibank International|Sydney]] and the Australian Open in Melbourne. Williams and her sister won the doubles title at the latter tournament, becoming only the fifth doubles team in history to win all four Grand Slam women's doubles titles during their career, completing a "Career Grand Slam". Her next event was the [[Pacific Life Open]] in California, where she defeated Kim Clijsters in the final. The final was marred by the behavior of the crowd toward Williams and her family. Crowd members were incensed at the perceived match-fixing of games involving the family after [[Boycott of BNP Paribas Open by Venus and Serena Williams|Venus withdrew]] before their semifinal. Neither Williams nor her sister entered the tournament for fourteen years until Williams entered in 2015 as a wildcard (and the top seed).<ref>{{cite web| url=https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/Indian-Wells-boycott-hurts-Williamses-more-than-?urn=ten,149332 |title=Indian Wells boycott hurts Williamses more than it helps |last=Rogers |first=Martin |date=March 19, 2009 |work=Busted Racquet |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204050557/http://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/Indian-Wells-boycott-hurts-Williamses-more-than-?urn=ten%2C149332 |archivedate=February 4, 2015 |df=}}</ref> The following week at the [[Ericsson Open]] in Miami, Williams lost to [[Jennifer Capriati]] in the quarterfinals. She then lost in the quarterfinals to Capriati at both the [[2001 French Open|French Open]] and [[2001 Wimbledon|Wimbledon Championships]]. That was the fourth consecutive Grand Slam tournament at which Williams had exited in the quarterfinals. During the North American hard-court season, she lost in the quarterfinals of [[East West Bank Classic|Los Angeles]] against Monica Seles, then captured her second title of the year at the [[Rogers Cup (tennis)|Rogers Cup]], defeating Capriati in the final. Williams reached the final of the 2001 US Open, losing to sister Venus. That was the first Grand Slam tournament final contested by two sisters during the Open Era. At the 2001 season-ending [[WTA Tour Championships|Tour Championships]], Williams won the championship by walkover when Davenport withdrew before the start of the final due to a knee injury. Williams finished 2001 at No. 6 for the second straight year.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -===2002–2003: "Serena Slam"=== -Early 2002, injury saw Williams retire from the semifinal at the [[Medibank International Sydney]] and later withdraw from the [[2002 Australian Open|Australian Open]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/14/sports/tennis-agassi-and-serena-williams-withdraw-in-australia-kuerten-is-beaten.html|title=Tennis; Agassi And Serena Williams Withdraw In Australia; Kuerten Is Beaten|last=Clarey|first=Christopher|date=January 14, 2002|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|accessdate=October 25, 2016}}</ref> [[File:SWilliams-SYD-1.jpg|thumb|right|<div style="text-align: center;">Playing Amélie Mauresmo in the quarterfinals of the tournament in Sydney in 2002</div>]] - -Returning from injury, Williams won her first title of the year in [[State Farm Women's Tennis Classic|Scottsdale, Arizona]], defeating No. 2 Jennifer Capriati, in the final. She then won the Miami Masters for the first time, becoming one of three players in the Open Era to defeat the world's top 3 ranked players at one tournament,<ref name="WTA profile" /> after beating No. 3, Martina Hingis, in the quarterfinals, No. 2 Venus in the semifinals, and the top-ranked player, Capriati, in the final. Serena's straight set win over Venus was her second career win over her sister.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams played three clay-court tournaments before the [[2002 French Open]]. Her first tournament was at [[Family Circle Cup|Charleston]], where she was the third seed. Williams reached the quarterfinals before losing to [[Patty Schnyder]]. She reached her first clay-court final in May, at the [[WTA German Open|Eurocard German Open]] losing to [[Justine Henin]] in a third set tiebreak. Williams went on to win her first clay court title at the [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Italian Open]], defeating Capriati in the semifinals and Henin in the final.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/may/20/tennis1 |title=Hingis may be out to end of year |work=The Guardian |accessdate=April 23, 2009 |date=May 20, 2002 |first=Eleanor |last=Preston}}</ref> This raised her ranking to a new high of No. 3. Williams was the third seed at the French Open at Roland Garros, where she claimed her first title there by defeating defending champion Capriati in the semifinals and sister Venus in the final to win her second Grand Slam tournament title (and her first in two-and-a-half years). As a result of raising the trophy at [[Court Philippe Chatrier]], Williams rose to a career high of No. 2, second only to Venus.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -At the [[2002 Wimbledon Championships]], Williams won tennis' oldest championship for the first time in her life, defeating Venus to win a Grand Slam singles title without dropping a set for the first time in her career. This victory earned Williams the world No. 1 ranking for the first time, dethroning her sister and becoming only the third African American woman to hold that ranking.<ref name="WTA profile" /> The Williams sisters also won the doubles title at the tournament, the fifth Grand Slam doubles title for the pair. Williams played just one tournament between Wimbledon and the [[2002 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], losing in the quarterfinals of the [[JPMorgan Chase Open]] in Los Angeles to American [[Chanda Rubin]] and ending a 21-match winning streak. The top-seeded player at the US Open, Williams reached the final where, for the third Grand Slam in a row, she defeated her sister to win the title, the second US Open crown of her career. Williams won two consecutive singles titles in the fall, defeating Kim Clijsters to win the [[Toyota Princess Cup]] in Tokyo, and [[Anastasia Myskina]] to win the [[Sparkassen Cup (tennis)|Sparkassen Cup]] in Leipzig, Germany. She reached the final at the year-end [[WTA Tour Championships|Home Depot Championships]] at the [[Staples Center]] in Los Angeles, where she lost to fifth-seeded Clijsters in straight sets, ending an 18-match winning streak.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams finished 2002 with a 56–5 W/L record, eight singles titles, and the No. 1 ranking. She was the first African-American to end a year with that ranking since [[Althea Gibson]] in 1958 {{citation needed|date=August 2015}} and was the first woman to win three Grand Slam tournament titles in one year since Hingis in 1997.<ref name="WTA profile" /> Her three consecutive Grand Slam titles to close 2002 also made Williams only the third player in tennis history to win the "Surface Slam",<ref>{{cite news |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1536384-forget-calendar-slam-surface-slam-almost-as-rare|title=Forget Calendar Slam, "Surface Slam" Almost as Rare |work=Bleacher Report|date=February 20, 2013|accessdate=July 15, 2015}}</ref> three Slam titles on three surfaces in the same calendar year, after Navratilova (1984) and Graf (1993, 1995, 1996).{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -At the [[2003 Australian Open]], Williams reached the tournament's semifinals for the first time, where she recovered from 5–1 down in the third set and saved two match points before defeating Clijsters. In the final, Serena faced Venus for the fourth consecutive Grand Slam tournament final, defeating her older sister to become the sixth woman in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam, alongside [[Margaret Court]], [[Billie Jean King]], [[Chris Evert]], [[Martina Navratilova]], and [[Steffi Graf]]. She also became the fifth woman to hold all Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously, joining [[Maureen Connolly Brinker]], Court, Graf, and Navratilova. This feat was dubbed the "Serena Slam" by the press.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/australian_open/2003/2693425.stm|title=Serena completes Slam |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=January 25, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennischannel.com/news/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=5055 |title=Grand Slam for Serena Williams? |first=John |last=Leicester |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=Tennis Channel |accessdate=April 22, 2009 |date=February 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716210454/http://www.tennischannel.com/news/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=5055 |archivedate=July 16, 2011 |df=}}</ref> The [[Williams sisters]] won their sixth Grand Slam doubles title together at this event.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/australian_open/2003/2690067.stm|title=Williams pair take doubles crown |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=January 24, 2003}}</ref> - -During the spring of 2003, Williams captured the singles titles at the [[Open Gaz de France]] and the [[Sony Ericsson Open]]. Williams's winning streak came to an end when she lost the final of the [[Family Circle Cup]] to Henin, her first loss of the year after 21 wins. She also lost to Mauresmo in the semifinals of the [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] in Rome. Despite these losses, Williams was the top seed at the [[2003 French Open – Women's Singles|French Open]], where she lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Henin, marking Williams's first loss in a Grand Slam tournament since 2001. The match was controversial, as Williams questioned Henin's sportsmanship, and spectators applauded Williams's errors.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/french_open_2003/2967190.stm|title=Williams 'hurt' by jeers |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=[[BBC Sport]] -|date=June 6, 2003}}</ref> Williams rebounded from the French Open loss a couple weeks later at the [[2003 Wimbledon Championships]], defeating Henin in the semifinals and Venus in the final. This was Williams's second consecutive Wimbledon title and her sixth Grand Slam singles title overall. Wimbledon was Williams's last tournament of 2003; she pulled out of three events in the US and then underwent surgery on the quadriceps tendon in her knee in early August. Williams was initially expected to be out for six to eight weeks.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harris |first=Beth |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-08-01-serena-out-us-open_x.htm |agency=Associated Press |title=Serena Williams to miss U.S. Open after knee surgery |newspaper=USA Today |date=August 2, 2003 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910034041/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-08-01-serena-out-us-open_x.htm |archivedate=September 10, 2014 |df=}}</ref> - -===2004–2007: Injuries and the comeback=== -{{Main|2004 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2004|2005 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2005|2006 Serena Williams tennis season|l3=2006|2007 Serena Williams tennis season}} - -After eight months away from the tour, during which time her desire was questioned,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/3563759.stm|title=Serena's biggest test|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|date=March 24, 2004|accessdate=April 20, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Williams began her comeback at the 2004 [[NASDAQ-100 Open]] in Miami in March, where she made a triumphant return as she won the title for the third consecutive year.[[File:Serena serving.jpg|thumb|<div style="text-align: center;">Delivering a serve at an exhibition in November 2004</div>]] - -Although ranked No. 7, Williams was seeded second at the French Open, where, after winning four matches, she lost to Capriati in the quarterfinals. That was the first time that Williams had lost before the semifinals at a Grand Slam singles tournament since Wimbledon in 2001. A few weeks later, even though her ranking had dropped to No. 10, Williams was seeded first at [[2004 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]]. She won six matches en route to the final, where 13th-seeded Sharapova defeated her in straight sets. This loss caused her ranking to drop out of the top 10 for the first time since 1999. Later that summer, Williams reached her third final of the year at the JPMorgan Chase Open in Los Angeles where she lost to Lindsay Davenport which was her first loss to the American since the 2000 US Open. After missing her national championship in 2003, Williams returned for the 2004 [[2004 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], where she was seeded third despite her No. 11 ranking. She lost in the U.S. Open quarterfinals to Capriati in three sets in controversial fashion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/us_open/2004/09/07/capriati.serena.ap/index.html |title=High drama. Serena falls to Capriati amid controversy; Roddick continues to roll |agency=Associated Press |work=Sports Illustrated |date=September 7, 2004 |accessdate=May 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608075909/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/us_open/2004/09/07/capriati.serena.ap/index.html |archivedate=June 8, 2009 |df=}}</ref> That fall, Williams won her second title of the year, at the [[China Open (tennis)|China Open]], defeating US Open champion [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] in the final. Williams' successful season allowed her to qualify for the [[2004 WTA Tour Championships|Tour Championships]], held again in Los Angeles. In the round-robin phase of the tournament, Williams defeated Dementieva and [[Anastasia Myskina]] and lost to Davenport, but still advanced to the elimination stage. After winning her semifinal, she lost to Sharapova in the final, where she suffered an abdominal injury.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=November 16, 2004 |location=Los Angeles, California |accessdate =April 23, 2009|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6474040|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127000326/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6474040|archivedate=November 27, 2012|title=Sharapova tops injured Serena for WTA title|publisher=NBC Sports}}</ref> Williams finished 2004 ranked No. 7, but did not win a Grand Slam singles tournament for the first season since 2001.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -At the [[2005 Australian Open]], Williams rejected suggestions that she and sister Venus were a declining force in tennis, following Venus's early exit.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4204449.stm|title=Angry Williams rejects criticism |work=BBC Sport|accessdate=May 30, 2017|date=January 25, 2005}}</ref> Williams saved three match points to defeat Sharapova 8–6 in the third of their semifinal. In the final, Williams defeated top seed Davenport to win her second Australian Open and seventh Grand Slam singles title, winning 12 of the last 15 games.<ref>{{cite news|url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4214545.stm|title=Williams battles to Aussie title |work=BBC Sport|date=January 29, 2005|accessdate=May 30, 2013}}</ref> The win moved Williams back to No. 2 but stated she was targeting the top spot.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4217997.stm |title= Williams eyes return to top spot |date=January 29, 2005 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate= April 20, 2017}}</ref> - -Williams completed just two tournaments between the Australian Open and Wimbledon, losing to Venus in Miami and at Internazionali BNL d'Italia to [[Francesca Schiavone]] as Williams suffered a series of retirements and withdraws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2005-02-12/k.php |title=Serena Williams Pulls from WTA Paris with Stomach Illness |website=Tennis-X.com |date=February 12, 2005 |accessdate=January 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7884299.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905095603/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7884299.html |url-status=dead |archivedate=September 5, 2013 |title=Strained Tendon Forces Serena Out |website=Highbeam.com |date=March 5, 2005 |accessdate=January 27, 2011}}</ref> A reoccurring ankle injury causing her to miss the [[2005 French Open|French Open]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2005/may/21/sports/sp-french21 |title=Serena Pulls Out, Citing Ankle Injury |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 21, 2009 |accessdate=January 27, 2011 |first=Lisa |last=Dillman}}</ref> She returned for [[2005 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] as the 4th-seeded player, but was defeated in the third round by No. 85, [[Jill Craybas]]. At the [[2005 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Williams lost to her sister Venus in the fourth round. This was the earliest the sisters had met in a Grand Slam tournament since their first meeting, at the 1998 Australian Open. Williams played just one more match that fall, a loss to No. 127 [[Sun Tiantian]] at the [[China Open (tennis)|tournament in Beijing]]. She failed to qualify for the year-end championship for the first time since 1998 and she finished the year 2005 ranked No. 11, her first time finishing the season outside the top 10 since 1998.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams made her 2006 debut at the [[2006 Australian Open|Australian Open]]. Defending the title, Williams lost to [[Daniela Hantuchová]] in the third round.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4631036.stm|title=Hantuchova stuns champion Serena|date=January 20, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> After the tournament, she told the press that she was injured, blaming a lack of fitness and a knee injury for keeping her off the court.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4818448.stm |title=Injured Serena pulls out of Miami|date=March 17, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> In her biography, Williams claims that she was actually suffering from depression. She stayed away from pro tennis for six months during the 2006 season. After she had shut herself off from the world for a period, Williams saw a therapist daily.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=175–176}} After a chance meeting with a young girl who idolized Williams and believed that she could still win, Williams signed up to play in Cincinnati,{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=198–199}} her first tournament since Melbourne. Williams had slipped to No. 139, the lowest ranking she had held since 1997. On her return, Williams defeated Myskina and [[Bethanie Mattek]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5175132.stm |title=Serena scores big win on return |date=July 19, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5201908.stm |title=Serena comeback gathers momentum |date=July 21, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> before losing in the semifinals to [[Vera Zvonareva]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5207094.stm |title=Serena run comes to end in semis |date=July 23, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> She also reached the semifinals in Los Angeles, losing to Janković in straight sets. At the [[2006 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Williams needed a wildcard to enter the tournament, as her ranking at the cut-off time was No. 139, outside the automatic 102. Her ranking had improved to 79th by the time the tournament came around.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4801379.stm |title =Serena granted US Open wildcard |date=August 17, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> She lost to top-seeded Mauresmo in the fourth round.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5314730.stm |title=Mauresmo sees off tired Williams |date=September 5, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Following the US Open, she did not play again in 2006, ending the year ranked No. 95, her lowest year-end ranking since 1997.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams began 2007 with renewed confidence, stating her intention to return to the top of the rankings,<ref name="targets#1">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6236551.stm |title=Serena targets number one ranking |date=March 17, 2006 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate =April 23, 2009}}</ref> a comment 1987 Wimbledon men's singles champion and commentator [[Pat Cash]] branded "deluded".<ref name="cash">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1292868.ece|title=Williams is lost cause|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821180813/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1292868.ece|archivedate=August 21, 2008}}</ref> - -Williams lost in the quarterfinals of the [[Moorilla Hobart International|Hobart International]], a warm-up for the [[2007 Australian Open|Australian Open]] where Williams was unseeded because of her No. 81 ranking and was widely regarded as "out of shape".<ref name="shape">Tandon, Kamakshi (January 14, 2008) [https://web.archive.org/web/20091026224342/http://www.tennis.com/tournaments/2008/australianopen/australianopen.aspx?id=110906 New Mindset: Serena Playing for Herself]. tennis.com</ref> She experienced a huge amount of pressure on herself before the tournament, coming from her fans and the press as well as Williams herself about her weight, focus and needing a good showing.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Shortly before her first match, a representative from Nike paid her a visit in the players' lounge, informing her that if she did not perform to her accustomed level, the company might drop her. Williams claimed that Nike's ultimatum meant that she would have to reach the quarterfinals at least.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=205–206}} - -The distraction from Nike did not distract Williams, as she lost just three games to [[Mara Santangelo]] and defeated Anne Kremer in straight sets.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|p=206}} By this point, a blister had developed on Williams's foot and she had contracted a cold. In the third round, Williams found herself two points away from going home against [[Nadia Petrova]], but fought back to win in three sets, which was her first win over a top-10 player since defeating Lindsay Davenport in the 2005 Australian Open final. Williams then made it to the final, defeating Janković, Pe'er and Vaidišová. Williams described them as "good players. Strong players. Players who certainly didn't expect an overweight, out-of-shape, has been champion like me to give them a game."{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|pp=208–209}} Williams also found herself two points from going out against Peer before turning it around.<ref name="NY 2007 AUS" /> By the time Williams had reached the final, the cold and blister had both left. Previewing the finals, [[Tracy Austin]] stated that, although Williams had a great tournament, she believed that the ride was over and that Sharapova would have no trouble with Williams. Williams thought it was mean and unnecessary and used it as motivation along with other criticism.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|p=209}} In the final, Williams lost just three games against Maria Sharapova, winning her first title at any tournament since winning the 2005 Australian Open 24 months prior.<ref name="NY 2007 AUS">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/27/sports/27iht-web.0127tennis.4368100.html | title=Williams shocks Sharapova to win Australian Open|date=January 27, 2007 |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Williams became the first player since [[Chris O'Neil (tennis)|Chris O'Neil]] to win the title while not being seeded, and claimed her third Australian Open and eighth Grand Slam singles title overall. The win elevated Williams to 14th in the rankings. Williams dedicated the title to her deceased half-sister Yetunde.<ref name="ausopen07">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6299369.stm |title=Superb Williams wins Aussie title |work=BBC Sport|last=Newbery |first=Piers|accessdate=May 30, 2017 |date=January 27, 2007}}</ref> Her performance in the final was described in the press as "one of the best performances of her career" and "arguably the most powerful display ever seen in women's tennis".<ref name="shape" /><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6669051.stm "Resurgent Serena targets Paris"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913202752/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6669051.stm |accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=September 13, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> In her post match interview, Williams took a swipe at her critics, stating that she had proved them wrong.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6304837.stm|title=I proved critics wrong – Williams|date=January 27, 2007 |accessdate=May 30, 2017| work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Williams won the [[Sony Ericsson Open]] in Miami for the fourth time by defeating Justine Henin. Williams had to record a come-from-behind win after being whitewashed in the first set and saving two match points in the second.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6514957.stm "Serena takes title in epic final"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009030840/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6514957.stm |accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=October 9, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> She played for her country in the Fed Cup for the first time since 2003 in a tie against [[Belgium Fed Cup team|Belgium]], and won her opening match<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/9507-williams-sisters-give-us-lead |location=Florida |title=Williams sisters give US lead &#124; Tennis &#124; NDTVSports.com |website=Sports.ndtv.com |accessdate=May 30, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610181217/http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/9507-williams-sisters-give-us-lead |archivedate=June 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> but withdrew from her second, because of a knee injury.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/9596-teenage-sub-for-serena-seals-win |title=Teenage sub for Serena seals win |publisher=NDTV Sports |accessdate=May 30, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610181215/http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/9596-teenage-sub-for-serena-seals-win |archivedate=June 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> - -At the [[2007 French Open|French Open]], Williams lost in the quarterfinals to Henin.<ref name=activity /> During her fourth round match against Hantuchová at Wimbledon, Williams collapsed from an acute muscle spasm at 5–5 in the second set. After a medical timeout and holding serve to force a tiebreak, rain forced play to be suspended for nearly two hours. When the players returned, Williams won the match in three sets.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6262654.stm Injured Serena seals amazing win] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716094757/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6262654.stm |date=July 16, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> Williams then lost her quarterfinal match with Henin, whilst suffering from the injuries sustained in the previous round.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cheese |first=Caroline |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6270864.stm |title=Henin overcomes battling Serena |work=BBC Sport |date=July 4, 2007 |accessdate=May 30, 2013}}</ref> At the US Open, Williams lost her third consecutive Grand Slam singles quarterfinal to Henin.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/05/sports/tennis/05tennis.html| title = Henin Defeats Serena Williams Again| last = Robbins | first = Liz| date = September 5, 2007| work = The New York Times}}</ref> Williams reached the final of [[Kremlin Cup]], losing to [[Elena Dementieva]]. Williams qualified for the WTA Championships, but retired from her first match with [[Anna Chakvetadze]] with a knee injury and subsequently withdrew from the event.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/07/AR2007110702033.html| title = Serena Williams Hurts Knee in Madrid| date = November 7, 2007| agency = Associated Press| website= The Washington Post |accessdate=April 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/11/08/us-tennis-women-championships-williams-idUSL0857371820071108| title = Williams withdraws from Madrid through injury| agency = Reuters| date = November 8, 2007}}</ref> Williams finished 2007 as No. 7 and the top-ranked American for the first time since 2003.<ref name=activity /> - -===2008–2010: Back to No. 1 and injuries=== -{{Main|2008 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2008|2009 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2009|2010 Serena Williams tennis season}} - -Williams started 2008 by participating on the U.S. team that won the [[Hopman Cup]] with [[Mardy Fish]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7170304.stm USA beat Serbia to take Hopman Cup] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106100258/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7170304.stm |date=January 6, 2008}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> At the [[2008 Australian Open|Australian Open]] she lost in the quarterfinals to [[Jelena Janković]],<ref name=activity>[https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/230234/title/serena-Williams Serena Williams Playing Activity], [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]]. Retrieved August 19, 2008.{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> her fourth straight loss in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam singles tournament. In the women's doubles event, she and Venus were defeated in the quarterfinals. Williams withdrew from her next three scheduled tournaments because of an urgent need for dental surgery.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7279958.stm |title=Serena returns to action with win |work=BBC Sport |date=March 5, 2008 |accessdate=August 19, 2008}}</ref> Williams then won three consecutive singles titles at [[Bangalore Open|Bangalore]] and her fifth [[Sony Ericsson Open|Miami]] title, tying Steffi Graf for the most singles titles at this tournament.[[File:Serena Williams Australian Open 2009 5.jpg|thumb|<div style="text-align: center;">At the 2009 Australian Open</div>]] - -Williams won at the [[Family Circle Cup]], her first clay-court title since the 2002 French Open. Her 17-match winning streak was ended by [[Dinara Safina]] in the quarterfinals of [[Qatar Telecom German Open|Berlin]].<ref name=activity /> Williams withdrew in [[2008 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome]] in the quarterfinals against [[Alizé Cornet]] due to a back injury. Williams was the only former winner of the [[2008 French Open|French Open]] in the draw, but lost in the third round to [[Katarina Srebotnik]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -At [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], Williams reached the finals for the first time in four years but lost to her older sister Venus in straight sets, in their first Slam final since 2003. Serena and Venus teamed to win the women's doubles title in their first Grand Slam women's doubles title since 2003. Williams played at [[Bank of the West Classic|Stanford]], but retired 6–2, 3–1 down with a left knee injury from her semifinal match against qualifier [[Aleksandra Wozniak]]. The injury forced her to withdraw from [[East West Bank Classic|Los Angeles]]. At the [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics|Olympics]] in Beijing, Williams lost to Dementieva in the quarterfinals. Serena and Venus won the gold medal in doubles, beating [[Anabel Medina Garrigues]] and [[Virginia Ruano Pascual]] in the final. At the [[2008 US Open – Women's Singles|US Open]], Williams defeated sister Venus, Safina and Jelena Janković in the final. That was her third US Open and ninth Grand Slam singles title. The victory returned her to the No. 1 ranking for the first time since 2003.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://usopen.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/match-tracking-jelena-jankovic-vs-serena-williams/?hp |first=Thomas|last= Lin |title= Serena Williams Wins to Regain No.&nbsp;1 Ranking |work=The New York Times |date=September 7, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2009}}</ref> At the year-end championships she defeated Safina and lost to Venus in her round-robin matches, but withdrew from her match against Dementieva, citing a stomach muscle injury. She ended 2008 ranked No. 2 and with four singles titles, her strongest performance in both respects since 2003.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams began 2009 at the [[2009 Sydney International|Medibank International]] losing in the semifinals to [[Elena Dementieva]]. At the [[2009 Australian Open|Australian Open]], she claimed her tenth Grand Slam singles title by defeating [[Dinara Safina]] in the final in 59 minutes. This win returned her to the No. 1 ranking and resulted in her becoming the all-time career prize money leader in women's sports, overtaking golfer [[Annika Sörenstam]]. In women's doubles, with Venus, they captured the title for the third time.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -At the [[2009 Open GDF Suez – Singles|Open GdF Suez]], Williams withdrew before her semifinal with Dementieva because of a knee injury.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Serena then played at [[2009 Dubai Tennis Championships – Women's Singles|Dubai]], losing to Venus in the last 4.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -At the [[Sony Ericsson Open]] Williams, hampered with ankle and quad injuries, was upset in the final by [[Victoria Azarenka]]. This was the first of four consecutive losses for her, the longest losing streak of her career.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tandon |first=Kamakshi |title=Serena's protests lack teeth |publisher=ESPN |date=May 13, 2009 |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/columns/story?columnist=tandon_kamakshi&id=4161689 |accessdate=May 19, 2009}}</ref> She was defeated in her opening matches at [[Andalucia Tennis Experience|Barcelona]], [[Internazionali d'Italia|Rome]], and [[Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open|Madrid]]. Despite not having won a match on clay in 2009 before the French Open, she lost in the quarterfinals to the eventual champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. This ended her 18-match Grand Slam tournament winning streak. She rebounded at [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|Wimbledon]], saving a match point in defeating fourth seeded Dementieva in the semifinals. In the final, Serena defeated her sister Venus to win her third Wimbledon title and her 11th Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite news|last=Newbery |first=Piers |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8134542.stm |title=Serena shocked to stay number two |work=BBC Sport |date=July 4, 2009 |accessdate=January 27, 2011}}</ref> Serena and Venus teamed to win the women's doubles title at Wimbledon for the second consecutive year, their ninth Grand Slam title in women's doubles.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -As a US Open preparation, Williams played at [[Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open|Cincinnati]] losing in the third round, followed by a semifinal defeat at the Rogers Cup. At the US Open, she lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Kim Clijsters amid [[#2009 US Open|controversy]] involving shouting at a line judge when defending match point, an offense which cost Williams the point and consequently the match. She continued in the doubles competition, teaming up with Venus to win their third Grand Slam doubles title of the year and tenth of their career.<ref name=lat2009 /> Williams won all three of her round-robin matches at the year-end [[2009 WTA Tour Championships|WTA Tour Championships]], defeating Venus, Dementieva, and Kuznetsova, saving a match point against Venus. She then advanced to the final, when Wozniacki retired from their semifinal match. In the final, Williams defeated Venus for her second singles title at this event.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8336793.stm|title=Serena ends Venus reign in Doha |date=November 1, 2009 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=May 30, 2017}}</ref> [[File:Melbourne Australian Open 2010 Serena Serve.jpg|thumb|left|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams on her way to the singles and doubles title at the 2010 Australian Open</div>]] Williams finished the year ranked No. 1 for the second time in her career, having played in 16 tournaments, more than any other year. She also broke the record previously set by Justine Henin for the most prize money earned by a female tennis player in one year, with Williams earning $6,545,586. For doubles that year, the Williams sisters finished the year ranked No. 2, despite playing only six tournaments together as a pair. Williams had won five Grand Slam tournament titles, putting her total of Grand Slam titles won thus far at 23, and she was consequently named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press for 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Williams wins AP's Female Athlete of the Year award |website=tennis.com |date=December 22, 2009 |url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2009/12/williams-wins-aps-female-athlete-of-the-year-award/19661/ |accessdate=December 24, 2009}}</ref> Williams was also the [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]] World Champion in both the singles and doubles events.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena ITF World Champion |publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |date=December 23, 2009 |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/serena-itf-world-champion-20091223_2256076_1912973 |accessdate=December 24, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904024154/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/serena-itf-world-champion-20091223_2256076_1912973 |archivedate=September 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> - -In 2010, Williams's first scheduled tournament was in [[Medibank International Sydney|Sydney]], losing in the final to Elena Dementieva. At the [[2010 Australian Open|Australian Open]], Williams was the defending champion in both singles and doubles. She reached the final and defeated Justine Henin, who had just recently come out of retirement, for her twelfth Grand Slam singles title. In doubles, Williams and her sister, Venus, successfully defended their title by defeating [[Cara Black]] and [[Liezel Huber]] in the final.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams withdrew with a leg injury from her next few events,{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} and returned at the [[2010 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome Masters]], losing to Jelena Janković in the semifinals. At [[2010 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open|Madrid]], she fell to Nadia Petrova in the third round but partnered Venus to win the doubles title.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -At the [[2010 French Open|French Open]], Williams was defeated by [[Samantha Stosur]] in the quarterfinals. She and Venus were the top seeds in the doubles event and won the title, defeating [[Květa Peschke]] and [[Katarina Srebotnik]] in the final to win their fourth consecutive Grand Slam doubles title and improving their doubles ranking to No. 1.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams's next tournament was Wimbledon, where she defeated Russian Vera Zvonareva in the final without facing a break point and breaking the serve of Zvonareva three times.<ref name=NYTIMESW10>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/sports/tennis/04wimbledon.html|title=A Booming Serena Williams Keeps Title|last=Bishop |first= Greg|date=July 3, 2010|work=The New York Times |accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref><ref name=TennisSW10>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2010/07/serena-routs-zvonareva-for-fourth-wimbledon-title/23255/|title=Serena routs Zvonareva for fourth Wimbledon title|agency=Associated Press|date=July 3, 2010|work=[[Tennis Magazine]]|accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref> She did not lose a set in the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/3/serena-williams-beats-vera-zvonareva-win-wimbledon/?page=all -|title=Serena Williams beats Zvonareva to win Wimbledon |last=Wilson |first=Stephen |agency=Associated Press |date=July 3, 2010 |work=[[The Washington Times]] |accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref> - -After the match, Martina Navratilova said that Williams is in the top five of all the women's tennis players in all of history, which she said that "it's not just about how many Slams you win or how many tournaments you win—it's just your game overall. And she's got all the goods."<ref name=TennisSW10 /> Serena was the defending champion in doubles with her sister Venus, winning the last two years. They lost in the quarterfinals to [[Elena Vesnina]] and Zvonareva. In Munich on July 7, Williams stepped on broken glass while in a restaurant, and the injury caused her to miss the rest of the year.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams ended the year ranked No. 4 in singles after six tournaments,{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} and No. 11 in doubles after four tournaments.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -On March 2, 2011, she confirmed that she had suffered a [[hematoma]] and a [[pulmonary embolism]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/03/serena-williams-has-emergency-health-treatement/1 |title=Tennis star Serena Williams home after treatment for blood clot |last=Cherner |first=Reid |date=March 2, 2011 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.celebritydiagnosis.com/2011/03/serena-williams-undergoes-emergency-treatment-for-pulmonary-embolism/ |title=Serena Williams undergoes emergency treatment for pulmonary embolism |last=Berman |first=Michele |work=Celebrity Diagnosis |date=March 2, 2011|accessdate=January 5, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.celebritydiagnosis.com/2011/03/serena-williams-gives-more-details-about-recent-health-scare/ |last=Berman |first=Michele |title=Serena Williams gives more details about recent health scare |work=Celebrity Diagnosis |date=March 9, 2011 |accessdate=January 5, 2012}}</ref> - -===2011–2013: Return to dominance, career golden slam=== -{{Main|2011 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2011|2012 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2012|2013 Serena Williams tennis season}} - -Williams finally made a return to the practice court in March 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/13057197 |title=Serena Williams returns to tennis court after lay-off |date =April 12, 2011 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> She made her first appearance on the WTA tour in almost a year in [[2011 Aegon International|Eastbourne]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/sports/tennis/serena-williams-plans-to-play-at-wimbledon.html |title=Serena Williams Plans to Play at Wimbledon |accessdate=June 6, 2011 |work=The New York Times |first=Christopher |last=Clarey |date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> Williams lost in round two to Vera Zvonareva, in a match that lasted over three hours.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/tennis/06/15/tennis.eastbourne.zvonareva.serena/index.html |title=Serena comeback ended by Zvonareva |date=June 15, 2011 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Her next tournament was [[2011 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], where she was the defending champion. She reached the round of 16, where she lost to [[Marion Bartoli]]. After the loss her ranking dropped to 169. Williams won her first titles since her return to tennis triumphing in [[2011 Bank of the West Classic|Stanford]] and [[2011 Rogers Cup|Toronto]]. At the [[2011 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]], Williams defeated [[Lucie Hradecká]], only to withdraw the next day, citing a right toe injury. She then played at the [[2011 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] going all the way to the final losing to Samantha Stosur, during a match which featured her [[#2011 US Open|verbally abusing the chair umpire]]. The US Open final turned out to be Williams's last match in 2011, and she ended the year ranked No. 12 with two titles and with a 22–3 record for the season. She only participated in six tournaments throughout the season. -[[File:Serena Williams wins Gold cropped.jpg|thumb|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams won the singles gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games.</div>]] - -Williams started the 2012 season at the [[2012 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]], however, during her match against [[Bojana Jovanovski]], she injured her left ankle when serving for the match. As a result, Williams was forced to withdraw from the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2012/01/serena-withdraws-from-brisbane-international |title=Serena withdraws from Brisbane International |work=Brisbane International |date=January 4, 2012 |accessdate=July 10, 2012}}</ref> Next she participated at the [[2012 Australian Open – Women's Singles|Australian Open]] where she was upset by [[Ekaterina Makarova]] in the fourth round. After a month layoff, Williams returned to competition in [[2012 Sony Ericsson Open|Miami]] losing in the quarterfinals to Caroline Wozniacki. Williams then won consecutive titles at [[2012 Family Circle Cup|Charleston]] and [[2012 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid]] beating [[Lucie Šafářová]] and Victoria Azarenka, but withdrew from her semifinal match against [[Li Na (tennis)|Li Na]] in [[2012 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome]] citing a lower back injury. Williams suffered her first ever loss in the opening round of a Grand Slam tournament at the French Open against [[Virginie Razzano]]. Williams notched up a 33–1 record for the second half of the season winning five titles in the process.<ref name="BBC 2012">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/20117316 |title=Serena Williams beats Sharapova in WTA Championships final |date=October 28, 2012 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Williams won her fifth [[2012 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] singles title, her fourteenth Grand Slam title;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon-2012/top-stories/Serena-Williams-beats-Radwanska-to-clinch-fifth-Wimbledon-title/articleshow/14738318.cms |title=Serena Williams beats Radwanska to clinch fifth Wimbledon title |date=July 8, 2012 |work=The Times of India |last=Hegde |first=Prajwal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/wimbledon12/story/_/id/8138336/wimbledon-2012-serena-williams-stretched-three-sets-wins-5th-title |title=Wimbledon 2012 – Serena Williams stretched to three sets, wins 5th title |agency=Associated Press |date=July 7, 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> setting a serving record of 24 aces by a female in a match as well as having the most aces, male or female, during the tournament (102).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/158997.html |title=Serena books latest Wimbledon final appearance |publisher=ESPN |date=July 5, 2012 |accessdate=April 28, 2017}}</ref> Williams returned to America to successfully defend her title in [[2012 Bank of the West Classic|Stanford]] beating [[CoCo Vandeweghe]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012-07-15/serena-williams-wins-back-of-the-west-classic/56240708/1 |title=Serena Williams wins at Stanford in final Olympic tuneup |date=July 20, 2012 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=USA Today}}</ref><ref name="huffingtonpost.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/serena-williams-gold-medal-olympics-sharapova_n_1741297.html |title=Serena Williams Wins Gold Medal In Olympic Singles Tennis, Beats Maria Sharapova In Final |last=Wine |first=Steven |agency=Associated Press |date=August 4, 2012 |work=[[HuffPost]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917023255/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/serena-williams-gold-medal-olympics-sharapova_n_1741297.html |archivedate=September 17, 2012 |df=}}</ref> Williams then returned to Wimbledon to represent her country at the Olympic Games where she won gold, defeating Maria Sharapova in a dominating performance. Williams failed to drop more than three games per set en route to winning the medal.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com" /> Williams undefeated streak ended with a loss in Cincinnati to [[Angelique Kerber]]. In New York City, Williams went on to win her fourth [[2012 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] singles title and her 15th career Grand Slam title overall beating Azarenka in the final.<ref name="BBC 2012" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20120909/serena-williams-wins-us-open-victoria-azarenka/ |title=Serena tops Azarenka for fourth U.S. Open championship |agency=Associated Press |date=September 9, 2012|accessdate=September 10, 2012}}</ref> Williams ended the season by competing at the WTA Championships and went undefeated throughout the tournament to win the event for her third title.<ref name="BBC 2012" /> Williams was voted WTA Player of the Year for the fourth time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/20540525|title=Serena Williams wins WTA Tour Player of the Year award |accessdate=November 29, 2012 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Based on her brilliant show in 2012, Williams was also named [[International Tennis Federation]] World Champion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Novak-Djokovic-Serena-Williams-crowned-ITF-world-champions/articleshow/17572209.cms? |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20121212040808/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Novak-Djokovic-Serena-Williams-crowned-ITF-world-champions/articleshow/17572209.cms |archivedate=December 12, 2012 |title=Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams crowned ITF world champions |date=December 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=}}</ref> Williams also returned to doubles competitions with Venus; in the pair's first tournament since [[2010 Wimbledon Championships|2010 Wimbledon]], they claimed their fifth Wimbledon doubles title and the 13th grand slam doubles title.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bondy |first=Filip |date=July 8, 2012 |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-08/news/32591733_1_venus-williams-serena-and-venus-williams-sisters |title=Bondy: Williams sisters are kin-do at Wimby |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York |accessdate=August 4, 2012}}</ref> The pair successfully defended their Olympic doubles title which meant that they became the only tennis players to win four gold medals.<ref name="CBS-Olympic" /> - -Williams's first tournament of the 2013 season was in [[2013 Brisbane International|Brisbane]], where she won the title without dropping a set. Williams was upset in the quarterfinals of the [[2013 Australian Open|Australian Open]] by fellow American player [[Sloane Stephens]]. By virtue of defeating [[Petra Kvitová]] in Doha, Williams returned to the No. 1 position for the sixth time in her career and became the oldest woman in the Open Era to hold the ranking.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3077758/title/serena-to-return-to-no1-for-sixth-time |title=Serena To Return To No. 1 For Sixth Time |date=February 15, 2013 |publisher=WTA |accessdate=April 25, 2017}}</ref> Williams went on to lose to Victoria Azarenka in the final. In the Miami final, Williams lost a set to Maria Sharapova for the first time since 2008. This setback did not stop Williams who recorded her 70th come-from-behind win. The win made Williams a six-time champion in Miami breaking the record she held with Steffi Graf and became only the fourth woman in the Open Era to have won a tournament at least six times.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3126967/title/serena-conquers-sharapova-miami |title=Serena Conquers Sharapova & Miami |accessdate=April 25, 2017 |date=March 30, 2013 |publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]]}}</ref> Williams successfully defended her Charleston title, winning it for the third time overall.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3136277/title/serena-wins-49th-wta-title-in-charleston |title=Serena Wins 49th WTA Title In Charleston |date=April 6, 2013 |accessdate=April 25, 2017 |publisher=WTA}}</ref> Williams won her fiftieth career singles title in [[2013 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid]], defeating Sharapova in the final. Williams then played Rome, where she won the title without dropping a set, defeating Victoria Azarenka in the final to take her second title. Williams only dropped ten games in reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. There, she played Svetlana Kuznetsova and lost her first set of the tournament. In the semifinal Williams only lost one game when she defeated Sara Errani, something seven-time French Open champion Chris Evert described as the finest female performance on clay she had ever seen.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caple|first=Jim |date=June 7, 2013 |title=New Heights For Serena Williams|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/9352085/2013-french-open-serena-williams-looks-better-ever-heading-final-maria-sharapova |publisher=[[ESPN]] |accessdate=June 7, 2013}}</ref> Williams defeated Sharapova to claim her second Roland Garros title, her sixteenth grand slam tournament title overall. She became the fourth woman in the Open Era after Navratilova, Evert and Graf to win each Grand Slam tournament title on at least two occasions. At [[2013 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], she advanced easily to the fourth round before being upset by eventual finalist [[Sabine Lisicki]] in three sets. After Wimbledon, Williams won the Swedish Open by defeating [[Johanna Larsson (tennis)|Johanna Larsson]] in the final, the tournament win marked the first occasion that she had won an [[WTA International tournaments|International]] level title. By winning the tournament this meant that Williams had managed to be undefeated on clay during the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Wins 53rd WTA Title in Bastad|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3323512/title/serena-wins-53rd-wta-title-in-bastad |publisher=WTA |accessdate=July 21, 2013|date=July 20, 2013}}</ref> -[[File:Serena Williams serves at the US Open (9665931630).jpg|thumb|left|300px|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams winning her fifth US Open title</div>]] - -Williams won her 3rd Rogers Cup title in Toronto beating [[Sorana Cîrstea]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams wins Rogers Cup women's title|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/story/2013/08/11/sp-wta-tennis-rogers-cup-final.html|publisher=[[CBC News]]|accessdate=August 11, 2013|date=August 11, 2013}}</ref> Williams reached the final of the [[2013 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]] for the first time but lost to Azarenka.<ref>{{cite news|first=Steve |last=Keating |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/azarenka-beat-williams-cincinnati-title-231248255.html |title=Azarenka beats Williams for Cincinnati title |publisher=Yahoo! |date=August 18, 2013 |accessdate=September 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823010432/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/azarenka-beat-williams-cincinnati-title-231248255.html |archivedate=August 23, 2013 |df=}}</ref> At the [[2013 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Williams began as top seed and defending champion. She reached the final—rematch of the 2012 final against Azarenka—and won in three sets, capturing her 17th Grand Slam singles title.<ref name=usopen>{{cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Kevin|title=Serena Williams crowns 14-year reign with fifth US Open title|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/sep/09/serena-williams-victoria-azarenka-us-open-final1|website=The Guardian|date=September 9, 2013|accessdate=September 9, 2013}}</ref> Williams became the oldest US Open champion in the Open Era and pushed her career prize money past $50{{nbsp}}million.<ref name=usopen /> After the US Open, Williams beat Jelena Janković to win the China Open in Beijing for her 10th title of 2013.<ref>{{cite news | title=Serena Williams beats Jelena Jankovic to win China Open | work=BBC Sport | date=October 6, 2013 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/24420636 | accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>[https://sports.yahoo.com/news/serena-powers-past-jankovic-10th-title-2013-143744440--ten.html "Serena powers past Jankovic for 10th title in 2013"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305220750/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/serena-powers-past-jankovic-10th-title-2013-143744440--ten.html |date=March 5, 2016}}. Yahoo! Sports. October 6, 2013.</ref> Williams went through the WTA Championships undefeated winning the final against Li Na, to become the first person to defend the title since Justine Henin in 2007. Williams won her 11th title of 2013 becoming the 8th player to win 11 titles or more in a year and the first since Martina Hingis in 1997.<ref>Fuller, Russell (October 27, 2013), [https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/24694991 "Serena Williams beats Li Na to win WTA Championships"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419185211/http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/24694991 |date=April 19, 2014}}. BBC Sport. Retrieved April 19, 2014.</ref> Also, she became the oldest person to win the WTA Championships and 4th player to win it 4 times or more. By winning the championship, Williams became the first woman to win more than $10{{nbsp}}million in a season and with her total of $12,385,572, only [[Rafael Nadal]], in 2013, and [[Novak Djokovic]], in 2011, 2012 and 2013, have earned more money in one season.<ref>[http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3513171/title/serena-conquers-li-istanbul "Serena Conquers Li & Istanbul"]. WTA.</ref> - -Williams finished as the year end No. 1 for the third time, becoming the oldest No. 1 player in WTA history.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 27, 2013|title=Serena Williams rallies in WTA final|url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/9888972/serena-williams-forced-rally-vs-li-na-final-wta-championships|location=Istanbul, Turkey|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=April 24, 2017}}</ref> She was also named the 2013 ITF World Champion, the fourth time that she has been given the World Champion's crown.<ref>(December 18, 2013), [http://www.itftennis.com/news/163361.aspx Williams and Djokovic named 2013 ITF World Champions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429215902/http://www.itftennis.com/news/163361.aspx |date=April 29, 2016}}. itftennis.com. Retrieved April 29, 2016.</ref> Williams received two prizes at the [[2013 ESPY Awards]]. Williams won Best Female Athlete and Best Female Tennis Player. Williams is just the fourth person to win Best Female Athlete on two occasions and she won Best Female Tennis player for a record sixth time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Wins Best Female Athlete ESPY|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3282995/title/serena-wins-best-female-athlete-espy |website =WTA |accessdate=July 19, 2013|date=July 18, 2013}}</ref> In late December 2013, Williams capped off her year by receiving the Associated Press 2013 Female Athlete of the Year award, her third AP award after 2002 and 2009. Only two women, Chris Evert and [[Babe Didrikson]], have been chosen more often as AP Athlete of the Year since the annual awards were first handed out in 1931.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fendrich |first=Howard |date=December 25, 2013 |title=Serena Williams Wins 3rd AP Athlete Of Year Award |url=http://dailydigest.com/18803/serena-williams-wins-3rd-ap-athlete-of-year-award/ |website=DailyDigest |agency=Associated Press |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228220845/http://dailydigest.com/18803/serena-williams-wins-3rd-ap-athlete-of-year-award/ |archivedate=December 28, 2013 |df=}}</ref> - -===2014–2015: Second 'Serena Slam'=== -{{Main|2014 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2014|2015 Serena Williams tennis season}} -Williams defended her title at the [[2014 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]] by defeating No. 2, Victoria Azarenka, in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Victoria Azarenka 6–4, 7–5 to win Brisbane International title|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/10550797/Serena-Williams-beats-Victoria-Azarenka-6-4-7-5-to-win-Brisbane-International-title.html|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> At the [[2014 Australian Open|Australian Open]] she ended up losing to former No. 1, Ana Ivanovic, in the fourth round. At [[2014 Dubai Tennis Championships|Dubai]], Williams lost her semifinal match to [[Alizé Cornet]] in straight sets. Williams next headed to the Miami Open where she won her record seventh title with a straight-sets victory over No. 2 [[Li Na]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams vs Li Na Final Miami 2014 Highlights |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMQzynsGhVg|via=YouTube|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> Williams lost to [[Jana Čepelová]] in the second round of the [[2014 Family Circle Cup|Family Circle Cup]]. She made it to the quarterfinals at the [[2014 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Open]] before withdrawing with a left thigh injury. Williams won her third title of the season at the [[2014 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome]]. She was then handed the worst loss of her Grand Slam tournament career by [[Garbiñe Muguruza]] at the second round of the [[2014 French Open|French Open]], who defeated Serena losing just four games in two sets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams's shocking loss is the worst of her legendary career|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/05/serena-williams-french-open-loss-worst|work = USA Today|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> [[Alizé Cornet]] defeated Williams for the second time in the year in the third round of [[2014 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], thus handing Williams her earliest Wimbledon exit since 2005. Serena was then forced to withdraw from the doubles event alongside sister Venus while trailing 0–3 in the second round. A disoriented Serena hit 4 consecutive doubles faults and was having trouble with both her ball toss and movement before being removed from what has been described as one of the most unusual scenes ever seen in tennis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams in tears after illness ends doubles hopes |url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2014-07-01/serena_williams.html |publisher=The Championships, Wimbledon |accessdate=March 16, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503160856/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2014-07-01/serena_williams.html |archivedate=May 3, 2015 |df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Navratilova on Serena: 'It's not right'|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/11168116/espnw-martina-navratilova-critical-serena-williams-wimbledon-exit|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> - -Williams rebounded by winning 19 out of her next 20 matches (losing only to sister Venus in the semifinals of the [[2014 Rogers Cup|Rogers Cup]]). This streak include titles at the [[2014 Bank of the West Classic|Bank of the West Classic]] as well as her first [[2014 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]] title and her third consecutive and sixth overall [[2014 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] singles title which she won without having dropped a set.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams wins 18th Slam|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen14/story/_/id/11484243/2014-us-open-serena-williams-beats-caroline-wozniacki-win-3rd-straight|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=US Open: Serena Williams powers past Caroline Wozniacki for sixth title |first=Kevin |date=September 8, 2014 |last=Mitchell |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/07/serena-williams-caroline-wozniacki-us-open-2014-sixth-title|work = The Guardian|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> With this victory Williams tied Chris Evert for most singles titles won by a woman at the US Open in the Open Era. Williams also tied Evert and Navratilova's 18 Grand Slam singles titles won in the Open Era. By virtue of having won both the [[2014 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] and the [[2014 US Open Series|US Open Series]], Williams collected $4,000,000 – the biggest payday in tennis history. At the [[2014 Wuhan Open|Wuhan Open]] a viral illness forced her to retire while up a break in the first set against [[Alizé Cornet]]. Cornet thus became the first woman since Justine Henin in [[2007 WTA Tour|2007]] to record three victories over Williams in one year. At the [[2014 China Open (tennis)|China Open]] Williams retired prior to her quarterfinal match versus Samantha Stosur. At the [[2014 WTA Finals]] in Singapore Williams advanced to the final for the third consecutive year despite having equaled her career worst loss in her second round robin match versus [[Simona Halep]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/halep-routs-serena-williams-wta-finals-092843864.html |title=Halep routs Serena Williams at WTA Finals |work=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=October 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305025929/http://news.yahoo.com/halep-routs-serena-williams-wta-finals-092843864.html |archivedate=March 5, 2016 }}</ref> Williams won her fifth [[WTA Finals]] title by avenging her loss to Halep in the championship match for her seventh title of the year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams Punishes Simona Halep for Earlier Defeat at WTA Finals|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-punishes-simona-halep-for-earlier-defeat.html|work=The New York Times|first=Ben|last=Rotherberg|date=October 26, 2014|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> Williams finished the year ranked No. 1 for the fourth time in her career. She held the No. 1 ranking for the entire calendar year, a feat not accomplished since Steffi Graf in 1996. She was also voted WTA Player of the Year and ITF World Champion for a third consecutive year (sixth overall).{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams began the [[2015 WTA Tour|2015 season]] by representing the [[United States at the Hopman Cup|United States]] alongside [[John Isner]] at the [[2015 Hopman Cup|Hopman Cup]]. The American pair lost the final to the Poland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Poland defeat United States to lift Hopman Cup for first time|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/388281.html |publisher=ESPN|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=February 22, 2015}}</ref> At the [[2015 Australian Open|Australian Open]] Williams defeated Maria Sharapova for the 16th consecutive time to claim her 6th Australian Open singles title and 19th career Grand Slam singles title, winning the title on her third match point in the second set.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams Wins Australian Open With Coughs, Guts and Aces|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/sports/tennis/serena-williams-beats-maria-sharapova-in-australian-open-final.html|work=The New York Times|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova to win Australian Open – as it happened |first=Katy |last=Murrells |date=January 31, 2015|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/jan/31/serena-williams-v-maria-sharapova-australian-open-womens-final-live|work=The Guardian|accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=How Serena Williams won the shouting match and more in Australia|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12257852/how-serena-williams-won-shouting-match-more-australia|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams wins Australian Open, 19th Grand Slam title in champion form|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/01/31/serena-williams-beats-sharapova-wins-australian-open-title|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=February 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Australian Open 2015 Final – Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80ba6nJH1MQ|via=YouTube|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> With this victory Williams surpassed both, Evert and Navratilova, for [[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions|second most Grand Slam singles titles won]] in the Open Era. The title was also her sixth Grand Slam singles title since turning 30 years of age, three more than the next closest to do so (Margaret Court, Martina Navratilova with three each). She is the only player in history to win all four Grand Slams at least once after having turned 30. The following weekend, Serena and sister Venus traveled to Buenos Aires to face Argentina in a World Group II tie for [[Fed Cup]]. She played and won her only match against [[María Irigoyen]] to help Team USA to a 4–1 win over Argentina.<ref>{{cite news|title=Williams sisters see U.S. through in Fed Cup promotion bid|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/08/us-tennis-fed-argentina-idUSKBN0LC0XG20150208|agency=Reuters|accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Williams announced that she would be competing at the [[2015 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells Masters]] ending her 14-year boycott of the event.<ref name=NYT20150205>{{cite news|title=After a 14-Year Boycott, Serena Williams Plans to Play at Indian Wells|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/sports/tennis/serena-williams-will-play-indian-wells-ending-boycott.html |first=Christopher |last=Clarey |date=February 4, 2015|work=The New York Times |accessdate=March 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams ends Indian Wells boycott, 14 years after racist incident|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/02/serena-williams-end-indian-wells-boycott-14-years-after-racist-incident|first=Chris|last=Chase|work=USA Today|date=February 4, 2015|accessdate=February 27, 2015}}</ref> Upon her return Williams received a standing ovation from the crowd and won her first match in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams received standing ovation, fought tears and won while ending 14-year boycott at Indian Wells|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/serena-williams-return-indian-wells-score-2001-racism|work=USA Today|accessdate=March 16, 2015|date=March 14, 2015}}</ref> She reached the semifinals, where she was due to face No. 3, [[Simona Halep]], for a place in the final, but was forced to withdraw because of a knee injury. By virtue of having defeated Sabine Lisicki in the quarterfinals of the [[2015 Miami Open|Miami Open]], Williams became only the eighth woman in the Open Era to record 700 match wins in her career.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Press Association|title=Serena Williams beats Sabine Lisicki in Miami to seal 700th career win|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/02/serena-williams-sabine-lisicki-700th-career-win|website=The Guardian|date=April 2, 2015|accessdate=April 4, 2015}}</ref> This also made her one of only three active players to have won 700 or more matches in singles, others being [[Roger Federer]] and [[Rafael Nadal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/slideshow/12597799/tennis-exclusive-700-club |title=Tennis' Exclusive 700 Club |publisher=ESPN |date=July 16, 2013 |accessdate=April 15, 2015}}</ref> In the semifinals she won against Halep to advance to her tenth final at the event<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Outlasts Halep In Miami Classic|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4610499/title/serena-outlasts-halep-in-miami-classic|publisher=WTA |date=April 1, 2015|accessdate=April 4, 2015}}</ref> where she won a record eighth title and extended her winning streak to 21 by beating [[Carla Suárez Navarro]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Serena Wins Miami Title No. 8 |url= http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4614412/title/super-serena-wins-miami-title-no8 |publisher=WTA |accessdate=April 5, 2015|date= April 4, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= As Serena Williams Ascends, Grand Slam Buzz Grows |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/sports/tennis/as-serena-williams-ascends-grand-slam-buzz-grows.html |work = The New York Times|accessdate=April 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams wins eighth Miami Open |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/04/04/serena-williams-wins-eighth-miami-open/ |work=[[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=April 5, 2015}}</ref> -[[File:Serena Williams Won Roland Garros in 2015.JPG|thumb|left|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams celebrating her third French Open title</div>]] -As preparation for the clay court season (and to ensure her eligibility for the 2016 Summer Olympics), Williams travelled to [[Brindisi, Italy]], to face Italy's team for a place in the [[Fed Cup]]'s World Group. Williams lost the decisive doubles match alongside [[Alison Riske]] to Sara Errani and Flavia Pennetta, and as a result the [[United States Fed Cup team|United States team]] were relegated to World Group II. It was Williams's first loss in the Fed Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Italy beats United States 3–2 in Fed Cup World Group playoff |place=Brindisi, Italy |url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12721344/italy-edges-united-states-serena-williams-fed-cup-playoff |publisher=ESPN |accessdate= April 22, 2015|date=April 19, 2015 }}</ref> She maintained her perfect record in singles by defeating [[Camila Giorgi]] and Errani. The week of April 20 marked Williams's 114th consecutive week ranked No. 1, the third-longest run in WTA history, behind Steffi Graf's 186 weeks and Navratilova's 156.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} Williams suffered her first defeat of the season in the semifinals of the [[2015 Mutua Madrid Open|Mutua Madrid Open]] to No. 4, Petra Kvitová.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams' win streak, Madrid run come to an end |url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12845988/tennis-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-barely-put-fights-madrid-losses |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=May 9, 2015|date=May 8, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams' perfect season ended |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/05/serena-williams-loss-madrid-petra-kvitova-win-grand-slam-french-open-rome |work=USA Today |accessdate=May 9, 2015|date=May 8, 2015 }}</ref> This loss ended a 27-match winning streak for Williams as well as a 50-match winning streak at [[WTA Premier tournaments|Premier-Mandatory events]], and also a 19-match winning streak at the particular event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kvitova Stuns Serena in Madrid|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4701085/title/kvitova-stuns-serena-in-madrid |publisher=WTA |accessdate=May 9, 2015|date=May 8, 2015 }}</ref> Williams played one match at the 2015 [[2015 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] before withdrawing from the tournament with an elbow injury.<ref>{{cite news |title=Serena Williams pulls out of Italian Open with elbow injury |year=2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/32741356 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=May 17, 2015}}</ref> - -By virtue of having defeated Victoria Azarenka in the third round of the [[2015 French Open|French Open]], Williams became the first woman in the Open Era to win 50 matches at all four of the Grand Slams.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena: 50 Wins at Every Grand Slam |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4755478/title/serena-50-wins-at-every-grand-slam |website=WTA |accessdate=June 1, 2015|date=May 30, 2015 }}</ref> Williams then defeated [[Sloane Stephens]] to reach her 40th Grand Slam singles quarterfinal.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams survives Sloane Stephens test to reach French Open quarter-final |url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/581476/Serena-Williams-Sloane-Stephens-French-Open-quarter-final |publisher=Express |accessdate=June 2, 2015|date=June 2015 }}</ref> Williams won her next match easily, but had to come back from a set down in the semifinals versus [[Timea Bacsinszky]] for the fourth time in five matches to reach the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sick with flu, Serena Williams pulls it together to make French Open final |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/06/04/serena-williams-timea-bacsinszky-french-open/28473645/ |work=USA Today |accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=French Open: Serena Williams reaches final despite illness |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/33016288 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref> She would go on to defeat [[Lucie Šafářová]] from the [[Czech Republic]] in three sets to win her third French Open and 20th Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams beats Lucie Safarova at French Open to win 20th grand slam |first=Simon |last=Cambers |date=June 6, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/06/serena-williams-safarova-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title|work=The Guardian |accessdate=June 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Serena Williams Wins French Open for Her 20th Grand Slam Title |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/tennis/serena-williams-wins-french-open-for-her-20th-grand-slam-title.html |work=The New York Times |accessdate=June 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams wins French Open for 20th Grand Slam title |url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/french15/story/_/id/13023322/serena-williams-wins-2015-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title|publisher=ESPN |date=June 6, 2015 |accessdate=June 6, 2015}}</ref> - -The win made Williams only the third person in history to win each Grand Slam at least three times, joining Margaret Court and Steffi Graf. She is the first player to win three straight Grand Slams since she did it herself during the Serena Slam. She also became the first player to win the Australian-French Open double since Jennifer Capriati in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Battles To Milestone 20th Major |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4773153/title/serena-battles-to-milestone-20th-major |publisher=WTA |date=June 5, 2015|accessdate=June 6, 2015}}</ref> - -Williams completed her second "Serena Slam" (winning all four Grand Slams in a row) by winning the [[2015 Wimbledon Championships]] – her 6th Wimbledon and 21st [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] singles title overall.<ref>{{cite news|first=Tom |last=Perrotta|date=July 11, 2015|title=Serena Williams Wins Sixth Wimbledon Championship|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/serena-williams-wins-sixth-wimbledon-championship-1436626560|website=The Wall Street Journal|accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Garbine Muguruza to win her 6th Wimbledon title|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3157230/Serena-Williams-takes-21-year-old-Garbine-Muguraza-Wimbledon-Ladies-Final-star-studded-crowd.html|work=Daily Mail|accessdate=July 12, 2015|date=July 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Beats Garbiñe Muguruza In Straight Sets To Win Wimbledon|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/11/serena-williams-wimbledon_n_7775932.html|work=HuffPost|accessdate=July 12, 2015|date=July 11, 2015}}</ref> Her path to victory at Wimbledon was particularly challenging. She was down a double break in the third round versus [[Heather Watson]] and two points from defeat twice before rallying for the win<ref>{{cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Courtney |date=July 3, 2015 |title=Serena avoids upset against Watson to set up clash with sister Venus|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/07/03/wimbledon-2015-serena-williams-defeats-heather-watson |website=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref> and becoming the first player to qualify for the [[2015 WTA Finals|WTA Finals]]<ref>{{cite news |date=July 6, 2015 |title=Serena becomes first player to qualify for WTA Finals |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-3150819/Serena-Williams-player-qualify-WTA-Finals-edging-Heather-Watson-Wimbledon-thriller.html |work=Daily Mail |accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref> (the earliest that a player had qualified since the event switched to the round-robin format in 2003). Williams then defeated three [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|former No. 1 players]]–Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova—in succession to advance to the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Incredible Record Against Top Players Adding to Serena Williams' Historic Run|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2518904-incredible-record-against-top-players-adding-to-serena-williams-historic-run|website=Bleacher Report|accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref> Awaiting her there was 21-year-old Garbiñe Muguruza, who had previously handed Williams the worst Grand Slam tournament defeat of her career at the 2014 French Open.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams shocked by Garbine Muguruza in French Open second round|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2014/05/28/serena-williams-loses-to-garbine-muguruza-french-open-round-two|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref> Williams defeated Muguruza in a tight two-setter.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -The victory made Williams the oldest woman in the Open Era to win a grand slam singles title, in addition to having the distinction of being the oldest ladies' grand slam singles champion of all time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Serena Wins Wimbledon & Serena Slam 2|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4856959/title/serena-wins-wimbledon-serena-slam-2 |publisher=WTA |accessdate=July 12, 2015|date=July 12, 2015 }}</ref> It also was her eighth consecutive victory in Grand Slam singles finals appearances, [[Steffi Graf career statistics|breaking Steffi Graf's Open Era record of seven]] from 1995 through 1999 and, on the men's side, [[Pete Sampras career statistics|tying Pete Sampras's Open Era record of eight]] from 1995 through 2000. Her 21st Grand Slam singles titles equaled the tally of the rest of the women's tour, combined.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/13/stats-show-serena-williams-is-better-than-every-other-tennis-player-combined-5293619/|title=Stats show Serena Williams is as good as every other tennis player combined|website=Metro|location=UK|accessdate=July 15, 2015|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref> The week of July 13 marked the first time in WTA history that the No. 1 player had more than twice as many points as No. 2.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|title=Historic Ranking Milestone For Serena|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4863665/title/historic-ranking-milestone-for-serena|publisher=WTA |accessdate=July 16, 2015|date=July 14, 2015}}</ref> Following her win at Wimbledon, Williams was awarded her 7th [[ESPY Award|ESPY]] for [[Best Female Tennis Player ESPY Award|Best Female Tennis Player]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewrap.com/espy-awards-winners-2015-complete-list/|title=ESPYS Awards Winners: The Complete List|website=TheWrap|accessdate=August 18, 2015|date=July 16, 2015}}</ref> - -Williams played one match at the [[2015 Swedish Open|Swedish Open]] in [[Båstad]] before withdrawing with an elbow injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Elbow injury forces Serena out of Swedish Open|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/elbow-injury-forces-serena-williams-out-of-swedish-open-20150716-giebr4.html|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=July 19, 2015|date=July 16, 2015}}</ref> She was the defending champion at the [[2015 Bank of the West Classic|Bank of the West Classic]] but withdrew from the tournament in order for her elbow to get better.<ref>{{cite web|title=World No. 1 Serena Williams withdraws from Bank of West with hurt elbow|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/07/31/serena-williams-withdraws--bank--west--hurt-elbow/30955719/|website=USA Today|accessdate=August 3, 2015}}</ref> Williams had her 19 match winning streak ended by 18-year-old Swiss [[Belinda Bencic]], the No. 20, in three tight sets in the semifinals of the [[2015 Rogers Cup|Canadian Open]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams battles from third-set hole but falls short in Rogers Cup|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13446751/serena-williams-upset-18-year-old-belinda-bencic-rogers-cup-semifinals|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=August 16, 2015|date=August 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams falls in Toronto semifinals|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/08/15/ap-ten-toronto#|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=August 16, 2015}}</ref> It was her second defeat of the year and first on hard courts since the 2014 WTA Finals. The next week Williams defended her title at the [[2015 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]] with a straight sets victory over No. 3 Simona Halep for her 69th WTA title, breaking a tie with [[Evonne Goolagong]] for standalone fifth-most WTA titles won.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams wins Cincinnati tournament for second time|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13495801/serena-williams-defeats-simona-halep-win-cincinnati-title|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=August 24, 2015|date=August 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Edges Halep & Wins Cincinnati|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4953555/title/serena-edges-halep-wins-cincinnati|publisher=WTA |accessdate=August 24, 2015|date=August 23, 2015}}</ref> Williams's attempt at capturing the "Grand Slam" (winning all four Grand Slams in a calendar year) came to an end in the semifinals of the [[2015 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], where she lost to Roberta Vinci in three sets.<ref>{{cite news|title=Roberta Vinci Ends Serena Williams's Grand Slam Bid at U.S. Open|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/12/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-ends-serena-williamss-grand-slam-run-at-us-open.html|work=The New York Times|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Roberta Vinci upsets Serena Williams at the U.S. Open |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-upsets-serena-williams-at-the-us-open/2015/09/11/c5fdc6ca-5884-11e5-8bb1-b488d231bba2_story.html |first=Jacob |last=Feldman |date=September 11, 2015|website=The Washington Post |accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams' grand slam dream ended by Roberta Vinci's shock win |first=Kevin |last=Mitchell |date=September 11, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/11/serena-williams-grand-slam-ended-roberta-vinci|work=The Guardian|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref> The loss has been described by some as one of the biggest upsets in tennis history.<ref>{{cite web|title=No indication Vinci would stop Serena's Slam streak|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen15/story/_/id/13633288/tennis-roberta-vinci-shatters-serena-dreams-monumental-upset|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=13 reasons Serena Williams' loss to Roberta Vinci was the biggest upset in tennis history|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/09/13-reasons-serena-williams-loss-was-the-biggest-upset-in-tennis-history-roberta-vinci-us-open-grand-slam|work=USA Today|date=September 11, 2015|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Why Serena's loss is one of the biggest upsets in sports history|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/serenas-loss-one-biggest-upsets-sports-history/|first=Chris |last=Chase |publisher=PBS NewsHour|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref> Nonetheless, Williams secured the year-end No. 1 ranking with her results at the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Clinches Year-End world No. 1|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4995291/title/serena-clinches-year-end-world-no1|publisher=WTA |accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref> On October 1, Williams called an end to her season, stating that she had been injured for most of the year and wanted to address her fitness issues.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Ends 2015 Season, Withdraws from China Open and WTA Finals|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2574337-serena-williams-ends-2015-season-withdraws-from-china-open-and-wta-finals|work=Bleacher Report|accessdate=October 13, 2015}}</ref> Prior to the announcement, coach [[Patrick Mouratoglou]] hinted that Williams might not play again in 2015 due to a lack of motivation and disappointment following her loss at the [[2015 US Open (tennis)|Open]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Disappointed Serena Williams may not play again in 2015, says coach |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/29/disappointed-serena-williams-may-not-play-again-in-2015-says-coach|work=The Guardian|accessdate=October 13, 2015}}</ref> On October 5, Williams surpassed Chris Evert for [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|third-most weeks ranked world No. 1]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Stays On Top Of WTA Rankings And Moves Third On All Time List|url=https://www.beinsports.com/us/tennis/news/serena-williams-stays-on-top-of-wta-rankings-/109739|publisher=beIN SPORTS|accessdate=October 13, 2015}}</ref> Williams held the No. 1 ranking the entire season for the second consecutive year, finishing there for the fifth time in her career. She was voted [[WTA Awards|WTA Player of the Year]] for the seventh time in her career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams: WTA Player Of The Year|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5194460/title/serena-williams-wta-player-of-the-year|publisher=WTA |accessdate=December 9, 2015}}</ref> On December 14, [[Sports Illustrated]] announced Williams as their [[Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year|Sportsperson of the Year]].<ref name=SISPOTY2015>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams is SI's Sportsperson of the Year|url=https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2015/12/14/serena-williams-si-sportsperson-year|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=December 14, 2015}}</ref> She thus became the third solo woman, and first since 1983, to receive the award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why it matters that Serena Williams is on the cover of Sports Illustrated|url=https://www.vox.com/2015/12/14/10131368/serena-williams-sports-illustrated|publisher= Vox|accessdate=December 27, 2015}}</ref> Williams was also named [[ITF World Champions|ITF World Champion]] for the sixth time in her career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams: ITF World Champion|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5226383/title/serena-williams-itf-world-champion|publisher=WTA |accessdate=December 22, 2015}}</ref> Soon after, it was announced that she was voted [[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|Female Athlete of the Year]] by the [[Associated Press]] for the fourth time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams wins fourth AP female athlete of the year title|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/serena-williams-wins-fourth-ap-female-athlete-of-the-year-title/article27939491/|work=The Globe and Mail|accessdate=December 26, 2015}}</ref> - -===2016: Open Era Grand Slam record=== -{{BLP sources section|date=July 2016}} -{{Main|2016 Serena Williams tennis season}} -Williams withdrew from the [[2016 Hopman Cup|Hopman Cup]] after retiring from her singles match against [[Australia at the Hopman Cup|Australia Gold]] with inflammation of her left knee.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams withdraws from Hopman Cup with knee injury|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/06/serena-williams-withdraws-hopman-cup-knee-injury|work=The Guardian |agency=Press Association |date=January 6, 2016 |accessdate=January 14, 2016}}</ref> Her next tournament was the [[2016 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she was the No. 1 seed and defending champion. She reached the final without dropping a set, including wins over No. 5, Maria Sharapova, and No. 4, Agnieszka Radwańska, and faced first time Grand Slam finalist [[Angelique Kerber]]. She was considered the heavy favorite to win the title, as she had never lost an Australian Open final or semifinal. She also dominated the head-to-head against Kerber, having lost only once in six meetings and having not lost a set to her in four years. Williams lost the final in three sets and Kerber won her first Grand Slam title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/30/serena-williams-angelque-kerber-australian-open-final-tennis|title=Angelique Kerber stuns Serena Williams to clinch Australian Open title|last=Mitchell|first=Kevin|date=January 30, 2016|website=the Guardian|accessdate=June 4, 2018}}</ref> This marked Williams's first-ever loss in the final of the Australian Open, as well as her first three-set loss in the final of a Grand Slam.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/sports/angelique-kerber-upsets-serena-williams-to-win-australian-open.html|title=Angelique Kerber Upsets Serena Williams to Win Australian Open|date=January 30, 2016|work=The New York Times|accessdate=June 4, 2018|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> She had previously been 6–0 and 8–0 respectively. -[[File:Williams S. WM16 (20) (28339693721).jpg|thumb|Serena at the 2016 Wimbledon, winning her 22nd Grand Slam title]] -The week of February 15 marked Williams's 157th consecutive week ranked No. 1, passing Navratilova's mark of 156 to have the second-longest run in WTA history behind Steffi Graf's 186. She competed in [[2016 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]] as the No. 1 seed. She reached her first final here since winning in 2001 and before boycotting the event, by defeating Simona Halep in the quarterfinals and Agnieszka Radwańska in the semifinals. She did not drop a set en route to the final. Williams was upset by No. 13 seed Victoria Azarenka, whom she had defeated the last five times the pair had met, in straight sets. This marked the first time since 2004 where Williams lost two consecutive finals. She next played the [[2016 Miami Open|Miami Open]] as the defending champion. She lost in the fourth round to Svetlana Kuznetsova. This marked her first loss here since 2012 and ended her 20 match winning streak in Miami. This was also her earliest exit here since 2000, where she lost in the same round. During the clay court swing, Williams withdrew from Madrid but entered Rome. She beat [[Anna-Lena Friedsam]] and [[Christina McHale]] to progress to the quarterfinals where she defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova to avenge her loss in Miami. She then went on to beat [[Irina-Camelia Begu]] and [[Madison Keys]] to win her 70th career WTA title and to win her first title of the year. This was her third Rome title in four years and fourth overall.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -At the [[2016 French Open|French Open]], Williams dropped only one set en route to the final. She defeated [[Yulia Putintseva]] in the quarterfinals despite being five points away from losing. She then beat surprise semifinalist [[Kiki Bertens]] to reach her fourth French Open final where she faced Garbiñe Muguruza in a repeat of last year's Wimbledon final where Williams was victorious. The result was not the same as that Wimbledon final as Williams lost to Muguruza in straight sets. With this loss, Williams had lost two consecutive Grand Slam finals for the first time in her career. On top of failing to equal Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, Williams also completed the Career Grand Slam runner-up set with this loss.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -At [[2016 Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], Williams only lost one set en route to the final where she faced Angelique Kerber in a rematch of their Australian Open final earlier in the year. This time, Williams defeated Kerber in straight sets to finally equal Steffi Graf's record of 22 Grand Slams in the Open Era. That was Williams's first Grand Slam title of the year, as well as her 71st career WTA title overall. In what was a brilliant serving performance, Williams only faced one break point in the whole match against Kerber which she saved with an ace. Later that day, Williams partnered with sister Venus to win their sixth Wimbledon doubles title and 14th doubles Grand Slam title overall, keeping their perfect record at Grand Slam doubles finals intact. On July 24, 2016, Williams withdrew from [[2016 Rogers Cup|Rogers Cup]] citing a shoulder inflammation injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12040/10511583/serena-williams-withdraws-from-rogers-cup-in-montreal|title=Serena Williams withdraws from the Rogers Cup in Montreal|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=July 24, 2016|accessdate=August 24, 2016}}</ref> She next participated in the [[2016 Summer Olympics|Olympics]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]], where she was the defending gold medalist in both singles and doubles and was the heavy favourite to retain those titles. Partnering with her sister Venus in the doubles, they suffered a shock exit in the first round, losing to the Czech duo of Lucie Šafářová and Barbora Strýcová, which ended their career record of 15–0 dating back to the [[Tennis at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles|2000 Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/37006469|title=Rio Olympics 2016: Serena & Venus Williams lose in doubles |work=BBC Sport|date=August 8, 2016|accessdate=August 24, 2016}}</ref> In singles, after defeating [[Daria Gavrilova]] and [[Alizé Cornet]] in the first two rounds, Williams faced Ukraine's [[Elina Svitolina]] in the third round in what was a rematch of this year's French Open fourth round, but lost to the Ukrainian, bringing an end to her Olympics campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/serena-williams-loses-singles-round-three-out-rio-olympics|title=Serena Williams loses in singles round three, out of Rio Olympics|publisher=NBC Sports|first=Alan |last=Levinsohn |date=August 10, 2016|accessdate=August 24, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811131031/http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/serena-williams-loses-singles-round-three-out-rio-olympics|archivedate=August 11, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Days after the Olympics, Williams took a late wildcard for the [[2016 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]], where she was the defending champion, but then decided to withdraw due to concerns from the same shoulder injury/inflammation from earlier in the summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016/08/shoulder-injury-forces-serena-williams-out-of-tourney/59966/|title=After practice session, Serena Williams withdraws from Cincinnati with shoulder injury|website=Tennis.com|date=August 16, 2016|accessdate=August 24, 2016}}</ref> - -The week of September 5, 2016, marked Williams's 186th consecutive week ranked No. 1, equalling Steffi Graf's record for longest run in WTA history. In the semifinals of the US Open, Williams lost to [[Karolína Plíšková]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/us-open-women/2016/serena-williams-v-karolina-pliskova-us-open-live_sto5835691/story.shtml|title=Serena Williams suffers shock US Open semifinal defeat to Karolina Pliskova|date=September 9, 2016|work=Eurosport|accessdate=June 4, 2018}}</ref> Having won the US Open, Angelique Kerber became the No. 1, ending Williams's No. 1 streak. Williams also pulled out of the WTA Finals due to a shoulder injury.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -===2017: Australian Open victory and pregnancy=== -{{Main|2017 Serena Williams tennis season}} - -Williams started her 2017 season by participating in the [[WTA Auckland Open]] for the first time in her career. She defeated [[Pauline Parmentier]] to win her first match since the US Open. In the second round, she lost to [[Madison Brengle]]. At the Australian Open, she beat former and present top 10 players [[Belinda Bencic]], Lucie Šafářová, [[Johanna Konta]] among others to reach her 8th Australian Open final. On January 28, 2017, she won the Australian Open for an Open Era record seventh time, defeating her sister, Venus.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Serena-Williams|title=Serena Williams {{!}} Biography, Titles, & Facts|work=Encyclopædia Britannica|accessdate=August 8, 2017}}</ref> It was her 23rd Grand Slam singles title, surpassing Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22. It was the first time in the Open Era that two players aged 35 or older had competed in the final of a Grand Slam tournament. The win ensured her return to the No. 1 ranking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/01/27/2017-australian-open-watch-live-stream-online-finals-full-schedule-ao-venus-serena-williams.html|title=How to Watch the 2017 Australian Open Finals|last=Warshaw|first=Amelia|date=January 27, 2017|website=The Daily Beast|accessdate=January 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38781553|title=Australian Open 2017: Serena Williams beats Venus Williams to set Grand Slam record|date=January 28, 2017|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=January 28, 2017}}</ref> Williams subsequently withdrew from the [[2017 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]] and [[2017 Miami Open|Miami]] Opens, citing a knee injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Withdraws from BNP Paribas Open|url=http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/en/media-and-news/news/2017/03/07/serena-williams-withdraws-from-bnp-paribas-open|publisher=BNP Paribas Open|accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref> - -On April 19, 2017, Williams revealed that she was 20 weeks pregnant and would miss the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams planning 2018 return after confirming pregnancy|url=http://sport.bt.com/tennis/serena-williams-planning-2018-return-after-confirming-pregnancy-S11364174403855|publisher=BT Sport|accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref> The timing of her announcement led to the conclusion that she would have been roughly eight to nine weeks pregnant when she won the Australian Open.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams: How can you win a Grand Slam while pregnant?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39653317 |work=BBC Sport|accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref> In interviews, she maintained that she intended to return to tennis after her pregnancy,<ref name="voguesept17" /> saying that she had an "outrageous plan" of competing in the 2018 Australian Open.<ref name="voguesept17" /> - -On September 1, 2017, Williams gave birth to a daughter named Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/09/13/serena_williams_revealed_her_daughter_s_name_and_her_first_photo.html|title=Serena Williams Revealed Her Daughter's Name and Shared the Baby's First Photo|last=Olmstead|first=Molly|date=September 13, 2017|work=Slate|accessdate=September 14, 2017|issn=1091-2339}}</ref> She had a cesarean-section delivery due to a [[pulmonary embolism]] during labor.<ref name="Rubenstein">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/parents/serena-williams-emergency-c-section-postpartum-problems/|title=Serena Williams Recalls Being 'Devastated' By Emergency C-Section and Postpartum Problems|work=People|first=Janine|last=Rubenstein|date=April 26, 2018|accessdate=February 1, 2019}}</ref> She suffered another pulmonary embolism after giving birth, leaving her bedridden for six weeks and delaying her return to training.<ref name="vogue.com">{{cite web|last1=Haskell|first1=Rob|title=Serena Williams on Motherhood, Marriage, and Making Her Comeback|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/serena-williams-vogue-cover-interview-february-2018|website=Vogue|accessdate=January 17, 2018}}</ref> - -On December 30, 2017, Williams played her first match since giving birth, an exhibition match at the [[World Tennis Championship]] in [[Abu Dhabi]], losing to reigning French Open champion [[Jeļena Ostapenko]]. - -=== 2018: Return to tennis, Wimbledon and US Open runner up === -On January 5, 2018, Williams withdrew from the upcoming Australian Open, citing a lack of sufficient preparation in the wake of her pregnancy.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Spits|first1=Scott|title=Australian Open 2018: Serena Williams to miss but vowing to return to Melbourne|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2018-serena-williams-wont-compete-20180105-h0dv52.html|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=January 17, 2018}}</ref> In February, after overcoming her pregnancy-induced health problems, she returned to the tennis court with her sister. The pair lost to Lesley Kerkhove and Demi Schuurs (Netherlands) in the Fed Cup's first round on February 11.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://jezebel.com/serena-williams-made-her-return-to-competitive-tennis-t-1822914914|title=Serena Williams Made Her Return to Competitive Tennis This Weekend|last=Fishbein|first=Rebecca|work=Jezebel|accessdate=February 12, 2018}}</ref> Despite saying she was 100% ready to come back to tennis, Williams suffered back to back early exits at Indian Wells and Miami, losing in the third round at Indian Wells to her sister Venus and the first round at Miami to 2018 Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -[[File:Williams S. RG18 (17) (41168711240).jpg|thumb|left|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams at the 2018 French Open</div>]] -Williams made her return to Grand Slam tennis at the [[2018 French Open]], playing singles as well as doubles with her sister Venus. In the first round, she defeated [[Kristýna Plíšková]] in two tight sets before defeating 17th seed [[Ashleigh Barty]] in the second round. Then, she defeated 11th seed [[Julia Görges]] to set up a fourth-round match against 28th seed [[Maria Sharapova]], whom she had beaten 18 consecutive times since 2004. Williams withdrew due to an injury to her [[Pectoralis major muscle|pectoral]] muscle sustained in a third-round match in doubles where she and Venus were defeated by [[Andreja Klepač]] and [[María José Martínez Sánchez]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/04/sport/french-open-serena-sharapova-nadal-tennis/index.html|title=Serena Williams pulls out of French Open due to injury|last=CNN|first=Ravi Ubha|work=CNN|accessdate=June 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jun/04/serena-williams-withdraws-french-open-injury-sharapova|title=Serena Williams withdraws from French Open clash with Maria Sharapova|last=Mitchell|first=Kevin|date=June 4, 2018|website=the Guardian|accessdate=June 4, 2018}}</ref> - -In July, Williams entered the [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon Championships]] and was controversially seeded #25. With a world ranking at the time of 181,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/230234/title/serena-williams|title=Serena Williams|last=|first=|date=July 10, 2018|website=WTA Tennis|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref> many felt that the decision showed bias and favored Williams unduly.<ref name=surprise>{{cite web |title=Serena Willams reveals 'surprise' at Wimbledon seeding |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/01/serena-willams-reveals-surprise-wimbledon-seeding/ |website=The Telegraph |accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref> Others argued that the [[All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club|All England Club]], who do not base their seedings on players' current world rankings – as other grand slam tournaments do{{nbsp}}– had sensibly taken Williams' excellent historic record at the tournament into account. Williams herself said: "I was pleasantly surprised. I came in here expecting that maybe I wouldn't get a seed."<ref name=surprise /> Her seeding meant that [[Dominika Cibulková]] lost her place as a seeded player.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -By the second week of the tournament, for the first time in grand slam history, none of the top ten seeded female players had made it to the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/07/wimbledon-2018-seeds-exodus-questions|title=Federer and Serena Williams remain but exodus of seeds raises questions|last=|first=|date=July 10, 2018|website=The Guardian|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref> On her own way to the quarterfinals, Williams had beaten [[Arantxa Rus]] of Holland in round one, [[Viktoriya Tomova]] of Bulgaria in round 2, [[Kristina Mladenovic]] of France in round 3 and [[Evgeniya Rodina]] of Russia in round 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/draws/index.html?event=LS|title=The Ladies' Singles Draw|last=|first=|date=July 10, 2018|website=The Championships, Wimbledon 2018 – Official Site by IBM|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref> She had not yet lost a set in any of her matches to that point. Williams then beat Italian [[Camila Giorgi]] in the quarterfinals after yielding one set, and became the lowest ranked player to ever reach the Wimbledon semifinals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oxley |first1=Sonia |title=Serena Williams into Wimbledon semifinals with win over Camila Giorgi |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/44783078 |accessdate=July 11, 2018 |agency=BBC}}</ref> She met 13th seed [[Julia Görges]] of Germany in the semifinal and beat her comfortably in two sets to reach her tenth Wimbledon final, and her first since giving birth. She lost in the final in straight sets to [[Angelique Kerber]] of Germany in a rematch of the 2016 Wimbledon final. - -Following her Wimbledon finals run, Williams entered the [[2018 Silicon Valley Classic]], her first appearance in a US Open series tournament since 2015. She recorded her most lopsided loss in her career to [[Johanna Konta]] in the first round, winning just a single game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/01/tennis/serena-williams-johanna-konta-silicon-valley-classic-spt-intl/index.html|title=Serena Williams suffers worst defeat of her career|publisher=CNN|accessdate=August 1, 2018}}</ref> Williams later revealed in an interview with [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] that she checked [[Instagram]] ten minutes prior to the match starting, and found out that the man who had [[Murder of Yetunde Price|fatally shot]] her half-sister, Yetunde, in 2003 was released on parole earlier in the year. She said in the interview, "I couldn't shake it out of my mind."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://time.com/5368858/serena-williams-comeback/|title=Serena Williams Opens Up About Her Complicated Comeback, Motherhood And Making Time to Be Selfish|website=Time|accessdate=August 17, 2018}}</ref> She then withdrew from Toronto, citing personal reasons, which were later revealed to be [[post-natal depression]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams' next tournament was the [[2018 Western & Southern Open – Women's Singles|Cincinnati Masters]]. She beat [[Daria Gavrilova]] of Australia in straight sets in the first round, but lost to [[Petra Kvitova]] in the second round in a three-set match that lasted over two hours.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Her next tournament was the 2018 US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York, where she was seeded 17th, although ranked 26th in the WTA ranking at the time seeds were determined. She defeated [[Magda Linette]] in the first round, [[Carina Witthöft]] in the second round, her sister and 16th seed Venus in the third round, [[Kaia Kanepi]] in the fourth round, and 8th seed [[Karolína Plíšková]] in the quarterfinals. The match against Plíšková was a rematch of the 2016 US Open semifinal, which Plíšková had won. This was Williams' first win against a player in the top 10 (at the time of the match) since her return from pregnancy. Williams won her semifinal match against 19th seed [[Anastasija Sevastova]] of Latvia, winning a spot in the [[2018 US Open – Women's Singles final|women's singles final]] against [[Naomi Osaka]] of Japan which she lost in straight sets. Williams was warned for illegal coaching, penalized a point for breaking her racket, and then penalized a game for verbal abuse of the chair umpire. - -===2019: Return to the top 10, injuries, Wimbledon and US Open runner-up=== -[[File:Murraywilliams 2019.jpg|thumb|260px|Williams and [[Andy Murray]] have joined up for the mixed doubles at Wimbledon 2019]] -Williams started her 2019 season at the [[2019 Australian Open|Australian Open]], having not made an appearance at the tournament since winning the 2017 edition. Seeded 16th, she defeated [[Tatjana Maria]], [[Eugenie Bouchard]], and [[Dayana Yastremska]] in the first three rounds, before defeating top seed and world number one [[Simona Halep]] in the fourth. In the quarterfinals, she met 7th seed [[Karolína Plíšková]]. Plíšková won the first set and lead in the second, but Williams took control of the match, winning the second and rapidly taking a huge lead in the third. However, after Williams twisted her ankle while up match point, Plíšková won six consecutive games, saving four match points throughout the set to win the match. This was Williams' earliest defeat at the Australian Open since her fourth-round loss in [[2014 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2014]], and broke a streak of fourteen consecutive match wins in Grand Slam quarterfinals (having last lost a Grand Slam quarterfinal at the [[2013 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2013 Australian Open]]). Despite this loss, her ranking climbed up to number 11.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams went on to defeat [[Victoria Azarenka]] in the second round of the [[Indian Wells Masters]] in her 2019 campaign for a third Indian Wells crown. In the third round, viral illness caused her to retire against Spain's [[Garbiñe Muguruza]]. This was the second consecutive year she had exited at this stage. She then sustained a recurrence of a long-term knee injury which caused her to pull out of Miami and Rome after playing one match. She could not train properly until after the French Open, where she lost in the third round.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clarey |first1=Christopher |title=Serena Williams's Coach Says She Is Pain Free. Watch Out, Wimbledon? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/29/sports/wimbledon-serena-williams.html |website=Newyork Times}}</ref> At [[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|Wimbledon]], Williams reached a major final for the 13th consecutive year. She also became the oldest grand slam finalist in the open era.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oxley |first1=Sonia |title=Serena Williams beats Barbora Strycova to reach Wimbledon final |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48952703 |website=BBC}}</ref> She lost the final to [[Simona Halep]] in two straight sets in under an hour.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -At the [[Canadian Open (tennis)|Canadian Open]], Williams defeated [[Naomi Osaka]] in straight sets in the quarterfinals and Czech qualifier [[Marie Bouzkova]] in three sets in the semi finals. Against Canadian teenager [[Bianca Andreescu]], she retired in the first set after 19 minutes. She told the chair umpire of her decision to retire because of back spasms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rush |first1=Curtis |title=Serena Williams Leaves Rogers Cup Final With Back Spasms; Andreescu Wins |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/sports/tennis/serena-williams-rogers-cup-bianca-andreescu.html?module=inline |website=The New York Times |date=11 August 2019}}</ref> Her back problems continued at the [[Cincinnati Masters|Cincinnati Open]], where she withdrew shortly before her first-round match, stating, "Unfortunately my back is still not right."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rothenberg |first1=Ben |title=Serena Williams, Citing Back Pain, Withdraws From Cincinnati Masters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/sports/tennis/serena-williams.html |website=New York Times}}</ref> - -Williams was seeded eighth at the [[2019 US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. In the first round she met Maria Sharapova for the first time since the 2016 Australian Open, defeating her in straight sets, yielding just one game in each set. She defeated [[Caty McNally]] in three sets in the second round, and [[Karolína Muchová]] and [[Petra Martić]] in straight games in the third and fourth. In the quarterfinals she faced 18th seed [[Wang Qiang (tennis)|Wang Qiang]], who she overcame in just 45 minutes, yielding a single game. In the semifinals she defeated fifth seed Elina Svitolina, proceeding to the final where she faced 15th seed Bianca Andreescu for the second time in under a month. With Andreescu up a set and five games to one in the second set, Williams launched a spirited comeback to level the set at 5-games-all. However, Andreescu was able to hold serve and break Williams to win the title in straight sets.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/sep/07/us-open-women-final-bianca-andreescu-serena-williams-live</ref> - -==Rivalries== -===Serena vs. Venus=== -{{Main|Williams sisters rivalry}} - -Williams has played older sister [[Venus Williams|Venus]] in 30 professional matches since 1998.<ref name=headtohead /> Overall, Serena is 18–12 against her sister.<ref name=headtohead/> Serena has played Venus 15 times in Grand Slam singles and 13 times in other tournaments (including 11 finals).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/slideshow/18550742/serena-vs-venus-rivalry-lifetime|title=14 major showdowns between tennis legends Serena Williams and Venus Williams|work=espnW|accessdate=October 12, 2017}}</ref> They have met in nine Grand Slam tournament finals, with Serena winning seven times.<ref name=headtohead /> Beginning with the [[2002 French Open]], they played each other in four consecutive Grand Slam finals, which was the first time in the Open Era that the same two players had contested four consecutive finals in Grand Slam singles.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -===Williams vs. Hingis=== -{{Main|Hingis–S. Williams rivalry}} -Williams leads the series 7–6.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/3491/player2/9044 |title=Head 2 Head – WTA Tennis English |website=WTA |accessdate=August 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911214922/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/3491/player2/9044 |archivedate=September 11, 2015 |df= }}</ref> One of Williams's first rivalries was with Martina Hingis, who turned pro less than one year before her (Hingis in October 1994, Williams in 1995). They first played each other at the 1998 Miami Open where Hingis won in three sets. All but one of their matches was played on a hard court with the exception being a contest on clay in Rome 1999, which Hingis won in straight sets. Their last match took place at the 2002 Miami Open with Williams winning in a loss of just four games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/3491/title/martina-hingis|title=Players – WTA Tennis English|publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref> Hingis was forced to briefly retire citing ankle injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/martina-hingis-9339702|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504092439/http://www.biography.com/people/martina-hingis-9339702|url-status=dead|title=Martina Hingis Biography Tennis Player, Athlete (1980–)|archivedate=May 4, 2016}}</ref> - -===Williams vs. Capriati=== -Williams leads the series 10–7.<ref name="wtatennis.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/1325/player2/9044 |title=Head 2 Head – WTA Tennis English |website=WTA |accessdate=August 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031074058/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/1325/player2/9044 |archivedate=October 31, 2016 |df= }}</ref> Once considered one of the best rivalries in women's tennis,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/jen-serena-hot-stuff-respect-power-match-article-1.554433 |accessdate=August 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025110824/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/jen-serena-hot-stuff-respect-power-match-article-1.554433 |title=Jen, Serena Hot Stuff Respect With Power To Match|first=Filip|last=Bondy|work=Daily News|location=New York|archivedate=October 25, 2016 | date=June 30, 2004}} 3. {{cite web|url=http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/ |accessdate=August 18, 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025173017/http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/ |title=Jennifer Capriati: Too Little, Too Late?|work=Tennis Buz|first=Bruce| last=Schoenfeld|archivedate=October 25, 2016 }}</ref> the competition between Williams and Capriati was stiff with 12 out of their 17 meetings going to three sets. The rivalry, starting in 1999, began one sided with Capriati winning four of their first five matches. Williams would then go on to win the next eight.<ref name="wtatennis.com" /> Williams and Capriati played with similar styles, both known for using their power and athleticism to gain quick advantages in points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/|title=Jennifer Capriati: Too little, too late?|website=TennisBuzz.com| first=Bruce |last=Schoenfeld |date=March 8, 2015 |accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14758-2004Jun29.html|title=It's Capriati, S. Williams In Rematch |first=Liz|last=Clarke|work=The Washington Post|date=June 30, 2004|accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref> - -===Williams vs. Henin=== -{{Main|Henin–S. Williams rivalry}} -Williams leads the series 8–6. Henin and Williams met 14 times, five of which were in tournament finals. In grand slams they have faced each other seven times with Henin leading 4–3.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/3541 |title=Head 2 Head – WTA Tennis English |publisher=WTA |accessdate=August 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826083335/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/3541 |archivedate=August 26, 2015 |df= }}</ref> Opposite personalities and styles of play are often cited as what made their rivalry entertaining.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/13/sports/tennis-a-potential-rivalry-of-opposites-arises.html|title=A Potential Rivalry of Opposites Arises|date=April 13, 2004|work=The New York Times|accessdate=December 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wtatour/2296127/Serena-Williams-breaks-her-Justine-Henin-habit.html|title=Serena Williams breaks her Justine Henin habit|first=Mark |last=Hodgkinson |date=April 2, 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref> - -In the semifinals of the 2003 French Open, when at 4–2, 30–0 on Williams's serve in the third set, Henin raised her hand to indicate she was not ready to receive; Williams then put her serve into the net. The umpire did not see Henin raise her hand, and thus did not allow Williams a first serve. Williams lost the game and would go on to lose the match. Their last match took place in the final of the 2010 Australian Open where Williams won in three sets, earning her 12th Grand Slam title.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> - -===Williams vs. Azarenka=== -{{BLP unsourced section|date=July 2019}} -Williams leads the series 18–4. The rivalry began at the 2008 Australian Open. Serena holds a 10–0 record in Grand Slams. Victoria Azarenka is the only person to ever win four WTA tour level finals against Serena. While their rivalry is heavily favored towards Serena, their matches are known for their fierce competitiveness.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stevegtennis.com/head-to-head/women/Serena_Williams/Victoria_Azarenka/ |website=Steve G Tennis |title=Serena Williams vs Victoria Azarenka Head To Head |access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref> - -===Williams vs. Sharapova=== -Williams leads the series 20–2. The pair first met at the 2004 Miami Open final, where Williams defeated Sharapova 6–4, 6–3. Their rivalry truly began at the 2004 Wimbledon final, where Williams was the two-time defending champion; Sharapova upset her 6–1, 6–4. Williams next lost to Sharapova whilst injured at the 2004 WTA finals 6–4, 2–6, 4–6. Since then, however, Williams has dominated the rivalry, winning all of their clashes, with only three of their matches going to three sets. Despite the rivalry being incredibly biased towards Williams, their rivalry is one of the most storied in women's tennis, and their matches are known for their fierce competitiveness<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2610653-why-serena-williams-vs-maria-sharapova-is-still-the-wtas-best-rivalry|title=Why Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova Is Still the WTA's Best Rivalry|first=Melissa|last=Lawrence Corbett|website=The Bleacher Report|date=January 25, 2016|accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref>. - -==Match controversies== -===Accusations of match fixing=== -When both of the Williams sisters entered the top ten and started meeting in tournaments, rumors of [[match fixing]] started to circulate. [[John McEnroe]], while commenting on the 2000 Wimbledon semifinal between the two sisters, said that "Serena may not be allowed to win. Richard [Williams] may have something to say about this."<ref>wine, Steve (July 6, 2000), ([https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2026&dat=20000705&id=2b8jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=29AFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1781,581859 "Williams Sister Giving Tennis a Lift with Family Feud"]. ''Moscow-Pullman Daily News''. Retrieved April 29, 2017.</ref> After losing to Venus at the Indian Wells quarterfinals in 2001, [[Elena Dementieva]] asserted during a post-match interview that Richard Williams decided the results of matches between the two sisters.<ref>[http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=35375 "ASAP Sports Transcripts – Tennis – 2001 – TMS – INDIAN WELLS, WOMEN – March 14 – Elena Dementieva"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423001654/http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=35375 |date=April 23, 2016}}. ''asapsports.com''.</ref> Shortly after that, Venus Williams pulled out of her Indian Wells semifinal match against Serena Williams at the last minute, claiming [[tendinitis]]; this occurrence garnered much speculation in the press, and some fans demanded their money back.<ref name="etank">{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/columns/kreidler/1158786.html|title=ESPN.com: GEN – There's no evidence to prove the sisters tanked|website=www.espn.com}}</ref><ref name="swn">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsworldnews.com/articles/42575/20150706/wimbledon-rumors-new-accusation-of-fixed-matches-between-serena-venus-williams-video.htm |title=New accusation of fixed matches between Serena, Venus Williams |publisher=Sports World News|date=July 6, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="telfix">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/atptour/3001048/Williams-denies-match-fixing-as-crowd-demand-refunds.html |title=Williams denies match-fixing as crowd demand refunds |work=The Telegraph|date=March 16, 2001 |last1=Parsons |first1=John }}</ref> - -===Indian Wells boycott=== -At the 2001 Ericsson Open the following week, Richard Williams stated that racist comments were made to him in the stands,<ref>{{cite news | last=Smith | first=Doug | title=Richard Williams decries fans as racist | work=USA Today | date=April 2, 2001 | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/stories/2001-03-26-focus-williams.htm | accessdate=July 13, 2019 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315211821/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/stories/2001-03-26-focus-williams.htm |archivedate=March 15, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and the tournament director refused to offer Williams an apology for how he was treated.{{Cn|date=November 2019}} As a result, neither sister played the tournament even though it had become a mandatory stop on the WTA tour since 2009. In 2015, Williams decided to end her 14-year boycott and played.<ref>[http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12277217/serena-williams-wants-rewrite-indian-wells-ending "Serena 'proudly returning' to tourney"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818074222/http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12277217/serena-williams-wants-rewrite-indian-wells-ending |date=August 18, 2015}}. ESPN.</ref> - -===2004 US Open=== -In her [[2004 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] quarterfinal match against [[Jennifer Capriati]], an incorrect overrule was made by chair umpire [[Mariana Alves]]; the video review showed that Williams's shot landed in bounds. In the same match, new technology being tested made incorrect line calls late in the third set. Williams argued with the chair over a couple of calls during the match, but was not successful. Capriati won the match, with Serena herself acknowledging that this was primarily due to her 57 unforced errors; nevertheless, she accused Alves of temporary insanity<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/08/sports/tennis/umpires-unforced-errors-help-lift-capriati.html |title=Umpire's Unforced Errors Help Lift Capriati|first=Clifton|last=Brown|date=September 8, 2004|work=The New York Times}}</ref> and said that she "felt cheated."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rankine |first1=Claudia |title=Citizen: An American Lyric |url=https://archive.org/details/citizenamericanl0000rank |url-access=registration |date=2014 |publisher=Graywolf |page=[https://archive.org/details/citizenamericanl0000rank/page/27 27]}}</ref> In a post-match interview Capriati sharply observed that bad calls had gone against her in the past as well. Alves did not officiate for the remainder of the tournament; this was not punitive, as commonly thought, as she was not scheduled to officiate.<ref>{{cite web|author=By CHRIS BROUSSARDSEPT. 9, 2004 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/09/sports/tennis/williams-receives-apology-and-umpires-open-is-over.html |title=Williams Receives Apology, and Umpire's Open Is Over |work=The New York Times |date=2004-09-09 |accessdate=2019-03-04}}</ref> - -The controversy renewed calls for, and was widely given credit for, the adoption of technology such as the [[MacCAM]] and [[Hawk-Eye]] systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5933547 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105051331/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5933547 |archivedate=November 5, 2013 |title=Officials apologize to Serena for bad call – U.S. Open, Aug.&nbsp;30-Sept. 12- NBC Sports |publisher=MSNBC |date=September 9, 2004 |accessdate=January 27, 2011}}</ref> - -===2009 US Open=== -In the [[2009 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] semifinal round against [[Kim Clijsters]], Williams slammed her racket on the court after losing the first set. She was given a warning, with a potential second violation carrying a one-point penalty. While trailing 4–6, 5–6, 15–30, Williams's second serve was called a [[foot fault]], resulting in two match points for Clijsters. Williams gestured with her racket to the lineswoman who had made the call and yelled at her, with profanities and a threat to shove a tennis ball down the lineswoman's throat.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams is fined $10,500 for US Open line judge tirade |work=The Guardian |date=September 14, 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/sep/13/serena-williams-tirade-us-open |accessdate=June 5, 2010 |first=Lawrence |last=Donegan}}</ref> During the subsequent on-court conference between the chair umpire, the lineswoman, US Open officials, and Williams, a television microphone picked up Williams saying to the lineswoman, "I didn't say I would kill you! Are you serious?"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4468762 |title=Clijsters wins after controversial ending |date=September 13, 2009 |publisher=ESPN news services |accessdate=November 11, 2010}}</ref> The incident resulted in Williams being penalized a point for unsportsmanlike conduct{{nsmdns}}necessitated by the earlier warning for racket abuse{{nsmdns}}meaning Clijsters won the match 6{{ndash}}4, 7{{ndash}}5. The following day, Williams was issued the maximum permissible on-site fine of $10,000 (plus $500 for racket abuse). After further investigation, the Grand Slam Committee in November 2009 fined her $175,000 in place of suspending her from the 2010 US Open or other Grand Slam events.<ref name="Hefty Fine NY Times">{{cite news|title=Serena Williams Given Hefty Fine but No Suspension for Tirade |work=The New York Times |date=November 30, 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/sports/tennis/01serena.html |accessdate=November 30, 2009 |first=Christopher |last=Clarey}}</ref> They also placed her on a two-year probation which provided that if Williams committed another offense at a Grand Slam event in the next two years, she would be suspended from participating in the following US Open. If, however, she committed no offenses within the next two years, her fine would be reduced to $82,500.<ref name="Hefty Fine NY Times" /> Williams initially refused to apologize for her outburst, both in her post-match press conference<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams tries to move on from uproar over outburst |date=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/15/serena.williams.outburst/index.html |accessdate=September 15, 2009 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> and in an official statement released the following day.<ref name=lat2009>Pucin, Diane. [http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-serena-williams14-2009sep14,0,454272.story Serena Williams is fined $10,500 for tirade at U.S. Open] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923122213/http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-serena-williams14-2009sep14%2C0%2C454272.story |date=September 23, 2009}} ''Los Angeles Times'' (September 13, 2009)</ref> She eventually did apologize, stating "I just really wanted to apologize sincerely because I'm a very prideful person, and I'm a very intense person and a very emotional person", and "I wanted to offer my sincere apologies to anyone that I may have offended." She said she was humbled by the experience.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4472638|title=Serena Williams apologizes for outburst toward line judge during U.S. Open semifinal|publisher=ESPN |accessdate=August 18, 2015|date=September 14, 2009}}</ref> - -===2011 US Open=== -In the final of the [[2011 US Open (tennis)|2011 US Open]] against [[Samantha Stosur]], Williams shouted "Come on!" as the Australian attempted to return a [[forehand]] Williams believed to be a winner. The chair umpire [[Eva Asderaki]] awarded the point to Stosur based on the [[United States Tennis Association|USTA]]'s deliberate hindrance rule, which states, "If a player commits any act which hinders his opponent in making a stroke, then, if this is deliberate, he shall lose the point or if involuntary, the point shall be replayed."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennis4you.com/links/rules/rules.htm#R21 |agency=Tennis 4 You |title=RULE 21 : Player Hinders Opponent |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930064130/http://www.tennis4you.com/links/rules/rules.htm |archivedate=September 30, 2011 |df=}}</ref> As the point was 30–40 on Williams's serve, the penalty gave the break of serve to Stosur. Williams became angry with the chair umpire and made several gestures and unflattering comments toward her during the next changeover, including telling Asderaki that if the umpire ever saw Serena coming toward her, she should "look the other way".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2011/09/serena-williamss-tirade-was-seven-years-making/42357/|title=Serena Williams' Tirade Was Seven Years in the Making|date=September 12, 2011|work=The Atlantic|last=Abad-Santos |first=Alexander}}</ref> Williams initially gained momentum in the set following the penalty, breaking back in the next game, but eventually flagged and lost the match, 2–6, 3–6. At the end of the match, she declined to offer the customary handshake to Asderaki.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/11/serena-williams-upset-samantha-stosur-us-open-final_n_957662.html |date=September 11, 2011 |accessdate=September 11, 2011 |title=Serena Williams Upset By Samantha Stosur 6–2, 6–3 In US Open Final |work=[[HuffPost]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030014958/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/11/serena-williams-upset-samantha-stosur-us-open-final_n_957662.html |archivedate=October 30, 2011 |df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/serena-williams-blows-up-again-in-u-s-open-loss?urn=ten,wp3253 |title=She did it again: Serena Williams blows up in U.S. Open loss |first=Chris |last=Chase |date=September 11, 2011 |work=Yahoo! Sports |accessdate=September 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204050527/http://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/serena-williams-blows-up-again-in-u-s-open-loss?urn=ten%2Cwp3253 |archivedate=February 4, 2015 |df=}}</ref> Williams mentioned the incident in her post-match speech as the tournament runner-up, asserting, "I hit a winner, but I guess it didn't count", but added, "It wouldn't have mattered in the end. Sam played well."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/stosur-stops-williams-in-controversial-final|accessdate=July 12, 2015|date=September 11, 2011|title=Stosur stops Williams in controversial final|work=National Post|last=Fendrich|first=Howard}}</ref> A writer for [[ESPN]] suggested that Williams could avoid being found to have violated the terms of the "probation" on which she was placed following her 2009 outburst, as she did not appear to have used [[profanity]] in addressing Asderaki during the match.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen11/story/_/id/6958687/us-open-serena-williams-loses-cool-match|publisher=ESPN|date=September 11, 2011|accessdate=September 11, 2011|title=Serena Williams loses cool, then match|first=Greg|last=Garber}}</ref> In the end, Williams was fined $2,000 and was not barred from competing in the 2012 US Open because "Williams's conduct, while verbally abusive, [did] not rise to the level of a major offence under the Grand Slam code of conduct."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/sep/12/serena-williams-us-open-tennis-fine|date=September 12, 2011|accessdate=September 15, 2011|title=Serena Williams fined $2,000 for US Open final outburst|work=The Guardian|first=Steve|last=Busfield}}</ref> - -===2018 US Open=== -Williams' 2018 US Open ended in controversy, with Williams falling to [[Naomi Osaka]] in straight sets following a game penalty in the second set of the [[2018 US Open – Women's Singles final|final]]. During that second set, she was given a code violation because her coach, [[Patrick Mouratoglou]], gave her coaching hand signals. Williams was upset by the violation, claiming that her coach was simply giving her a thumbs up, and demanded an apology from chair umpire [[Carlos Ramos (umpire)|Carlos Ramos]]. Mouratoglou later admitted that he had been coaching.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/tennis/news/patrick-mouratoglou-serena-williams-coaching-us-open-final/uu0mars28xk61dkz9jkmnpk4p |title=Patrick Mouratoglou admits to coaching Serena Williams during final |magazine=Sporting News |date=September 8, 2018}}</ref> She received a second violation for smashing her racket on the court, which resulted in a point penalty. After her third code violation for verbal abuse against the umpire, Williams was assessed a game penalty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/us-open-final-2018-serena-williams-demands-apology-from-umpire-after-controversial-game-penalty/|title=Serena Williams demands apology from US Open umpire|date=September 8, 2018|publisher=[[cbs]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2018/09/08/serena-williams-vs-naomi-osaka-us-open-2018-final-live-score/ |title=Serena Williams unleashes furious rant at umpire as she loses US Open |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=September 8, 2018 |accessdate=September 8, 2018}}</ref> Williams said that she believed she had been treated unfairly by the umpire because she is a woman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-09/us-open-serena-williams-says-sexism-to-blame-in-loss-to-osaka/10219364 |title=US Open: Serena Williams says she was treated more harshly because she is a woman |publisher=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |date=2018-09-09 |accessdate=2019-03-04}}</ref> Williams was fined a total of $17,000, that included $4,000 for a coaching violation, $3,000 for racket abuse and $10,000 for verbal abuse towards the umpire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/09/09/serena-williams-fined-17-000-us-open-code-violations/|title=Serena Williams Fined $17,000 for US Open Code Violations|website=TMZ}}</ref> - -==Discrimination == -Williams has been the focus of criticism and commentary, some of which the Williams family, news media, and scholars have stated was discriminatory against her due to her race and gender. - -In the beginning years of Williams’ professional career, hair beads donned by the Williams sisters were the focus of discussion by commentators such as Chris Evert and John McEnroe, with Mary Carillo characterizing their hair as "noisy and disruptive."<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal|last=Spencer|first=Nancy E.|date=May 2004|title=SISTER ACT VI: VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS AT INDIAN WELLS: "SINCERE FICTIONS" AND WHITE RACISM|url=|journal=Journal of Sport & Social Issues|volume=28|pages=115–135|via=JSTOR}}</ref> Scholar Nancy E. Spencer said that commentary that dismissed the Williams' cultural hairstyles served to [[Other (philosophy)|other]] the sisters, particularly in the context of a white dominated sport where their appearance and specifically their physicality is a popular topic for discussion.<ref name=":02" /> - -In 2000 the Williams sisters faced each other in a Grand Slam Tournament in a semifinal match at Wimbledon, the first time the sisters had faced each other in this setting. After Venus won in straight sets, questions arose as to whether or not Richard Williams fixed the match. These questions increased in 2001 when Venus withdrew from her scheduled semifinal match against her sister at Indian Wells. Two days later, in the finals of Indian Wells, Williams was booed throughout the match.<ref name=":02" /> When Venus and Richard Williams entered the stadium to support Williams in the finals, Richard said that a dozen fans in the stands yelled racial slurs at him and his daughter, and that one fan yelled “skin him alive."<ref name=":02" /> Following this match, the Williams sisters boycotted Indian Wells until Williams returned in 2015 and Venus in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/43379052|title=Indian Wells: Serena and Venus Williams meet after 14-year tournament boycott|date=2018-03-12|access-date=2019-09-24|language=en-GB}}</ref> - -Following the match controversy at the 2018 US Open final between Williams and Naomi Osaka, a cartoon was released by the Herald Sun depicting Williams having a tantrum and breaking her racket while the umpire asks her opponent to “just let her win.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-mark-knights-cartoon-rightly-mocks-serena-williams-us-open-finals-dummyspit/news-story/bff3c329c6c706b966636620bcb21be7|title=Knight’s cartoon neither racist or sexist|date=2018-09-11|website=www.heraldsun.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> This cartoon was met with much criticism for being racist and sexist. Complaints centered around the portrayal of Williams as the angry black woman with exaggerated large lips, a broad flat nose, and positioned in an ape like pose and of Williams’ opponent, Osaka, who is half Japanese half Haitian, being portrayed as white with blonde hair.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/09/10/an-australian-artists-racist-serena-williams-cartoon-receives-swift-and-international-blowback/|title=An Australian artist’s racist Serena Williams cartoon receives swift and international blowback|last=Cavna|first=Michael|date=2018-09-12|work=Washington Post|access-date=2019-09-24|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, called the cartoon sexist and misogynistic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/alexis-ohanian-calls-serena-williams-cartoon-racist-misogynistic-2018-9|title=Serena Williams' Reddit co-founder husband Alexis Ohanian slams controversial 'angry baby' cartoon for being 'racist and misogynistic'|last=Dawson|first=Alan|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> Celebrities including J.K. Rowling came to Williams’ defence with similar views while the editor of the Herald Sun argued the cartoon was “unfairly” criticized on social media.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/jk-rowling-twitter-serena-williams-cartoon-us-open-racist-sexist-a8531941.html|title=JK Rowling condemns 'racist and sexist' cartoon of Serena Williams at US Open|date=2018-09-10|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/herald-sun-backs-mark-knights-cartoon-on-serena-williams/news-story/30c877e3937a510d64609d89ac521d9f|title=I shut Twitter to save family from abuse: Knight|date=2018-09-11|website=www.heraldsun.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> The cartoonist defended his work as his contribution to “stop family from being abused," a reference to Williams defending herself as a wife and mother in her dispute with the umpire.<ref name=":12" /> The cartoonist says his satire was never about race or gender, but was about putting a spotlight on bad behaviour by sporting superstars.<ref name=":12" /> - -In September 2019, {{Inter-language link|Radu Banciu|ro}} said, live on Romanian television "Serena Williams looks exactly like one of those monkeys at the zoo with the red asses."<ref name=":22">National Council for Combating Discrimination in Bucharest press release, translated in {{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/serena-williams-called-monkey-by-romanian-tv-show-host-2019-9|title=A Romanian TV-show host has been accused of 'extreme racism' after saying on air that Serena Williams looks 'like one of those monkeys at the zoo'|last=Lane|first=Barnaby|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> Banciu was fined{{By whom|date=November 2019}} approximately $1,875 for his comments.<ref name=":22" /> - -== Legacy == -Williams is hailed by many coaches, players and sportscasters to be one of the best female tennis players of the Open Era.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38802221|title=Serena Williams picked as greatest female player of the Open Era by BBC Sport users|year=2017|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=October 12, 2017}}</ref> In 2018, a Tennis.com panel selected Serena as the greatest female tennis player in the Open Era.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2018/11/goat-vote-steffi-or-serena-ten-went-one-way-you-went-another/78127/ |title = GOAT Vote: Steffi or Serena? 'The Ten' went one way; you went another}}</ref> Her numerous victories on court have largely been a positive influence on young girls and boys who see Williams as a role model and an ambassador of tennis.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/31/sports/tennis/venus-and-serena-williams-have-a-lasting-impact.html|title=Williams Sisters Leave an Impact That's Unmatched|last=Araton|first=Harvey|date=August 27, 2015|work=The New York Times|accessdate=October 12, 2017|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-34229415/serena-williams-lasting-influence-on-young-black-athletes|title=Serena William's lasting influence|work=BBC News|accessdate=October 12, 2017}}</ref> However, there is a sizable percentage of people who disagree.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rt.com/sport/438105-serena-williams-us-open-role-model/ |title=Serena Williams' history of petulance makes a mockery of her status as a role model |publisher=RT.com |accessdate=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/life/culture/article/2018/09/10/has-us-open-ruined-serena-williams-role-model |title=Has the US Open ruined Serena Williams as a role model? |publisher=SBS |accessdate=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/talkingturkey/total-meltdown-serena-williams-may-be-a-legend-but-she-wasnt-a-role-model-in-this-us-open/ |title=Total Meltdown: Serena Williams may be a legend, but she wasn't a role model in this US Open |newspaper=Times of India |accessdate=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theodysseyonline.com/serena-williams-bad-role-model |title=Sorry, but Serena Williams is a bad role model for young girls |publisher=The Odyssey |accessdate=28 June 2019}}</ref> Some commentators, players and sports writers regard Williams as the greatest female tennis player of all time.{{#tag:ref|See<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/prishe/2018/09/09/just-dont-do-it-serenas-tasteless-u-s-open-tirade-contradicts-nikes-brand-identity/|title=Serena's U.S. Open Tirade Creates A Challenge For Nike|first=Patrick|last=Rishe|website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen15/story/_/id/13576563/us-open-how-serena-williams-fare-graf-navratilova-their-prime|title=Comparing Serena Williams to two of the all-time greats|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=September 6, 2015|date=September 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/18757028|title=Wimbledon 2012: Serena Williams true great after fifth title |work=BBC Sport|accessdate=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=St. John|first1=Allen|title=Tennis' Battle Of The Sexes: Who's The Greatest Of All Time, Roger Federer Or Serena Williams?|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/allenstjohn/2017/01/31/tenniss-battle-of-the-sexes-whos-better-the-greatest-of-all-time-roger-federer-or-serena-williams/|website=Forbes|accessdate=September 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.us/sports/legends-evert-king-call-serena-williams-greatest-ever-metro-us/tmWmie---26cv55IcoExFE/|title=Legends Evert, King call Serena Williams greatest ever – Metro.us|first=Adam |last=Zagoria |date=October 12, 2014|work=Metro|accessdate=November 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com.au/andre-agassi-says-serena-williams-greatest-ever-1426225|title=Andre Agassi Says Serena Williams Is The 'Greatest Ever'|first=Rachelle |last=Corpuz |date=March 3, 2015|work=International Business Times AU|accessdate=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Schiavenza |first=Matt |accessdate=April 20, 2017|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/07/the-astonishing-greatness-of-serena-williams/398339/|title=Serena Williams Wins Wimbledon for Her 21st Grand Slam Title |work=The Atlantic|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/serena-williams-americas-greatest-athlete|title=Serena Williams Is America's Greatest Athlete|first=Ian |last=Crouch |date=September 9, 2014|work=The New Yorker|accessdate=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 20, 2017|url=http://www.complex.com/sports/2015/07/serena-williams-is-the-goat|title=Serena Williams Is the Greatest of All Time |first=Aaron |last=Randle |work=Complex|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Chase|first=Chase| url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/serena-williams-greatest-athlete-history|title=Serena Williams will go down as one of the greatest athletes in history|work=For The Win|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://observer.com/2015/07/on-the-eve-of-a-serena-slam-a-look-at-americas-greatest-athlete/|title=Short List / Things To Look Forward To|first=Alexa |last=Jaccarino |work=Observer|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Block|first1=Justin|title=Billie Jean King Thinks Serena Williams Is The Best Tennis Player Of All Time|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/billie-jean-king-serena-williams-goat_us_55f08f97e4b093be51bd4e20|website=HuffPost|date=September 9, 2015|accessdate=July 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McManus |first=Jane |accessdate=April 20, 2017|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13239462/with-drake-help-john-mcenroe-joins-chorus-praise-serena-williams|title=With Drake's Help, John McEnroe Joins Chorus Of Praise For Serena Williams|work=espnW|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Keating |first=Peter |accessdate=April 20, 2017|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13432409/why-serena-williams-greatest-tennis-player-ever|title=Powering Toward History|work=espnW|date=February 5, 2017}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/07/serena-williams-greatest-sportsperson-ever|title=Why Serena Williams is the greatest sportsperson ever {{!}} Michael Eboda|last=Eboda|first=Michael|date=September 7, 2016|website=The Guardian|accessdate=January 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/serena-williams-is-the-greatest-ever-can-we-please-stop-the-debate|title=Serena Williams Is the Greatest Ever. Can We Please Stop the Debate?|last=Fallon|first=Kevin|date=June 27, 2017|work=The Daily Beast|accessdate=January 25, 2018}}</ref> - -For their first match of March 2019, the women of the [[United States women's national soccer team]] each wore a jersey with the name of a woman they were honoring on the back; [[Crystal Dunn]] chose the name of Serena Williams.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ennis |first=Dawn |url=https://www.outsports.com/2019/3/4/18248520/lesbian-icons-honored-with-jerseys-worn-uswnt |title=Lesbian icons honored with jerseys worn by USWNT |publisher=Outsports |date= March 4, 2019|accessdate=2019-03-04}}</ref> - -==Personal life== -[[File:Web Summit 2018 - Centre Stage, Day 1 -November 6 SD5 6360 (44835575425).jpg|thumb|Serena Williams' husband [[Alexis Ohanian]] in 2018]] -Williams is married to [[Reddit]] co-founder [[Alexis Ohanian]]. They were married on November 16, 2017, in [[New Orleans]]. Guests at the wedding included [[Beyoncé]], [[Anna Wintour]], [[Kelly Rowland]] and [[Kim Kardashian West]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Jason Duaine Hahn|author2=Kathy Ehrich|date=November 16, 2017|title=A Perfect Match! Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian Are Married|url=http://people.com/sports/serena-williams-alexis-ohanian-wedding-marriage/|website=People|accessdate=November 16, 2017}}</ref> She planned to move to San Francisco with Ohanian after the wedding.<ref name="voguesept17" /> - -On April 19, 2017, Williams posted a sideways picture of herself on [[Snapchat]] focused on her midsection. It had the caption, "20 weeks", sparking speculation that Williams was pregnant.<ref>(April 19, 2017), [http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/19193213/serena-williams-photo-sparks-pregnancy-speculation.html?_r=0 "Serena Williams photo sparks pregnancy speculation"]. ESPN. Retrieved April 19, 2017.</ref> Later that evening, her spokesperson confirmed that the couple was expecting.<ref>{{cite news | title=Serena Williams Confirms She's Pregnant After Day of Speculation | work=The New York Times | date=April 19, 2017 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/19/sports/tennis/serena-williams-pregnant-snapchat.html | accessdate=April 19, 2017}}</ref> The fact that she was 20 weeks pregnant when announcing her pregnancy meant that she was 8 weeks pregnant when she won the Australian Open in January.<ref>{{cite web|first=Erica |last=Gonzales |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/serena-williams-fans-cannot-handle-170114621.html |title=Serena Williams Fans Cannot Handle That She Won the Australian Open While Pregnant |publisher=Yahoo! |date=April 20, 2017 |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> Serena later confirmed that posting the photo on Snapchat was an accident and that she had intended to save the photo for her records.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/26/sports/tennis/serena-williams-pregnancy-picture.html|title=Serena Williams Says Posting of Pregnancy Picture Was an Accident|last=Reuters|date=2017-04-26|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2019-04-24|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> - -In September 2017, Williams gave birth to a daughter.<ref name="uwlupohautman">{{cite web|first=Nicholas|last=Hautman|first2=Marc|last2=Lupo|date=September 1, 2017|title=Serena Williams Welcomes Her First Child!|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/serena-williams-gives-birth-welcomes-first-child-with-alexis-ohanian-w492788|website=Us Weekly|accessdate=October 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Elise |last=Solé |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/serena-williams-baby-girl-meaning-behind-name-173808990.html |title=Serena Williams's baby girl and the meaning behind her name |publisher=Yahoo! |date=September 13, 2017 |accessdate=January 4, 2019}}</ref> Williams had a cesarean-section delivery due to a [[pulmonary embolism]] during the labor of her daughter and, at first, was devastated about it.<ref name="Rubenstein"/> She suffered another pulmonary embolism after giving birth, leaving her bedridden for six weeks and delaying her return to training.<ref name="vogue.com"/> In August 2018, Williams announced she was suffering from [[postpartum depression]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trtworld.com/sport/serena-williams-struggles-with-post-partum-blues-drops-out-of-rogers-cup-19425|title=Serena Williams struggles with post-partum blues; drops out of Rogers Cup|website=Serena Williams struggles with post-partum blues; drops out of Rogers Cup|language=tr-TR|accessdate=August 9, 2018}}</ref> Williams gave her daughter a doll, [[Qai Qai]] that has become famous on social media.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wait – Is Qai Qai America's Most Important Doll|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/style/qai-qai-serena-williams-alexis-ohanian.html}}</ref> - -Williams was raised a [[Jehovah's Witness]], but says she has "never really practiced it."<ref name="voguesept17">{{cite web|last1=Haskell|first1=Rob|title=Serena Williams on Pregnancy, Power, and Coming Back to Center Court|date=August 15, 2017|url=http://www.vogue.com/article/serena-williams-pregnancy-vogue-september-issue-2017|website=Vogue|accessdate=August 15, 2017}}</ref> She often thanks [[Jehovah]] after winning matches.<ref>Winston, Kimberly (July 10, 2015), [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/serena-williams-secret-weapon-jehovah-god_us_55a06ed9e4b0ecec71bc445b "Serena Williams' Secret Weapon: 'Jehovah God'"]. ''HuffPost''. Retrieved April 26, 2017.</ref> Williams confirmed that she follows some practices: "Olympia doesn't celebrate birthdays. We're Jehovah's Witnesses, so we don't do that."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/style/serena-williams-says-jehovahs-witness-will-prevent-celebrating-daughters-first-birthday-090319769.html|title=Serena Williams confirms she won't celebrate her daughter's first birthday because of her Jehovah's Witness beliefs|accessdate=August 30, 2018}}</ref> - -==Off-court activities== -===Equipment and endorsements=== -In the early 2000s, Williams wore Puma apparel and footwear on court.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2001/06/20010625/This-Weeks-Issue/What-Theyre-Wearing-And-Hitting-With-At-Wimbledon.aspx |title=What they're wearing (and hitting with) at Wimbledon|publisher=SportsBusiness Journal |date=June 25, 2001 |accessdate=September 10, 2014}}</ref> She used the [[Wilson Sporting Goods|Wilson]] Hammer 6.4 Stretch Power Holes racket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2000/08/20000828/No-Topic-Name/WHAT-THEYRE-WEARING-AND-HITTING-WITH-AT-THE-US-OPEN.aspx |title=What They're Wearing (And Hitting With) At The U.S. Open |publisher=SportsBusiness Journal |date=August 28, 2000 |accessdate=September 10, 2014}}</ref> - -Williams also has endorsement deals with [[Gatorade]], [[Delta Air Lines]], [[Audemars Piguet]], [[Aston Martin]], [[Pepsi]], [[Beats by Dre]] headphones, Mission Athletecare, [[Berlei]] bras, [[OPI Products]], OnePiece, [[IBM]], [[Mini]], [[Intel]], [[Tempur]] and [[Chase Bank]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -Williams is the current{{when|date=July 2019}} CSO (Chief Sporting Officer) for British luxury automobile manufacturer [[Aston Martin]]. She accepted the contract in June 2015. Williams then posted her first experience on social media service [[Twitter]], and said: "I'm loving my first day on the job as Chief Sporting Officer and Director of Fun!", stating her optimism on the job as the CSO.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennisworldusa.org/news/news/Serena_Williams/24641/serena-williams-chief-sports-officer-for-aston-martin/|title=Serena Williams: Chief Sports Officer for Aston Martin!|publisher=Tennis World USA|date=June 25, 2015|accessdate=June 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.informationng.com/2015/06/serena-williams-named-chief-sporting-officer-aston-martin.html|title=Serena Williams Named Chief Sporting Officer For Aston Martin|publisher=Information Nigeria|date=June 25, 2015|accessdate=June 18, 2017}}</ref> - -Williams is also on the Board of Directors at [[SurveyMonkey]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/24/tennis-star-serena-williams-joins-surveymonkeys-board/|title=Tennis Star Serena Williams Joins SurveyMonkey's Board|work=TechCrunch|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref> - -===Fashion=== -Williams has been noted for her unusual and colorful outfits on court. In 2002, there was much talk when she wore a black lycra [[catsuit]] at the US Open.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/02/sports/tennis-sunny-outlook-keeps-serena-williams-winning.html|title=Tennis; Sunny Outlook Keeps Serena Williams Winning|last=Roberts|first=Selena|date=September 2, 2002|accessdate=April 24, 2009|work=The New York Times}}</ref> At the 2004 US Open, Williams wore denim skirts and knee-high boots—tournament officials did not allow her to wear the boots during matches.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,130781,00.html|title=Serena Dresses in Denim, Boots at U.S. Open|date=August 31, 2004|agency=Associated Press|publisher=FOX News Network, LLC|accessdate=April 25, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090730023418/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,130781,00.html|archivedate=July 30, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> At the 2008 Wimbledon, the white [[trench coat]] she wore during warm-up for her opening match was the subject of much discussion since it was worn despite sunny weather.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article4201164.ece|title = Serena Williams' Wimbledon raincoat stops talk about play|first=Nicola | last= Copping |date= June 24, 2008|work=The Times |accessdate=April 25, 2009}}</ref> Some social scientists have argued that the most negative reactions to Williams' on-court fashion statements, especially in newspaper coverage of the Australian Open and Wimbledon, combines with writers' fixation upon her muscular body to distract from her on-court accomplishments and fit this commentary within centuries-old narratives of the "pornographic eroticism" and "sexual grotesquerie" of African and African-American women.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=McKay|first=James|last2=Johnson|first2=Helen|date=July 2008|title=Pornographic eroticism and sexual grotesquerie in representations of African American sportswomen|url=|journal=Social Identities|volume=14|issue=4|pages=291–504|via=}}</ref> - -Williams formerly had a special line with [[Puma AG|Puma]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com//Courting_tennis__glamour/articleshow/1501836.cms? |title=Courting both tennis and glamour|work=The Times of India|publisher=Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd.|first=Ruhi|last=Batra|date=January 28, 2007|accessdate=April 25, 2009}}</ref> In April 2004, she signed a deal worth US$40{{nbsp}}million for a line with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty-businesses/minority-owned-businesses/767050-1.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221072308/http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty-businesses/minority-owned-businesses/767050-1.html |archivedate=February 21, 2009 |title=Serena Williams aces Nike deal worth approximately $40&nbsp;million |first=Carolyn M. |last=Brown |date=April 1, 2004 |work=Black Enterprise; Allbusiness.com|accessdate=April 24, 2009}}</ref> Since 2004, she has also run her own line of designer apparel, "Aneres"—her first name spelled backward. In 2009, she launched a signature collection of handbags and jewelry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontennis.com/news/serena-williams-has-passion-fashion|title=Serena Williams has a passion for fashion|first= Madeleine|last=Marr|date=March 3, 2009|work=The Miami Herald|publisher=Miami Herald Media Co.|accessdate=April 25, 2009}}</ref> The collection, Signature Statement, is sold mainly on the [[Home Shopping Network]] (HSN).{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -In early 2010, Williams became a certified [[Manicure#Nail care|nail technician]] in preparation for her upcoming nail collection with a company called HairTech.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/02/17/2010-02-17_serena_williams_takes_time_away_from_the_tennis_courts_to_become_a_certified_nai.html|title=Serena Williams takes time away from the tennis courts to become a certified nail technician|first= Jim|last= Farber|date=February 17, 2010|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York |accessdate=October 2, 2010}}</ref> In 2015, she became the first black female athlete to have a picture by herself on the cover of ''Vogue'', which she did for the April 2015 issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goodblacknews.org/2015/03/24/serena-williams-1st-black-female-athlete-to-solo-on-cover-of-vogue/ |title=Serena Williams 1st Black Female Athlete to Solo on Cover of Vogue |publisher=Good Black News |accessdate=March 25, 2015}}</ref> In 2015, she also presented her HSN Signature Statement collection for the second time at the New York Fashion Week Show{{nsmdns}}a clothing line exclusively made for the retailer HSN.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -In May 2018 she wore a skin-tight catsuit at the [[2018 French Open]] that was likened to a superhero outfit and helped promote her new clothing line, ''Serena''.<ref name="Racked2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.racked.com/2018/6/1/17414940/serena-williams-french-open-black-catsuit|title=Serena Williams Had Her Own Style Long Before Her Black Catsuit|date=June 1, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|work=Racked}}</ref><ref name="Vox2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/8/28/17791518/serena-williams-catsuit-ban-french-open-tennis-racist-sexist-country-club-sport|title=The Serena Williams catsuit ban shows that tennis can't get past its elitist roots|date=August 28, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]}}</ref><ref name="ESPN2018">{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/24461310/new-french-open-dress-rules-prohibit-serena-williams-catsuit-2019|title=New French Open dress rules prohibit Serena Williams' catsuit|date=August 24, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> The outfit was subsequently banned by the [[French Tennis Federation]] president Bernard Giudicelli, with the explanation: "It will no longer be accepted. One must respect the game and the place." Williams then wore a black [[Tutu (clothing)|tutu]] to her first match at the [[2018 US Open (tennis)|2018 US Open]] on August 27, 2018 against [[Magda Linette]] which she dominated in straight sets.<ref name="Time2018">{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/24461310/new-french-open-dress-rules-prohibit-serena-williams-catsuit-2019|title=Serena Williams Makes a Case for the Casual Tutu With Her 2018 US Open Outfit|date=August 28, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref><ref name="SBNation2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.sbnation.com/tennis/2018/8/27/17789234/us-open-results-2018-serena-williams-analysis-highlights-magda-linette|title=Serena Williams into second round of US Open after dominant win|date=August 27, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|work=[[SB Nation]]}}</ref> In February 2019, Serena Williams was appointed to the board of directors of online fashion marketplace [[Poshmark]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/20/serena-williams-joins-online-retailer-poshmarks-board-of-directors.html|title=Serena Williams joins online retailer Poshmark's board of directors|first=Lauren|last=Thomas|publisher=CNBC|date=February 20, 2019}}</ref> - -===Activism=== -Williams has become more involved in social change as her career has progressed, primarily using social media as a medium of expressing her views. In 2016 she posted her support of [[Black Lives Matter]] on her [[Facebook]] page, voicing her concern about her young nephew being in danger from police officers due to his skin color.<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/serena-williams-writes-about-black-lives-matter-on-facebook/ |title=Serena Williams posts in support of Black Lives Matter on Facebook |publisher=CBS News |date=September 27, 2016 |accessdate=February 23, 2018}}</ref> 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 about the [[LGBT]] community, followed members of the [[alt-right]], and referred to an article describing Williams's on-court behavior as "disgusting". Williams responded by tweeting her displeasure, saying, "@TennysSandgren I don't need or want one. But there is a entire group of people that deserves an apology. I can't look at my daughter and tell her I sat back and was quiet. No! She will know how to stand up for herself and others – through my example." Additionally, she attached an image that read, "Maturity is being able to apologize and admit when you're wrong because you know that your mistakes don't define you".<ref>{{cite news|last=Skiver |first=Kevin |url=https://www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/serena-williams-tells-tennys-sandgren-to-apologize-for-his-alt-right-tweets/ |title=Serena Williams tells Tennys Sandgren to apologize for his alt-right tweets |work=CBSSports.com |date=January 24, 2018 |accessdate=February 23, 2018}}</ref> - -Williams has received several awards for her activism, particularly for her activism directed towards Black communities. She was listed among the 35 "most remarkable and beautiful black women" in the world by Essence magazine.<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite journal |last1=Douglas |first1=Delia |title=Venus, Serena, and the Inconspicuous Consumption of Blackness: A Commentary on Surveillance, Race Talk, and New Racism(s) |journal=Journal of Black Studies |date=March 2012 |volume=43 |issue=3 |pages=127–145|doi=10.1177/0021934711410880 }}</ref> The NAACP has honored Williams with the President's Award at the annual NAACP Image Awards.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}<ref>{{cite web |title=The Power of Serena Williams |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/07/opinion/serena-williams-us-open-tennis.html?em_pos=small&ref=headline&nl_art=13&te=1&nl=opinion-today&emc=edit_ty_20190909?campaign_id=39&instance_id=12244&segment_id=16862&user_id=579ae23cfcbd75c9aac87cb571cc201c&regi_id=72995439emc=edit_ty_20190909 |work=New York Times |accessdate=9 September 2019}}</ref> - -===Entertainment=== -Williams has appeared on television and also provided voice work on animated shows: in a 2001 episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' Serena joined the animation along with sister Venus, [[Pete Sampras]] and [[Andre Agassi]].<ref>{{IMDb title|0701223|Tennis the Menace}}</ref> She has also provided guest voice work in a 2005 episode of Playhouse Disney's animated kids show ''[[Higglytown Heroes]]'' and a 2007 episode of the [[Nickelodeon]] cartoon ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/the-day-of-black-sun-1-the-invasion/episode/1121066/summary.html|title=Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Day of Black Sun (1): The Invasion|website=TV.com|accessdate=April 24, 2009}}</ref> which she has described as her "favorite show".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://women.webmd.com/features/serena-williams-gets-back-game |title=Serena Williams Gets Back in the Game |first=Lauren Paige|last= Kennedy | work=WebMD the Magazine |publisher=WebMD, LLC.|accessdate=April 24, 2009}}</ref> - -Williams has posed for the 2003 and 2004 editions of the ''Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thurmond|first=Sarah|title=Golovin, Hantuchova, Kirilenko in SI swimsuit issue|work=[[Tennis (magazine)|Tennis Magazine]]|date=February 11, 2009|url=http://tennis.com/backcourt/general/backcourt.aspx?id=164656|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215214440/http://tennis.com/backcourt/general/backcourt.aspx?id=164656|archivedate=February 15, 2009|accessdate=May 9, 2009}}</ref> In April 2005, MTV announced plans to broadcast a reality show around the lives of Serena and Venus, which was eventually aired on [[ABC Family]]. Williams has appeared twice on MTV's ''[[Punk'd]]'' and in 2007, appeared in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] reality television series ''[[Fast Cars and Superstars: The Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race]]''. In 2002, she played ''Miss Wiggins'' in the season 3 episode "Crouching Mother, Hidden Father" of ''[[My Wife and Kids]]'';<ref>{{cite news|title=On stage or on court, Serena plays the lead|work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=January 13, 2003|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/01/12/1041990178788.html|accessdate=May 10, 2009}}</ref> she has also guest-starred in episodes of ''[[The Bernie Mac Show]]'', ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'' and ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena to voice queen with 'devious plans' for planet|publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press|date=January 30, 2007|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=2748802|accessdate=May 11, 2009}}</ref> In 2007, Williams appeared in the music video of "I Want You" by the American rapper [[Common (rapper)|Common]], alongside performers [[Alicia Keys]] and [[Kanye West]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapdirt.com/common-i-want-you-video/16687/|title=Common 'I Want You' Video|website=rapdirt.com|date=October 23, 2007|accessdate=April 26, 2009}}</ref> - -In late 2009, Williams became the first active female professional athlete to appear in a [[feminine hygiene]] product advertising campaign. A series of online videos and print advertisements for [[Tampax]] Pearl [[tampon]]s showed her hitting balls at [[Mother Nature]], played by [[Catherine Lloyd Burns]], to prevent Mother Nature giving her a red-wrapped gift, representing her [[menstrual period]]. In the online videos, the two have dueling press conferences over the "bad blood" between them. "A lot of celebrities are not open to working with our brand, and we're thrilled that Serena is", said a [[brand manager]] for Tampax at [[Procter & Gamble]].<ref name="tampon ad NYT story">{{cite news|last=Newman|first=Andrew Adam|title=Serena Williams' Ad Deals Survive Her Outburst on Court|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/business/media/29adco.html|work=The New York Times|date=September 28, 2009|accessdate=September 28, 2009}}</ref> - -In July 2012, she appeared in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] comedic improv television series ''[[Trust Us with Your Life]]'' and as a lawyer on the [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] television series ''[[Drop Dead Diva]]''.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -To celebrate the 35th anniversary of [[Pac-Man]], Williams made a cameo appearance in the movie ''[[Pixels (2015 film)|Pixels]]'', which starred Adam Sandler and Kevin James, and premiered on July 24, 2015.<ref name=Pixels /> - -Williams is known to be close to [[Beyoncé]] and made a cameo appearance dancing in Beyoncé's music video for the song ''[[Sorry (Beyoncé song)|Sorry]]'' in the hit album ''[[Lemonade (Beyoncé album)|Lemonade]]''. Williams said the director told her, "We would love for you to be in this particular song. It's about strength and it's about courage and that's what we see you as."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/the-buzz/article/15499708/serena-williams-explains-why-beyonce-wanted-lemonade-video|title=Serena Williams explains why Beyonce wanted her in 'Lemonade' video|website=espnW}}</ref> - -===Language fluency=== -In addition to English as her [[native language]], Williams also speaks conversational French, and knows some Spanish and Italian. At the 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018 [[French Open]] she gave her on-court interviews in French, much to the crowd's delight.<ref name=USAToday-speaking-French>{{cite web|last1=Chase|first1=Chris|title=Serena Williams is a regular Francophile|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/serena-williams-speaking-french-open|work=USA Today|accessdate=June 14, 2015|date=June 5, 2013}}</ref><ref name=NYTimes-speaking-French>{{cite news|last1=Clarey|first1=Christopher|title=Real First-Round Foe for Women's No. 1: Microphone|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-cruises-on-opening-day-of-french-open.html|accessdate=June 14, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=May 26, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528041525/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-cruises-on-opening-day-of-french-open.html|archivedate=May 28, 2013|quote=On they went — at Williams's insistence — in the language of Molière, Charles de Gaulle and Yannick Noah. And as Williams bravely worked her way through the banter — with the odd grammatical error but a respectable flow and accent — it was clear once again how much this tournament and this city meant to her.}}</ref> - -===Miami Dolphins venture=== -In August 2009, Williams and her sister Venus became minority owners of the [[Miami Dolphins]] after purchasing a small stake in the team. They live near each other in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida,<ref name="voguesept17" /> which is about an hour's drive from the Dolphins' stadium. They are the first black women to hold any amount of ownership in an NFL franchise.<ref>{{cite news|title=Williams sisters buy into Dolphins group|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4422313|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN|date=August 25, 2009}}</ref> - -===Charity work=== -In 2004 and 2005, Serena and her sister, Venus, visited hospitals and played several tennis matches in predominantly black cities in order to raise money for the local Ronald McDonald House charities. An ESPN episode was dedicated to the Williams sisters' charity tour.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> -In 2008, as part of the Serena Williams Foundation's work, Williams helped to fund the construction of the Serena Williams Secondary School in [[Makueni County|Matooni, Kenya]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91323/6534327.html |title=Serena Williams in Kenya on charity tour|work=People's Daily |date=November 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=53717 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305115551/http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=53717 |archivedate=March 5, 2010 |title=Serena Williams to Visit Kenya on Charity cause |first=Claire |last=Wanja |date=November 10, 2008 |publisher=Kenya Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=April 24, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chase.com/news/081315-serena-williams|title=Serena Williams: Service On and Off the Court|first=Danielle |last=Elliot |accessdate=August 18, 2015|display-authors=etal}}</ref> The Serena Williams Foundation also provides university scholarships for underprivileged students in the United States. In 2016, the Serena Williams Fund partnered with Helping Hands Jamaica to build the Salt Marsh Primary School for Jamaican youth in [[Trelawny Parish]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jamaica-star.com/article/features/20160209/tennis-star-serena-williams-helps-build-school-trelawny |title=Tennis Star Serena Williams helps build school in Trelawny &#124; Features |newspaper=Jamaica Star |date=February 9, 2016 |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis |first=Taylor |url=http://www.essence.com/2016/02/10/serena-williams-lends-helping-hand-build-jamaican-school |title=Serena Williams Lends a Helping Hand to Build a Jamaican School |website=Essence |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> She received a Celebrity Role Model Award from Avon Foundation in 2003 for work in breast cancer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avoncompany.com/women/news/press20031015.html |work=Avon |publisher=Avon Products, Inc. |accessdate=April 26, 2009 |date=October 15, 2003 |title=Jewel and Serena Williams Help the Avon Foundation Raise Millions for the Fight Against Breast Cancer |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114130839/http://www.avoncompany.com/women/news/press20031015.html |archivedate=November 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Williams has also been involved in a number of clinics at schools and community centers, particularly those which have programs focusing on at-risk youth.<ref name="WTA profile" /> She has also won the "Young Heroes Award" from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater L.A. and Inland (2003) and the "Family Circle and Prudential Financial Player Who Makes a Difference Award" (2004).<ref name="WTA profile" /> In response to the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]], Williams, along with other ATP and WTA stars, decided to forgo their final day of preparation for the [[2010 Australian Open]] to form a charity event in which all proceeds would go to the Haiti earthquake victims.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tennis.com.au/pages/News.aspx?id=4&pageId=11478&HandlerId=2&archive=false&newsid=6671 |title=Stars rally for a common cause |publisher=Tennis Australia |date=January 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5nDbzXsV7?url=http://www.tennis.com.au/Pages/News.aspx?id=4 |archivedate=February 1, 2010 |df= }}</ref> Serena, along with her sister Venus, is a supporter and contributor of First Serve Miami, a foundation for youth who want to learn tennis but are socially and economically challenged.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Chairman's Letter|url=http://www.firstservemiami.org/the-chairmans-letter/|publisher=First Serve Miami|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722215654/http://www.firstservemiami.org/the-chairmans-letter/|archivedate=July 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=First serve adopt-a-player program|url=http://www.firstservemiami.org/first-serve-adopt-a-player-program/|publisher=First Serve Miami|date=March 16, 2015|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722215657/http://www.firstservemiami.org/first-serve-adopt-a-player-program/|archivedate=July 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nole, Andy and Serena to benefit the First Serve Miami Foundation at Ritz-Carlton|url=http://novakdjokovic.com/en/news/events/nole-andy-and-serena-to-benefit-the-first-serve-miami-foundation-at-ritz-carlton/|website=NovakDjokovic.com|date=March 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and Other World Renowned Tennis Players Hold Court at Fifth Annual Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami All-Star Charity Tennis Event|url=http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KeyBiscayne/Information/News/Releases/fifth_annual_miami_all_star_charity_tennis.htm|publisher=Ritz-Carlton|date=February 17, 2014}}</ref> She has been an [[List of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors|International Goodwill Ambassador]] with [[UNICEF]] since 2011 and has helped launch UNICEF's Schools for Asia campaign.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tennis star Serena Williams becomes UNICEF's latest Goodwill Ambassador – with a focus on education|url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_59874.html|publisher=[[UNICEF]]|date=September 20, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams – Charity Work, Events and Causes|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/serena-williams|publisher=Look To The Stars}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Mark Piggott|title=Lionel Messsi and Serena Williams join Unicef children's education campaign|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/lionel-messsi-serena-williams-join-unicef-childrens-education-campaign-1482787|work=International Business Times|date=January 10, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecorazzi.com/2012/01/25/serena-williams-launches-unicefs-schools-for-asia/|title=Serena Williams Launches UNICEF's Schools for Asia |work=Ecorazzi |accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> - -In addition to the Serena Williams Fund in 2016, Serena and Venus collaborated on the Williams Sisters Fund to work on philanthropic projects together.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.serenawilliams.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301092912/https://www.serenawilliams.com/|url-status=dead|title=Serena &#124; Strong Sexy Sophisticated Clothing by Serena Williams|archivedate=March 1, 2017|website=Serena}}</ref> Also in 2016, in their native home of [[Compton, California]] Serena and Venus teamed up to found the Yetunde Price Resource Center, in honor of their late sister. The Resource Center provides services to families affected by community violence.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> - -Williams's return to Indian Wells in 2015 was done in partnership with the [[Equal Justice Initiative]], a non-profit organization that provides legal representation to those who might have been denied a fair trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eji.org/news/join-serena-williams-campaign-with-eji|title=Join Serena Williams' Campaign with EJI|website=EJI|accessdate=April 24, 2017|date=March 1, 2015}}</ref> EJI executive director [[Bryan Stevenson]] lauded her courage in supporting his organization. "It's so rare when athletes at the top of their game are willing to embrace a set of issues that, for a lot of people, are edgier", he said. "This is not aid to orphans. ... She was standing when a lot of her contemporaries remain seated, speaking up when others are being quiet."<ref name="SPOTY15">{{cite journal|last=Price|first=S. L. |date=December 21, 2015|title=Serena Williams is Sports Illustrated's 2015 Sportsperson of the Year|journal=Sports Illustrated|volume=123|issue=24|page=76|url=https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2015/12/14/serena-williams-si-sportsperson-year|accessdate=December 17, 2015}}</ref> - -In 2014, Williams began hosting an annual charity run named "The Serena Williams Ultimate Fun Run". The event is in support of the Serena Williams Fund, which helps underprivileged individuals and communities that are affected by senseless violence and to ensure equal access to education of youth.<ref>[http://theultimaterun.com/charity/ Serena Williams Live Ultimate Run] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104202844/http://theultimaterun.com/charity/ |date=November 4, 2016}}, South Beach 12.13.15.</ref><ref name=autogenerated1/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tennisontario.com/pages/story-1-ot-spin-week-of-february-19 |title=Ontario Tennis Association – Serena Gives Back- OT Spin Week of February 19 |website=Tennisontario.com |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> - -In 2017, Williams became Ambassador for the [[Allstate|Allstate Foundation]]'s Purple Purse project, an initiative to provide financial empowerment to domestic abuse victims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2017/06/serena-williams-allstate-foundation-purple-purse-campaign/ |title=Serena Williams Joins Allstate's Purple Purse Project |website=Vibe (magazine) |first= Luria|last= Freeman|date=June 23, 2017 |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref><ref name="mediapost1">{{cite web|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/303343/allstate-enlists-serena-williams-for-cause-campaig.html |title=Allstate Enlists Serena Williams For Cause Campaign |first= Tanya|last= Gazdik |date= June 23, 2017|website=Mediapost.com |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> In a press release, Vicky Dinges, Allstate's senior vice president of corporate responsibility, said, "we are thrilled to welcome Serena, a longtime advocate and role model for so many, to the Purple Purse family. Her voice will bring new audiences into this critical conversation."<ref name="mediapost1" /> - -Other charitable organizations Williams supports include the [[Elton John AIDS Foundation]], [[Great Ormond Street Hospital]], Hearts of Gold, the Common Ground Foundation, the Small Steps Project, the [[HollyRod Foundation]], Beyond the Boroughs National Scholarship Fund, World Education, the Eva Longoria Foundation, the Caliber Foundation and the Cure for MND Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/serena-williams|title=Serena Williams: Charity Work & Causes|work=Look to the Stars|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/serena-williams-mentions-mnd-in-victory-speech-115013100729_1.html |title=Serena Williams mentions MND in victory speech|work=Business Standard|date=January 31, 2015|accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref> - -===Writing=== -The Williams sisters, with author Hilary Beard, wrote a book titled ''Venus & Serena: Serving From The Hip: 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning'', which was published in 2005.<ref name="Hilarybeard.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.hilarybeard.com/books/ |title=The Website of Author Hilary Beard – Books |website=Hilarybeard.com |accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=January 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-134387123.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905091647/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-134387123.html |url-status=dead |archivedate=September 5, 2013 |title=Venus and Serena: Serving From the Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving, and Winning.(Brief Article)(Book Review) |website=Highbeam.com |date=July 1, 2005 |accessdate=February 23, 2011}}</ref> During the [[2009 Wimbledon Championships]], Williams said that she was in the process of writing a TV show storyline, which would be converted into script form by her agency. She stated that the show would represent subject matter from a mix of popular American television shows such as ''[[Desperate Housewives]]'' and ''[[Family Guy]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2009.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2009-06-24/200906241245864482421.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825095418/http://2009.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2009-06-24/200906241245864482421.html |accessdate=April 20, 2017|archivedate=August 25, 2009 |title=S Williams – June&nbsp;24, 2009 |publisher=2009.wimbledon.org |date=June 24, 2009}}</ref> -Williams released her first solo autobiography, entitled ''On the Line'', following the [[2009 US Open (tennis)|2009 US Open]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} - -==Career statistics== -{{Main|Serena Williams career statistics}} - -===Grand Slam tournament performance timeline=== -{{performance key|short=yes}} -''Current through the [[2019 US Open – Women's Singles|2019 US Open]].'' -{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center;font-size:90% -|- -!Tournament!![[1998 WTA Tour|1998]]!![[1999 WTA Tour|1999]]!![[2000 WTA Tour|2000]]!![[2001 WTA Tour|2001]]!![[2002 WTA Tour|2002]]!![[2003 WTA Tour|2003]]!![[2004 WTA Tour|2004]]!![[2005 WTA Tour|2005]]!![[2006 WTA Tour|2006]]!![[2007 WTA Tour|2007]]!![[2008 WTA Tour|2008]]!![[2009 WTA Tour|2009]]!![[2010 WTA Tour|2010]]!![[2011 WTA Tour|2011]]!![[2012 WTA Tour|2012]]!![[2013 WTA Tour|2013]]!![[2014 WTA Tour|2014]]!![[2015 WTA Tour|2015]]!![[2016 WTA Tour|2016]]!![[2017 WTA Tour|2017]]!![[2018 WTA Tour|2018]] -![[2019 WTA Tour|2019]]!!width=50|{{Tooltip| SR | Strike Rate}}!!width=50|{{Tooltip| W–L|Win–Loss}}!!width=40|Win % -|- -| style="text-align:left;"|{{nowrap|[[Australian Open]]}} -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1998 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2R]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1999 Australian Open – Women's Singles|3R]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2000 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]] -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2001 Australian Open – Women's Singles|QF]] -|A -|style="background:lime;"|[[2003 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -|A -|style="background:lime;"|[[2005 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 Australian Open – Women's Singles|3R]] -|style="background:lime;"|[[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2008 Australian Open – Women's Singles|QF]] -|style="background:lime;"|[[2009 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -|style="background:lime;"|[[2010 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -|A -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2012 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]] -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2013 Australian Open – Women's Singles|QF]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2014 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]] -|style="background:lime;"|[[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -|style="background:thistle;"|[[2016 Australian Open – Women's Singles|F]] -|style="background:lime;"|[[2017 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -|A -|style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2019 Australian Open – Women's Singles|QF]] -|style="background:#efefef;"|7 / 18 -|style="background:#efefef;"|85–11 -|style="background:#efefef;"|{{tennis win percentage|won=85|lost=11|integer=yes}} -|- -| style="text-align:left;"|[[French Open]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1998 French Open – Women's Singles|4R]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1999 French Open – Women's Singles|3R]] -|A -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2001 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]] -|style="background:lime;"|[[2002 French Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -|style="background:yellow;"|[[2003 French Open – Women's Singles|SF]] -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2004 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]] -|A -|A -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 French Open – Women's Singles|3R]] -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2009 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]] -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2010 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]] -|A -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2012 French Open – Women's Singles|1R]] -|style="background:lime;"|[[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2014 French Open – Women's Singles|2R]] -| style="background:lime;"|[[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -| style="background:thistle;"|[[2016 French Open – Women's Singles|F]] -|A -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2018 French Open – Women's Singles|4R]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2019 French Open – Women's Singles|3R]] -|style="background:#efefef;"|3 / 17 -|style="background:#efefef;"|65–13 -|style="background:#efefef;"|{{tennis win percentage|won=65|lost=13|integer=yes}} -|- -| style="text-align:left;"|[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|3R]] -|A -| style="background:yellow;"|[[2000 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|SF]] -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2001 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|QF]] -| style="background:lime;"|[[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -| style="background:lime;"|[[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -| style="background:thistle;"|[[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|3R]] -|A -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|QF]] -| style="background:thistle;"|[[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]] -| style="background:lime;"|[[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -| style="background:lime;"|[[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2011 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]] -| style="background:lime;"|[[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2013 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2014 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|3R]] -| style="background:lime;"|[[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -| style="background:lime;"|[[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -|A -| style="background:thistle;"|[[2018 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]] -| style="background:thistle;"|[[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]] -|style="background:#efefef;"|7 / 19 -|style="background:#efefef;"|98–12 -|style="background:#efefef;"|{{tennis win percentage|won=98|lost=12|integer=yes}} -|- -| style="text-align:left;"|[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1998 US Open – Women's Singles|3R]] -|style="background:lime;"|[[1999 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2000 US Open – Women's Singles|QF]] -|style="background:thistle;"|[[2001 US Open – Women's Singles|F]] -|style="background:lime;"|[[2002 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -|A -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2004 US Open – Women's Singles|QF]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]] -| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]] -| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 US Open – Women's Singles|QF]] -|style="background:lime;"|[[2008 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -|style="background:yellow;"|[[2009 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]] -|A -| style="background:thistle;"|[[2011 US Open – Women's Singles|F]] -|style="background:lime;"|[[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -|style="background:lime;"|[[2013 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -|style="background:lime;"|[[2014 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']] -|style="background:yellow;"|[[2015 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]] -|style="background:yellow;"|[[2016 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]] -|A -| style="background:thistle;"|[[2018 US Open – Women's Singles|F]] -| style="background:thistle;"|[[2019 US Open – Women's Singles|F]] -|style="background:#efefef;"|6 / 19 -|style="background:#efefef;"|101–13 -|style="background:#efefef;"|{{tennis win percentage|won=101|lost=13|integer=yes}} -|- style="font-weight:bold; background:#efefef;" -|style=text-align:left|Win–Loss -|8–4 -|11–2 -|12–3 -|18–4 -|21–0 -|19–1 -|14–3 -|12–2 -|5–2 -|19–3 -|19–3 -|23–2 -|18–1 -|9–2 -|17–2 -|21–2 -|13–3 -|26–1 -|24–3 -|7–0 -|15–2 -|18–4 -|{{nowrap|23 / 73}} -|{{nowrap|349–49}} -|{{tennis win percentage|won=349|lost=49|integer=yes}} -|} - -<small>Note: ''Williams withdrew from the 2018 French Open before her fourth round match, which does not officially count as a loss.''</small> - -===Grand Slam tournament finals=== - -====Singles: 33 (23–10)==== - -{| class="sortable wikitable" -|- -!Result -!Year -!Tournament -!Surface -!Opponents -!class="unsortable"| Score -|- style="background:#ccf;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1999 US Open – Women's Singles|1999]]||[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]||[[Hard court|Hard]]||{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Martina Hingis]]||6–3, 7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup> -|- style="background:#ccf;" -| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2001 US Open – Women's Singles|2001]]||US Open||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Venus Williams]]||2–6, 4–6 -|- style="background:#ebc2af;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2002 French Open – Women's Singles|2002]]||French Open||[[Clay court|Clay]]||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||7–5, 6–3 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2002]]||[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]||[[Grass court|Grass]]||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup>, 6–3 -|- style="background:#ccf;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2002 US Open – Women's Singles|2002]]||US Open <small>(2)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||6–4, 6–3 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2003 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2003]]||Australian Open||Hard||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup>, 3–6, 6–4 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2003]]||Wimbledon <small>(2)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||4–6, 6–4, 6–2 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2004]]||Wimbledon||Grass||{{Flagicon|RUS}} [[Maria Sharapova]]||1–6, 4–6 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2005 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2005]]||Australian Open <small>(2)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Lindsay Davenport]]||2–6, 6–3, 6–0 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2007]]||Australian Open <small>(3)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|RUS}} Maria Sharapova||6–1, 6–2 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2008]]||Wimbledon||Grass||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||5–7, 4–6 -|- style="background:#ccf;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2008 US Open – Women's Singles|2008]]||US Open <small>(3)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|SRB|2004}} [[Jelena Janković]]||6–4, 7–5 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2009]]||Australian Open <small>(4)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|RUS}} [[Dinara Safina]]||6–0, 6–3 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2009]]||Wimbledon <small>(3)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||7–6<sup>(7–3)</sup>, 6–2 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2010 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2010]]||Australian Open <small>(5)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|BEL}} [[Justine Henin]]||6–4, 3–6, 6–2 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2010]]||Wimbledon <small>(4)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|RUS}} [[Vera Zvonareva]]||6–3, 6–2 -|- style="background:#ccf;" -| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2011 US Open – Women's Singles|2011]]||US Open||Hard||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Samantha Stosur]]||2–6, 3–6 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2012]]||Wimbledon <small>(5)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|POL}} [[Agnieszka Radwańska]]||6–1, 5–7, 6–2 -|- style="background:#ccf;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|2012]]||US Open <small>(4)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|BLR}} [[Victoria Azarenka]]||6–2, 2–6, 7–5 -|- style="background:#ebc2af;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|2013]]||French Open <small>(2)</small>||Clay||{{Flagicon|RUS}} Maria Sharapova||6–4, 6–4 -|- style="background:#ccf;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2013 US Open – Women's Singles|2013]]||US Open <small>(5)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|BLR}} Victoria Azarenka||7–5, 6–7<sup>(6–8)</sup>, 6–1 -|- style="background:#ccf;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2014 US Open – Women's Singles|2014]]||US Open <small>(6)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Caroline Wozniacki]]||6–3, 6–3 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2015]]||Australian Open <small>(6)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|RUS}} Maria Sharapova||6–3, 7–6<sup>(7–5)</sup> -|- style="background:#ebc2af;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|2015]]||French Open <small>(3)</small>||Clay||{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Lucie Šafářová]]||6–3, 6–7<sup>(2–7)</sup>, 6–2 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2015]]||Wimbledon <small>(6)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|Spain}} [[Garbiñe Muguruza]]||6–4, 6–4 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2016 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2016]]||Australian Open||Hard||{{flagicon|GER}} [[Angelique Kerber]]||4–6, 6–3, 4–6 -|- style="background:#ebc2af;" -| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2016 French Open – Women's Singles|2016]]||French Open||Clay||{{Flagicon|Spain}} Garbiñe Muguruza ||5–7, 4–6 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2016]]||Wimbledon <small>(7)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|GER}} Angelique Kerber||7–5, 6–3 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2017 Australian Open|2017]]||Australian Open <small>(7)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||6–4, 6–4 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2018 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2018]]||Wimbledon||Grass||{{Flagicon|GER}} Angelique Kerber||3–6, 3–6 -|- style="background:#ccf;" -|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2018 US Open – Women's Singles|2018]]||US Open||Hard||{{Flagicon|JPN}} [[Naomi Osaka]] ||2–6, 4–6 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2019]]||Wimbledon||Grass||{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Simona Halep]]|| 2–6, 2–6 -|- style="background:#ccf;" -|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2019 US Open – Women's Singles|2019]]||US Open||Hard||{{Flagicon|CAN}} [[Bianca Andreescu]] || 3–6, 5–7 -|} - -====Women's doubles: 14 (14–0)==== - -{| class="sortable wikitable" -|- -!Result -!style="width:40px" | Year -!style="width:120px"| Tournament -!style="width:70px" | Surface -!style="width:170px"| Partner -!style="width:170px"| Opponents -!style="width:130px" class="unsortable" | Score -|- style="background:#ebc2af;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1999 French Open – Women's Doubles|1999]]||French Open||Clay||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Venus Williams]]||{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Martina Hingis]]<br />{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Anna Kournikova]]||6–3, 6–7<sup>(2–7)</sup>, 8–6 -|- style="background:#ccf;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1999 US Open – Women's Doubles|1999]]||[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Chanda Rubin]]<br />{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Sandrine Testud]]||4–6, 6–1, 6–4 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2000 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2000]]||[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Julie Halard-Decugis]]<br />{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Ai Sugiyama]]||6–3, 6–2 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2001 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2001]]||Australian Open||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lindsay Davenport]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Corina Morariu]]||6–2, 2–6, 6–4 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2002]]||Wimbledon <small>(2)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Virginia Ruano Pascual]]<br />{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Paola Suárez]]||6–2, 7–5 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2003 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2003]]||Australian Open <small>(2)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|ESP}} Virginia Ruano Pascual<br />{{flagicon|ARG}} Paola Suárez||4–6, 6–4, 6–3 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2008]]||Wimbledon <small>(3)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lisa Raymond]]<br />{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Samantha Stosur]]||6–2, 6–2 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2009]]||Australian Open <small>(3)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|SVK}} [[Daniela Hantuchová]]<br />{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Ai Sugiyama]]||6–3, 6–3 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2009]]||Wimbledon <small>(4)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Samantha Stosur]]<br />{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Rennae Stubbs]]||7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup>, 6–4 -|- style="background:#ccf;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 US Open – Women's Doubles|2009]]||US Open <small>(2)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|ZIM}} [[Cara Black]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Liezel Huber]]||6–2, 6–2 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2010 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2010]]||Australian Open <small>(4)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|ZIM}} Cara Black<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Liezel Huber||6–4, 6–3 -|- style="background:#ebc2af;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2010 French Open – Women's Doubles|2010]]||French Open <small>(2)</small>||Clay||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Květa Peschke]]<br />{{flagicon|SLO}} [[Katarina Srebotnik]]||6–2, 6–3 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2012]]||Wimbledon <small>(5)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Andrea Hlaváčková]]<br />{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Lucie Hradecká]]||7–5, 6–4 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2016]]||Wimbledon <small>(6)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Tímea Babos]]<br />{{flagicon|KAZ}} [[Yaroslava Shvedova]]||6–3, 6–4 -|} - -====Mixed doubles: 4 (2–2)==== - -{| class="sortable wikitable" -|- -!Result -!style="width:40px" | Year -!style="width:120px"| Tournament -!style="width:70px" | Surface -!style="width:170px"| Partner -!style="width:170px"| Opponents -!style="width:130px" class="unsortable"| Score -|- style="background:#ebc2af;" -| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[1998 French Open – Mixed Doubles|1998]]||French Open||Clay||{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Luis Lobo]]||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Justin Gimelstob]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Venus Williams]]||3–6, 4–6 -|- style="background:#cfc;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Mixed Doubles|1998]]||[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]||Grass||{{flagicon|BLR|1995}} [[Max Mirnyi]]||{{flagicon|IND}} [[Mahesh Bhupathi]]<br />{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Mirjana Lučić]]||6–4, 6–4 -|- style="background:#ccf;" -| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1998 US Open – Mixed Doubles|1998]]||[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]||Hard||{{flagicon|BLR|1995}} Max Mirnyi||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Patrick Galbraith]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lisa Raymond]]||6–2, 6–2 -|- style="background:#ffc;" -| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[1999 Australian Open – Mixed Doubles|1999]]||Australian Open||Hard||{{flagicon|BLR|1995}} Max Mirnyi||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[David Adams (tennis)|David Adams]]<br />{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Mariaan de Swardt]]||4–6, 6–4, 6–7<sup>(5–7)</sup> -|} - -==Records== -{{Main|List of career achievements by Serena Williams}} -* Records in '''bold''' indicate peer-less achievements. -* Records in ''italics'' are currently active streaks.{{when|date=July 2019}} - -{|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" -|- -!Time span -!Selected Grand Slam tournament records -!Players matched -|- -|1999 US Open —<br />2003 Australian Open||Career Grand Slam in singles||[[Doris Hart]]<br />[[Maureen Connolly]]<br />[[Shirley Fry Irvin|Shirley Fry]]<br />[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Billie Jean King]]<br />[[Chris Evert]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]<br />[[Maria Sharapova]] -|- -|2012 Wimbledon —<br />2015 Australian Open||Career Grand Slam in singles after age 30||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|2012 Wimbledon —<br />2017 Australian Open||Double Career Grand Slam in singles after age 30||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|1999 US Open —<br />2012 Olympics||Career Golden Slam in singles||[[Steffi Graf]] -|- -|2012 Wimbledon —<br />2015 Australian Open||Career Golden Slam in singles after age 30||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|1999 French Open —<br />2003 Australian Open||Career Grand Slam in both singles and doubles||[[Doris Hart]]<br />[[Shirley Fry Irvin|Shirley Fry]]<br />[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]] -|- -|1999 French Open —<br />2012 Olympics||Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|2012 Wimbledon —<br />2017 Australian Open||Ten Grand Slam singles titles after age 30||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|2002 Wimbledon —<br />2017 Australian Open||[[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions#Winning a Grand Slam singles tournament without losing a set (Open Era)|3 different Grand Slam titles won without losing a set]]||[[Helen Wills]]<br />[[Chris Evert]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]<br />[[Lindsay Davenport]] -|- -|1999 US Open —<br />2017 Australian Open||Thirteen hardcourt Grand Slam singles titles||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|2012 Olympics —<br />2015 Wimbledon||Simultaneous holder of Olympic singles gold and all four Grand Slams in singles||[[Steffi Graf]] -|- -|2008 Olympics —<br />2010 French Open||Simultaneous holder of Olympic doubles gold and all four Grand Slams in doubles (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]] -|- -|2008 Olympics —<br />2015 Wimbledon||Simultaneous holder of Olympic gold and all four Grand Slams in both singles and doubles||'''Stands alone -|- -|1999 French Open —<br />2012 Olympics||Double Career Golden Slam (2+ titles at all four Grand Slams & Olympic golds) in doubles (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]] -|- -|2002 French Open —<br />2002 US Open||100% (21–0) match winning percentage in 1 season||[[Helen Wills]]<br />[[Maureen Connolly]]<br />[[Shirley Fry]]<br />[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Billie Jean King]]<br />[[Chris Evert]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]<br />[[Monica Seles]] -|- -|2002 French Open —<br />2003 Australian Open||Winner of non-calendar year Grand Slam||[[Maureen Connolly]]<br />[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]] -|- -|2002 French Open —<br />2015 Wimbledon||Winner of two non-calendar year Grand Slams||[[Steffi Graf]] -|- -|2002 French Open —<br />2010 French Open||Winner of non-calendar year Grand Slams in both singles and doubles||[[Martina Navratilova]] -|- -|2002 French Open —<br />2016 Wimbledon||Winner of 10+ Grand Slam singles titles in two separate decades (10 from 2000 to 2009 and 12 from 2010 to 2017) ||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|2002 French Open —<br />2013 French Open||Winner of all four Grand Slam singles titles in two separate decades||[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]] -|- -|1999 US Open —<br />2013 French Open||Winner of Grand Slam singles titles in three decades||[[Blanche Bingley]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]] -|- -|1999 French Open —<br />2016 Wimbledon||First 14 Grand Slam doubles finals won (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]] -|- -|1999 US Open —<br />2015 French Open||Triple Career Grand Slam (3+ titles at all four Grand Slams) in singles||[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]] -|- -|1999 US Open —<br />2013 French Open||Double Career Grand Slam in both singles and doubles||[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]] -|- -|1999 US Open —<br />2015 Wimbledon||6+ titles at three different Grand Slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open)||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|2002 Wimbledon —<br />2017 Australian Open||7 titles at two different Grand Slams (Australian Open and Wimbledon)||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|1998 Australian Open —<br />2019 US Open||65+ wins at all four Grand Slams -||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|2012 Australian Open—<br />2017 Australian Open||3 finals at each of the four Grand Slams since turning 30 -||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|2019 US Open||Oldest women's singles finalist (37 years 11 months)||'''Stands alone''' -|} - -{|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" -|- -!Grand Slam tournaments -!Time span -!Records at each Grand Slam tournament -!Players matched -|- -|Australian Open||2007||Unseeded winner of singles title||[[Chris O'Neil (tennis)|Chris O'Neil]] -|- -|Australian Open||2003–2017||7 women's singles titles (Open Era record)||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|Australian Open||2003–2017||[[List of Australian Open Singles Finals appearances|8 finals overall]]||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|Australian Open||2003–2017||14 years between first and last title||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|Australian Open||2003–2017||14 years between first and last final||[[Chris Evert]]<br />[[Venus Williams]] -|- -|Australian Open||1998–2019||85 match wins||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|French Open||2002–2015||13 years between first and last title||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|French Open||2002–2016||14 years between first and last final||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|French Open—Wimbledon||2002, 2015||Accomplished a "Channel Slam": Winning both tournaments in the same year||[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Billie Jean King]]<br />Chris Evert<br />[[Martina Navratilova]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]] -|- -|Wimbledon||2012–2016||3 women's singles titles after age 30||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|Wimbledon||2002–2019||17 years between first and last final||Venus Williams -|- -|US Open||1999–2012||Winner of singles titles in three decades||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|US Open||1999–2014||6 women's singles titles (Open Era record)||Chris Evert -|- -|US Open||1998–2019||101 match wins||Chris Evert -|- -|US Open||1999–2014||15 years between first and last title||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|US Open||1999–2019||20 years between first and last final||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|US Open||2011, 2013–2014||Won as [[US Open Series]] Champion multiple times ||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|US Open||2012–2014||3 women's singles titles after age 30||'''Stands alone''' -|} - -{|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" -|- -!Time span -!Other selected records -!Players matched -|- -|1999–2016||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#WTA Premier/Tier One (since inception in 1988)|23 Tier I / Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 singles titles overall]]||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|1999–2016||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#WTA Premier/Tier One (since inception in 1988)|32 Tier I / Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 singles finals overall]]||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|1999–2015||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#Titles by court type|16 Hard court Tier I / Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 singles titles overall]]||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|2001||Won [[2001 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|WTA Tour Championships]] on debut||[[Maria Sharapova]]<br />[[Petra Kvitová]]<br />[[Dominika Cibulková]]<br />[[Ashleigh Barty]] -|- -|2010||Ranked No. 1 in singles and doubles simultaneously||[[Martina Navratilova]]<br />[[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]]<br />[[Martina Hingis]]<br />[[Lindsay Davenport]]<br />[[Kim Clijsters]] -|- -|2013–2016||[[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players#Consecutive|186 consecutive weeks at No. 1]]||[[Steffi Graf]] -|- -|2003–2008||2 [[Hopman Cup]] titles||[[Dominik Hrbatý]]<br />[[Tommy Robredo]]<br />[[James Blake (tennis)|James Blake]]<br />[[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]] -|- -|2002–2015||[[Miami Masters#Records|8 Miami Masters singles titles overall]]||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|2000–2012||[[Tennis at the Summer Olympics#Multiple medal winners (1896–2016)|4 Olympic Gold Medals overall]]||[[Venus Williams]] -|- -|2000–2012||[[Tennis at the Summer Olympics#Multiple medal winners (1896–2016)|3 Olympic Gold Medals in Doubles]] (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]] -|- -|2000–2016||[[List of Olympic medalists in tennis#Doubles (women)|93.75% (15–1) Olympic match winning record in doubles]] (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]] -|- -|2001, 2012||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#Year-End Championships|Two Year-End Championships won without losing a set]]||[[Martina Navratilova]] -|- -|2001–2015||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#Year-End Championships|Winning percentage of 82.86% at Year-End Championships]]||'''Stands alone''' -|- -|1995–2017||[[List of WTA Tour players by career prize money|$84,463,131 prize money overall]]||'''Stands alone''' -|} - -==Filmography== - -{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" -|+ Film and television -|- -! Year -! Title -! Role -! class="unsortable" | Notes -|- -| 2001 -| ''[[The Simpsons]]'' -| Herself (voice) -| Episode: "[[Tennis the Menace]]" -|- -| 2002 -| ''[[My Wife and Kids]]'' -| Miss Wiggins -| Episode: "Crouching Mother, Hidden Father" -|- -| 2003 -| ''[[Street Time]]'' -| Meeka Hayes -| Episode: "Fly Girl" -|- -| 2004 -| ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'' -| Chloe Spiers -| Episode: "Brotherhood" -|- -| 2004 -| ''[[The Division]]'' -| Jennifer Davis -| Episode: "Lost and Found" -|- -| 2004 -| ''[[Hair Show]]'' -| Agent Ross -| -|- -| 2005 -| ''[[Higglytown Heroes]]'' -| Snowplow Driver Hero (voice) -| Episode: "Higgly Hoedown/Eubie's Turbo Sled" -|- -| 2005 -| ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'' -| Alice Watson -| Episode: "Two Ships " -|- -| 2005 -| ''[[All of Us]]'' -| Herself -| Episode: "Not So Wonderful News" -|- -|2005 -|''[[America's Next Top Model]]'' -|Herself -|Episode: "The Girl with the Worst Photo in History" -|- -|2005–2007 -|''[[Punk'd]]'' -|Herself -|3 episodes -|- -| 2007 -| ''[[Loonatics Unleashed]]'' -| Queen Athena (voice) -| Episode: "Apocalypso" -|- -| 2007 -| ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'' -| Ming (voice) -| Episode: "The Day of Black Sun: Part 1 – The Invasion" -|- -| 2006 -| ''[[The Bernie Mac Show]]'' -| Herself -| Episode: "Spinning Wheels" -|- -| 2008 -| ''[[The Game (U.S. TV series)|The Game]]'' -| Herself -| Episode: "The List Episode" -|- -| 2008 -| ''[[MADtv]]'' -| Herself / Black Racket -|Episode: "Episode 7" -|- -| 2011 -| ''[[Keeping Up with the Kardashians]]'' -| Herself -|Episode: "Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event – Part 2" -|- -| 2012 -| ''[[Drop Dead Diva]]'' -| Kelly Stevens -| Episode: "Rigged" -|- -| 2012 -| ''[[Venus and Serena (film)|Venus and Serena]]'' -| Herself -| -|- -| 2013 -| ''[[The Legend of Korra]]'' -| Female Sage (voice) -| Episode: "Beginnings, Part 1" -|- -| 2015 -| ''[[7 Days in Hell]]'' -| Herself -| -|- -|2015 -| ''[[Pixels (2015 film)|Pixels]]'' -| Herself -| Cameo Appearance<ref name=Pixels>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/videos/life/2015/05/22/27799457|title=Serena Williams serves up laughs in 'Pixels'|date=May 22, 2015|work=USA Today|accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref> -|- -|2016 -|''[[Lemonade (Beyoncé album)|Lemonade]]'' music video -|Herself -|Cameo Appearance in "[[Sorry (Beyoncé song)|Sorry]]" -|- -|2016 -|''Serena: The Other Side of Greatness'' -|Herself -|Documentary -|- -|2018 -|''[[Ocean's 8]]'' -|Herself -|Cameo Appearance -|- -|2018 -|''Being Serena'' -|Herself -|Documentary -|} - -==See also== -{{Portal|Biography|Books|Film|Olympics|Television|United States|Tennis|Politics}} - -{{Div col|colwidth=30em}} -* [[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions]] -* [[List of Grand Slam women's doubles champions]] -* [[List of Grand Slam mixed doubles champions]] -* [[Henin–S. Williams rivalry]] -* [[Hingis–S. Williams rivalry]] -* [[Williams sisters rivalry]] -* [[Women's sports]] -{{div col end}} -{{clear}} - -==References== -{{reflist|colwidth=30em}} -{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} - -==Bibliography== -* {{cite book -| ref=harv -| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=GaphSm9ndMsC -| last1=Morgan |first1=Terri -| title=Venus and Serena Williams: Grand Slam Sisters -| series=Sports Achievers Biographies -| publisher=Lerner Publishing -| year=2001 -| pages=64pp -| nopp=y -| isbn=978-0-8225-3684-0 -}} -* {{cite book -| ref = harv -| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=n-_SalMONJUC -| last1 = Williams | first1 = Venus -| author2 = Serena Williams -| author3 = Hilary Beard -| title = Venus and Serena: Serving from the Hip: 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning -| publisher = Houghton Mifflin Harcourt -| year = 2005 -| pages = 133pp -| nopp = y -| isbn = 978-0-618-57653-1 -}} -* {{cite book -| ref = harv -| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=QgAHQLkOijkC -| last1 = Williams | first1 = Serena -| author2 = Daniel Paisner -| title = On the Line -| year = 2009a -| pages = 214pp -| nopp = y -| publisher = Hachette Digital -| isbn = 978-0-446-56402-1 -}} -* {{cite book -| ref = harv -| last1 = Williams | first1 = Serena -| author2 = Daniel Paisner -| title = My Life: Queen of the Court -| year = 2009b -| pages = 257pp -| nopp = y -| publisher = Simon & Schuster -| isbn = 978-1-84737-544-5 -}} - -==External links== - -{{wikimedia|collapsible=true|wikt=no |c=Category:Serena Williams|b=no|q=Serena Williams|s=no|v=no|species=no |voy=no|display=Serena Williams|d=Q11459}} -* {{official website}} -* {{WTA}} -* {{ITF profile|20007765}} -* {{Fed Cup player}} -* {{IMDb name|1102987|Serena Williams}} -* [http://www.makers.com/serena-williams Serena Williams] video produced by ''[[Makers: Women Who Make America]]'' - -{{Serena Williams}} -{{Serena Williams start boxes}} -{{navboxes|title=Serena Williams in the [[grand slam (tennis)|Grand Slam Tournaments]] -|list1= -{{navboxes|title=[[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions|Women's singles]] -|list1= -{{Australian Open women's singles champions}} -{{French Open women's singles champions}} -{{Wimbledon women's singles champions}} -{{US Open women's singles champions}} -}} -{{navboxes|title=[[List of Grand Slam women's doubles champions|Women's doubles]] -|list1= -{{Australian Open women's doubles champions}} -{{French Open women's doubles champions}} -{{Wimbledon women's doubles champions}} -{{US Open women's doubles champions}} -}} -{{navboxes|title=[[List of Grand Slam mixed doubles champions|Mixed doubles]] -|list1= -{{Wimbledon mixed doubles champions}} -{{US Open mixed doubles champions}} -}} -{{navboxes|title=Others -|list1= -{{Women's tennis players who won two or more Grand Slam singles titles in one calendar year}} -{{Tennis women grand slam three and more}} -}} -}} -{{navboxes|title=[[Serena Williams career statistics|Serena Williams's achievements]] -|list1= -{{WTA world No. 1 doubles players}} -{{Tennis World Number Ones (women)}} -{{Footer Olympic Champions Tennis Women}} -{{Footer Olympic Champions Tennis Women's Doubles}} -{{WTA Year-End Championship winners}} -{{Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year}} -{{Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year}} -{{SI Sportsman of the Year}} -{{Michigan Women's Hall of Fame}} -{{Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year navbox}} -{{ESPY Female Athlete}} -{{Top ten tennis players|wtasingles=y}} -{{Top female singles tennis players from the Americas}} -{{Top American female tennis players}} -}} - -{{Authority control}} - -{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Serena}} -[[Category:20th-century African-American people]] -<!-- [[Category:21st-century African-American people]] --> -[[Category:1981 births]] -[[Category:African-American designers]] -[[Category:African-American female tennis players]] -[[Category:American autobiographers]] -[[Category:American female tennis players]] -[[Category:American Jehovah's Witnesses]] -[[Category:Australian Open (tennis) champions]] -[[Category:French Open champions]] -[[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in mixed doubles]] -[[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in women's doubles]] -[[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in women's singles]] -[[Category:Hopman Cup competitors]] -[[Category:Laureus World Sports Awards winners]] -[[Category:Living people]] -[[Category:Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics]] -[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]] -[[Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics]] -[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in tennis]] -[[Category:Olympic tennis players of the United States]] -[[Category:People from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida]] -[[Category:Serena Williams| ]] -[[Category:Sports world record holders]] -[[Category:Sportspeople from Compton, California]] -[[Category:Sportspeople from Saginaw, Michigan]] -[[Category:Sportspeople from West Palm Beach, Florida]] -[[Category:Tennis people from California]] -[[Category:Tennis people from Florida]] -[[Category:Tennis people from Michigan]] -[[Category:Tennis players at the 2000 Summer Olympics]] -[[Category:Tennis players at the 2008 Summer Olympics]] -[[Category:Tennis players at the 2012 Summer Olympics]] -[[Category:Tennis players at the 2016 Summer Olympics]] -[[Category:UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors]] -[[Category:US Open (tennis) champions]] -[[Category:Wimbledon champions]] -[[Category:Women ambassadors]] -[[Category:Women autobiographers]] -[[Category:World No. 1 tennis players]] +oooooooooooooooooooooo punjabi '
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[ 0 => '{{short description|American tennis player}}', 1 => '{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}', 2 => '{{Infobox tennis biography', 3 => '| name = Serena Williams', 4 => '| fullname = Serena Jameka Williams', 5 => '| image = Serena Williams at 2013 US Open.jpg', 6 => '| caption = Williams at the [[2013 US Open (tennis)|2013 US Open]]', 7 => '| country = {{flagu|United States}}', 8 => '| residence = [[Palm Beach Gardens, Florida]], U.S.<ref name="WTA profile">{{WTA|id=230234<!-- was 9044 -->|name=Serena Williams}}</ref>', 9 => '| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|9|26}}', 10 => '| birth_place = [[Saginaw, Michigan]], U.S.', 11 => '| height = 5 ft 9 in<ref name="WTA profile" />', 12 => '| turnedpro = October 1995', 13 => '| coach = [[Richard Williams (tennis coach)|Richard Williams]] (1994{{ndash}})<br />[[Oracene Price]]<br />[[Patrick Mouratoglou]] (2012{{ndash}})<ref>{{cite news |last=Rankine |first=Claudia | title=The Meaning of Serena Williams | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=2015-08-25 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-meaning-of-serena-williams.html | accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref>', 14 => '| plays = Right-handed (two-handed backhand)', 15 => '| careerprizemoney = [[US$]]92,543,816<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/rankings/All_Career_Prize_Money.pdf.|title=wtatennis.com|date=April 29, 2019|accessdate=April 29, 2019}}</ref>', 16 => '* [[WTA Tour records#WTA career prize money leaders|1st in all-time rankings (female)]]', 17 => '| website = {{url|https://www.serenawilliams.com}}', 18 => '| singlesrecord = {{tennis record|won=826|lost=142}}', 19 => '| singlestitles = 72 [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] ([[Tennis records of the Open Era – Women's Singles#All tournaments|5th in overall rankings]]), 0 [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]]', 20 => '| highestsinglesranking = [[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players|No. '''1''']] (July 8, 2002)', 21 => '| currentsinglesranking = No. 10 (November 4, 2019)', 22 => '| AustralianOpenresult = '''W''' ([[2003 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2003]], [[2005 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2005]], [[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2007]], [[2009 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2009]], [[2010 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2010]], [[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2015]], [[2017 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2017]])', 23 => '| FrenchOpenresult = '''W''' ([[2002 French Open – Women's Singles|2002]], [[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|2013]], [[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|2015]])', 24 => '| Wimbledonresult= '''W''' ([[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2002]], [[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2003]], [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2009]], [[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2010]], [[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2012]], [[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2015]], [[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2016]])', 25 => '| USOpenresult = '''W''' ([[1999 US Open – Women's Singles|1999]], [[2002 US Open – Women's Singles|2002]], [[2008 US Open – Women's Singles|2008]], [[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|2012]], [[2013 US Open – Women's Singles|2013]], [[2014 US Open – Women's Singles|2014]])', 26 => '| Othertournaments = yes', 27 => '| GrandSlamCupresult = '''W''' ([[Grand Slam Cup#Women 3|1999]])', 28 => '| WTAChampionshipsresult = '''W''' ([[2001 WTA Tour Championships|2001]], [[2009 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2009]], [[2012 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2012]], [[2013 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2013]], [[2014 WTA Finals – Singles|2014]])', 29 => '| doublesrecord = {{tennis record|won=187|lost=33}}', 30 => '| doublestitles= 23 [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]], 0 [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]]', 31 => '| highestdoublesranking = [[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players#Doubles|No.{{nbsp}}'''1''']] (June 21, 2010)', 32 => '| currentdoublesranking = ', 33 => '| AustralianOpenDoublesresult = '''W''' ([[2001 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2001]], [[2003 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2003]], [[2009 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2009]], [[2010 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2010]])', 34 => '| FrenchOpenDoublesresult = '''W''' ([[1999 French Open – Women's Doubles|1999]], [[2010 French Open – Women's Doubles|2010]])', 35 => '| WimbledonDoublesresult = '''W''' ([[2000 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2000]], [[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2002]], [[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2008]], [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2009]], [[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2012]], [[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2016]])', 36 => '| USOpenDoublesresult = '''W''' ([[1999 US Open – Women's Doubles|1999]], [[2009 US Open – Women's Doubles|2009]])', 37 => '| OthertournamentsDoubles = yes', 38 => '| WTAChampionshipsDoublesresult = SF ([[2009 WTA Tour Championships|2009]])', 39 => '| Mixed = yes', 40 => '| mixedrecord = 27–4 (87.1%)', 41 => '| AustralianOpenMixedresult = F ([[1999 Australian Open – Mixed Doubles|1999]])', 42 => '| FrenchOpenMixedresult = F ([[1998 French Open – Mixed Doubles|1998]])', 43 => '| WimbledonMixedresult = '''W''' ([[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Mixed Doubles|1998]])', 44 => '| USOpenMixedresult = '''W''' ([[1998 US Open – Mixed Doubles|1998]])', 45 => '| Team = yes', 46 => '| FedCupresult = '''W''' ([[1999 Fed Cup|1999]]), record 16–1', 47 => '| HopmanCupresult = '''W''' ([[2003 Hopman Cup|2003]], [[2008 Hopman Cup|2008]])', 48 => '| updated = November 4, 2019', 49 => '| medaltemplates-expand = yes', 50 => '| medaltemplates = ', 51 => '{{MedalCountry | {{USA}}}}', 52 => '{{MedalCompetition|[[Tennis at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}', 53 => '{{MedalGold | [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney]] | [[Tennis at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles|Doubles]]}}', 54 => '{{MedalGold | [[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]] | [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles|Doubles]]}}', 55 => '{{MedalGold | [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]] | [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's singles|Singles]]}}', 56 => '{{MedalGold | 2012 London | [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles|Doubles]]}}', 57 => '}}', 58 => '', 59 => ''''Serena Jameka Williams''' (born September 26, 1981)<ref name="WTA profile" /> is an American professional tennis player and former world No. 1. She has won 23 [[Grand Slam (tennis)|major]] singles titles, most by any man or woman in the [[Open Era]]. The [[Women's Tennis Association]] (WTA) ranked her world No. 1 in singles on eight separate occasions between 2002 and 2017. She reached the No. 1 ranking for the first time on July 8, 2002. On her sixth occasion, she held the ranking for [[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players#Weeks at No. 1|186 consecutive weeks]], tying the record set by [[Steffi Graf]]. In total, she has been No. 1 for 319 weeks, which ranks [[Open Era tennis records – women's singles|third in the Open Era]] among female players behind Graf and [[Martina Navratilova]].', 60 => '', 61 => 'Williams holds the most [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles combined among active players. Her 39 Grand Slam titles put her joint-third on the all-time list and second in the Open Era: 23 in singles, 14 in women's doubles, and two in mixed doubles. She is the most recent female player to have held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously (2002–03 and 2014–15) and the third player to achieve this twice, after [[Rod Laver]] and Graf. She is also the most recent player to have won a Grand Slam title on each surface (hard, clay and grass) in one calendar year (2015). She is also, together with her older sister [[Venus Williams|Venus]], the most recent player to have held all four Grand Slam women's doubles titles simultaneously (2009–10).', 62 => '', 63 => 'Williams has won a record of 13 Grand Slam singles titles on [[hardcourt|hard court]]. Williams holds the Open Era record for most titles won at the [[Australian Open]] (7) and shares the Open Era record for most titles won at the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] with [[Chris Evert]] (6). She also holds the record for the most women's singles matches won at majors with 349 matches.', 64 => '', 65 => 'Williams has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, all with her sister Venus, and the pair are unbeaten in Grand Slam doubles finals.<ref>{{cite web |last=Neworth |first=Jack |url=http://www.10sballs.com/2012/09/10/almost-serene-serena-by-jack-neworth/ |title=Almost Serene Serena |website=10sballs.com |date=September 10, 2012 |accessdate=May 30, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508062539/http://www.10sballs.com/2012/09/10/almost-serene-serena-by-jack-neworth// |archivedate=May 8, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> As a team, she and Venus have the third most women's doubles Grand Slam titles, behind the 18 titles of [[Natasha Zvereva]] (14 with [[Gigi Fernández]]) and the record 20 titles won by Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver. Williams is also a five-time winner of the [[WTA Tour Championships]] in the singles division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/20120910/serena-liezel-lisa-andrea-lucie-qualify_2256076_2914805 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913042956/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/20120910/serena-liezel-lisa-andrea-lucie-qualify_2256076_2914805 |archivedate=September 13, 2012 |title=Serena, Liezel & Lisa, Andrea & Lucie Qualify |date=September 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |website=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |accessdate=June 18, 2013}}</ref> She has also won four [[Olympic medal|Olympic gold medals]], one in women's singles and three in women's doubles—an all-time record shared with her sister, Venus.<ref name="CBS-Olympic">{{cite news |date=August 5, 2012|title=Venus and Serena Williams win Olympic gold |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/venus-and-serena-williams-win-olympic-gold/|location= London, England|publisher= CBS News|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=April 24, 2017}}</ref> The arrival of the [[Williams sisters]] has been credited with ushering in a new era of power and athleticism on the women's professional tennis tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1350759-the-williams-sisters-and-the-rise-of-the-womens-power-game |title=The Williams Sisters and the Rise of the Women's Power Game |last=Allen |first=Ja |website=Bleacher Report |date=September 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/magazine/29Tennis-t.html |title=How Power Has Transformed Women's Tennis|last=Kimmelman |first=Michael|date=August 25, 2010|work=[[The New York Times]]|page=MM23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/sports/tennis/31williams.html|title=Williams Sisters Write Their Own Story|last=Crouse |first=Karen|date=August 30, 2009|page=F2|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennishead.net/news/on-tour/2011/12/15/girl-power-evolution-of-the-womens-game|title=Girl power: Evolution of the women's game|publisher=Advantage Publishing|date=December 15, 2011|publication-date=November 2011', 66 => '}}</ref> She is [[WTA Rankings#Current rankings|ranked]] at No. 10 in the world by the WTA as of November 4, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/rankings |title=WTA Rankings|publisher=Women's Tennis Association |accessdate=20 May 2019}}</ref>', 67 => '', 68 => 'Earning almost $29{{nbsp}}million in prize money and endorsements, Williams was the highest paid female athlete in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/mli45ffmff/1-serena-williams/|title=Serena Williams – In Photos: The World's Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2016|first=Kurt|last=Badenhausen|work=Forbes}}</ref> She repeated this feat in 2017 when she was the only woman on ''[[Forbes]]''{{'}} list of the 100 highest paid athletes with $27{{nbsp}}million in prize money and endorsements. She has won the 'Laureus Sportswoman of the Year' award four times (2003, 2010, 2016, 2018), and in December 2015, she was named [[Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year|Sportsperson of the Year]] by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite news | last=McCarvel | first=Nick | title=Serena Williams revels in Sports Illustrated cover limelight | work=USA Today | date=December 16, 2015 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/12/15/serena-williams-explains-idea-behind-sports-illustrated-cover/77391104/ | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505162455/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/12/15/serena-williams-explains-idea-behind-sports-illustrated-cover/77391104/ |archivedate=May 5, 2016|accessdate=December 17, 2015 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2019, she was ranked 63rd in ''Forbes''{{'}} World's Highest-Paid Athletes list.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/athletes/ |title=The World's Highest-Paid Athletes|magazine=Forbes |accessdate=June 13, 2019 |date=June 11, 2019 |first=Kurt |last=Badenhausen}}</ref>', 69 => '{{TOC limit|2}}', 70 => '', 71 => '==Early life==', 72 => 'Williams was born in [[Saginaw, Michigan]], to [[Oracene Price]] and [[Richard Williams (tennis coach)|Richard Williams]], and is the youngest of Price's five daughters: half-sisters [[Murder of Yetunde Price|Yetunde]], Lyndrea, and Isha Price, and full older sister [[Venus Williams|Venus]].<ref name="WTA profile" /> She also has at least seven paternal half-siblings.<ref name="Edmondson">{{cite book |last=Edmondson |first=Jacqueline |title=Venus and Serena Williams: A Biography |year=2005 |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]] |location=', 73 => '|isbn=978-0-313-33165-7 |page=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theroot.com/intimate-look-at-the-williams-sisters-1790896499|title=Intimate Look at the Williams Sisters|first=Hillary|last=Crosley|website=The Root}}</ref> When the children were young, the family moved to [[Compton, California]], where Williams started playing tennis at the age of four.<ref name="Serenabio">{{cite web|url=http://serenawilliams.com/about/ |title=About Serena – Serena Williams |website=SerenaWilliams.com |date=June 14, 2013 |accessdate=April 20, 2017 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107060752/http://serenawilliams.com/about/ |archivedate=November 7, 2016 |df=}}</ref>{{sfn|Morgan|2001|p=19}} Her father home schooled Serena and her sister, Venus.{{sfn||Morgan|2001|p=28}}<ref>{{cite web | url = http://sharebradenton.homestead.com/Famous.html |title = Successful & Famous People that were Homeschooled|date=April 22, 2009|accessdate=April 20, 2017|publisher=sharebradenton.homestead.com}}{{better source|date=April 2017}}<!-- this source is a personal website. Is there a more [[WP:RS]] out there? --></ref> While he and subsequently her mother have been the official coaches, other mentors who helped her learn the game included Richard Williams, a Compton man who shared her father's name and would go on to found The Venus and Serena Williams Tennis/Tutorial Academy.<ref name="Tennis Week, March 6, 2006">{{cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzRbETeZHav7MTI0YzZlYzItZGUwZi00OTE4LWE2NmItM2YwMmU5NTdlMWVm/view |title=Williams Tennis Academy Other Richard Williams Kent |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref>', 74 => '', 75 => '[[File:Venus and Serena 1993.jpg|thumb|right|Williams sisters at a [[Pam Shriver]] event in Baltimore, 1993]]', 76 => 'When Williams was nine, she and her family moved from Compton to [[West Palm Beach, Florida]],<ref name="Serenabio" /> so that she could attend the tennis academy of [[Rick Macci]]; Macci began to provide additional coaching. Macci did not always agree with Williams's father, but respected that "he treated his daughters like kids, allowed them to be little girls".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blackathlete.net/artman2/publish/Tennis_35/Venus_Serena_Reflect_As_They_Prepare_For_Fed_Cup_3202.shtml|title=Venus, Serena reflect as they prepare for Fed Cup|publisher=blackathlete.net |accessdate=April 22, 2009|first=Michelle |last=Kaufman |date=April 22, 2007}}</ref> Richard stopped sending his daughters to national junior tennis tournaments when Williams was 10, since he wanted them to go slowly and to focus on school work. Experiences of racism also drove this experience, as Richard Williams had heard white parents talk about the Williams sisters in a derogatory manner during tournaments.<ref name="Newsweek1998">{{cite news|url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/1012925/venus-serena-against-world |title=Venus And Serena Against The World |first=Marc |last=Peyser |first2=Allison |last2=Samuels |date=August 24, 1998 |work=Newsweek |accessdate=April 19, 2009}}</ref> At that time, Williams had a 46–3 record on the [[United States Tennis Association]] junior tour and was ranked number one among under-10 players in Florida.<ref name="EdmonsonsEarly">Edmonson, 2005, ''Venus and Serena Williams'', pp. 46–47.</ref> In 1995, when Williams was in the ninth grade, her father pulled his daughters out of Macci's academy and, from then on, took over all coaching at their home. When asked in 2000 whether having followed the normal path of playing regularly on the junior circuit would have been beneficial, Williams responded: "Everyone does different things. I think for Venus and I, we just attempted a different road, and it worked for us."<ref name="EdmonsonsEarly" />', 77 => '', 78 => '==Playing style==', 79 => 'Williams is primarily a [[Tennis strategy#Baseliner strategies|baseline player]], and her game is built around taking immediate control of rallies with her powerful and consistent serve,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/aus08/news/story?id=3207822 |title=Gimpy Jankovic swats away defending champion Williams|publisher=ESPN |last= Ford|first= Bonnie D.|date=January 22, 2008|accessdate=April 29, 2009}}</ref> return of serve, and forceful [[groundstroke]]s from both her [[forehand]] and [[backhand]] swings. Williams's forehand is considered to be among the most powerful shots in the women's game,<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. Open 2014: Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Sam Stosur Among Best Tennis Strokes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/25/sports/tennis/us-open-2014-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-and-agnieszka-radwanska-among-best-tennis-strokes.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 24, 2014|accessdate=July 29, 2015|issn=0362-4331|first=Christopher|last=Clarey}}</ref> as is her double-handed backhand. Williams strikes her backhand groundstroke using an open stance, and uses the same open stance for her forehand. Williams's aggressive play, a "high risk" style, is balanced in part by her serve, which most say is the greatest in women's tennis history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12739719/stars-serve-praise-serena-williams-biggest-weapon |title=20 For 20: Stars Serve Up Praise of Serena Williams' Biggest Weapon |publisher=ESPN |date=May 20, 2015 |accessdate=May 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/the-serve-returned |title=The Serve, Returned |work=The New Yorker|first=Reeves |last=Wiedeman |date=September 5, 2012 |accessdate=September 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis.com/gear/2011/04/gear-talk-qa-with-pam-shriver/38721/ |title=Gear Talk: Q&A With Pam Shriver |website=Tennis.com |date=April 7, 2011 |first=Richard |last=Pagliaro |accessdate=September 27, 2014}}</ref> She consistently projects great pace and placement with her serves; in the 2013 Australian Open, she had a peak serve speed of {{convert|128.6|mph|abbr=on}} which is the third fastest all-time among female players (only [[Venus Williams|Venus's]] 129{{nbsp}}mph<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/1978722/title/ids-serve-speed-leaders |title=IDS Serve Speed Leaders |date=November 3, 2015 |website=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |accessdate=April 25, 2017}}</ref> and [[Sabine Lisicki]]'s 131{{nbsp}}mph<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/30/sabine-lisicki-record-fastest-serve-women-tennis-stanford |title=Sabine Lisicki sets record for fastest serve in women's tennis – but loses |first=Marcin |last=Bryszak |work=The Guardian |date=July 30, 2014 |accessdate=August 13, 2014}}</ref> recorded speeds are faster). What makes her serve even more deadly is her ball placement and her ability to consistently place powerful shots with great accuracy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012-08-27/us-open-serena-williams-serve-is-best-shot-in-tennis/57336298/1 |title=Serena Williams serves up the best weapon in tennis |work=USA Today |first=Douglas |last=Robson |date=August 27, 2012 |accessdate=September 3, 2014}}</ref> At the 2012 Championships at Wimbledon, she hit a women's tournament record of 102 aces, which was more than any of the men hit during the two weeks, a rarity given that aces are more common in the men's game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennisnow.com/News/Reigning-Ace--Williams-Serves-up-a-Title-at-Wimble.aspx |title=Reigning Ace: Williams Serves up a Title at Wimbledon |publisher=Tennis Now |first=Chris |last=Oddo |date=July 7, 2012 |accessdate=June 16, 2013}}</ref> Williams also possesses a very solid and powerful overhead. Although many think of Williams as only an offensive player,{{who|date=April 2017}} she also plays a strong defensive game.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Wertheim |first=L. Jon |title=Not So Fast, Kiddo |journal=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date= September 15, 2008 |url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1145172/2/index.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708171211/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1145172/2/index.htm |archivedate=July 8, 2011 |accessdate=May 20, 2009 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/sports/olympics/serena-williams-beats-sharapova-for-olympic-gold-in-tennis.html |title=Williams Coasts to Gold, and a Career Golden Slam |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=August 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012/09/9/serena-williams-wins-fourth-us-open-crown/57720804/1 |title=Serena Williams wins fourth U.S. Open crown |last=Robson |first=Douglas |date=September 10, 2012 |newspaper=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> She has stated that her favorite surface is clay because it gives her extra time to set up her shots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/tennis/serena-declares-clay-her-favourite-surface/|title=Serena declares clay her 'favourite surface' |work=Sportsnet.ca|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref>', 80 => '', 81 => 'Williams is known for producing exceptional comebacks, particularly on the Grand Slam level. She has won three Grand Slam singles titles after saving match points (the 2003 Australian Open semifinal versus [[Kim Clijsters]], the 2005 Australian Open semifinal versus [[Maria Sharapova]], and the 2009 Wimbledon semifinal versus [[Elena Dementieva]]), a feat achieved more often than any other player in history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tennisplanet.me/blog/2012/06/grand-slam-champions-who-saved-match-points-from-2000-is-Djokovic-about-to-make-his-second-entry-her.html |title=Grand slam champions who saved match points (from 2000). |date=June 5, 2012 |work=Tennisplanet.me}}</ref> She also came back from a 3–5 deficit in the third set against [[Kim Clijsters]] in the 1999 US Open en route to her first Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1102987/bio|title=Serena Williams|website=IMDb|accessdate=August 8, 2017}}</ref> In the [[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|2012 US Open]] final against [[Victoria Azarenka]], she was down 3–5 in the third set and found herself two points away from losing the match. Williams then proceeded to win the next 4 games and defeated Azarenka.<ref>{{ cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/serena-williams-wins-2012-u-s-open-overpowers-1-victoria-azarenka-flushing-article-1.1155505 |title=Serena Williams wins 2012 U.S. Open championship to add to her amazing summer, overpowers No. 1 Victoria |last=Bondy |first= Filip |newspaper=Daily News|location=New York |date=September 10, 2012}}</ref> In the semifinals of the [[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|2015 French Open]], Williams was ill and barely able to walk during changeovers, yet beat her opponent, [[Timea Bacsinszky]], 6–0 in the third set.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ubha |first=Ravi |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/04/sport/french-open-tennis-serena-ivanovic-safarova/|title=French Open 2015: Serena Williams rallies to reach final|publisher=CNN|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> Another improbable win occurred in the third round of the [[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2015 Wimbledon Championships]], when she recovered from two breaks of service in the third set to defeat Great Britain's number-one female player, [[Heather Watson]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Perrotta |first=Tom |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/serena-williams-beats-back-heather-watson-to-advance-at-wimbledon-1435949099|title=Serena Williams Makes Tennis Miracles Look Easy|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=July 3, 2015}}</ref> Williams has bounced back from a set down to win in 37 Grand Slam matches.<ref>{{cite web|last=Isaacson |first=Melissa |url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13142903/how-serena-williams-mastered-art-comeback|title=How Serena Williams Has Mastered The Art Of The Comeback|work=espnW|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref>', 82 => '', 83 => 'In recent years,{{when|date=July 2019}} Williams has shown an ability to serve aces at critical moments. One of these instances was the [[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|2013 French Open]] final, were in the last game of the match, she fired three aces, including one which clocked at 123{{nbsp}}mph (198{{nbsp}}km/h) on match point.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/serena-williams-powers-to-her-16th-grand-slam-in-paris-29330611.html |title=Serena Williams powers to her 16th Grand Slam in Paris |last=Crooks |first=Eleanor |date=June 8, 2013 |work=The Irish Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/06/serena-williams-wins-roland-garros/47851/ |title=Serena Williams wins Roland Garros |work=[[Tennis (magazine)|Tennis.com]] |agency=Associated Press |date=June 8, 2013}}</ref> She repeated the feat similarly against [[Angelique Kerber]] in the finals of the [[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2016 Wimbledon Championships]]{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} to tie the Open Era record for Grand Slam singles titles.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Williams fired three un-returnable serves in her final service game{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} before winning the match and the title with a casual forehand volley on the next point.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 84 => '', 85 => '==Professional career==', 86 => '', 87 => '===1995–1998: Professional debut===', 88 => 'Williams's parents wanted their daughter to wait until she was 16 to participate in professional tournaments.<ref name=familytradition>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; A Family Tradition At Age 14 | work=The New York Times | date=October 31, 1995 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/31/sports/tennis-a-family-tradition-at-age-14.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> In 1995 just after turning 14, Williams planned to make her professional debut as a [[Wild card (sports)#Professional tennis|wild-card]] entry in the [[Bank of the West Classic]] in [[Oakland, California]], but was denied by the WTA due to age-eligibility restrictions of the organization.<ref name=Finn>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; Teen-Ager, Fighting To Turn Pro At 14, Puts Off Lawsuit For Now | work=The New York Times | date=October 6, 1995 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/06/sports/tennis-teen-ager-fighting-to-turn-pro-at-14-puts-off-lawsuit-for-now.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> She subsequently filed an antitrust lawsuit against the women's tour, but withdrew it at the behest of her parents.<ref name=Finn/> Her first professional event was in October 1995 at the [[Bell Challenge]] in [[Quebec]],<ref name=familytradition /><ref>{{cite news | title=Tennis Muster Stuns Sampras Indoors In Germany | work=The New York Times | date=October 29, 1995 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/29/sports/results-plus-859495.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> where she used a wild-card entry to circumvent age-eligibility rules.<ref name=familytradition /> She lost in the first round of qualifying to then 18-year-old American [[Annie Miller (tennis)|Annie Miller]], winning just two games.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|pp=114–115}}', 89 => '', 90 => 'Williams did not play a tournament in 1996.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} The following year, she lost in the qualifying rounds of three tournaments,{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} before winning her first main-draw match in November at the [[Ameritech Cup Chicago]].<ref name=youngerwilliams>{{cite news | title=Tennis: Roundup; Younger Williams Wins In Chicago | work=The New York Times | date=November 4, 1997 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/04/sports/tennis-roundup-younger-williams-wins-in-chicago.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> Ranked No. 304, she upset No. 7 [[Mary Pierce]], and No. 4 [[Monica Seles]],<ref>{{cite news | title=Serena Williams Upsets Pierce | work=The New York Times | date=November 7, 1997 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/07/sports/tennis-roundup.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref><ref name=tennisnyt>(November 8, 1997), "Tennis". ''The New York Times''. '''147''' (50970):C4</ref> recording her first career wins over top{{nbsp}}10 players and becoming the lowest-ranked player in the Open Era to defeat two top-10 opponents in one tournament.<ref name="WTA profile" /> She ultimately lost in the semifinals to No. 5 [[Lindsay Davenport]].<ref>{{cite web | author=The Associated Press | title=Tennis: Roundup – Ameritech Open; Serena Williams Loses In Semi | work=The New York Times | date=November 9, 1997 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/09/sports/tennis-roundup-ameritech-open-serena-williams-loses-in-semi.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> She finished 1997 ranked No. 99.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tennisabstract.com/reports/wtaRankings1999.html|title=Tennis Abstract: 1999 WTA Rankings|website=tennisabstract.com |accessdate=October 12, 2017}}</ref>', 91 => '', 92 => 'Williams began 1998 at the [[Medibank International Sydney]].<ref name=headtohead /> As a qualifier ranked No. 96,<ref name=stunsdavenport>{{cite news | agency=Associated Press | title=Plus: Tennis – Sydney International; Serena Williams Stuns Davenport | work=The New York Times | date=January 15, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/15/sports/plus-tennis-sydney-international-serena-williams-stuns-davenport.html | accessdate=June 22, 2017}}</ref> she defeated No. 3 Davenport in the quarterfinals,<ref name=stunsdavenport /> before losing to [[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]] in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite news | last=Stevenson | first=Samantha | title=Tennis; Williams Sisters Won't Meet in the Final | work=The New York Times | date=January 16, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/sports/tennis-williams-sisters-won-t-meet-in-the-final.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> Williams made her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament at the [[1998 Australian Open|Australian Open]],<ref>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; Australian Crucible: Blowflies, Heat and Teen-Agers | work=The New York Times | date=January 18, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/18/sports/tennis-australian-crucible-blowflies-heat-and-teen-agers.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> where she defeated sixth-seeded [[Irina Spîrlea]] in the first round,<ref name=Irina>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; In Williams vs. Williams, Big Sister Moves Ahead | work=The New York Times | date=January 21, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/21/sports/tennis-in-williams-vs-williams-big-sister-moves-ahead.html | accessdate=July 13, 2019}}</ref> before losing to her sister, Venus, in the second round in the first professional match for the sisters.<ref name=Irina/><ref name=headtohead>{{cite web |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/9027 |title=Head to Head – Serena Williams vs Venus Williams |website=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |accessdate=April 20, 2017 |date=April 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129022820/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/9027 |archivedate=January 29, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Williams reached six other quarterfinals during the year, but lost all of them,<ref name=Looney /> including her first match against No. 1-ranked [[Martina Hingis]] at the [[Lipton International Players Championships]] in Key Biscayne,<ref>Finn, Robin (March 25, 1998), "Hingis just escapes the clutches of the younger Williams". ''The New York Times''. '''147''' (51107):C4</ref> and her second match against Venus at the [[Rome Masters|Italian Open]] in Rome.<ref name=Looney>{{cite news | first=Douglas S. | last=Looney | title=Venus Rising | work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]] | date=May 22, 1998 | url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1998/0522/052298.feat.feat.2.html | accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> She failed to reach the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam tournament the remainder of the year,{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} losing in the fourth round of the French Open to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario,<ref>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; Emotions Hit the Heights In Bitter Day on the Clay | work=The New York Times | date=June 1, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/01/sports/tennis-emotions-hit-the-heights-in-bitter-day-on-the-clay.html | accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> and the third round of the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] to Spîrlea.<ref>{{cite news | last=Clarey | first=Christopher | title=Tennis: U.S. Open; One Year Later, Spirlea Defeats a Williams Sister | work=The New York Times | date=September 5, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/05/sports/tennis-us-open-one-year-later-spirlea-defeats-a-williams-sister.html | accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> She withdrew from [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] two games into a match with [[Virginia Ruano Pascual]], after straining her calf muscle during the first set.<ref>{{cite news | last=Finn | first=Robin | title=Tennis; Serena Williams Is Out; Henman Uplifts Locals | work=The New York Times | date=June 30, 1998 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/30/sports/tennis-serena-williams-is-out-henman-uplifts-locals.html | accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> She did win the mixed doubles titles at [[1998 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] and the [[1998 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] with [[Max Mirnyi]], completing the Williams family's sweep of the 1998 mixed doubles Grand Slam tournaments. Williams won her first professional title in doubles in Oklahoma City<!-- title needed instead of city --> with Venus, becoming the third pair of sisters to win a WTA title.<ref name="WTA profile" /> Serena and her sister won two more doubles titles together during the year. Williams finished the year ranked No. 20 in singles.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 93 => '', 94 => '====Battle of the sexes: Karsten Braasch vs. the Williams sisters====', 95 => '{{Main|Battle_of_the_Sexes_(tennis)#1998:_Karsten_Braasch_vs._the_Williams_sisters|l1=Battle of the Sexes (tennis)}}', 96 => '', 97 => 'A 16-year-old Serena competed in a tennis "Battle of the Sexes", along with her sister [[Venus Williams]], against [[Karsten Braasch]] at the 1998 Australian Open.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130413074213/http://www.ontennis.com/news/serena-williams-still-savouring-andy-roddick-%26%23039%3Bwin%26%23039%3B-16-years "Serena Williams still savouring Andy Roddick 'win' 16 years on"], OnTennis.com, posted January 22, 2009</ref> At the time Braasch was 203rd in the ATP rankings. The Williams sisters had claimed they could beat any man outside the top 200, and accepted his challenge. Braasch beat both Williams sisters, playing a single set against each. The score vs Serena was 6–1 and vs Venus 6–2.<ref>Steve Wilstein (January 27, 1998), [http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1998/Sister-Act-Falls-in-Battle-of-Sexes/id-5dc73280424bc3fe43f41dfaeb943f43 "Sister Act Falls In Battle Of Sexes"]. Associated Press. Retrieved April 29, 2017.</ref> Braasch said afterward, "500 and above, no chance." The sisters later tweaked the number to beating men outside the top 350.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/01/28/sport/WILLIAMS.HTM |title=Welcome to Dispatch Online |website=Daily Dispatch |date=November 12, 2010 |accessdate=March 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428044804/http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/01/28/sport/WILLIAMS.HTM |archivedate=April 28, 2009 |df=}}</ref>', 98 => '', 99 => '===1999–2001: Becoming a top-10 player===', 100 => 'Williams lost in the third round of the [[1999 Australian Open]] to [[Sandrine Testud]]. A month later, Williams won her first professional singles title when she defeated [[Amélie Mauresmo]] in the final of the [[Open Gaz de France]] in Paris. With Venus also winning the [[Cellular South Cup|IGA Superthrift Classic]] in Memphis, Tennessee that day, the pair became the first sisters to win professional tournaments in the same week.<ref>{{cite news |title = Continents Apart, Williams Sisters Make History |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/01/sports/tennis-continents-apart-williams-sisters-make-history.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=April 22, 2009 |date=March 1, 1999 |first=Sal A.|last=Zanca}}</ref> In March of that year, at the [[BNP Paribas Open|Evert Cup]] in California, Williams won her first [[Tier I]] title, defeating [[Steffi Graf]] in the final. Soon afterward at the [[Miami Masters]], Williams had her 16-match winning streak ended by her sister in the first all-sister singles final in WTA history,<ref name=headtohead /> and she then made her top-10 debut, at No. 9. She then lost in the quarterfinals of the [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Hingis beats one Williams, gets the other in semis|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1999/05/08/oth_260961.shtml#.WX_2S4g1-00|accessdate=August 1, 2017|agency=Associated Press|work=The Augusta Chronicle|date=May 8, 1999|location=Rome}}</ref> and the [[German Open (WTA)|German Open]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Finn|first1=Robin|title=Tennis: Roundup – German Open; Graf Is Eliminated; Williams Pulls Out|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/15/sports/tennis-roundup-german-open-graf-is-eliminated-williams-pulls-out.html|accessdate=August 1, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=May 15, 1999}}</ref> and the third round of the [[1999 French Open|French Open]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dillman|first1=Lisa|title=Fernandez's Big Upset Is Predictable|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1999/may/29/sports/sp-42257|accessdate=August 1, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 29, 1999|location=Paris}}</ref> where she and Venus won the women's doubles title.<ref name=headtohead /> Williams then missed [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] because of injury. When she returned to the tour, Williams won a [[Fed Cup]] singles match and then won the [[JPMorgan Chase Open]] in Los Angeles, beating [[Julie Halard-Decugis]] in the final. She then defeated in succession Grand Slam champions [[Kim Clijsters]], [[Conchita Martínez]], [[Monica Seles]], and defending champion Lindsay Davenport to reach the [[1999 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] final, where she defeated No. 1, Hingis, to become the second African-American woman, after [[Althea Gibson]] in 1958, to win a Grand Slam singles tournament.<ref Name ="WTA profile" /> The Williams sisters also won the doubles title at this tournament. To complete her 1999 season, Williams won a doubles match in the Fed Cup final against Russia. Williams ended the year ranked No. 4 in just her second full year on the main tour.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 101 => '', 102 => 'Williams started 2000 by losing in the fourth round of the [[2000 Australian Open|Australian Open]] to [[Elena Likhovtseva]]. She failed to defend her titles in Paris and Indian Wells, although she did win the [[Faber Grand Prix]] in Germany. Soon afterwards, Williams missed the [[2000 French Open|French Open]] because of injury. She returned from injury at the [[2000 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon Championships]], where she lost to Venus in the semifinals, but the pair won the doubles title at the event. Williams successfully defended her title in Los Angeles, defeating Davenport in the final. She reached the final of the [[Rogers Cup (tennis)|Du Maurier Open]] where an injury forced her to retire from her match with Hingis. Her defense of the [[2000 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] title ended when she lost in the quarterfinals to Davenport. Williams teamed with Venus to win the gold medal in doubles at the [[Sydney Olympics]] that September. She ended the year winning the [[Toyota Princess Cup]] in Japan and she finished the year ranked No. 6.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 103 => '', 104 => 'Williams began 2001 losing to Martina Hingis in the quarterfinals of the Medibank International in [[Medibank International|Sydney]] and the Australian Open in Melbourne. Williams and her sister won the doubles title at the latter tournament, becoming only the fifth doubles team in history to win all four Grand Slam women's doubles titles during their career, completing a "Career Grand Slam". Her next event was the [[Pacific Life Open]] in California, where she defeated Kim Clijsters in the final. The final was marred by the behavior of the crowd toward Williams and her family. Crowd members were incensed at the perceived match-fixing of games involving the family after [[Boycott of BNP Paribas Open by Venus and Serena Williams|Venus withdrew]] before their semifinal. Neither Williams nor her sister entered the tournament for fourteen years until Williams entered in 2015 as a wildcard (and the top seed).<ref>{{cite web| url=https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/Indian-Wells-boycott-hurts-Williamses-more-than-?urn=ten,149332 |title=Indian Wells boycott hurts Williamses more than it helps |last=Rogers |first=Martin |date=March 19, 2009 |work=Busted Racquet |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204050557/http://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/Indian-Wells-boycott-hurts-Williamses-more-than-?urn=ten%2C149332 |archivedate=February 4, 2015 |df=}}</ref> The following week at the [[Ericsson Open]] in Miami, Williams lost to [[Jennifer Capriati]] in the quarterfinals. She then lost in the quarterfinals to Capriati at both the [[2001 French Open|French Open]] and [[2001 Wimbledon|Wimbledon Championships]]. That was the fourth consecutive Grand Slam tournament at which Williams had exited in the quarterfinals. During the North American hard-court season, she lost in the quarterfinals of [[East West Bank Classic|Los Angeles]] against Monica Seles, then captured her second title of the year at the [[Rogers Cup (tennis)|Rogers Cup]], defeating Capriati in the final. Williams reached the final of the 2001 US Open, losing to sister Venus. That was the first Grand Slam tournament final contested by two sisters during the Open Era. At the 2001 season-ending [[WTA Tour Championships|Tour Championships]], Williams won the championship by walkover when Davenport withdrew before the start of the final due to a knee injury. Williams finished 2001 at No. 6 for the second straight year.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 105 => '', 106 => '===2002–2003: "Serena Slam"===', 107 => 'Early 2002, injury saw Williams retire from the semifinal at the [[Medibank International Sydney]] and later withdraw from the [[2002 Australian Open|Australian Open]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/14/sports/tennis-agassi-and-serena-williams-withdraw-in-australia-kuerten-is-beaten.html|title=Tennis; Agassi And Serena Williams Withdraw In Australia; Kuerten Is Beaten|last=Clarey|first=Christopher|date=January 14, 2002|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|accessdate=October 25, 2016}}</ref> [[File:SWilliams-SYD-1.jpg|thumb|right|<div style="text-align: center;">Playing Amélie Mauresmo in the quarterfinals of the tournament in Sydney in 2002</div>]]', 108 => '', 109 => 'Returning from injury, Williams won her first title of the year in [[State Farm Women's Tennis Classic|Scottsdale, Arizona]], defeating No. 2 Jennifer Capriati, in the final. She then won the Miami Masters for the first time, becoming one of three players in the Open Era to defeat the world's top 3 ranked players at one tournament,<ref name="WTA profile" /> after beating No. 3, Martina Hingis, in the quarterfinals, No. 2 Venus in the semifinals, and the top-ranked player, Capriati, in the final. Serena's straight set win over Venus was her second career win over her sister.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 110 => '', 111 => 'Williams played three clay-court tournaments before the [[2002 French Open]]. Her first tournament was at [[Family Circle Cup|Charleston]], where she was the third seed. Williams reached the quarterfinals before losing to [[Patty Schnyder]]. She reached her first clay-court final in May, at the [[WTA German Open|Eurocard German Open]] losing to [[Justine Henin]] in a third set tiebreak. Williams went on to win her first clay court title at the [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Italian Open]], defeating Capriati in the semifinals and Henin in the final.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/may/20/tennis1 |title=Hingis may be out to end of year |work=The Guardian |accessdate=April 23, 2009 |date=May 20, 2002 |first=Eleanor |last=Preston}}</ref> This raised her ranking to a new high of No. 3. Williams was the third seed at the French Open at Roland Garros, where she claimed her first title there by defeating defending champion Capriati in the semifinals and sister Venus in the final to win her second Grand Slam tournament title (and her first in two-and-a-half years). As a result of raising the trophy at [[Court Philippe Chatrier]], Williams rose to a career high of No. 2, second only to Venus.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 112 => '', 113 => 'At the [[2002 Wimbledon Championships]], Williams won tennis' oldest championship for the first time in her life, defeating Venus to win a Grand Slam singles title without dropping a set for the first time in her career. This victory earned Williams the world No. 1 ranking for the first time, dethroning her sister and becoming only the third African American woman to hold that ranking.<ref name="WTA profile" /> The Williams sisters also won the doubles title at the tournament, the fifth Grand Slam doubles title for the pair. Williams played just one tournament between Wimbledon and the [[2002 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], losing in the quarterfinals of the [[JPMorgan Chase Open]] in Los Angeles to American [[Chanda Rubin]] and ending a 21-match winning streak. The top-seeded player at the US Open, Williams reached the final where, for the third Grand Slam in a row, she defeated her sister to win the title, the second US Open crown of her career. Williams won two consecutive singles titles in the fall, defeating Kim Clijsters to win the [[Toyota Princess Cup]] in Tokyo, and [[Anastasia Myskina]] to win the [[Sparkassen Cup (tennis)|Sparkassen Cup]] in Leipzig, Germany. She reached the final at the year-end [[WTA Tour Championships|Home Depot Championships]] at the [[Staples Center]] in Los Angeles, where she lost to fifth-seeded Clijsters in straight sets, ending an 18-match winning streak.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 114 => '', 115 => 'Williams finished 2002 with a 56–5 W/L record, eight singles titles, and the No. 1 ranking. She was the first African-American to end a year with that ranking since [[Althea Gibson]] in 1958 {{citation needed|date=August 2015}} and was the first woman to win three Grand Slam tournament titles in one year since Hingis in 1997.<ref name="WTA profile" /> Her three consecutive Grand Slam titles to close 2002 also made Williams only the third player in tennis history to win the "Surface Slam",<ref>{{cite news |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1536384-forget-calendar-slam-surface-slam-almost-as-rare|title=Forget Calendar Slam, "Surface Slam" Almost as Rare |work=Bleacher Report|date=February 20, 2013|accessdate=July 15, 2015}}</ref> three Slam titles on three surfaces in the same calendar year, after Navratilova (1984) and Graf (1993, 1995, 1996).{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 116 => '', 117 => 'At the [[2003 Australian Open]], Williams reached the tournament's semifinals for the first time, where she recovered from 5–1 down in the third set and saved two match points before defeating Clijsters. In the final, Serena faced Venus for the fourth consecutive Grand Slam tournament final, defeating her older sister to become the sixth woman in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam, alongside [[Margaret Court]], [[Billie Jean King]], [[Chris Evert]], [[Martina Navratilova]], and [[Steffi Graf]]. She also became the fifth woman to hold all Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously, joining [[Maureen Connolly Brinker]], Court, Graf, and Navratilova. This feat was dubbed the "Serena Slam" by the press.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/australian_open/2003/2693425.stm|title=Serena completes Slam |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=January 25, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennischannel.com/news/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=5055 |title=Grand Slam for Serena Williams? |first=John |last=Leicester |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=Tennis Channel |accessdate=April 22, 2009 |date=February 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716210454/http://www.tennischannel.com/news/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=5055 |archivedate=July 16, 2011 |df=}}</ref> The [[Williams sisters]] won their sixth Grand Slam doubles title together at this event.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/australian_open/2003/2690067.stm|title=Williams pair take doubles crown |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=January 24, 2003}}</ref>', 118 => '', 119 => 'During the spring of 2003, Williams captured the singles titles at the [[Open Gaz de France]] and the [[Sony Ericsson Open]]. Williams's winning streak came to an end when she lost the final of the [[Family Circle Cup]] to Henin, her first loss of the year after 21 wins. She also lost to Mauresmo in the semifinals of the [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] in Rome. Despite these losses, Williams was the top seed at the [[2003 French Open – Women's Singles|French Open]], where she lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Henin, marking Williams's first loss in a Grand Slam tournament since 2001. The match was controversial, as Williams questioned Henin's sportsmanship, and spectators applauded Williams's errors.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/french_open_2003/2967190.stm|title=Williams 'hurt' by jeers |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=[[BBC Sport]]', 120 => '|date=June 6, 2003}}</ref> Williams rebounded from the French Open loss a couple weeks later at the [[2003 Wimbledon Championships]], defeating Henin in the semifinals and Venus in the final. This was Williams's second consecutive Wimbledon title and her sixth Grand Slam singles title overall. Wimbledon was Williams's last tournament of 2003; she pulled out of three events in the US and then underwent surgery on the quadriceps tendon in her knee in early August. Williams was initially expected to be out for six to eight weeks.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harris |first=Beth |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-08-01-serena-out-us-open_x.htm |agency=Associated Press |title=Serena Williams to miss U.S. Open after knee surgery |newspaper=USA Today |date=August 2, 2003 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910034041/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-08-01-serena-out-us-open_x.htm |archivedate=September 10, 2014 |df=}}</ref>', 121 => '', 122 => '===2004–2007: Injuries and the comeback===', 123 => '{{Main|2004 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2004|2005 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2005|2006 Serena Williams tennis season|l3=2006|2007 Serena Williams tennis season}}', 124 => '', 125 => 'After eight months away from the tour, during which time her desire was questioned,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/3563759.stm|title=Serena's biggest test|last=Fordyce|first=Tom|date=March 24, 2004|accessdate=April 20, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Williams began her comeback at the 2004 [[NASDAQ-100 Open]] in Miami in March, where she made a triumphant return as she won the title for the third consecutive year.[[File:Serena serving.jpg|thumb|<div style="text-align: center;">Delivering a serve at an exhibition in November 2004</div>]]', 126 => '', 127 => 'Although ranked No. 7, Williams was seeded second at the French Open, where, after winning four matches, she lost to Capriati in the quarterfinals. That was the first time that Williams had lost before the semifinals at a Grand Slam singles tournament since Wimbledon in 2001. A few weeks later, even though her ranking had dropped to No. 10, Williams was seeded first at [[2004 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]]. She won six matches en route to the final, where 13th-seeded Sharapova defeated her in straight sets. This loss caused her ranking to drop out of the top 10 for the first time since 1999. Later that summer, Williams reached her third final of the year at the JPMorgan Chase Open in Los Angeles where she lost to Lindsay Davenport which was her first loss to the American since the 2000 US Open. After missing her national championship in 2003, Williams returned for the 2004 [[2004 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], where she was seeded third despite her No. 11 ranking. She lost in the U.S. Open quarterfinals to Capriati in three sets in controversial fashion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/us_open/2004/09/07/capriati.serena.ap/index.html |title=High drama. Serena falls to Capriati amid controversy; Roddick continues to roll |agency=Associated Press |work=Sports Illustrated |date=September 7, 2004 |accessdate=May 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608075909/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/us_open/2004/09/07/capriati.serena.ap/index.html |archivedate=June 8, 2009 |df=}}</ref> That fall, Williams won her second title of the year, at the [[China Open (tennis)|China Open]], defeating US Open champion [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] in the final. Williams' successful season allowed her to qualify for the [[2004 WTA Tour Championships|Tour Championships]], held again in Los Angeles. In the round-robin phase of the tournament, Williams defeated Dementieva and [[Anastasia Myskina]] and lost to Davenport, but still advanced to the elimination stage. After winning her semifinal, she lost to Sharapova in the final, where she suffered an abdominal injury.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=November 16, 2004 |location=Los Angeles, California |accessdate =April 23, 2009|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6474040|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127000326/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6474040|archivedate=November 27, 2012|title=Sharapova tops injured Serena for WTA title|publisher=NBC Sports}}</ref> Williams finished 2004 ranked No. 7, but did not win a Grand Slam singles tournament for the first season since 2001.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 128 => '', 129 => 'At the [[2005 Australian Open]], Williams rejected suggestions that she and sister Venus were a declining force in tennis, following Venus's early exit.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4204449.stm|title=Angry Williams rejects criticism |work=BBC Sport|accessdate=May 30, 2017|date=January 25, 2005}}</ref> Williams saved three match points to defeat Sharapova 8–6 in the third of their semifinal. In the final, Williams defeated top seed Davenport to win her second Australian Open and seventh Grand Slam singles title, winning 12 of the last 15 games.<ref>{{cite news|url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4214545.stm|title=Williams battles to Aussie title |work=BBC Sport|date=January 29, 2005|accessdate=May 30, 2013}}</ref> The win moved Williams back to No. 2 but stated she was targeting the top spot.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4217997.stm |title= Williams eyes return to top spot |date=January 29, 2005 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate= April 20, 2017}}</ref>', 130 => '', 131 => 'Williams completed just two tournaments between the Australian Open and Wimbledon, losing to Venus in Miami and at Internazionali BNL d'Italia to [[Francesca Schiavone]] as Williams suffered a series of retirements and withdraws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2005-02-12/k.php |title=Serena Williams Pulls from WTA Paris with Stomach Illness |website=Tennis-X.com |date=February 12, 2005 |accessdate=January 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7884299.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905095603/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7884299.html |url-status=dead |archivedate=September 5, 2013 |title=Strained Tendon Forces Serena Out |website=Highbeam.com |date=March 5, 2005 |accessdate=January 27, 2011}}</ref> A reoccurring ankle injury causing her to miss the [[2005 French Open|French Open]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2005/may/21/sports/sp-french21 |title=Serena Pulls Out, Citing Ankle Injury |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 21, 2009 |accessdate=January 27, 2011 |first=Lisa |last=Dillman}}</ref> She returned for [[2005 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] as the 4th-seeded player, but was defeated in the third round by No. 85, [[Jill Craybas]]. At the [[2005 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Williams lost to her sister Venus in the fourth round. This was the earliest the sisters had met in a Grand Slam tournament since their first meeting, at the 1998 Australian Open. Williams played just one more match that fall, a loss to No. 127 [[Sun Tiantian]] at the [[China Open (tennis)|tournament in Beijing]]. She failed to qualify for the year-end championship for the first time since 1998 and she finished the year 2005 ranked No. 11, her first time finishing the season outside the top 10 since 1998.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 132 => '', 133 => 'Williams made her 2006 debut at the [[2006 Australian Open|Australian Open]]. Defending the title, Williams lost to [[Daniela Hantuchová]] in the third round.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4631036.stm|title=Hantuchova stuns champion Serena|date=January 20, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> After the tournament, she told the press that she was injured, blaming a lack of fitness and a knee injury for keeping her off the court.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4818448.stm |title=Injured Serena pulls out of Miami|date=March 17, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> In her biography, Williams claims that she was actually suffering from depression. She stayed away from pro tennis for six months during the 2006 season. After she had shut herself off from the world for a period, Williams saw a therapist daily.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=175–176}} After a chance meeting with a young girl who idolized Williams and believed that she could still win, Williams signed up to play in Cincinnati,{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=198–199}} her first tournament since Melbourne. Williams had slipped to No. 139, the lowest ranking she had held since 1997. On her return, Williams defeated Myskina and [[Bethanie Mattek]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5175132.stm |title=Serena scores big win on return |date=July 19, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5201908.stm |title=Serena comeback gathers momentum |date=July 21, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> before losing in the semifinals to [[Vera Zvonareva]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5207094.stm |title=Serena run comes to end in semis |date=July 23, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> She also reached the semifinals in Los Angeles, losing to Janković in straight sets. At the [[2006 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Williams needed a wildcard to enter the tournament, as her ranking at the cut-off time was No. 139, outside the automatic 102. Her ranking had improved to 79th by the time the tournament came around.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4801379.stm |title =Serena granted US Open wildcard |date=August 17, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> She lost to top-seeded Mauresmo in the fourth round.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5314730.stm |title=Mauresmo sees off tired Williams |date=September 5, 2006 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Following the US Open, she did not play again in 2006, ending the year ranked No. 95, her lowest year-end ranking since 1997.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 134 => '', 135 => 'Williams began 2007 with renewed confidence, stating her intention to return to the top of the rankings,<ref name="targets#1">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6236551.stm |title=Serena targets number one ranking |date=March 17, 2006 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate =April 23, 2009}}</ref> a comment 1987 Wimbledon men's singles champion and commentator [[Pat Cash]] branded "deluded".<ref name="cash">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1292868.ece|title=Williams is lost cause|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821180813/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1292868.ece|archivedate=August 21, 2008}}</ref>', 136 => '', 137 => 'Williams lost in the quarterfinals of the [[Moorilla Hobart International|Hobart International]], a warm-up for the [[2007 Australian Open|Australian Open]] where Williams was unseeded because of her No. 81 ranking and was widely regarded as "out of shape".<ref name="shape">Tandon, Kamakshi (January 14, 2008) [https://web.archive.org/web/20091026224342/http://www.tennis.com/tournaments/2008/australianopen/australianopen.aspx?id=110906 New Mindset: Serena Playing for Herself]. tennis.com</ref> She experienced a huge amount of pressure on herself before the tournament, coming from her fans and the press as well as Williams herself about her weight, focus and needing a good showing.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 138 => '', 139 => 'Shortly before her first match, a representative from Nike paid her a visit in the players' lounge, informing her that if she did not perform to her accustomed level, the company might drop her. Williams claimed that Nike's ultimatum meant that she would have to reach the quarterfinals at least.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=205–206}}', 140 => '', 141 => 'The distraction from Nike did not distract Williams, as she lost just three games to [[Mara Santangelo]] and defeated Anne Kremer in straight sets.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|p=206}} By this point, a blister had developed on Williams's foot and she had contracted a cold. In the third round, Williams found herself two points away from going home against [[Nadia Petrova]], but fought back to win in three sets, which was her first win over a top-10 player since defeating Lindsay Davenport in the 2005 Australian Open final. Williams then made it to the final, defeating Janković, Pe'er and Vaidišová. Williams described them as "good players. Strong players. Players who certainly didn't expect an overweight, out-of-shape, has been champion like me to give them a game."{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|pp=208–209}} Williams also found herself two points from going out against Peer before turning it around.<ref name="NY 2007 AUS" /> By the time Williams had reached the final, the cold and blister had both left. Previewing the finals, [[Tracy Austin]] stated that, although Williams had a great tournament, she believed that the ride was over and that Sharapova would have no trouble with Williams. Williams thought it was mean and unnecessary and used it as motivation along with other criticism.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|p=209}} In the final, Williams lost just three games against Maria Sharapova, winning her first title at any tournament since winning the 2005 Australian Open 24 months prior.<ref name="NY 2007 AUS">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/27/sports/27iht-web.0127tennis.4368100.html | title=Williams shocks Sharapova to win Australian Open|date=January 27, 2007 |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Williams became the first player since [[Chris O'Neil (tennis)|Chris O'Neil]] to win the title while not being seeded, and claimed her third Australian Open and eighth Grand Slam singles title overall. The win elevated Williams to 14th in the rankings. Williams dedicated the title to her deceased half-sister Yetunde.<ref name="ausopen07">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6299369.stm |title=Superb Williams wins Aussie title |work=BBC Sport|last=Newbery |first=Piers|accessdate=May 30, 2017 |date=January 27, 2007}}</ref> Her performance in the final was described in the press as "one of the best performances of her career" and "arguably the most powerful display ever seen in women's tennis".<ref name="shape" /><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6669051.stm "Resurgent Serena targets Paris"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913202752/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6669051.stm |accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=September 13, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> In her post match interview, Williams took a swipe at her critics, stating that she had proved them wrong.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6304837.stm|title=I proved critics wrong – Williams|date=January 27, 2007 |accessdate=May 30, 2017| work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Williams won the [[Sony Ericsson Open]] in Miami for the fourth time by defeating Justine Henin. Williams had to record a come-from-behind win after being whitewashed in the first set and saving two match points in the second.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6514957.stm "Serena takes title in epic final"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009030840/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6514957.stm |accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=October 9, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> She played for her country in the Fed Cup for the first time since 2003 in a tie against [[Belgium Fed Cup team|Belgium]], and won her opening match<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/9507-williams-sisters-give-us-lead |location=Florida |title=Williams sisters give US lead &#124; Tennis &#124; NDTVSports.com |website=Sports.ndtv.com |accessdate=May 30, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610181217/http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/9507-williams-sisters-give-us-lead |archivedate=June 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> but withdrew from her second, because of a knee injury.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/9596-teenage-sub-for-serena-seals-win |title=Teenage sub for Serena seals win |publisher=NDTV Sports |accessdate=May 30, 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610181215/http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/9596-teenage-sub-for-serena-seals-win |archivedate=June 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>', 142 => '', 143 => 'At the [[2007 French Open|French Open]], Williams lost in the quarterfinals to Henin.<ref name=activity /> During her fourth round match against Hantuchová at Wimbledon, Williams collapsed from an acute muscle spasm at 5–5 in the second set. After a medical timeout and holding serve to force a tiebreak, rain forced play to be suspended for nearly two hours. When the players returned, Williams won the match in three sets.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6262654.stm Injured Serena seals amazing win] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716094757/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6262654.stm |date=July 16, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> Williams then lost her quarterfinal match with Henin, whilst suffering from the injuries sustained in the previous round.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cheese |first=Caroline |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6270864.stm |title=Henin overcomes battling Serena |work=BBC Sport |date=July 4, 2007 |accessdate=May 30, 2013}}</ref> At the US Open, Williams lost her third consecutive Grand Slam singles quarterfinal to Henin.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/05/sports/tennis/05tennis.html| title = Henin Defeats Serena Williams Again| last = Robbins | first = Liz| date = September 5, 2007| work = The New York Times}}</ref> Williams reached the final of [[Kremlin Cup]], losing to [[Elena Dementieva]]. Williams qualified for the WTA Championships, but retired from her first match with [[Anna Chakvetadze]] with a knee injury and subsequently withdrew from the event.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/07/AR2007110702033.html| title = Serena Williams Hurts Knee in Madrid| date = November 7, 2007| agency = Associated Press| website= The Washington Post |accessdate=April 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/11/08/us-tennis-women-championships-williams-idUSL0857371820071108| title = Williams withdraws from Madrid through injury| agency = Reuters| date = November 8, 2007}}</ref> Williams finished 2007 as No. 7 and the top-ranked American for the first time since 2003.<ref name=activity />', 144 => '', 145 => '===2008–2010: Back to No. 1 and injuries===', 146 => '{{Main|2008 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2008|2009 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2009|2010 Serena Williams tennis season}}', 147 => '', 148 => 'Williams started 2008 by participating on the U.S. team that won the [[Hopman Cup]] with [[Mardy Fish]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7170304.stm USA beat Serbia to take Hopman Cup] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106100258/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7170304.stm |date=January 6, 2008}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> At the [[2008 Australian Open|Australian Open]] she lost in the quarterfinals to [[Jelena Janković]],<ref name=activity>[https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/230234/title/serena-Williams Serena Williams Playing Activity], [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]]. Retrieved August 19, 2008.{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> her fourth straight loss in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam singles tournament. In the women's doubles event, she and Venus were defeated in the quarterfinals. Williams withdrew from her next three scheduled tournaments because of an urgent need for dental surgery.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7279958.stm |title=Serena returns to action with win |work=BBC Sport |date=March 5, 2008 |accessdate=August 19, 2008}}</ref> Williams then won three consecutive singles titles at [[Bangalore Open|Bangalore]] and her fifth [[Sony Ericsson Open|Miami]] title, tying Steffi Graf for the most singles titles at this tournament.[[File:Serena Williams Australian Open 2009 5.jpg|thumb|<div style="text-align: center;">At the 2009 Australian Open</div>]]', 149 => '', 150 => 'Williams won at the [[Family Circle Cup]], her first clay-court title since the 2002 French Open. Her 17-match winning streak was ended by [[Dinara Safina]] in the quarterfinals of [[Qatar Telecom German Open|Berlin]].<ref name=activity /> Williams withdrew in [[2008 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome]] in the quarterfinals against [[Alizé Cornet]] due to a back injury. Williams was the only former winner of the [[2008 French Open|French Open]] in the draw, but lost in the third round to [[Katarina Srebotnik]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 151 => '', 152 => 'At [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], Williams reached the finals for the first time in four years but lost to her older sister Venus in straight sets, in their first Slam final since 2003. Serena and Venus teamed to win the women's doubles title in their first Grand Slam women's doubles title since 2003. Williams played at [[Bank of the West Classic|Stanford]], but retired 6–2, 3–1 down with a left knee injury from her semifinal match against qualifier [[Aleksandra Wozniak]]. The injury forced her to withdraw from [[East West Bank Classic|Los Angeles]]. At the [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics|Olympics]] in Beijing, Williams lost to Dementieva in the quarterfinals. Serena and Venus won the gold medal in doubles, beating [[Anabel Medina Garrigues]] and [[Virginia Ruano Pascual]] in the final. At the [[2008 US Open – Women's Singles|US Open]], Williams defeated sister Venus, Safina and Jelena Janković in the final. That was her third US Open and ninth Grand Slam singles title. The victory returned her to the No. 1 ranking for the first time since 2003.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://usopen.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/match-tracking-jelena-jankovic-vs-serena-williams/?hp |first=Thomas|last= Lin |title= Serena Williams Wins to Regain No.&nbsp;1 Ranking |work=The New York Times |date=September 7, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2009}}</ref> At the year-end championships she defeated Safina and lost to Venus in her round-robin matches, but withdrew from her match against Dementieva, citing a stomach muscle injury. She ended 2008 ranked No. 2 and with four singles titles, her strongest performance in both respects since 2003.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 153 => '', 154 => 'Williams began 2009 at the [[2009 Sydney International|Medibank International]] losing in the semifinals to [[Elena Dementieva]]. At the [[2009 Australian Open|Australian Open]], she claimed her tenth Grand Slam singles title by defeating [[Dinara Safina]] in the final in 59 minutes. This win returned her to the No. 1 ranking and resulted in her becoming the all-time career prize money leader in women's sports, overtaking golfer [[Annika Sörenstam]]. In women's doubles, with Venus, they captured the title for the third time.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 155 => '', 156 => 'At the [[2009 Open GDF Suez – Singles|Open GdF Suez]], Williams withdrew before her semifinal with Dementieva because of a knee injury.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Serena then played at [[2009 Dubai Tennis Championships – Women's Singles|Dubai]], losing to Venus in the last 4.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 157 => '', 158 => 'At the [[Sony Ericsson Open]] Williams, hampered with ankle and quad injuries, was upset in the final by [[Victoria Azarenka]]. This was the first of four consecutive losses for her, the longest losing streak of her career.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tandon |first=Kamakshi |title=Serena's protests lack teeth |publisher=ESPN |date=May 13, 2009 |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/columns/story?columnist=tandon_kamakshi&id=4161689 |accessdate=May 19, 2009}}</ref> She was defeated in her opening matches at [[Andalucia Tennis Experience|Barcelona]], [[Internazionali d'Italia|Rome]], and [[Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open|Madrid]]. Despite not having won a match on clay in 2009 before the French Open, she lost in the quarterfinals to the eventual champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. This ended her 18-match Grand Slam tournament winning streak. She rebounded at [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|Wimbledon]], saving a match point in defeating fourth seeded Dementieva in the semifinals. In the final, Serena defeated her sister Venus to win her third Wimbledon title and her 11th Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite news|last=Newbery |first=Piers |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8134542.stm |title=Serena shocked to stay number two |work=BBC Sport |date=July 4, 2009 |accessdate=January 27, 2011}}</ref> Serena and Venus teamed to win the women's doubles title at Wimbledon for the second consecutive year, their ninth Grand Slam title in women's doubles.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 159 => '', 160 => 'As a US Open preparation, Williams played at [[Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open|Cincinnati]] losing in the third round, followed by a semifinal defeat at the Rogers Cup. At the US Open, she lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Kim Clijsters amid [[#2009 US Open|controversy]] involving shouting at a line judge when defending match point, an offense which cost Williams the point and consequently the match. She continued in the doubles competition, teaming up with Venus to win their third Grand Slam doubles title of the year and tenth of their career.<ref name=lat2009 /> Williams won all three of her round-robin matches at the year-end [[2009 WTA Tour Championships|WTA Tour Championships]], defeating Venus, Dementieva, and Kuznetsova, saving a match point against Venus. She then advanced to the final, when Wozniacki retired from their semifinal match. In the final, Williams defeated Venus for her second singles title at this event.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8336793.stm|title=Serena ends Venus reign in Doha |date=November 1, 2009 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=May 30, 2017}}</ref> [[File:Melbourne Australian Open 2010 Serena Serve.jpg|thumb|left|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams on her way to the singles and doubles title at the 2010 Australian Open</div>]] Williams finished the year ranked No. 1 for the second time in her career, having played in 16 tournaments, more than any other year. She also broke the record previously set by Justine Henin for the most prize money earned by a female tennis player in one year, with Williams earning $6,545,586. For doubles that year, the Williams sisters finished the year ranked No. 2, despite playing only six tournaments together as a pair. Williams had won five Grand Slam tournament titles, putting her total of Grand Slam titles won thus far at 23, and she was consequently named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press for 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Williams wins AP's Female Athlete of the Year award |website=tennis.com |date=December 22, 2009 |url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2009/12/williams-wins-aps-female-athlete-of-the-year-award/19661/ |accessdate=December 24, 2009}}</ref> Williams was also the [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]] World Champion in both the singles and doubles events.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena ITF World Champion |publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |date=December 23, 2009 |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/serena-itf-world-champion-20091223_2256076_1912973 |accessdate=December 24, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904024154/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/serena-itf-world-champion-20091223_2256076_1912973 |archivedate=September 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>', 161 => '', 162 => 'In 2010, Williams's first scheduled tournament was in [[Medibank International Sydney|Sydney]], losing in the final to Elena Dementieva. At the [[2010 Australian Open|Australian Open]], Williams was the defending champion in both singles and doubles. She reached the final and defeated Justine Henin, who had just recently come out of retirement, for her twelfth Grand Slam singles title. In doubles, Williams and her sister, Venus, successfully defended their title by defeating [[Cara Black]] and [[Liezel Huber]] in the final.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 163 => '', 164 => 'Williams withdrew with a leg injury from her next few events,{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} and returned at the [[2010 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome Masters]], losing to Jelena Janković in the semifinals. At [[2010 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open|Madrid]], she fell to Nadia Petrova in the third round but partnered Venus to win the doubles title.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 165 => '', 166 => 'At the [[2010 French Open|French Open]], Williams was defeated by [[Samantha Stosur]] in the quarterfinals. She and Venus were the top seeds in the doubles event and won the title, defeating [[Květa Peschke]] and [[Katarina Srebotnik]] in the final to win their fourth consecutive Grand Slam doubles title and improving their doubles ranking to No. 1.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 167 => '', 168 => 'Williams's next tournament was Wimbledon, where she defeated Russian Vera Zvonareva in the final without facing a break point and breaking the serve of Zvonareva three times.<ref name=NYTIMESW10>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/sports/tennis/04wimbledon.html|title=A Booming Serena Williams Keeps Title|last=Bishop |first= Greg|date=July 3, 2010|work=The New York Times |accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref><ref name=TennisSW10>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2010/07/serena-routs-zvonareva-for-fourth-wimbledon-title/23255/|title=Serena routs Zvonareva for fourth Wimbledon title|agency=Associated Press|date=July 3, 2010|work=[[Tennis Magazine]]|accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref> She did not lose a set in the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/3/serena-williams-beats-vera-zvonareva-win-wimbledon/?page=all', 169 => '|title=Serena Williams beats Zvonareva to win Wimbledon |last=Wilson |first=Stephen |agency=Associated Press |date=July 3, 2010 |work=[[The Washington Times]] |accessdate=July 5, 2010}}</ref>', 170 => '', 171 => 'After the match, Martina Navratilova said that Williams is in the top five of all the women's tennis players in all of history, which she said that "it's not just about how many Slams you win or how many tournaments you win—it's just your game overall. And she's got all the goods."<ref name=TennisSW10 /> Serena was the defending champion in doubles with her sister Venus, winning the last two years. They lost in the quarterfinals to [[Elena Vesnina]] and Zvonareva. In Munich on July 7, Williams stepped on broken glass while in a restaurant, and the injury caused her to miss the rest of the year.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 172 => '', 173 => 'Williams ended the year ranked No. 4 in singles after six tournaments,{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} and No. 11 in doubles after four tournaments.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 174 => '', 175 => 'On March 2, 2011, she confirmed that she had suffered a [[hematoma]] and a [[pulmonary embolism]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/03/serena-williams-has-emergency-health-treatement/1 |title=Tennis star Serena Williams home after treatment for blood clot |last=Cherner |first=Reid |date=March 2, 2011 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.celebritydiagnosis.com/2011/03/serena-williams-undergoes-emergency-treatment-for-pulmonary-embolism/ |title=Serena Williams undergoes emergency treatment for pulmonary embolism |last=Berman |first=Michele |work=Celebrity Diagnosis |date=March 2, 2011|accessdate=January 5, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.celebritydiagnosis.com/2011/03/serena-williams-gives-more-details-about-recent-health-scare/ |last=Berman |first=Michele |title=Serena Williams gives more details about recent health scare |work=Celebrity Diagnosis |date=March 9, 2011 |accessdate=January 5, 2012}}</ref>', 176 => '', 177 => '===2011–2013: Return to dominance, career golden slam===', 178 => '{{Main|2011 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2011|2012 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2012|2013 Serena Williams tennis season}}', 179 => '', 180 => 'Williams finally made a return to the practice court in March 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/13057197 |title=Serena Williams returns to tennis court after lay-off |date =April 12, 2011 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> She made her first appearance on the WTA tour in almost a year in [[2011 Aegon International|Eastbourne]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/sports/tennis/serena-williams-plans-to-play-at-wimbledon.html |title=Serena Williams Plans to Play at Wimbledon |accessdate=June 6, 2011 |work=The New York Times |first=Christopher |last=Clarey |date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> Williams lost in round two to Vera Zvonareva, in a match that lasted over three hours.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/tennis/06/15/tennis.eastbourne.zvonareva.serena/index.html |title=Serena comeback ended by Zvonareva |date=June 15, 2011 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Her next tournament was [[2011 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], where she was the defending champion. She reached the round of 16, where she lost to [[Marion Bartoli]]. After the loss her ranking dropped to 169. Williams won her first titles since her return to tennis triumphing in [[2011 Bank of the West Classic|Stanford]] and [[2011 Rogers Cup|Toronto]]. At the [[2011 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]], Williams defeated [[Lucie Hradecká]], only to withdraw the next day, citing a right toe injury. She then played at the [[2011 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] going all the way to the final losing to Samantha Stosur, during a match which featured her [[#2011 US Open|verbally abusing the chair umpire]]. The US Open final turned out to be Williams's last match in 2011, and she ended the year ranked No. 12 with two titles and with a 22–3 record for the season. She only participated in six tournaments throughout the season.', 181 => '[[File:Serena Williams wins Gold cropped.jpg|thumb|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams won the singles gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games.</div>]]', 182 => '', 183 => 'Williams started the 2012 season at the [[2012 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]], however, during her match against [[Bojana Jovanovski]], she injured her left ankle when serving for the match. As a result, Williams was forced to withdraw from the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2012/01/serena-withdraws-from-brisbane-international |title=Serena withdraws from Brisbane International |work=Brisbane International |date=January 4, 2012 |accessdate=July 10, 2012}}</ref> Next she participated at the [[2012 Australian Open – Women's Singles|Australian Open]] where she was upset by [[Ekaterina Makarova]] in the fourth round. After a month layoff, Williams returned to competition in [[2012 Sony Ericsson Open|Miami]] losing in the quarterfinals to Caroline Wozniacki. Williams then won consecutive titles at [[2012 Family Circle Cup|Charleston]] and [[2012 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid]] beating [[Lucie Šafářová]] and Victoria Azarenka, but withdrew from her semifinal match against [[Li Na (tennis)|Li Na]] in [[2012 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome]] citing a lower back injury. Williams suffered her first ever loss in the opening round of a Grand Slam tournament at the French Open against [[Virginie Razzano]]. Williams notched up a 33–1 record for the second half of the season winning five titles in the process.<ref name="BBC 2012">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/20117316 |title=Serena Williams beats Sharapova in WTA Championships final |date=October 28, 2012 |accessdate=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Williams won her fifth [[2012 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] singles title, her fourteenth Grand Slam title;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon-2012/top-stories/Serena-Williams-beats-Radwanska-to-clinch-fifth-Wimbledon-title/articleshow/14738318.cms |title=Serena Williams beats Radwanska to clinch fifth Wimbledon title |date=July 8, 2012 |work=The Times of India |last=Hegde |first=Prajwal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/wimbledon12/story/_/id/8138336/wimbledon-2012-serena-williams-stretched-three-sets-wins-5th-title |title=Wimbledon 2012 – Serena Williams stretched to three sets, wins 5th title |agency=Associated Press |date=July 7, 2012 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> setting a serving record of 24 aces by a female in a match as well as having the most aces, male or female, during the tournament (102).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/158997.html |title=Serena books latest Wimbledon final appearance |publisher=ESPN |date=July 5, 2012 |accessdate=April 28, 2017}}</ref> Williams returned to America to successfully defend her title in [[2012 Bank of the West Classic|Stanford]] beating [[CoCo Vandeweghe]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012-07-15/serena-williams-wins-back-of-the-west-classic/56240708/1 |title=Serena Williams wins at Stanford in final Olympic tuneup |date=July 20, 2012 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=USA Today}}</ref><ref name="huffingtonpost.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/serena-williams-gold-medal-olympics-sharapova_n_1741297.html |title=Serena Williams Wins Gold Medal In Olympic Singles Tennis, Beats Maria Sharapova In Final |last=Wine |first=Steven |agency=Associated Press |date=August 4, 2012 |work=[[HuffPost]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917023255/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/serena-williams-gold-medal-olympics-sharapova_n_1741297.html |archivedate=September 17, 2012 |df=}}</ref> Williams then returned to Wimbledon to represent her country at the Olympic Games where she won gold, defeating Maria Sharapova in a dominating performance. Williams failed to drop more than three games per set en route to winning the medal.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com" /> Williams undefeated streak ended with a loss in Cincinnati to [[Angelique Kerber]]. In New York City, Williams went on to win her fourth [[2012 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] singles title and her 15th career Grand Slam title overall beating Azarenka in the final.<ref name="BBC 2012" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20120909/serena-williams-wins-us-open-victoria-azarenka/ |title=Serena tops Azarenka for fourth U.S. Open championship |agency=Associated Press |date=September 9, 2012|accessdate=September 10, 2012}}</ref> Williams ended the season by competing at the WTA Championships and went undefeated throughout the tournament to win the event for her third title.<ref name="BBC 2012" /> Williams was voted WTA Player of the Year for the fourth time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/20540525|title=Serena Williams wins WTA Tour Player of the Year award |accessdate=November 29, 2012 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Based on her brilliant show in 2012, Williams was also named [[International Tennis Federation]] World Champion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Novak-Djokovic-Serena-Williams-crowned-ITF-world-champions/articleshow/17572209.cms? |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20121212040808/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Novak-Djokovic-Serena-Williams-crowned-ITF-world-champions/articleshow/17572209.cms |archivedate=December 12, 2012 |title=Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams crowned ITF world champions |date=December 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=}}</ref> Williams also returned to doubles competitions with Venus; in the pair's first tournament since [[2010 Wimbledon Championships|2010 Wimbledon]], they claimed their fifth Wimbledon doubles title and the 13th grand slam doubles title.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bondy |first=Filip |date=July 8, 2012 |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-08/news/32591733_1_venus-williams-serena-and-venus-williams-sisters |title=Bondy: Williams sisters are kin-do at Wimby |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York |accessdate=August 4, 2012}}</ref> The pair successfully defended their Olympic doubles title which meant that they became the only tennis players to win four gold medals.<ref name="CBS-Olympic" />', 184 => '', 185 => 'Williams's first tournament of the 2013 season was in [[2013 Brisbane International|Brisbane]], where she won the title without dropping a set. Williams was upset in the quarterfinals of the [[2013 Australian Open|Australian Open]] by fellow American player [[Sloane Stephens]]. By virtue of defeating [[Petra Kvitová]] in Doha, Williams returned to the No. 1 position for the sixth time in her career and became the oldest woman in the Open Era to hold the ranking.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3077758/title/serena-to-return-to-no1-for-sixth-time |title=Serena To Return To No. 1 For Sixth Time |date=February 15, 2013 |publisher=WTA |accessdate=April 25, 2017}}</ref> Williams went on to lose to Victoria Azarenka in the final. In the Miami final, Williams lost a set to Maria Sharapova for the first time since 2008. This setback did not stop Williams who recorded her 70th come-from-behind win. The win made Williams a six-time champion in Miami breaking the record she held with Steffi Graf and became only the fourth woman in the Open Era to have won a tournament at least six times.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3126967/title/serena-conquers-sharapova-miami |title=Serena Conquers Sharapova & Miami |accessdate=April 25, 2017 |date=March 30, 2013 |publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]]}}</ref> Williams successfully defended her Charleston title, winning it for the third time overall.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3136277/title/serena-wins-49th-wta-title-in-charleston |title=Serena Wins 49th WTA Title In Charleston |date=April 6, 2013 |accessdate=April 25, 2017 |publisher=WTA}}</ref> Williams won her fiftieth career singles title in [[2013 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid]], defeating Sharapova in the final. Williams then played Rome, where she won the title without dropping a set, defeating Victoria Azarenka in the final to take her second title. Williams only dropped ten games in reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. There, she played Svetlana Kuznetsova and lost her first set of the tournament. In the semifinal Williams only lost one game when she defeated Sara Errani, something seven-time French Open champion Chris Evert described as the finest female performance on clay she had ever seen.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caple|first=Jim |date=June 7, 2013 |title=New Heights For Serena Williams|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/9352085/2013-french-open-serena-williams-looks-better-ever-heading-final-maria-sharapova |publisher=[[ESPN]] |accessdate=June 7, 2013}}</ref> Williams defeated Sharapova to claim her second Roland Garros title, her sixteenth grand slam tournament title overall. She became the fourth woman in the Open Era after Navratilova, Evert and Graf to win each Grand Slam tournament title on at least two occasions. At [[2013 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], she advanced easily to the fourth round before being upset by eventual finalist [[Sabine Lisicki]] in three sets. After Wimbledon, Williams won the Swedish Open by defeating [[Johanna Larsson (tennis)|Johanna Larsson]] in the final, the tournament win marked the first occasion that she had won an [[WTA International tournaments|International]] level title. By winning the tournament this meant that Williams had managed to be undefeated on clay during the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Wins 53rd WTA Title in Bastad|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3323512/title/serena-wins-53rd-wta-title-in-bastad |publisher=WTA |accessdate=July 21, 2013|date=July 20, 2013}}</ref>', 186 => '[[File:Serena Williams serves at the US Open (9665931630).jpg|thumb|left|300px|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams winning her fifth US Open title</div>]]', 187 => '', 188 => 'Williams won her 3rd Rogers Cup title in Toronto beating [[Sorana Cîrstea]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams wins Rogers Cup women's title|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/story/2013/08/11/sp-wta-tennis-rogers-cup-final.html|publisher=[[CBC News]]|accessdate=August 11, 2013|date=August 11, 2013}}</ref> Williams reached the final of the [[2013 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]] for the first time but lost to Azarenka.<ref>{{cite news|first=Steve |last=Keating |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/azarenka-beat-williams-cincinnati-title-231248255.html |title=Azarenka beats Williams for Cincinnati title |publisher=Yahoo! |date=August 18, 2013 |accessdate=September 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823010432/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/azarenka-beat-williams-cincinnati-title-231248255.html |archivedate=August 23, 2013 |df=}}</ref> At the [[2013 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Williams began as top seed and defending champion. She reached the final—rematch of the 2012 final against Azarenka—and won in three sets, capturing her 17th Grand Slam singles title.<ref name=usopen>{{cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Kevin|title=Serena Williams crowns 14-year reign with fifth US Open title|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/sep/09/serena-williams-victoria-azarenka-us-open-final1|website=The Guardian|date=September 9, 2013|accessdate=September 9, 2013}}</ref> Williams became the oldest US Open champion in the Open Era and pushed her career prize money past $50{{nbsp}}million.<ref name=usopen /> After the US Open, Williams beat Jelena Janković to win the China Open in Beijing for her 10th title of 2013.<ref>{{cite news | title=Serena Williams beats Jelena Jankovic to win China Open | work=BBC Sport | date=October 6, 2013 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/24420636 | accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>[https://sports.yahoo.com/news/serena-powers-past-jankovic-10th-title-2013-143744440--ten.html "Serena powers past Jankovic for 10th title in 2013"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305220750/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/serena-powers-past-jankovic-10th-title-2013-143744440--ten.html |date=March 5, 2016}}. Yahoo! Sports. October 6, 2013.</ref> Williams went through the WTA Championships undefeated winning the final against Li Na, to become the first person to defend the title since Justine Henin in 2007. Williams won her 11th title of 2013 becoming the 8th player to win 11 titles or more in a year and the first since Martina Hingis in 1997.<ref>Fuller, Russell (October 27, 2013), [https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/24694991 "Serena Williams beats Li Na to win WTA Championships"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419185211/http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/24694991 |date=April 19, 2014}}. BBC Sport. Retrieved April 19, 2014.</ref> Also, she became the oldest person to win the WTA Championships and 4th player to win it 4 times or more. By winning the championship, Williams became the first woman to win more than $10{{nbsp}}million in a season and with her total of $12,385,572, only [[Rafael Nadal]], in 2013, and [[Novak Djokovic]], in 2011, 2012 and 2013, have earned more money in one season.<ref>[http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3513171/title/serena-conquers-li-istanbul "Serena Conquers Li & Istanbul"]. WTA.</ref>', 189 => '', 190 => 'Williams finished as the year end No. 1 for the third time, becoming the oldest No. 1 player in WTA history.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 27, 2013|title=Serena Williams rallies in WTA final|url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/9888972/serena-williams-forced-rally-vs-li-na-final-wta-championships|location=Istanbul, Turkey|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=April 24, 2017}}</ref> She was also named the 2013 ITF World Champion, the fourth time that she has been given the World Champion's crown.<ref>(December 18, 2013), [http://www.itftennis.com/news/163361.aspx Williams and Djokovic named 2013 ITF World Champions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429215902/http://www.itftennis.com/news/163361.aspx |date=April 29, 2016}}. itftennis.com. Retrieved April 29, 2016.</ref> Williams received two prizes at the [[2013 ESPY Awards]]. Williams won Best Female Athlete and Best Female Tennis Player. Williams is just the fourth person to win Best Female Athlete on two occasions and she won Best Female Tennis player for a record sixth time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Wins Best Female Athlete ESPY|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3282995/title/serena-wins-best-female-athlete-espy |website =WTA |accessdate=July 19, 2013|date=July 18, 2013}}</ref> In late December 2013, Williams capped off her year by receiving the Associated Press 2013 Female Athlete of the Year award, her third AP award after 2002 and 2009. Only two women, Chris Evert and [[Babe Didrikson]], have been chosen more often as AP Athlete of the Year since the annual awards were first handed out in 1931.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fendrich |first=Howard |date=December 25, 2013 |title=Serena Williams Wins 3rd AP Athlete Of Year Award |url=http://dailydigest.com/18803/serena-williams-wins-3rd-ap-athlete-of-year-award/ |website=DailyDigest |agency=Associated Press |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228220845/http://dailydigest.com/18803/serena-williams-wins-3rd-ap-athlete-of-year-award/ |archivedate=December 28, 2013 |df=}}</ref>', 191 => '', 192 => '===2014–2015: Second 'Serena Slam'===', 193 => '{{Main|2014 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2014|2015 Serena Williams tennis season}}', 194 => 'Williams defended her title at the [[2014 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]] by defeating No. 2, Victoria Azarenka, in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Victoria Azarenka 6–4, 7–5 to win Brisbane International title|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/10550797/Serena-Williams-beats-Victoria-Azarenka-6-4-7-5-to-win-Brisbane-International-title.html|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> At the [[2014 Australian Open|Australian Open]] she ended up losing to former No. 1, Ana Ivanovic, in the fourth round. At [[2014 Dubai Tennis Championships|Dubai]], Williams lost her semifinal match to [[Alizé Cornet]] in straight sets. Williams next headed to the Miami Open where she won her record seventh title with a straight-sets victory over No. 2 [[Li Na]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams vs Li Na Final Miami 2014 Highlights |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMQzynsGhVg|via=YouTube|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> Williams lost to [[Jana Čepelová]] in the second round of the [[2014 Family Circle Cup|Family Circle Cup]]. She made it to the quarterfinals at the [[2014 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Open]] before withdrawing with a left thigh injury. Williams won her third title of the season at the [[2014 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome]]. She was then handed the worst loss of her Grand Slam tournament career by [[Garbiñe Muguruza]] at the second round of the [[2014 French Open|French Open]], who defeated Serena losing just four games in two sets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams's shocking loss is the worst of her legendary career|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/05/serena-williams-french-open-loss-worst|work = USA Today|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> [[Alizé Cornet]] defeated Williams for the second time in the year in the third round of [[2014 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], thus handing Williams her earliest Wimbledon exit since 2005. Serena was then forced to withdraw from the doubles event alongside sister Venus while trailing 0–3 in the second round. A disoriented Serena hit 4 consecutive doubles faults and was having trouble with both her ball toss and movement before being removed from what has been described as one of the most unusual scenes ever seen in tennis.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams in tears after illness ends doubles hopes |url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2014-07-01/serena_williams.html |publisher=The Championships, Wimbledon |accessdate=March 16, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503160856/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2014-07-01/serena_williams.html |archivedate=May 3, 2015 |df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Navratilova on Serena: 'It's not right'|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/11168116/espnw-martina-navratilova-critical-serena-williams-wimbledon-exit|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref>', 195 => '', 196 => 'Williams rebounded by winning 19 out of her next 20 matches (losing only to sister Venus in the semifinals of the [[2014 Rogers Cup|Rogers Cup]]). This streak include titles at the [[2014 Bank of the West Classic|Bank of the West Classic]] as well as her first [[2014 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]] title and her third consecutive and sixth overall [[2014 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] singles title which she won without having dropped a set.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams wins 18th Slam|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen14/story/_/id/11484243/2014-us-open-serena-williams-beats-caroline-wozniacki-win-3rd-straight|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=US Open: Serena Williams powers past Caroline Wozniacki for sixth title |first=Kevin |date=September 8, 2014 |last=Mitchell |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/07/serena-williams-caroline-wozniacki-us-open-2014-sixth-title|work = The Guardian|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> With this victory Williams tied Chris Evert for most singles titles won by a woman at the US Open in the Open Era. Williams also tied Evert and Navratilova's 18 Grand Slam singles titles won in the Open Era. By virtue of having won both the [[2014 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] and the [[2014 US Open Series|US Open Series]], Williams collected $4,000,000 – the biggest payday in tennis history. At the [[2014 Wuhan Open|Wuhan Open]] a viral illness forced her to retire while up a break in the first set against [[Alizé Cornet]]. Cornet thus became the first woman since Justine Henin in [[2007 WTA Tour|2007]] to record three victories over Williams in one year. At the [[2014 China Open (tennis)|China Open]] Williams retired prior to her quarterfinal match versus Samantha Stosur. At the [[2014 WTA Finals]] in Singapore Williams advanced to the final for the third consecutive year despite having equaled her career worst loss in her second round robin match versus [[Simona Halep]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/halep-routs-serena-williams-wta-finals-092843864.html |title=Halep routs Serena Williams at WTA Finals |work=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=October 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305025929/http://news.yahoo.com/halep-routs-serena-williams-wta-finals-092843864.html |archivedate=March 5, 2016 }}</ref> Williams won her fifth [[WTA Finals]] title by avenging her loss to Halep in the championship match for her seventh title of the year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams Punishes Simona Halep for Earlier Defeat at WTA Finals|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-punishes-simona-halep-for-earlier-defeat.html|work=The New York Times|first=Ben|last=Rotherberg|date=October 26, 2014|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> Williams finished the year ranked No. 1 for the fourth time in her career. She held the No. 1 ranking for the entire calendar year, a feat not accomplished since Steffi Graf in 1996. She was also voted WTA Player of the Year and ITF World Champion for a third consecutive year (sixth overall).{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 197 => '', 198 => 'Williams began the [[2015 WTA Tour|2015 season]] by representing the [[United States at the Hopman Cup|United States]] alongside [[John Isner]] at the [[2015 Hopman Cup|Hopman Cup]]. The American pair lost the final to the Poland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Poland defeat United States to lift Hopman Cup for first time|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/388281.html |publisher=ESPN|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=February 22, 2015}}</ref> At the [[2015 Australian Open|Australian Open]] Williams defeated Maria Sharapova for the 16th consecutive time to claim her 6th Australian Open singles title and 19th career Grand Slam singles title, winning the title on her third match point in the second set.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams Wins Australian Open With Coughs, Guts and Aces|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/sports/tennis/serena-williams-beats-maria-sharapova-in-australian-open-final.html|work=The New York Times|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova to win Australian Open – as it happened |first=Katy |last=Murrells |date=January 31, 2015|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/jan/31/serena-williams-v-maria-sharapova-australian-open-womens-final-live|work=The Guardian|accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=How Serena Williams won the shouting match and more in Australia|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12257852/how-serena-williams-won-shouting-match-more-australia|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams wins Australian Open, 19th Grand Slam title in champion form|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/01/31/serena-williams-beats-sharapova-wins-australian-open-title|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=February 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Australian Open 2015 Final – Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80ba6nJH1MQ|via=YouTube|accessdate=March 16, 2015}}</ref> With this victory Williams surpassed both, Evert and Navratilova, for [[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions|second most Grand Slam singles titles won]] in the Open Era. The title was also her sixth Grand Slam singles title since turning 30 years of age, three more than the next closest to do so (Margaret Court, Martina Navratilova with three each). She is the only player in history to win all four Grand Slams at least once after having turned 30. The following weekend, Serena and sister Venus traveled to Buenos Aires to face Argentina in a World Group II tie for [[Fed Cup]]. She played and won her only match against [[María Irigoyen]] to help Team USA to a 4–1 win over Argentina.<ref>{{cite news|title=Williams sisters see U.S. through in Fed Cup promotion bid|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/08/us-tennis-fed-argentina-idUSKBN0LC0XG20150208|agency=Reuters|accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Williams announced that she would be competing at the [[2015 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells Masters]] ending her 14-year boycott of the event.<ref name=NYT20150205>{{cite news|title=After a 14-Year Boycott, Serena Williams Plans to Play at Indian Wells|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/sports/tennis/serena-williams-will-play-indian-wells-ending-boycott.html |first=Christopher |last=Clarey |date=February 4, 2015|work=The New York Times |accessdate=March 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams ends Indian Wells boycott, 14 years after racist incident|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/02/serena-williams-end-indian-wells-boycott-14-years-after-racist-incident|first=Chris|last=Chase|work=USA Today|date=February 4, 2015|accessdate=February 27, 2015}}</ref> Upon her return Williams received a standing ovation from the crowd and won her first match in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams received standing ovation, fought tears and won while ending 14-year boycott at Indian Wells|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/serena-williams-return-indian-wells-score-2001-racism|work=USA Today|accessdate=March 16, 2015|date=March 14, 2015}}</ref> She reached the semifinals, where she was due to face No. 3, [[Simona Halep]], for a place in the final, but was forced to withdraw because of a knee injury. By virtue of having defeated Sabine Lisicki in the quarterfinals of the [[2015 Miami Open|Miami Open]], Williams became only the eighth woman in the Open Era to record 700 match wins in her career.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Press Association|title=Serena Williams beats Sabine Lisicki in Miami to seal 700th career win|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/02/serena-williams-sabine-lisicki-700th-career-win|website=The Guardian|date=April 2, 2015|accessdate=April 4, 2015}}</ref> This also made her one of only three active players to have won 700 or more matches in singles, others being [[Roger Federer]] and [[Rafael Nadal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/slideshow/12597799/tennis-exclusive-700-club |title=Tennis' Exclusive 700 Club |publisher=ESPN |date=July 16, 2013 |accessdate=April 15, 2015}}</ref> In the semifinals she won against Halep to advance to her tenth final at the event<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Outlasts Halep In Miami Classic|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4610499/title/serena-outlasts-halep-in-miami-classic|publisher=WTA |date=April 1, 2015|accessdate=April 4, 2015}}</ref> where she won a record eighth title and extended her winning streak to 21 by beating [[Carla Suárez Navarro]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Serena Wins Miami Title No. 8 |url= http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4614412/title/super-serena-wins-miami-title-no8 |publisher=WTA |accessdate=April 5, 2015|date= April 4, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= As Serena Williams Ascends, Grand Slam Buzz Grows |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/sports/tennis/as-serena-williams-ascends-grand-slam-buzz-grows.html |work = The New York Times|accessdate=April 5, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams wins eighth Miami Open |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/04/04/serena-williams-wins-eighth-miami-open/ |work=[[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=April 5, 2015}}</ref>', 199 => '[[File:Serena Williams Won Roland Garros in 2015.JPG|thumb|left|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams celebrating her third French Open title</div>]]', 200 => 'As preparation for the clay court season (and to ensure her eligibility for the 2016 Summer Olympics), Williams travelled to [[Brindisi, Italy]], to face Italy's team for a place in the [[Fed Cup]]'s World Group. Williams lost the decisive doubles match alongside [[Alison Riske]] to Sara Errani and Flavia Pennetta, and as a result the [[United States Fed Cup team|United States team]] were relegated to World Group II. It was Williams's first loss in the Fed Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Italy beats United States 3–2 in Fed Cup World Group playoff |place=Brindisi, Italy |url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12721344/italy-edges-united-states-serena-williams-fed-cup-playoff |publisher=ESPN |accessdate= April 22, 2015|date=April 19, 2015 }}</ref> She maintained her perfect record in singles by defeating [[Camila Giorgi]] and Errani. The week of April 20 marked Williams's 114th consecutive week ranked No. 1, the third-longest run in WTA history, behind Steffi Graf's 186 weeks and Navratilova's 156.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} Williams suffered her first defeat of the season in the semifinals of the [[2015 Mutua Madrid Open|Mutua Madrid Open]] to No. 4, Petra Kvitová.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams' win streak, Madrid run come to an end |url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12845988/tennis-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-barely-put-fights-madrid-losses |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=May 9, 2015|date=May 8, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams' perfect season ended |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/05/serena-williams-loss-madrid-petra-kvitova-win-grand-slam-french-open-rome |work=USA Today |accessdate=May 9, 2015|date=May 8, 2015 }}</ref> This loss ended a 27-match winning streak for Williams as well as a 50-match winning streak at [[WTA Premier tournaments|Premier-Mandatory events]], and also a 19-match winning streak at the particular event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kvitova Stuns Serena in Madrid|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4701085/title/kvitova-stuns-serena-in-madrid |publisher=WTA |accessdate=May 9, 2015|date=May 8, 2015 }}</ref> Williams played one match at the 2015 [[2015 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] before withdrawing from the tournament with an elbow injury.<ref>{{cite news |title=Serena Williams pulls out of Italian Open with elbow injury |year=2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/32741356 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=May 17, 2015}}</ref>', 201 => '', 202 => 'By virtue of having defeated Victoria Azarenka in the third round of the [[2015 French Open|French Open]], Williams became the first woman in the Open Era to win 50 matches at all four of the Grand Slams.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena: 50 Wins at Every Grand Slam |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4755478/title/serena-50-wins-at-every-grand-slam |website=WTA |accessdate=June 1, 2015|date=May 30, 2015 }}</ref> Williams then defeated [[Sloane Stephens]] to reach her 40th Grand Slam singles quarterfinal.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams survives Sloane Stephens test to reach French Open quarter-final |url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/581476/Serena-Williams-Sloane-Stephens-French-Open-quarter-final |publisher=Express |accessdate=June 2, 2015|date=June 2015 }}</ref> Williams won her next match easily, but had to come back from a set down in the semifinals versus [[Timea Bacsinszky]] for the fourth time in five matches to reach the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sick with flu, Serena Williams pulls it together to make French Open final |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/06/04/serena-williams-timea-bacsinszky-french-open/28473645/ |work=USA Today |accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=French Open: Serena Williams reaches final despite illness |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/33016288 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref> She would go on to defeat [[Lucie Šafářová]] from the [[Czech Republic]] in three sets to win her third French Open and 20th Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams beats Lucie Safarova at French Open to win 20th grand slam |first=Simon |last=Cambers |date=June 6, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/06/serena-williams-safarova-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title|work=The Guardian |accessdate=June 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Serena Williams Wins French Open for Her 20th Grand Slam Title |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/tennis/serena-williams-wins-french-open-for-her-20th-grand-slam-title.html |work=The New York Times |accessdate=June 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams wins French Open for 20th Grand Slam title |url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/french15/story/_/id/13023322/serena-williams-wins-2015-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title|publisher=ESPN |date=June 6, 2015 |accessdate=June 6, 2015}}</ref>', 203 => '', 204 => 'The win made Williams only the third person in history to win each Grand Slam at least three times, joining Margaret Court and Steffi Graf. She is the first player to win three straight Grand Slams since she did it herself during the Serena Slam. She also became the first player to win the Australian-French Open double since Jennifer Capriati in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Battles To Milestone 20th Major |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4773153/title/serena-battles-to-milestone-20th-major |publisher=WTA |date=June 5, 2015|accessdate=June 6, 2015}}</ref>', 205 => '', 206 => 'Williams completed her second "Serena Slam" (winning all four Grand Slams in a row) by winning the [[2015 Wimbledon Championships]] – her 6th Wimbledon and 21st [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] singles title overall.<ref>{{cite news|first=Tom |last=Perrotta|date=July 11, 2015|title=Serena Williams Wins Sixth Wimbledon Championship|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/serena-williams-wins-sixth-wimbledon-championship-1436626560|website=The Wall Street Journal|accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Garbine Muguruza to win her 6th Wimbledon title|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3157230/Serena-Williams-takes-21-year-old-Garbine-Muguraza-Wimbledon-Ladies-Final-star-studded-crowd.html|work=Daily Mail|accessdate=July 12, 2015|date=July 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Beats Garbiñe Muguruza In Straight Sets To Win Wimbledon|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/11/serena-williams-wimbledon_n_7775932.html|work=HuffPost|accessdate=July 12, 2015|date=July 11, 2015}}</ref> Her path to victory at Wimbledon was particularly challenging. She was down a double break in the third round versus [[Heather Watson]] and two points from defeat twice before rallying for the win<ref>{{cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Courtney |date=July 3, 2015 |title=Serena avoids upset against Watson to set up clash with sister Venus|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/07/03/wimbledon-2015-serena-williams-defeats-heather-watson |website=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref> and becoming the first player to qualify for the [[2015 WTA Finals|WTA Finals]]<ref>{{cite news |date=July 6, 2015 |title=Serena becomes first player to qualify for WTA Finals |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-3150819/Serena-Williams-player-qualify-WTA-Finals-edging-Heather-Watson-Wimbledon-thriller.html |work=Daily Mail |accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref> (the earliest that a player had qualified since the event switched to the round-robin format in 2003). Williams then defeated three [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|former No. 1 players]]–Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova—in succession to advance to the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Incredible Record Against Top Players Adding to Serena Williams' Historic Run|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2518904-incredible-record-against-top-players-adding-to-serena-williams-historic-run|website=Bleacher Report|accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref> Awaiting her there was 21-year-old Garbiñe Muguruza, who had previously handed Williams the worst Grand Slam tournament defeat of her career at the 2014 French Open.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams shocked by Garbine Muguruza in French Open second round|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2014/05/28/serena-williams-loses-to-garbine-muguruza-french-open-round-two|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref> Williams defeated Muguruza in a tight two-setter.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 207 => '', 208 => 'The victory made Williams the oldest woman in the Open Era to win a grand slam singles title, in addition to having the distinction of being the oldest ladies' grand slam singles champion of all time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Serena Wins Wimbledon & Serena Slam 2|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4856959/title/serena-wins-wimbledon-serena-slam-2 |publisher=WTA |accessdate=July 12, 2015|date=July 12, 2015 }}</ref> It also was her eighth consecutive victory in Grand Slam singles finals appearances, [[Steffi Graf career statistics|breaking Steffi Graf's Open Era record of seven]] from 1995 through 1999 and, on the men's side, [[Pete Sampras career statistics|tying Pete Sampras's Open Era record of eight]] from 1995 through 2000. Her 21st Grand Slam singles titles equaled the tally of the rest of the women's tour, combined.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/13/stats-show-serena-williams-is-better-than-every-other-tennis-player-combined-5293619/|title=Stats show Serena Williams is as good as every other tennis player combined|website=Metro|location=UK|accessdate=July 15, 2015|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref> The week of July 13 marked the first time in WTA history that the No. 1 player had more than twice as many points as No. 2.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|title=Historic Ranking Milestone For Serena|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4863665/title/historic-ranking-milestone-for-serena|publisher=WTA |accessdate=July 16, 2015|date=July 14, 2015}}</ref> Following her win at Wimbledon, Williams was awarded her 7th [[ESPY Award|ESPY]] for [[Best Female Tennis Player ESPY Award|Best Female Tennis Player]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewrap.com/espy-awards-winners-2015-complete-list/|title=ESPYS Awards Winners: The Complete List|website=TheWrap|accessdate=August 18, 2015|date=July 16, 2015}}</ref>', 209 => '', 210 => 'Williams played one match at the [[2015 Swedish Open|Swedish Open]] in [[Båstad]] before withdrawing with an elbow injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Elbow injury forces Serena out of Swedish Open|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/elbow-injury-forces-serena-williams-out-of-swedish-open-20150716-giebr4.html|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=July 19, 2015|date=July 16, 2015}}</ref> She was the defending champion at the [[2015 Bank of the West Classic|Bank of the West Classic]] but withdrew from the tournament in order for her elbow to get better.<ref>{{cite web|title=World No. 1 Serena Williams withdraws from Bank of West with hurt elbow|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/07/31/serena-williams-withdraws--bank--west--hurt-elbow/30955719/|website=USA Today|accessdate=August 3, 2015}}</ref> Williams had her 19 match winning streak ended by 18-year-old Swiss [[Belinda Bencic]], the No. 20, in three tight sets in the semifinals of the [[2015 Rogers Cup|Canadian Open]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams battles from third-set hole but falls short in Rogers Cup|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13446751/serena-williams-upset-18-year-old-belinda-bencic-rogers-cup-semifinals|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=August 16, 2015|date=August 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams falls in Toronto semifinals|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/08/15/ap-ten-toronto#|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=August 16, 2015}}</ref> It was her second defeat of the year and first on hard courts since the 2014 WTA Finals. The next week Williams defended her title at the [[2015 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]] with a straight sets victory over No. 3 Simona Halep for her 69th WTA title, breaking a tie with [[Evonne Goolagong]] for standalone fifth-most WTA titles won.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams wins Cincinnati tournament for second time|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13495801/serena-williams-defeats-simona-halep-win-cincinnati-title|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=August 24, 2015|date=August 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Edges Halep & Wins Cincinnati|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4953555/title/serena-edges-halep-wins-cincinnati|publisher=WTA |accessdate=August 24, 2015|date=August 23, 2015}}</ref> Williams's attempt at capturing the "Grand Slam" (winning all four Grand Slams in a calendar year) came to an end in the semifinals of the [[2015 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], where she lost to Roberta Vinci in three sets.<ref>{{cite news|title=Roberta Vinci Ends Serena Williams's Grand Slam Bid at U.S. Open|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/12/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-ends-serena-williamss-grand-slam-run-at-us-open.html|work=The New York Times|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Roberta Vinci upsets Serena Williams at the U.S. Open |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-upsets-serena-williams-at-the-us-open/2015/09/11/c5fdc6ca-5884-11e5-8bb1-b488d231bba2_story.html |first=Jacob |last=Feldman |date=September 11, 2015|website=The Washington Post |accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams' grand slam dream ended by Roberta Vinci's shock win |first=Kevin |last=Mitchell |date=September 11, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/11/serena-williams-grand-slam-ended-roberta-vinci|work=The Guardian|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref> The loss has been described by some as one of the biggest upsets in tennis history.<ref>{{cite web|title=No indication Vinci would stop Serena's Slam streak|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen15/story/_/id/13633288/tennis-roberta-vinci-shatters-serena-dreams-monumental-upset|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=13 reasons Serena Williams' loss to Roberta Vinci was the biggest upset in tennis history|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/09/13-reasons-serena-williams-loss-was-the-biggest-upset-in-tennis-history-roberta-vinci-us-open-grand-slam|work=USA Today|date=September 11, 2015|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Why Serena's loss is one of the biggest upsets in sports history|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/serenas-loss-one-biggest-upsets-sports-history/|first=Chris |last=Chase |publisher=PBS NewsHour|accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref> Nonetheless, Williams secured the year-end No. 1 ranking with her results at the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Clinches Year-End world No. 1|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4995291/title/serena-clinches-year-end-world-no1|publisher=WTA |accessdate=September 25, 2015}}</ref> On October 1, Williams called an end to her season, stating that she had been injured for most of the year and wanted to address her fitness issues.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Ends 2015 Season, Withdraws from China Open and WTA Finals|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2574337-serena-williams-ends-2015-season-withdraws-from-china-open-and-wta-finals|work=Bleacher Report|accessdate=October 13, 2015}}</ref> Prior to the announcement, coach [[Patrick Mouratoglou]] hinted that Williams might not play again in 2015 due to a lack of motivation and disappointment following her loss at the [[2015 US Open (tennis)|Open]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Disappointed Serena Williams may not play again in 2015, says coach |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/29/disappointed-serena-williams-may-not-play-again-in-2015-says-coach|work=The Guardian|accessdate=October 13, 2015}}</ref> On October 5, Williams surpassed Chris Evert for [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|third-most weeks ranked world No. 1]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Stays On Top Of WTA Rankings And Moves Third On All Time List|url=https://www.beinsports.com/us/tennis/news/serena-williams-stays-on-top-of-wta-rankings-/109739|publisher=beIN SPORTS|accessdate=October 13, 2015}}</ref> Williams held the No. 1 ranking the entire season for the second consecutive year, finishing there for the fifth time in her career. She was voted [[WTA Awards|WTA Player of the Year]] for the seventh time in her career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams: WTA Player Of The Year|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5194460/title/serena-williams-wta-player-of-the-year|publisher=WTA |accessdate=December 9, 2015}}</ref> On December 14, [[Sports Illustrated]] announced Williams as their [[Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year|Sportsperson of the Year]].<ref name=SISPOTY2015>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams is SI's Sportsperson of the Year|url=https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2015/12/14/serena-williams-si-sportsperson-year|website=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=December 14, 2015}}</ref> She thus became the third solo woman, and first since 1983, to receive the award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why it matters that Serena Williams is on the cover of Sports Illustrated|url=https://www.vox.com/2015/12/14/10131368/serena-williams-sports-illustrated|publisher= Vox|accessdate=December 27, 2015}}</ref> Williams was also named [[ITF World Champions|ITF World Champion]] for the sixth time in her career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams: ITF World Champion|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5226383/title/serena-williams-itf-world-champion|publisher=WTA |accessdate=December 22, 2015}}</ref> Soon after, it was announced that she was voted [[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|Female Athlete of the Year]] by the [[Associated Press]] for the fourth time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams wins fourth AP female athlete of the year title|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/serena-williams-wins-fourth-ap-female-athlete-of-the-year-title/article27939491/|work=The Globe and Mail|accessdate=December 26, 2015}}</ref>', 211 => '', 212 => '===2016: Open Era Grand Slam record===', 213 => '{{BLP sources section|date=July 2016}}', 214 => '{{Main|2016 Serena Williams tennis season}}', 215 => 'Williams withdrew from the [[2016 Hopman Cup|Hopman Cup]] after retiring from her singles match against [[Australia at the Hopman Cup|Australia Gold]] with inflammation of her left knee.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams withdraws from Hopman Cup with knee injury|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/06/serena-williams-withdraws-hopman-cup-knee-injury|work=The Guardian |agency=Press Association |date=January 6, 2016 |accessdate=January 14, 2016}}</ref> Her next tournament was the [[2016 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she was the No. 1 seed and defending champion. She reached the final without dropping a set, including wins over No. 5, Maria Sharapova, and No. 4, Agnieszka Radwańska, and faced first time Grand Slam finalist [[Angelique Kerber]]. She was considered the heavy favorite to win the title, as she had never lost an Australian Open final or semifinal. She also dominated the head-to-head against Kerber, having lost only once in six meetings and having not lost a set to her in four years. Williams lost the final in three sets and Kerber won her first Grand Slam title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/30/serena-williams-angelque-kerber-australian-open-final-tennis|title=Angelique Kerber stuns Serena Williams to clinch Australian Open title|last=Mitchell|first=Kevin|date=January 30, 2016|website=the Guardian|accessdate=June 4, 2018}}</ref> This marked Williams's first-ever loss in the final of the Australian Open, as well as her first three-set loss in the final of a Grand Slam.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/sports/angelique-kerber-upsets-serena-williams-to-win-australian-open.html|title=Angelique Kerber Upsets Serena Williams to Win Australian Open|date=January 30, 2016|work=The New York Times|accessdate=June 4, 2018|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> She had previously been 6–0 and 8–0 respectively.', 216 => '[[File:Williams S. WM16 (20) (28339693721).jpg|thumb|Serena at the 2016 Wimbledon, winning her 22nd Grand Slam title]]', 217 => 'The week of February 15 marked Williams's 157th consecutive week ranked No. 1, passing Navratilova's mark of 156 to have the second-longest run in WTA history behind Steffi Graf's 186. She competed in [[2016 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]] as the No. 1 seed. She reached her first final here since winning in 2001 and before boycotting the event, by defeating Simona Halep in the quarterfinals and Agnieszka Radwańska in the semifinals. She did not drop a set en route to the final. Williams was upset by No. 13 seed Victoria Azarenka, whom she had defeated the last five times the pair had met, in straight sets. This marked the first time since 2004 where Williams lost two consecutive finals. She next played the [[2016 Miami Open|Miami Open]] as the defending champion. She lost in the fourth round to Svetlana Kuznetsova. This marked her first loss here since 2012 and ended her 20 match winning streak in Miami. This was also her earliest exit here since 2000, where she lost in the same round. During the clay court swing, Williams withdrew from Madrid but entered Rome. She beat [[Anna-Lena Friedsam]] and [[Christina McHale]] to progress to the quarterfinals where she defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova to avenge her loss in Miami. She then went on to beat [[Irina-Camelia Begu]] and [[Madison Keys]] to win her 70th career WTA title and to win her first title of the year. This was her third Rome title in four years and fourth overall.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 218 => '', 219 => 'At the [[2016 French Open|French Open]], Williams dropped only one set en route to the final. She defeated [[Yulia Putintseva]] in the quarterfinals despite being five points away from losing. She then beat surprise semifinalist [[Kiki Bertens]] to reach her fourth French Open final where she faced Garbiñe Muguruza in a repeat of last year's Wimbledon final where Williams was victorious. The result was not the same as that Wimbledon final as Williams lost to Muguruza in straight sets. With this loss, Williams had lost two consecutive Grand Slam finals for the first time in her career. On top of failing to equal Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, Williams also completed the Career Grand Slam runner-up set with this loss.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 220 => '', 221 => 'At [[2016 Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], Williams only lost one set en route to the final where she faced Angelique Kerber in a rematch of their Australian Open final earlier in the year. This time, Williams defeated Kerber in straight sets to finally equal Steffi Graf's record of 22 Grand Slams in the Open Era. That was Williams's first Grand Slam title of the year, as well as her 71st career WTA title overall. In what was a brilliant serving performance, Williams only faced one break point in the whole match against Kerber which she saved with an ace. Later that day, Williams partnered with sister Venus to win their sixth Wimbledon doubles title and 14th doubles Grand Slam title overall, keeping their perfect record at Grand Slam doubles finals intact. On July 24, 2016, Williams withdrew from [[2016 Rogers Cup|Rogers Cup]] citing a shoulder inflammation injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12040/10511583/serena-williams-withdraws-from-rogers-cup-in-montreal|title=Serena Williams withdraws from the Rogers Cup in Montreal|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=July 24, 2016|accessdate=August 24, 2016}}</ref> She next participated in the [[2016 Summer Olympics|Olympics]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]], where she was the defending gold medalist in both singles and doubles and was the heavy favourite to retain those titles. Partnering with her sister Venus in the doubles, they suffered a shock exit in the first round, losing to the Czech duo of Lucie Šafářová and Barbora Strýcová, which ended their career record of 15–0 dating back to the [[Tennis at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Women's doubles|2000 Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/37006469|title=Rio Olympics 2016: Serena & Venus Williams lose in doubles |work=BBC Sport|date=August 8, 2016|accessdate=August 24, 2016}}</ref> In singles, after defeating [[Daria Gavrilova]] and [[Alizé Cornet]] in the first two rounds, Williams faced Ukraine's [[Elina Svitolina]] in the third round in what was a rematch of this year's French Open fourth round, but lost to the Ukrainian, bringing an end to her Olympics campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/serena-williams-loses-singles-round-three-out-rio-olympics|title=Serena Williams loses in singles round three, out of Rio Olympics|publisher=NBC Sports|first=Alan |last=Levinsohn |date=August 10, 2016|accessdate=August 24, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811131031/http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/serena-williams-loses-singles-round-three-out-rio-olympics|archivedate=August 11, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Days after the Olympics, Williams took a late wildcard for the [[2016 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]], where she was the defending champion, but then decided to withdraw due to concerns from the same shoulder injury/inflammation from earlier in the summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016/08/shoulder-injury-forces-serena-williams-out-of-tourney/59966/|title=After practice session, Serena Williams withdraws from Cincinnati with shoulder injury|website=Tennis.com|date=August 16, 2016|accessdate=August 24, 2016}}</ref>', 222 => '', 223 => 'The week of September 5, 2016, marked Williams's 186th consecutive week ranked No. 1, equalling Steffi Graf's record for longest run in WTA history. In the semifinals of the US Open, Williams lost to [[Karolína Plíšková]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/us-open-women/2016/serena-williams-v-karolina-pliskova-us-open-live_sto5835691/story.shtml|title=Serena Williams suffers shock US Open semifinal defeat to Karolina Pliskova|date=September 9, 2016|work=Eurosport|accessdate=June 4, 2018}}</ref> Having won the US Open, Angelique Kerber became the No. 1, ending Williams's No. 1 streak. Williams also pulled out of the WTA Finals due to a shoulder injury.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 224 => '', 225 => '===2017: Australian Open victory and pregnancy===', 226 => '{{Main|2017 Serena Williams tennis season}}', 227 => '', 228 => 'Williams started her 2017 season by participating in the [[WTA Auckland Open]] for the first time in her career. She defeated [[Pauline Parmentier]] to win her first match since the US Open. In the second round, she lost to [[Madison Brengle]]. At the Australian Open, she beat former and present top 10 players [[Belinda Bencic]], Lucie Šafářová, [[Johanna Konta]] among others to reach her 8th Australian Open final. On January 28, 2017, she won the Australian Open for an Open Era record seventh time, defeating her sister, Venus.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Serena-Williams|title=Serena Williams {{!}} Biography, Titles, & Facts|work=Encyclopædia Britannica|accessdate=August 8, 2017}}</ref> It was her 23rd Grand Slam singles title, surpassing Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22. It was the first time in the Open Era that two players aged 35 or older had competed in the final of a Grand Slam tournament. The win ensured her return to the No. 1 ranking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/01/27/2017-australian-open-watch-live-stream-online-finals-full-schedule-ao-venus-serena-williams.html|title=How to Watch the 2017 Australian Open Finals|last=Warshaw|first=Amelia|date=January 27, 2017|website=The Daily Beast|accessdate=January 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38781553|title=Australian Open 2017: Serena Williams beats Venus Williams to set Grand Slam record|date=January 28, 2017|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=January 28, 2017}}</ref> Williams subsequently withdrew from the [[2017 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]] and [[2017 Miami Open|Miami]] Opens, citing a knee injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Withdraws from BNP Paribas Open|url=http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/en/media-and-news/news/2017/03/07/serena-williams-withdraws-from-bnp-paribas-open|publisher=BNP Paribas Open|accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref>', 229 => '', 230 => 'On April 19, 2017, Williams revealed that she was 20 weeks pregnant and would miss the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams planning 2018 return after confirming pregnancy|url=http://sport.bt.com/tennis/serena-williams-planning-2018-return-after-confirming-pregnancy-S11364174403855|publisher=BT Sport|accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref> The timing of her announcement led to the conclusion that she would have been roughly eight to nine weeks pregnant when she won the Australian Open.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams: How can you win a Grand Slam while pregnant?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39653317 |work=BBC Sport|accessdate=April 20, 2017}}</ref> In interviews, she maintained that she intended to return to tennis after her pregnancy,<ref name="voguesept17" /> saying that she had an "outrageous plan" of competing in the 2018 Australian Open.<ref name="voguesept17" />', 231 => '', 232 => 'On September 1, 2017, Williams gave birth to a daughter named Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/09/13/serena_williams_revealed_her_daughter_s_name_and_her_first_photo.html|title=Serena Williams Revealed Her Daughter's Name and Shared the Baby's First Photo|last=Olmstead|first=Molly|date=September 13, 2017|work=Slate|accessdate=September 14, 2017|issn=1091-2339}}</ref> She had a cesarean-section delivery due to a [[pulmonary embolism]] during labor.<ref name="Rubenstein">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/parents/serena-williams-emergency-c-section-postpartum-problems/|title=Serena Williams Recalls Being 'Devastated' By Emergency C-Section and Postpartum Problems|work=People|first=Janine|last=Rubenstein|date=April 26, 2018|accessdate=February 1, 2019}}</ref> She suffered another pulmonary embolism after giving birth, leaving her bedridden for six weeks and delaying her return to training.<ref name="vogue.com">{{cite web|last1=Haskell|first1=Rob|title=Serena Williams on Motherhood, Marriage, and Making Her Comeback|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/serena-williams-vogue-cover-interview-february-2018|website=Vogue|accessdate=January 17, 2018}}</ref>', 233 => '', 234 => 'On December 30, 2017, Williams played her first match since giving birth, an exhibition match at the [[World Tennis Championship]] in [[Abu Dhabi]], losing to reigning French Open champion [[Jeļena Ostapenko]].', 235 => '', 236 => '=== 2018: Return to tennis, Wimbledon and US Open runner up ===', 237 => 'On January 5, 2018, Williams withdrew from the upcoming Australian Open, citing a lack of sufficient preparation in the wake of her pregnancy.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Spits|first1=Scott|title=Australian Open 2018: Serena Williams to miss but vowing to return to Melbourne|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2018-serena-williams-wont-compete-20180105-h0dv52.html|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=January 17, 2018}}</ref> In February, after overcoming her pregnancy-induced health problems, she returned to the tennis court with her sister. The pair lost to Lesley Kerkhove and Demi Schuurs (Netherlands) in the Fed Cup's first round on February 11.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://jezebel.com/serena-williams-made-her-return-to-competitive-tennis-t-1822914914|title=Serena Williams Made Her Return to Competitive Tennis This Weekend|last=Fishbein|first=Rebecca|work=Jezebel|accessdate=February 12, 2018}}</ref> Despite saying she was 100% ready to come back to tennis, Williams suffered back to back early exits at Indian Wells and Miami, losing in the third round at Indian Wells to her sister Venus and the first round at Miami to 2018 Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 238 => '', 239 => '[[File:Williams S. RG18 (17) (41168711240).jpg|thumb|left|<div style="text-align: center;">Williams at the 2018 French Open</div>]]', 240 => 'Williams made her return to Grand Slam tennis at the [[2018 French Open]], playing singles as well as doubles with her sister Venus. In the first round, she defeated [[Kristýna Plíšková]] in two tight sets before defeating 17th seed [[Ashleigh Barty]] in the second round. Then, she defeated 11th seed [[Julia Görges]] to set up a fourth-round match against 28th seed [[Maria Sharapova]], whom she had beaten 18 consecutive times since 2004. Williams withdrew due to an injury to her [[Pectoralis major muscle|pectoral]] muscle sustained in a third-round match in doubles where she and Venus were defeated by [[Andreja Klepač]] and [[María José Martínez Sánchez]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/04/sport/french-open-serena-sharapova-nadal-tennis/index.html|title=Serena Williams pulls out of French Open due to injury|last=CNN|first=Ravi Ubha|work=CNN|accessdate=June 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jun/04/serena-williams-withdraws-french-open-injury-sharapova|title=Serena Williams withdraws from French Open clash with Maria Sharapova|last=Mitchell|first=Kevin|date=June 4, 2018|website=the Guardian|accessdate=June 4, 2018}}</ref>', 241 => '', 242 => 'In July, Williams entered the [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon Championships]] and was controversially seeded #25. With a world ranking at the time of 181,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/230234/title/serena-williams|title=Serena Williams|last=|first=|date=July 10, 2018|website=WTA Tennis|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref> many felt that the decision showed bias and favored Williams unduly.<ref name=surprise>{{cite web |title=Serena Willams reveals 'surprise' at Wimbledon seeding |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/01/serena-willams-reveals-surprise-wimbledon-seeding/ |website=The Telegraph |accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref> Others argued that the [[All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club|All England Club]], who do not base their seedings on players' current world rankings – as other grand slam tournaments do{{nbsp}}– had sensibly taken Williams' excellent historic record at the tournament into account. Williams herself said: "I was pleasantly surprised. I came in here expecting that maybe I wouldn't get a seed."<ref name=surprise /> Her seeding meant that [[Dominika Cibulková]] lost her place as a seeded player.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 243 => '', 244 => 'By the second week of the tournament, for the first time in grand slam history, none of the top ten seeded female players had made it to the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/07/wimbledon-2018-seeds-exodus-questions|title=Federer and Serena Williams remain but exodus of seeds raises questions|last=|first=|date=July 10, 2018|website=The Guardian|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref> On her own way to the quarterfinals, Williams had beaten [[Arantxa Rus]] of Holland in round one, [[Viktoriya Tomova]] of Bulgaria in round 2, [[Kristina Mladenovic]] of France in round 3 and [[Evgeniya Rodina]] of Russia in round 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/draws/index.html?event=LS|title=The Ladies' Singles Draw|last=|first=|date=July 10, 2018|website=The Championships, Wimbledon 2018 – Official Site by IBM|accessdate=July 10, 2018}}</ref> She had not yet lost a set in any of her matches to that point. Williams then beat Italian [[Camila Giorgi]] in the quarterfinals after yielding one set, and became the lowest ranked player to ever reach the Wimbledon semifinals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oxley |first1=Sonia |title=Serena Williams into Wimbledon semifinals with win over Camila Giorgi |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/44783078 |accessdate=July 11, 2018 |agency=BBC}}</ref> She met 13th seed [[Julia Görges]] of Germany in the semifinal and beat her comfortably in two sets to reach her tenth Wimbledon final, and her first since giving birth. She lost in the final in straight sets to [[Angelique Kerber]] of Germany in a rematch of the 2016 Wimbledon final.', 245 => '', 246 => 'Following her Wimbledon finals run, Williams entered the [[2018 Silicon Valley Classic]], her first appearance in a US Open series tournament since 2015. She recorded her most lopsided loss in her career to [[Johanna Konta]] in the first round, winning just a single game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/01/tennis/serena-williams-johanna-konta-silicon-valley-classic-spt-intl/index.html|title=Serena Williams suffers worst defeat of her career|publisher=CNN|accessdate=August 1, 2018}}</ref> Williams later revealed in an interview with [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] that she checked [[Instagram]] ten minutes prior to the match starting, and found out that the man who had [[Murder of Yetunde Price|fatally shot]] her half-sister, Yetunde, in 2003 was released on parole earlier in the year. She said in the interview, "I couldn't shake it out of my mind."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://time.com/5368858/serena-williams-comeback/|title=Serena Williams Opens Up About Her Complicated Comeback, Motherhood And Making Time to Be Selfish|website=Time|accessdate=August 17, 2018}}</ref> She then withdrew from Toronto, citing personal reasons, which were later revealed to be [[post-natal depression]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 247 => '', 248 => 'Williams' next tournament was the [[2018 Western & Southern Open – Women's Singles|Cincinnati Masters]]. She beat [[Daria Gavrilova]] of Australia in straight sets in the first round, but lost to [[Petra Kvitova]] in the second round in a three-set match that lasted over two hours.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} Her next tournament was the 2018 US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York, where she was seeded 17th, although ranked 26th in the WTA ranking at the time seeds were determined. She defeated [[Magda Linette]] in the first round, [[Carina Witthöft]] in the second round, her sister and 16th seed Venus in the third round, [[Kaia Kanepi]] in the fourth round, and 8th seed [[Karolína Plíšková]] in the quarterfinals. The match against Plíšková was a rematch of the 2016 US Open semifinal, which Plíšková had won. This was Williams' first win against a player in the top 10 (at the time of the match) since her return from pregnancy. Williams won her semifinal match against 19th seed [[Anastasija Sevastova]] of Latvia, winning a spot in the [[2018 US Open – Women's Singles final|women's singles final]] against [[Naomi Osaka]] of Japan which she lost in straight sets. Williams was warned for illegal coaching, penalized a point for breaking her racket, and then penalized a game for verbal abuse of the chair umpire.', 249 => '', 250 => '===2019: Return to the top 10, injuries, Wimbledon and US Open runner-up===', 251 => '[[File:Murraywilliams 2019.jpg|thumb|260px|Williams and [[Andy Murray]] have joined up for the mixed doubles at Wimbledon 2019]]', 252 => 'Williams started her 2019 season at the [[2019 Australian Open|Australian Open]], having not made an appearance at the tournament since winning the 2017 edition. Seeded 16th, she defeated [[Tatjana Maria]], [[Eugenie Bouchard]], and [[Dayana Yastremska]] in the first three rounds, before defeating top seed and world number one [[Simona Halep]] in the fourth. In the quarterfinals, she met 7th seed [[Karolína Plíšková]]. Plíšková won the first set and lead in the second, but Williams took control of the match, winning the second and rapidly taking a huge lead in the third. However, after Williams twisted her ankle while up match point, Plíšková won six consecutive games, saving four match points throughout the set to win the match. This was Williams' earliest defeat at the Australian Open since her fourth-round loss in [[2014 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2014]], and broke a streak of fourteen consecutive match wins in Grand Slam quarterfinals (having last lost a Grand Slam quarterfinal at the [[2013 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2013 Australian Open]]). Despite this loss, her ranking climbed up to number 11.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 253 => '', 254 => 'Williams went on to defeat [[Victoria Azarenka]] in the second round of the [[Indian Wells Masters]] in her 2019 campaign for a third Indian Wells crown. In the third round, viral illness caused her to retire against Spain's [[Garbiñe Muguruza]]. This was the second consecutive year she had exited at this stage. She then sustained a recurrence of a long-term knee injury which caused her to pull out of Miami and Rome after playing one match. She could not train properly until after the French Open, where she lost in the third round.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clarey |first1=Christopher |title=Serena Williams's Coach Says She Is Pain Free. Watch Out, Wimbledon? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/29/sports/wimbledon-serena-williams.html |website=Newyork Times}}</ref> At [[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|Wimbledon]], Williams reached a major final for the 13th consecutive year. She also became the oldest grand slam finalist in the open era.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oxley |first1=Sonia |title=Serena Williams beats Barbora Strycova to reach Wimbledon final |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48952703 |website=BBC}}</ref> She lost the final to [[Simona Halep]] in two straight sets in under an hour.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 255 => '', 256 => 'At the [[Canadian Open (tennis)|Canadian Open]], Williams defeated [[Naomi Osaka]] in straight sets in the quarterfinals and Czech qualifier [[Marie Bouzkova]] in three sets in the semi finals. Against Canadian teenager [[Bianca Andreescu]], she retired in the first set after 19 minutes. She told the chair umpire of her decision to retire because of back spasms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rush |first1=Curtis |title=Serena Williams Leaves Rogers Cup Final With Back Spasms; Andreescu Wins |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/sports/tennis/serena-williams-rogers-cup-bianca-andreescu.html?module=inline |website=The New York Times |date=11 August 2019}}</ref> Her back problems continued at the [[Cincinnati Masters|Cincinnati Open]], where she withdrew shortly before her first-round match, stating, "Unfortunately my back is still not right."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rothenberg |first1=Ben |title=Serena Williams, Citing Back Pain, Withdraws From Cincinnati Masters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/sports/tennis/serena-williams.html |website=New York Times}}</ref>', 257 => '', 258 => 'Williams was seeded eighth at the [[2019 US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. In the first round she met Maria Sharapova for the first time since the 2016 Australian Open, defeating her in straight sets, yielding just one game in each set. She defeated [[Caty McNally]] in three sets in the second round, and [[Karolína Muchová]] and [[Petra Martić]] in straight games in the third and fourth. In the quarterfinals she faced 18th seed [[Wang Qiang (tennis)|Wang Qiang]], who she overcame in just 45 minutes, yielding a single game. In the semifinals she defeated fifth seed Elina Svitolina, proceeding to the final where she faced 15th seed Bianca Andreescu for the second time in under a month. With Andreescu up a set and five games to one in the second set, Williams launched a spirited comeback to level the set at 5-games-all. However, Andreescu was able to hold serve and break Williams to win the title in straight sets.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/sep/07/us-open-women-final-bianca-andreescu-serena-williams-live</ref>', 259 => '', 260 => '==Rivalries==', 261 => '===Serena vs. Venus===', 262 => '{{Main|Williams sisters rivalry}}', 263 => '', 264 => 'Williams has played older sister [[Venus Williams|Venus]] in 30 professional matches since 1998.<ref name=headtohead /> Overall, Serena is 18–12 against her sister.<ref name=headtohead/> Serena has played Venus 15 times in Grand Slam singles and 13 times in other tournaments (including 11 finals).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/slideshow/18550742/serena-vs-venus-rivalry-lifetime|title=14 major showdowns between tennis legends Serena Williams and Venus Williams|work=espnW|accessdate=October 12, 2017}}</ref> They have met in nine Grand Slam tournament finals, with Serena winning seven times.<ref name=headtohead /> Beginning with the [[2002 French Open]], they played each other in four consecutive Grand Slam finals, which was the first time in the Open Era that the same two players had contested four consecutive finals in Grand Slam singles.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 265 => '', 266 => '===Williams vs. Hingis===', 267 => '{{Main|Hingis–S. Williams rivalry}}', 268 => 'Williams leads the series 7–6.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/3491/player2/9044 |title=Head 2 Head – WTA Tennis English |website=WTA |accessdate=August 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911214922/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/3491/player2/9044 |archivedate=September 11, 2015 |df= }}</ref> One of Williams's first rivalries was with Martina Hingis, who turned pro less than one year before her (Hingis in October 1994, Williams in 1995). They first played each other at the 1998 Miami Open where Hingis won in three sets. All but one of their matches was played on a hard court with the exception being a contest on clay in Rome 1999, which Hingis won in straight sets. Their last match took place at the 2002 Miami Open with Williams winning in a loss of just four games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/3491/title/martina-hingis|title=Players – WTA Tennis English|publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] |accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref> Hingis was forced to briefly retire citing ankle injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/martina-hingis-9339702|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504092439/http://www.biography.com/people/martina-hingis-9339702|url-status=dead|title=Martina Hingis Biography Tennis Player, Athlete (1980–)|archivedate=May 4, 2016}}</ref>', 269 => '', 270 => '===Williams vs. Capriati===', 271 => 'Williams leads the series 10–7.<ref name="wtatennis.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/1325/player2/9044 |title=Head 2 Head – WTA Tennis English |website=WTA |accessdate=August 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031074058/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/1325/player2/9044 |archivedate=October 31, 2016 |df= }}</ref> Once considered one of the best rivalries in women's tennis,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/jen-serena-hot-stuff-respect-power-match-article-1.554433 |accessdate=August 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025110824/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/jen-serena-hot-stuff-respect-power-match-article-1.554433 |title=Jen, Serena Hot Stuff Respect With Power To Match|first=Filip|last=Bondy|work=Daily News|location=New York|archivedate=October 25, 2016 | date=June 30, 2004}} 3. {{cite web|url=http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/ |accessdate=August 18, 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025173017/http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/ |title=Jennifer Capriati: Too Little, Too Late?|work=Tennis Buz|first=Bruce| last=Schoenfeld|archivedate=October 25, 2016 }}</ref> the competition between Williams and Capriati was stiff with 12 out of their 17 meetings going to three sets. The rivalry, starting in 1999, began one sided with Capriati winning four of their first five matches. Williams would then go on to win the next eight.<ref name="wtatennis.com" /> Williams and Capriati played with similar styles, both known for using their power and athleticism to gain quick advantages in points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/|title=Jennifer Capriati: Too little, too late?|website=TennisBuzz.com| first=Bruce |last=Schoenfeld |date=March 8, 2015 |accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14758-2004Jun29.html|title=It's Capriati, S. Williams In Rematch |first=Liz|last=Clarke|work=The Washington Post|date=June 30, 2004|accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref>', 272 => '', 273 => '===Williams vs. Henin===', 274 => '{{Main|Henin–S. Williams rivalry}}', 275 => 'Williams leads the series 8–6. Henin and Williams met 14 times, five of which were in tournament finals. In grand slams they have faced each other seven times with Henin leading 4–3.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/3541 |title=Head 2 Head – WTA Tennis English |publisher=WTA |accessdate=August 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826083335/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/3541 |archivedate=August 26, 2015 |df= }}</ref> Opposite personalities and styles of play are often cited as what made their rivalry entertaining.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/13/sports/tennis-a-potential-rivalry-of-opposites-arises.html|title=A Potential Rivalry of Opposites Arises|date=April 13, 2004|work=The New York Times|accessdate=December 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wtatour/2296127/Serena-Williams-breaks-her-Justine-Henin-habit.html|title=Serena Williams breaks her Justine Henin habit|first=Mark |last=Hodgkinson |date=April 2, 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref>', 276 => '', 277 => 'In the semifinals of the 2003 French Open, when at 4–2, 30–0 on Williams's serve in the third set, Henin raised her hand to indicate she was not ready to receive; Williams then put her serve into the net. The umpire did not see Henin raise her hand, and thus did not allow Williams a first serve. Williams lost the game and would go on to lose the match. Their last match took place in the final of the 2010 Australian Open where Williams won in three sets, earning her 12th Grand Slam title.<ref name="ReferenceA" />', 278 => '', 279 => '===Williams vs. Azarenka===', 280 => '{{BLP unsourced section|date=July 2019}}', 281 => 'Williams leads the series 18–4. The rivalry began at the 2008 Australian Open. Serena holds a 10–0 record in Grand Slams. Victoria Azarenka is the only person to ever win four WTA tour level finals against Serena. While their rivalry is heavily favored towards Serena, their matches are known for their fierce competitiveness.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stevegtennis.com/head-to-head/women/Serena_Williams/Victoria_Azarenka/ |website=Steve G Tennis |title=Serena Williams vs Victoria Azarenka Head To Head |access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref>', 282 => '', 283 => '===Williams vs. Sharapova===', 284 => 'Williams leads the series 20–2. The pair first met at the 2004 Miami Open final, where Williams defeated Sharapova 6–4, 6–3. Their rivalry truly began at the 2004 Wimbledon final, where Williams was the two-time defending champion; Sharapova upset her 6–1, 6–4. Williams next lost to Sharapova whilst injured at the 2004 WTA finals 6–4, 2–6, 4–6. Since then, however, Williams has dominated the rivalry, winning all of their clashes, with only three of their matches going to three sets. Despite the rivalry being incredibly biased towards Williams, their rivalry is one of the most storied in women's tennis, and their matches are known for their fierce competitiveness<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2610653-why-serena-williams-vs-maria-sharapova-is-still-the-wtas-best-rivalry|title=Why Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova Is Still the WTA's Best Rivalry|first=Melissa|last=Lawrence Corbett|website=The Bleacher Report|date=January 25, 2016|accessdate=8 November 2019}}</ref>.', 285 => '', 286 => '==Match controversies==', 287 => '===Accusations of match fixing===', 288 => 'When both of the Williams sisters entered the top ten and started meeting in tournaments, rumors of [[match fixing]] started to circulate. [[John McEnroe]], while commenting on the 2000 Wimbledon semifinal between the two sisters, said that "Serena may not be allowed to win. Richard [Williams] may have something to say about this."<ref>wine, Steve (July 6, 2000), ([https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2026&dat=20000705&id=2b8jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=29AFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1781,581859 "Williams Sister Giving Tennis a Lift with Family Feud"]. ''Moscow-Pullman Daily News''. Retrieved April 29, 2017.</ref> After losing to Venus at the Indian Wells quarterfinals in 2001, [[Elena Dementieva]] asserted during a post-match interview that Richard Williams decided the results of matches between the two sisters.<ref>[http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=35375 "ASAP Sports Transcripts – Tennis – 2001 – TMS – INDIAN WELLS, WOMEN – March 14 – Elena Dementieva"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423001654/http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=35375 |date=April 23, 2016}}. ''asapsports.com''.</ref> Shortly after that, Venus Williams pulled out of her Indian Wells semifinal match against Serena Williams at the last minute, claiming [[tendinitis]]; this occurrence garnered much speculation in the press, and some fans demanded their money back.<ref name="etank">{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/columns/kreidler/1158786.html|title=ESPN.com: GEN – There's no evidence to prove the sisters tanked|website=www.espn.com}}</ref><ref name="swn">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsworldnews.com/articles/42575/20150706/wimbledon-rumors-new-accusation-of-fixed-matches-between-serena-venus-williams-video.htm |title=New accusation of fixed matches between Serena, Venus Williams |publisher=Sports World News|date=July 6, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="telfix">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/atptour/3001048/Williams-denies-match-fixing-as-crowd-demand-refunds.html |title=Williams denies match-fixing as crowd demand refunds |work=The Telegraph|date=March 16, 2001 |last1=Parsons |first1=John }}</ref>', 289 => '', 290 => '===Indian Wells boycott===', 291 => 'At the 2001 Ericsson Open the following week, Richard Williams stated that racist comments were made to him in the stands,<ref>{{cite news | last=Smith | first=Doug | title=Richard Williams decries fans as racist | work=USA Today | date=April 2, 2001 | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/stories/2001-03-26-focus-williams.htm | accessdate=July 13, 2019 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315211821/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/stories/2001-03-26-focus-williams.htm |archivedate=March 15, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and the tournament director refused to offer Williams an apology for how he was treated.{{Cn|date=November 2019}} As a result, neither sister played the tournament even though it had become a mandatory stop on the WTA tour since 2009. In 2015, Williams decided to end her 14-year boycott and played.<ref>[http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12277217/serena-williams-wants-rewrite-indian-wells-ending "Serena 'proudly returning' to tourney"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818074222/http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12277217/serena-williams-wants-rewrite-indian-wells-ending |date=August 18, 2015}}. ESPN.</ref>', 292 => '', 293 => '===2004 US Open===', 294 => 'In her [[2004 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] quarterfinal match against [[Jennifer Capriati]], an incorrect overrule was made by chair umpire [[Mariana Alves]]; the video review showed that Williams's shot landed in bounds. In the same match, new technology being tested made incorrect line calls late in the third set. Williams argued with the chair over a couple of calls during the match, but was not successful. Capriati won the match, with Serena herself acknowledging that this was primarily due to her 57 unforced errors; nevertheless, she accused Alves of temporary insanity<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/08/sports/tennis/umpires-unforced-errors-help-lift-capriati.html |title=Umpire's Unforced Errors Help Lift Capriati|first=Clifton|last=Brown|date=September 8, 2004|work=The New York Times}}</ref> and said that she "felt cheated."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rankine |first1=Claudia |title=Citizen: An American Lyric |url=https://archive.org/details/citizenamericanl0000rank |url-access=registration |date=2014 |publisher=Graywolf |page=[https://archive.org/details/citizenamericanl0000rank/page/27 27]}}</ref> In a post-match interview Capriati sharply observed that bad calls had gone against her in the past as well. Alves did not officiate for the remainder of the tournament; this was not punitive, as commonly thought, as she was not scheduled to officiate.<ref>{{cite web|author=By CHRIS BROUSSARDSEPT. 9, 2004 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/09/sports/tennis/williams-receives-apology-and-umpires-open-is-over.html |title=Williams Receives Apology, and Umpire's Open Is Over |work=The New York Times |date=2004-09-09 |accessdate=2019-03-04}}</ref>', 295 => '', 296 => 'The controversy renewed calls for, and was widely given credit for, the adoption of technology such as the [[MacCAM]] and [[Hawk-Eye]] systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5933547 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105051331/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5933547 |archivedate=November 5, 2013 |title=Officials apologize to Serena for bad call – U.S. Open, Aug.&nbsp;30-Sept. 12- NBC Sports |publisher=MSNBC |date=September 9, 2004 |accessdate=January 27, 2011}}</ref>', 297 => '', 298 => '===2009 US Open===', 299 => 'In the [[2009 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] semifinal round against [[Kim Clijsters]], Williams slammed her racket on the court after losing the first set. She was given a warning, with a potential second violation carrying a one-point penalty. While trailing 4–6, 5–6, 15–30, Williams's second serve was called a [[foot fault]], resulting in two match points for Clijsters. Williams gestured with her racket to the lineswoman who had made the call and yelled at her, with profanities and a threat to shove a tennis ball down the lineswoman's throat.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams is fined $10,500 for US Open line judge tirade |work=The Guardian |date=September 14, 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/sep/13/serena-williams-tirade-us-open |accessdate=June 5, 2010 |first=Lawrence |last=Donegan}}</ref> During the subsequent on-court conference between the chair umpire, the lineswoman, US Open officials, and Williams, a television microphone picked up Williams saying to the lineswoman, "I didn't say I would kill you! Are you serious?"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4468762 |title=Clijsters wins after controversial ending |date=September 13, 2009 |publisher=ESPN news services |accessdate=November 11, 2010}}</ref> The incident resulted in Williams being penalized a point for unsportsmanlike conduct{{nsmdns}}necessitated by the earlier warning for racket abuse{{nsmdns}}meaning Clijsters won the match 6{{ndash}}4, 7{{ndash}}5. The following day, Williams was issued the maximum permissible on-site fine of $10,000 (plus $500 for racket abuse). After further investigation, the Grand Slam Committee in November 2009 fined her $175,000 in place of suspending her from the 2010 US Open or other Grand Slam events.<ref name="Hefty Fine NY Times">{{cite news|title=Serena Williams Given Hefty Fine but No Suspension for Tirade |work=The New York Times |date=November 30, 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/sports/tennis/01serena.html |accessdate=November 30, 2009 |first=Christopher |last=Clarey}}</ref> They also placed her on a two-year probation which provided that if Williams committed another offense at a Grand Slam event in the next two years, she would be suspended from participating in the following US Open. If, however, she committed no offenses within the next two years, her fine would be reduced to $82,500.<ref name="Hefty Fine NY Times" /> Williams initially refused to apologize for her outburst, both in her post-match press conference<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams tries to move on from uproar over outburst |date=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/15/serena.williams.outburst/index.html |accessdate=September 15, 2009 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> and in an official statement released the following day.<ref name=lat2009>Pucin, Diane. [http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-serena-williams14-2009sep14,0,454272.story Serena Williams is fined $10,500 for tirade at U.S. Open] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923122213/http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-serena-williams14-2009sep14%2C0%2C454272.story |date=September 23, 2009}} ''Los Angeles Times'' (September 13, 2009)</ref> She eventually did apologize, stating "I just really wanted to apologize sincerely because I'm a very prideful person, and I'm a very intense person and a very emotional person", and "I wanted to offer my sincere apologies to anyone that I may have offended." She said she was humbled by the experience.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4472638|title=Serena Williams apologizes for outburst toward line judge during U.S. Open semifinal|publisher=ESPN |accessdate=August 18, 2015|date=September 14, 2009}}</ref>', 300 => '', 301 => '===2011 US Open===', 302 => 'In the final of the [[2011 US Open (tennis)|2011 US Open]] against [[Samantha Stosur]], Williams shouted "Come on!" as the Australian attempted to return a [[forehand]] Williams believed to be a winner. The chair umpire [[Eva Asderaki]] awarded the point to Stosur based on the [[United States Tennis Association|USTA]]'s deliberate hindrance rule, which states, "If a player commits any act which hinders his opponent in making a stroke, then, if this is deliberate, he shall lose the point or if involuntary, the point shall be replayed."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennis4you.com/links/rules/rules.htm#R21 |agency=Tennis 4 You |title=RULE 21 : Player Hinders Opponent |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930064130/http://www.tennis4you.com/links/rules/rules.htm |archivedate=September 30, 2011 |df=}}</ref> As the point was 30–40 on Williams's serve, the penalty gave the break of serve to Stosur. Williams became angry with the chair umpire and made several gestures and unflattering comments toward her during the next changeover, including telling Asderaki that if the umpire ever saw Serena coming toward her, she should "look the other way".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2011/09/serena-williamss-tirade-was-seven-years-making/42357/|title=Serena Williams' Tirade Was Seven Years in the Making|date=September 12, 2011|work=The Atlantic|last=Abad-Santos |first=Alexander}}</ref> Williams initially gained momentum in the set following the penalty, breaking back in the next game, but eventually flagged and lost the match, 2–6, 3–6. At the end of the match, she declined to offer the customary handshake to Asderaki.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/11/serena-williams-upset-samantha-stosur-us-open-final_n_957662.html |date=September 11, 2011 |accessdate=September 11, 2011 |title=Serena Williams Upset By Samantha Stosur 6–2, 6–3 In US Open Final |work=[[HuffPost]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030014958/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/11/serena-williams-upset-samantha-stosur-us-open-final_n_957662.html |archivedate=October 30, 2011 |df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/serena-williams-blows-up-again-in-u-s-open-loss?urn=ten,wp3253 |title=She did it again: Serena Williams blows up in U.S. Open loss |first=Chris |last=Chase |date=September 11, 2011 |work=Yahoo! Sports |accessdate=September 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204050527/http://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/serena-williams-blows-up-again-in-u-s-open-loss?urn=ten%2Cwp3253 |archivedate=February 4, 2015 |df=}}</ref> Williams mentioned the incident in her post-match speech as the tournament runner-up, asserting, "I hit a winner, but I guess it didn't count", but added, "It wouldn't have mattered in the end. Sam played well."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/stosur-stops-williams-in-controversial-final|accessdate=July 12, 2015|date=September 11, 2011|title=Stosur stops Williams in controversial final|work=National Post|last=Fendrich|first=Howard}}</ref> A writer for [[ESPN]] suggested that Williams could avoid being found to have violated the terms of the "probation" on which she was placed following her 2009 outburst, as she did not appear to have used [[profanity]] in addressing Asderaki during the match.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen11/story/_/id/6958687/us-open-serena-williams-loses-cool-match|publisher=ESPN|date=September 11, 2011|accessdate=September 11, 2011|title=Serena Williams loses cool, then match|first=Greg|last=Garber}}</ref> In the end, Williams was fined $2,000 and was not barred from competing in the 2012 US Open because "Williams's conduct, while verbally abusive, [did] not rise to the level of a major offence under the Grand Slam code of conduct."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/sep/12/serena-williams-us-open-tennis-fine|date=September 12, 2011|accessdate=September 15, 2011|title=Serena Williams fined $2,000 for US Open final outburst|work=The Guardian|first=Steve|last=Busfield}}</ref>', 303 => '', 304 => '===2018 US Open===', 305 => 'Williams' 2018 US Open ended in controversy, with Williams falling to [[Naomi Osaka]] in straight sets following a game penalty in the second set of the [[2018 US Open – Women's Singles final|final]]. During that second set, she was given a code violation because her coach, [[Patrick Mouratoglou]], gave her coaching hand signals. Williams was upset by the violation, claiming that her coach was simply giving her a thumbs up, and demanded an apology from chair umpire [[Carlos Ramos (umpire)|Carlos Ramos]]. Mouratoglou later admitted that he had been coaching.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/tennis/news/patrick-mouratoglou-serena-williams-coaching-us-open-final/uu0mars28xk61dkz9jkmnpk4p |title=Patrick Mouratoglou admits to coaching Serena Williams during final |magazine=Sporting News |date=September 8, 2018}}</ref> She received a second violation for smashing her racket on the court, which resulted in a point penalty. After her third code violation for verbal abuse against the umpire, Williams was assessed a game penalty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/us-open-final-2018-serena-williams-demands-apology-from-umpire-after-controversial-game-penalty/|title=Serena Williams demands apology from US Open umpire|date=September 8, 2018|publisher=[[cbs]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2018/09/08/serena-williams-vs-naomi-osaka-us-open-2018-final-live-score/ |title=Serena Williams unleashes furious rant at umpire as she loses US Open |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=September 8, 2018 |accessdate=September 8, 2018}}</ref> Williams said that she believed she had been treated unfairly by the umpire because she is a woman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-09/us-open-serena-williams-says-sexism-to-blame-in-loss-to-osaka/10219364 |title=US Open: Serena Williams says she was treated more harshly because she is a woman |publisher=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |date=2018-09-09 |accessdate=2019-03-04}}</ref> Williams was fined a total of $17,000, that included $4,000 for a coaching violation, $3,000 for racket abuse and $10,000 for verbal abuse towards the umpire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/09/09/serena-williams-fined-17-000-us-open-code-violations/|title=Serena Williams Fined $17,000 for US Open Code Violations|website=TMZ}}</ref>', 306 => '', 307 => '==Discrimination ==', 308 => 'Williams has been the focus of criticism and commentary, some of which the Williams family, news media, and scholars have stated was discriminatory against her due to her race and gender.', 309 => '', 310 => 'In the beginning years of Williams’ professional career, hair beads donned by the Williams sisters were the focus of discussion by commentators such as Chris Evert and John McEnroe, with Mary Carillo characterizing their hair as "noisy and disruptive."<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal|last=Spencer|first=Nancy E.|date=May 2004|title=SISTER ACT VI: VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS AT INDIAN WELLS: "SINCERE FICTIONS" AND WHITE RACISM|url=|journal=Journal of Sport & Social Issues|volume=28|pages=115–135|via=JSTOR}}</ref> Scholar Nancy E. Spencer said that commentary that dismissed the Williams' cultural hairstyles served to [[Other (philosophy)|other]] the sisters, particularly in the context of a white dominated sport where their appearance and specifically their physicality is a popular topic for discussion.<ref name=":02" />', 311 => '', 312 => 'In 2000 the Williams sisters faced each other in a Grand Slam Tournament in a semifinal match at Wimbledon, the first time the sisters had faced each other in this setting. After Venus won in straight sets, questions arose as to whether or not Richard Williams fixed the match. These questions increased in 2001 when Venus withdrew from her scheduled semifinal match against her sister at Indian Wells. Two days later, in the finals of Indian Wells, Williams was booed throughout the match.<ref name=":02" /> When Venus and Richard Williams entered the stadium to support Williams in the finals, Richard said that a dozen fans in the stands yelled racial slurs at him and his daughter, and that one fan yelled “skin him alive."<ref name=":02" /> Following this match, the Williams sisters boycotted Indian Wells until Williams returned in 2015 and Venus in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/43379052|title=Indian Wells: Serena and Venus Williams meet after 14-year tournament boycott|date=2018-03-12|access-date=2019-09-24|language=en-GB}}</ref>', 313 => '', 314 => 'Following the match controversy at the 2018 US Open final between Williams and Naomi Osaka, a cartoon was released by the Herald Sun depicting Williams having a tantrum and breaking her racket while the umpire asks her opponent to “just let her win.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-mark-knights-cartoon-rightly-mocks-serena-williams-us-open-finals-dummyspit/news-story/bff3c329c6c706b966636620bcb21be7|title=Knight’s cartoon neither racist or sexist|date=2018-09-11|website=www.heraldsun.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> This cartoon was met with much criticism for being racist and sexist. Complaints centered around the portrayal of Williams as the angry black woman with exaggerated large lips, a broad flat nose, and positioned in an ape like pose and of Williams’ opponent, Osaka, who is half Japanese half Haitian, being portrayed as white with blonde hair.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/09/10/an-australian-artists-racist-serena-williams-cartoon-receives-swift-and-international-blowback/|title=An Australian artist’s racist Serena Williams cartoon receives swift and international blowback|last=Cavna|first=Michael|date=2018-09-12|work=Washington Post|access-date=2019-09-24|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, called the cartoon sexist and misogynistic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/alexis-ohanian-calls-serena-williams-cartoon-racist-misogynistic-2018-9|title=Serena Williams' Reddit co-founder husband Alexis Ohanian slams controversial 'angry baby' cartoon for being 'racist and misogynistic'|last=Dawson|first=Alan|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> Celebrities including J.K. Rowling came to Williams’ defence with similar views while the editor of the Herald Sun argued the cartoon was “unfairly” criticized on social media.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/jk-rowling-twitter-serena-williams-cartoon-us-open-racist-sexist-a8531941.html|title=JK Rowling condemns 'racist and sexist' cartoon of Serena Williams at US Open|date=2018-09-10|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/herald-sun-backs-mark-knights-cartoon-on-serena-williams/news-story/30c877e3937a510d64609d89ac521d9f|title=I shut Twitter to save family from abuse: Knight|date=2018-09-11|website=www.heraldsun.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> The cartoonist defended his work as his contribution to “stop family from being abused," a reference to Williams defending herself as a wife and mother in her dispute with the umpire.<ref name=":12" /> The cartoonist says his satire was never about race or gender, but was about putting a spotlight on bad behaviour by sporting superstars.<ref name=":12" />', 315 => '', 316 => 'In September 2019, {{Inter-language link|Radu Banciu|ro}} said, live on Romanian television "Serena Williams looks exactly like one of those monkeys at the zoo with the red asses."<ref name=":22">National Council for Combating Discrimination in Bucharest press release, translated in {{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/serena-williams-called-monkey-by-romanian-tv-show-host-2019-9|title=A Romanian TV-show host has been accused of 'extreme racism' after saying on air that Serena Williams looks 'like one of those monkeys at the zoo'|last=Lane|first=Barnaby|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> Banciu was fined{{By whom|date=November 2019}} approximately $1,875 for his comments.<ref name=":22" />', 317 => '', 318 => '== Legacy ==', 319 => 'Williams is hailed by many coaches, players and sportscasters to be one of the best female tennis players of the Open Era.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38802221|title=Serena Williams picked as greatest female player of the Open Era by BBC Sport users|year=2017|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=October 12, 2017}}</ref> In 2018, a Tennis.com panel selected Serena as the greatest female tennis player in the Open Era.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2018/11/goat-vote-steffi-or-serena-ten-went-one-way-you-went-another/78127/ |title = GOAT Vote: Steffi or Serena? 'The Ten' went one way; you went another}}</ref> Her numerous victories on court have largely been a positive influence on young girls and boys who see Williams as a role model and an ambassador of tennis.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/31/sports/tennis/venus-and-serena-williams-have-a-lasting-impact.html|title=Williams Sisters Leave an Impact That's Unmatched|last=Araton|first=Harvey|date=August 27, 2015|work=The New York Times|accessdate=October 12, 2017|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-34229415/serena-williams-lasting-influence-on-young-black-athletes|title=Serena William's lasting influence|work=BBC News|accessdate=October 12, 2017}}</ref> However, there is a sizable percentage of people who disagree.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rt.com/sport/438105-serena-williams-us-open-role-model/ |title=Serena Williams' history of petulance makes a mockery of her status as a role model |publisher=RT.com |accessdate=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/life/culture/article/2018/09/10/has-us-open-ruined-serena-williams-role-model |title=Has the US Open ruined Serena Williams as a role model? |publisher=SBS |accessdate=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/talkingturkey/total-meltdown-serena-williams-may-be-a-legend-but-she-wasnt-a-role-model-in-this-us-open/ |title=Total Meltdown: Serena Williams may be a legend, but she wasn't a role model in this US Open |newspaper=Times of India |accessdate=28 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theodysseyonline.com/serena-williams-bad-role-model |title=Sorry, but Serena Williams is a bad role model for young girls |publisher=The Odyssey |accessdate=28 June 2019}}</ref> Some commentators, players and sports writers regard Williams as the greatest female tennis player of all time.{{#tag:ref|See<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/prishe/2018/09/09/just-dont-do-it-serenas-tasteless-u-s-open-tirade-contradicts-nikes-brand-identity/|title=Serena's U.S. Open Tirade Creates A Challenge For Nike|first=Patrick|last=Rishe|website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen15/story/_/id/13576563/us-open-how-serena-williams-fare-graf-navratilova-their-prime|title=Comparing Serena Williams to two of the all-time greats|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=September 6, 2015|date=September 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/18757028|title=Wimbledon 2012: Serena Williams true great after fifth title |work=BBC Sport|accessdate=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=St. John|first1=Allen|title=Tennis' Battle Of The Sexes: Who's The Greatest Of All Time, Roger Federer Or Serena Williams?|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/allenstjohn/2017/01/31/tenniss-battle-of-the-sexes-whos-better-the-greatest-of-all-time-roger-federer-or-serena-williams/|website=Forbes|accessdate=September 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.us/sports/legends-evert-king-call-serena-williams-greatest-ever-metro-us/tmWmie---26cv55IcoExFE/|title=Legends Evert, King call Serena Williams greatest ever – Metro.us|first=Adam |last=Zagoria |date=October 12, 2014|work=Metro|accessdate=November 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com.au/andre-agassi-says-serena-williams-greatest-ever-1426225|title=Andre Agassi Says Serena Williams Is The 'Greatest Ever'|first=Rachelle |last=Corpuz |date=March 3, 2015|work=International Business Times AU|accessdate=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Schiavenza |first=Matt |accessdate=April 20, 2017|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/07/the-astonishing-greatness-of-serena-williams/398339/|title=Serena Williams Wins Wimbledon for Her 21st Grand Slam Title |work=The Atlantic|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/serena-williams-americas-greatest-athlete|title=Serena Williams Is America's Greatest Athlete|first=Ian |last=Crouch |date=September 9, 2014|work=The New Yorker|accessdate=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=April 20, 2017|url=http://www.complex.com/sports/2015/07/serena-williams-is-the-goat|title=Serena Williams Is the Greatest of All Time |first=Aaron |last=Randle |work=Complex|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Chase|first=Chase| url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/serena-williams-greatest-athlete-history|title=Serena Williams will go down as one of the greatest athletes in history|work=For The Win|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://observer.com/2015/07/on-the-eve-of-a-serena-slam-a-look-at-americas-greatest-athlete/|title=Short List / Things To Look Forward To|first=Alexa |last=Jaccarino |work=Observer|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Block|first1=Justin|title=Billie Jean King Thinks Serena Williams Is The Best Tennis Player Of All Time|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/billie-jean-king-serena-williams-goat_us_55f08f97e4b093be51bd4e20|website=HuffPost|date=September 9, 2015|accessdate=July 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McManus |first=Jane |accessdate=April 20, 2017|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13239462/with-drake-help-john-mcenroe-joins-chorus-praise-serena-williams|title=With Drake's Help, John McEnroe Joins Chorus Of Praise For Serena Williams|work=espnW|date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Keating |first=Peter |accessdate=April 20, 2017|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13432409/why-serena-williams-greatest-tennis-player-ever|title=Powering Toward History|work=espnW|date=February 5, 2017}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/07/serena-williams-greatest-sportsperson-ever|title=Why Serena Williams is the greatest sportsperson ever {{!}} Michael Eboda|last=Eboda|first=Michael|date=September 7, 2016|website=The Guardian|accessdate=January 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/serena-williams-is-the-greatest-ever-can-we-please-stop-the-debate|title=Serena Williams Is the Greatest Ever. Can We Please Stop the Debate?|last=Fallon|first=Kevin|date=June 27, 2017|work=The Daily Beast|accessdate=January 25, 2018}}</ref>', 320 => '', 321 => 'For their first match of March 2019, the women of the [[United States women's national soccer team]] each wore a jersey with the name of a woman they were honoring on the back; [[Crystal Dunn]] chose the name of Serena Williams.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ennis |first=Dawn |url=https://www.outsports.com/2019/3/4/18248520/lesbian-icons-honored-with-jerseys-worn-uswnt |title=Lesbian icons honored with jerseys worn by USWNT |publisher=Outsports |date= March 4, 2019|accessdate=2019-03-04}}</ref>', 322 => '', 323 => '==Personal life==', 324 => '[[File:Web Summit 2018 - Centre Stage, Day 1 -November 6 SD5 6360 (44835575425).jpg|thumb|Serena Williams' husband [[Alexis Ohanian]] in 2018]]', 325 => 'Williams is married to [[Reddit]] co-founder [[Alexis Ohanian]]. They were married on November 16, 2017, in [[New Orleans]]. Guests at the wedding included [[Beyoncé]], [[Anna Wintour]], [[Kelly Rowland]] and [[Kim Kardashian West]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Jason Duaine Hahn|author2=Kathy Ehrich|date=November 16, 2017|title=A Perfect Match! Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian Are Married|url=http://people.com/sports/serena-williams-alexis-ohanian-wedding-marriage/|website=People|accessdate=November 16, 2017}}</ref> She planned to move to San Francisco with Ohanian after the wedding.<ref name="voguesept17" />', 326 => '', 327 => 'On April 19, 2017, Williams posted a sideways picture of herself on [[Snapchat]] focused on her midsection. It had the caption, "20 weeks", sparking speculation that Williams was pregnant.<ref>(April 19, 2017), [http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/19193213/serena-williams-photo-sparks-pregnancy-speculation.html?_r=0 "Serena Williams photo sparks pregnancy speculation"]. ESPN. Retrieved April 19, 2017.</ref> Later that evening, her spokesperson confirmed that the couple was expecting.<ref>{{cite news | title=Serena Williams Confirms She's Pregnant After Day of Speculation | work=The New York Times | date=April 19, 2017 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/19/sports/tennis/serena-williams-pregnant-snapchat.html | accessdate=April 19, 2017}}</ref> The fact that she was 20 weeks pregnant when announcing her pregnancy meant that she was 8 weeks pregnant when she won the Australian Open in January.<ref>{{cite web|first=Erica |last=Gonzales |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/serena-williams-fans-cannot-handle-170114621.html |title=Serena Williams Fans Cannot Handle That She Won the Australian Open While Pregnant |publisher=Yahoo! |date=April 20, 2017 |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> Serena later confirmed that posting the photo on Snapchat was an accident and that she had intended to save the photo for her records.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/26/sports/tennis/serena-williams-pregnancy-picture.html|title=Serena Williams Says Posting of Pregnancy Picture Was an Accident|last=Reuters|date=2017-04-26|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2019-04-24|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>', 328 => '', 329 => 'In September 2017, Williams gave birth to a daughter.<ref name="uwlupohautman">{{cite web|first=Nicholas|last=Hautman|first2=Marc|last2=Lupo|date=September 1, 2017|title=Serena Williams Welcomes Her First Child!|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/serena-williams-gives-birth-welcomes-first-child-with-alexis-ohanian-w492788|website=Us Weekly|accessdate=October 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Elise |last=Solé |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/serena-williams-baby-girl-meaning-behind-name-173808990.html |title=Serena Williams's baby girl and the meaning behind her name |publisher=Yahoo! |date=September 13, 2017 |accessdate=January 4, 2019}}</ref> Williams had a cesarean-section delivery due to a [[pulmonary embolism]] during the labor of her daughter and, at first, was devastated about it.<ref name="Rubenstein"/> She suffered another pulmonary embolism after giving birth, leaving her bedridden for six weeks and delaying her return to training.<ref name="vogue.com"/> In August 2018, Williams announced she was suffering from [[postpartum depression]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trtworld.com/sport/serena-williams-struggles-with-post-partum-blues-drops-out-of-rogers-cup-19425|title=Serena Williams struggles with post-partum blues; drops out of Rogers Cup|website=Serena Williams struggles with post-partum blues; drops out of Rogers Cup|language=tr-TR|accessdate=August 9, 2018}}</ref> Williams gave her daughter a doll, [[Qai Qai]] that has become famous on social media.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wait – Is Qai Qai America's Most Important Doll|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/style/qai-qai-serena-williams-alexis-ohanian.html}}</ref>', 330 => '', 331 => 'Williams was raised a [[Jehovah's Witness]], but says she has "never really practiced it."<ref name="voguesept17">{{cite web|last1=Haskell|first1=Rob|title=Serena Williams on Pregnancy, Power, and Coming Back to Center Court|date=August 15, 2017|url=http://www.vogue.com/article/serena-williams-pregnancy-vogue-september-issue-2017|website=Vogue|accessdate=August 15, 2017}}</ref> She often thanks [[Jehovah]] after winning matches.<ref>Winston, Kimberly (July 10, 2015), [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/serena-williams-secret-weapon-jehovah-god_us_55a06ed9e4b0ecec71bc445b "Serena Williams' Secret Weapon: 'Jehovah God'"]. ''HuffPost''. Retrieved April 26, 2017.</ref> Williams confirmed that she follows some practices: "Olympia doesn't celebrate birthdays. We're Jehovah's Witnesses, so we don't do that."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/style/serena-williams-says-jehovahs-witness-will-prevent-celebrating-daughters-first-birthday-090319769.html|title=Serena Williams confirms she won't celebrate her daughter's first birthday because of her Jehovah's Witness beliefs|accessdate=August 30, 2018}}</ref>', 332 => '', 333 => '==Off-court activities==', 334 => '===Equipment and endorsements===', 335 => 'In the early 2000s, Williams wore Puma apparel and footwear on court.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2001/06/20010625/This-Weeks-Issue/What-Theyre-Wearing-And-Hitting-With-At-Wimbledon.aspx |title=What they're wearing (and hitting with) at Wimbledon|publisher=SportsBusiness Journal |date=June 25, 2001 |accessdate=September 10, 2014}}</ref> She used the [[Wilson Sporting Goods|Wilson]] Hammer 6.4 Stretch Power Holes racket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2000/08/20000828/No-Topic-Name/WHAT-THEYRE-WEARING-AND-HITTING-WITH-AT-THE-US-OPEN.aspx |title=What They're Wearing (And Hitting With) At The U.S. Open |publisher=SportsBusiness Journal |date=August 28, 2000 |accessdate=September 10, 2014}}</ref>', 336 => '', 337 => 'Williams also has endorsement deals with [[Gatorade]], [[Delta Air Lines]], [[Audemars Piguet]], [[Aston Martin]], [[Pepsi]], [[Beats by Dre]] headphones, Mission Athletecare, [[Berlei]] bras, [[OPI Products]], OnePiece, [[IBM]], [[Mini]], [[Intel]], [[Tempur]] and [[Chase Bank]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 338 => '', 339 => 'Williams is the current{{when|date=July 2019}} CSO (Chief Sporting Officer) for British luxury automobile manufacturer [[Aston Martin]]. She accepted the contract in June 2015. Williams then posted her first experience on social media service [[Twitter]], and said: "I'm loving my first day on the job as Chief Sporting Officer and Director of Fun!", stating her optimism on the job as the CSO.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennisworldusa.org/news/news/Serena_Williams/24641/serena-williams-chief-sports-officer-for-aston-martin/|title=Serena Williams: Chief Sports Officer for Aston Martin!|publisher=Tennis World USA|date=June 25, 2015|accessdate=June 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.informationng.com/2015/06/serena-williams-named-chief-sporting-officer-aston-martin.html|title=Serena Williams Named Chief Sporting Officer For Aston Martin|publisher=Information Nigeria|date=June 25, 2015|accessdate=June 18, 2017}}</ref>', 340 => '', 341 => 'Williams is also on the Board of Directors at [[SurveyMonkey]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/24/tennis-star-serena-williams-joins-surveymonkeys-board/|title=Tennis Star Serena Williams Joins SurveyMonkey's Board|work=TechCrunch|accessdate=November 30, 2018}}</ref>', 342 => '', 343 => '===Fashion===', 344 => 'Williams has been noted for her unusual and colorful outfits on court. In 2002, there was much talk when she wore a black lycra [[catsuit]] at the US Open.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/02/sports/tennis-sunny-outlook-keeps-serena-williams-winning.html|title=Tennis; Sunny Outlook Keeps Serena Williams Winning|last=Roberts|first=Selena|date=September 2, 2002|accessdate=April 24, 2009|work=The New York Times}}</ref> At the 2004 US Open, Williams wore denim skirts and knee-high boots—tournament officials did not allow her to wear the boots during matches.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,130781,00.html|title=Serena Dresses in Denim, Boots at U.S. Open|date=August 31, 2004|agency=Associated Press|publisher=FOX News Network, LLC|accessdate=April 25, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090730023418/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,130781,00.html|archivedate=July 30, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> At the 2008 Wimbledon, the white [[trench coat]] she wore during warm-up for her opening match was the subject of much discussion since it was worn despite sunny weather.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article4201164.ece|title = Serena Williams' Wimbledon raincoat stops talk about play|first=Nicola | last= Copping |date= June 24, 2008|work=The Times |accessdate=April 25, 2009}}</ref> Some social scientists have argued that the most negative reactions to Williams' on-court fashion statements, especially in newspaper coverage of the Australian Open and Wimbledon, combines with writers' fixation upon her muscular body to distract from her on-court accomplishments and fit this commentary within centuries-old narratives of the "pornographic eroticism" and "sexual grotesquerie" of African and African-American women.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=McKay|first=James|last2=Johnson|first2=Helen|date=July 2008|title=Pornographic eroticism and sexual grotesquerie in representations of African American sportswomen|url=|journal=Social Identities|volume=14|issue=4|pages=291–504|via=}}</ref>', 345 => '', 346 => 'Williams formerly had a special line with [[Puma AG|Puma]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com//Courting_tennis__glamour/articleshow/1501836.cms? |title=Courting both tennis and glamour|work=The Times of India|publisher=Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd.|first=Ruhi|last=Batra|date=January 28, 2007|accessdate=April 25, 2009}}</ref> In April 2004, she signed a deal worth US$40{{nbsp}}million for a line with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty-businesses/minority-owned-businesses/767050-1.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221072308/http://www.allbusiness.com/specialty-businesses/minority-owned-businesses/767050-1.html |archivedate=February 21, 2009 |title=Serena Williams aces Nike deal worth approximately $40&nbsp;million |first=Carolyn M. |last=Brown |date=April 1, 2004 |work=Black Enterprise; Allbusiness.com|accessdate=April 24, 2009}}</ref> Since 2004, she has also run her own line of designer apparel, "Aneres"—her first name spelled backward. In 2009, she launched a signature collection of handbags and jewelry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontennis.com/news/serena-williams-has-passion-fashion|title=Serena Williams has a passion for fashion|first= Madeleine|last=Marr|date=March 3, 2009|work=The Miami Herald|publisher=Miami Herald Media Co.|accessdate=April 25, 2009}}</ref> The collection, Signature Statement, is sold mainly on the [[Home Shopping Network]] (HSN).{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 347 => '', 348 => 'In early 2010, Williams became a certified [[Manicure#Nail care|nail technician]] in preparation for her upcoming nail collection with a company called HairTech.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/02/17/2010-02-17_serena_williams_takes_time_away_from_the_tennis_courts_to_become_a_certified_nai.html|title=Serena Williams takes time away from the tennis courts to become a certified nail technician|first= Jim|last= Farber|date=February 17, 2010|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York |accessdate=October 2, 2010}}</ref> In 2015, she became the first black female athlete to have a picture by herself on the cover of ''Vogue'', which she did for the April 2015 issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goodblacknews.org/2015/03/24/serena-williams-1st-black-female-athlete-to-solo-on-cover-of-vogue/ |title=Serena Williams 1st Black Female Athlete to Solo on Cover of Vogue |publisher=Good Black News |accessdate=March 25, 2015}}</ref> In 2015, she also presented her HSN Signature Statement collection for the second time at the New York Fashion Week Show{{nsmdns}}a clothing line exclusively made for the retailer HSN.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 349 => '', 350 => 'In May 2018 she wore a skin-tight catsuit at the [[2018 French Open]] that was likened to a superhero outfit and helped promote her new clothing line, ''Serena''.<ref name="Racked2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.racked.com/2018/6/1/17414940/serena-williams-french-open-black-catsuit|title=Serena Williams Had Her Own Style Long Before Her Black Catsuit|date=June 1, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|work=Racked}}</ref><ref name="Vox2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/8/28/17791518/serena-williams-catsuit-ban-french-open-tennis-racist-sexist-country-club-sport|title=The Serena Williams catsuit ban shows that tennis can't get past its elitist roots|date=August 28, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]}}</ref><ref name="ESPN2018">{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/24461310/new-french-open-dress-rules-prohibit-serena-williams-catsuit-2019|title=New French Open dress rules prohibit Serena Williams' catsuit|date=August 24, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> The outfit was subsequently banned by the [[French Tennis Federation]] president Bernard Giudicelli, with the explanation: "It will no longer be accepted. One must respect the game and the place." Williams then wore a black [[Tutu (clothing)|tutu]] to her first match at the [[2018 US Open (tennis)|2018 US Open]] on August 27, 2018 against [[Magda Linette]] which she dominated in straight sets.<ref name="Time2018">{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/24461310/new-french-open-dress-rules-prohibit-serena-williams-catsuit-2019|title=Serena Williams Makes a Case for the Casual Tutu With Her 2018 US Open Outfit|date=August 28, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref><ref name="SBNation2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.sbnation.com/tennis/2018/8/27/17789234/us-open-results-2018-serena-williams-analysis-highlights-magda-linette|title=Serena Williams into second round of US Open after dominant win|date=August 27, 2018|accessdate=August 28, 2018|work=[[SB Nation]]}}</ref> In February 2019, Serena Williams was appointed to the board of directors of online fashion marketplace [[Poshmark]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/20/serena-williams-joins-online-retailer-poshmarks-board-of-directors.html|title=Serena Williams joins online retailer Poshmark's board of directors|first=Lauren|last=Thomas|publisher=CNBC|date=February 20, 2019}}</ref>', 351 => '', 352 => '===Activism===', 353 => 'Williams has become more involved in social change as her career has progressed, primarily using social media as a medium of expressing her views. In 2016 she posted her support of [[Black Lives Matter]] on her [[Facebook]] page, voicing her concern about her young nephew being in danger from police officers due to his skin color.<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/serena-williams-writes-about-black-lives-matter-on-facebook/ |title=Serena Williams posts in support of Black Lives Matter on Facebook |publisher=CBS News |date=September 27, 2016 |accessdate=February 23, 2018}}</ref> 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 about the [[LGBT]] community, followed members of the [[alt-right]], and referred to an article describing Williams's on-court behavior as "disgusting". Williams responded by tweeting her displeasure, saying, "@TennysSandgren I don't need or want one. But there is a entire group of people that deserves an apology. I can't look at my daughter and tell her I sat back and was quiet. No! She will know how to stand up for herself and others – through my example." Additionally, she attached an image that read, "Maturity is being able to apologize and admit when you're wrong because you know that your mistakes don't define you".<ref>{{cite news|last=Skiver |first=Kevin |url=https://www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/serena-williams-tells-tennys-sandgren-to-apologize-for-his-alt-right-tweets/ |title=Serena Williams tells Tennys Sandgren to apologize for his alt-right tweets |work=CBSSports.com |date=January 24, 2018 |accessdate=February 23, 2018}}</ref>', 354 => '', 355 => 'Williams has received several awards for her activism, particularly for her activism directed towards Black communities. She was listed among the 35 "most remarkable and beautiful black women" in the world by Essence magazine.<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite journal |last1=Douglas |first1=Delia |title=Venus, Serena, and the Inconspicuous Consumption of Blackness: A Commentary on Surveillance, Race Talk, and New Racism(s) |journal=Journal of Black Studies |date=March 2012 |volume=43 |issue=3 |pages=127–145|doi=10.1177/0021934711410880 }}</ref> The NAACP has honored Williams with the President's Award at the annual NAACP Image Awards.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}<ref>{{cite web |title=The Power of Serena Williams |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/07/opinion/serena-williams-us-open-tennis.html?em_pos=small&ref=headline&nl_art=13&te=1&nl=opinion-today&emc=edit_ty_20190909?campaign_id=39&instance_id=12244&segment_id=16862&user_id=579ae23cfcbd75c9aac87cb571cc201c&regi_id=72995439emc=edit_ty_20190909 |work=New York Times |accessdate=9 September 2019}}</ref>', 356 => '', 357 => '===Entertainment===', 358 => 'Williams has appeared on television and also provided voice work on animated shows: in a 2001 episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' Serena joined the animation along with sister Venus, [[Pete Sampras]] and [[Andre Agassi]].<ref>{{IMDb title|0701223|Tennis the Menace}}</ref> She has also provided guest voice work in a 2005 episode of Playhouse Disney's animated kids show ''[[Higglytown Heroes]]'' and a 2007 episode of the [[Nickelodeon]] cartoon ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/the-day-of-black-sun-1-the-invasion/episode/1121066/summary.html|title=Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Day of Black Sun (1): The Invasion|website=TV.com|accessdate=April 24, 2009}}</ref> which she has described as her "favorite show".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://women.webmd.com/features/serena-williams-gets-back-game |title=Serena Williams Gets Back in the Game |first=Lauren Paige|last= Kennedy | work=WebMD the Magazine |publisher=WebMD, LLC.|accessdate=April 24, 2009}}</ref>', 359 => '', 360 => 'Williams has posed for the 2003 and 2004 editions of the ''Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thurmond|first=Sarah|title=Golovin, Hantuchova, Kirilenko in SI swimsuit issue|work=[[Tennis (magazine)|Tennis Magazine]]|date=February 11, 2009|url=http://tennis.com/backcourt/general/backcourt.aspx?id=164656|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215214440/http://tennis.com/backcourt/general/backcourt.aspx?id=164656|archivedate=February 15, 2009|accessdate=May 9, 2009}}</ref> In April 2005, MTV announced plans to broadcast a reality show around the lives of Serena and Venus, which was eventually aired on [[ABC Family]]. Williams has appeared twice on MTV's ''[[Punk'd]]'' and in 2007, appeared in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] reality television series ''[[Fast Cars and Superstars: The Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race]]''. In 2002, she played ''Miss Wiggins'' in the season 3 episode "Crouching Mother, Hidden Father" of ''[[My Wife and Kids]]'';<ref>{{cite news|title=On stage or on court, Serena plays the lead|work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=January 13, 2003|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/01/12/1041990178788.html|accessdate=May 10, 2009}}</ref> she has also guest-starred in episodes of ''[[The Bernie Mac Show]]'', ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'' and ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena to voice queen with 'devious plans' for planet|publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press|date=January 30, 2007|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=2748802|accessdate=May 11, 2009}}</ref> In 2007, Williams appeared in the music video of "I Want You" by the American rapper [[Common (rapper)|Common]], alongside performers [[Alicia Keys]] and [[Kanye West]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapdirt.com/common-i-want-you-video/16687/|title=Common 'I Want You' Video|website=rapdirt.com|date=October 23, 2007|accessdate=April 26, 2009}}</ref>', 361 => '', 362 => 'In late 2009, Williams became the first active female professional athlete to appear in a [[feminine hygiene]] product advertising campaign. A series of online videos and print advertisements for [[Tampax]] Pearl [[tampon]]s showed her hitting balls at [[Mother Nature]], played by [[Catherine Lloyd Burns]], to prevent Mother Nature giving her a red-wrapped gift, representing her [[menstrual period]]. In the online videos, the two have dueling press conferences over the "bad blood" between them. "A lot of celebrities are not open to working with our brand, and we're thrilled that Serena is", said a [[brand manager]] for Tampax at [[Procter & Gamble]].<ref name="tampon ad NYT story">{{cite news|last=Newman|first=Andrew Adam|title=Serena Williams' Ad Deals Survive Her Outburst on Court|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/business/media/29adco.html|work=The New York Times|date=September 28, 2009|accessdate=September 28, 2009}}</ref>', 363 => '', 364 => 'In July 2012, she appeared in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] comedic improv television series ''[[Trust Us with Your Life]]'' and as a lawyer on the [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] television series ''[[Drop Dead Diva]]''.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 365 => '', 366 => 'To celebrate the 35th anniversary of [[Pac-Man]], Williams made a cameo appearance in the movie ''[[Pixels (2015 film)|Pixels]]'', which starred Adam Sandler and Kevin James, and premiered on July 24, 2015.<ref name=Pixels />', 367 => '', 368 => 'Williams is known to be close to [[Beyoncé]] and made a cameo appearance dancing in Beyoncé's music video for the song ''[[Sorry (Beyoncé song)|Sorry]]'' in the hit album ''[[Lemonade (Beyoncé album)|Lemonade]]''. Williams said the director told her, "We would love for you to be in this particular song. It's about strength and it's about courage and that's what we see you as."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/culture/the-buzz/article/15499708/serena-williams-explains-why-beyonce-wanted-lemonade-video|title=Serena Williams explains why Beyonce wanted her in 'Lemonade' video|website=espnW}}</ref>', 369 => '', 370 => '===Language fluency===', 371 => 'In addition to English as her [[native language]], Williams also speaks conversational French, and knows some Spanish and Italian. At the 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018 [[French Open]] she gave her on-court interviews in French, much to the crowd's delight.<ref name=USAToday-speaking-French>{{cite web|last1=Chase|first1=Chris|title=Serena Williams is a regular Francophile|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/serena-williams-speaking-french-open|work=USA Today|accessdate=June 14, 2015|date=June 5, 2013}}</ref><ref name=NYTimes-speaking-French>{{cite news|last1=Clarey|first1=Christopher|title=Real First-Round Foe for Women's No. 1: Microphone|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-cruises-on-opening-day-of-french-open.html|accessdate=June 14, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=May 26, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528041525/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-cruises-on-opening-day-of-french-open.html|archivedate=May 28, 2013|quote=On they went — at Williams's insistence — in the language of Molière, Charles de Gaulle and Yannick Noah. And as Williams bravely worked her way through the banter — with the odd grammatical error but a respectable flow and accent — it was clear once again how much this tournament and this city meant to her.}}</ref>', 372 => '', 373 => '===Miami Dolphins venture===', 374 => 'In August 2009, Williams and her sister Venus became minority owners of the [[Miami Dolphins]] after purchasing a small stake in the team. They live near each other in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida,<ref name="voguesept17" /> which is about an hour's drive from the Dolphins' stadium. They are the first black women to hold any amount of ownership in an NFL franchise.<ref>{{cite news|title=Williams sisters buy into Dolphins group|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4422313|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN|date=August 25, 2009}}</ref>', 375 => '', 376 => '===Charity work===', 377 => 'In 2004 and 2005, Serena and her sister, Venus, visited hospitals and played several tennis matches in predominantly black cities in order to raise money for the local Ronald McDonald House charities. An ESPN episode was dedicated to the Williams sisters' charity tour.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>', 378 => 'In 2008, as part of the Serena Williams Foundation's work, Williams helped to fund the construction of the Serena Williams Secondary School in [[Makueni County|Matooni, Kenya]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91323/6534327.html |title=Serena Williams in Kenya on charity tour|work=People's Daily |date=November 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=53717 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305115551/http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=53717 |archivedate=March 5, 2010 |title=Serena Williams to Visit Kenya on Charity cause |first=Claire |last=Wanja |date=November 10, 2008 |publisher=Kenya Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=April 24, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chase.com/news/081315-serena-williams|title=Serena Williams: Service On and Off the Court|first=Danielle |last=Elliot |accessdate=August 18, 2015|display-authors=etal}}</ref> The Serena Williams Foundation also provides university scholarships for underprivileged students in the United States. In 2016, the Serena Williams Fund partnered with Helping Hands Jamaica to build the Salt Marsh Primary School for Jamaican youth in [[Trelawny Parish]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jamaica-star.com/article/features/20160209/tennis-star-serena-williams-helps-build-school-trelawny |title=Tennis Star Serena Williams helps build school in Trelawny &#124; Features |newspaper=Jamaica Star |date=February 9, 2016 |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis |first=Taylor |url=http://www.essence.com/2016/02/10/serena-williams-lends-helping-hand-build-jamaican-school |title=Serena Williams Lends a Helping Hand to Build a Jamaican School |website=Essence |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> She received a Celebrity Role Model Award from Avon Foundation in 2003 for work in breast cancer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avoncompany.com/women/news/press20031015.html |work=Avon |publisher=Avon Products, Inc. |accessdate=April 26, 2009 |date=October 15, 2003 |title=Jewel and Serena Williams Help the Avon Foundation Raise Millions for the Fight Against Breast Cancer |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114130839/http://www.avoncompany.com/women/news/press20031015.html |archivedate=November 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Williams has also been involved in a number of clinics at schools and community centers, particularly those which have programs focusing on at-risk youth.<ref name="WTA profile" /> She has also won the "Young Heroes Award" from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater L.A. and Inland (2003) and the "Family Circle and Prudential Financial Player Who Makes a Difference Award" (2004).<ref name="WTA profile" /> In response to the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]], Williams, along with other ATP and WTA stars, decided to forgo their final day of preparation for the [[2010 Australian Open]] to form a charity event in which all proceeds would go to the Haiti earthquake victims.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tennis.com.au/pages/News.aspx?id=4&pageId=11478&HandlerId=2&archive=false&newsid=6671 |title=Stars rally for a common cause |publisher=Tennis Australia |date=January 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5nDbzXsV7?url=http://www.tennis.com.au/Pages/News.aspx?id=4 |archivedate=February 1, 2010 |df= }}</ref> Serena, along with her sister Venus, is a supporter and contributor of First Serve Miami, a foundation for youth who want to learn tennis but are socially and economically challenged.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Chairman's Letter|url=http://www.firstservemiami.org/the-chairmans-letter/|publisher=First Serve Miami|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722215654/http://www.firstservemiami.org/the-chairmans-letter/|archivedate=July 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=First serve adopt-a-player program|url=http://www.firstservemiami.org/first-serve-adopt-a-player-program/|publisher=First Serve Miami|date=March 16, 2015|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722215657/http://www.firstservemiami.org/first-serve-adopt-a-player-program/|archivedate=July 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nole, Andy and Serena to benefit the First Serve Miami Foundation at Ritz-Carlton|url=http://novakdjokovic.com/en/news/events/nole-andy-and-serena-to-benefit-the-first-serve-miami-foundation-at-ritz-carlton/|website=NovakDjokovic.com|date=March 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and Other World Renowned Tennis Players Hold Court at Fifth Annual Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami All-Star Charity Tennis Event|url=http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KeyBiscayne/Information/News/Releases/fifth_annual_miami_all_star_charity_tennis.htm|publisher=Ritz-Carlton|date=February 17, 2014}}</ref> She has been an [[List of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors|International Goodwill Ambassador]] with [[UNICEF]] since 2011 and has helped launch UNICEF's Schools for Asia campaign.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tennis star Serena Williams becomes UNICEF's latest Goodwill Ambassador – with a focus on education|url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_59874.html|publisher=[[UNICEF]]|date=September 20, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams – Charity Work, Events and Causes|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/serena-williams|publisher=Look To The Stars}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Mark Piggott|title=Lionel Messsi and Serena Williams join Unicef children's education campaign|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/lionel-messsi-serena-williams-join-unicef-childrens-education-campaign-1482787|work=International Business Times|date=January 10, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecorazzi.com/2012/01/25/serena-williams-launches-unicefs-schools-for-asia/|title=Serena Williams Launches UNICEF's Schools for Asia |work=Ecorazzi |accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref>', 379 => '', 380 => 'In addition to the Serena Williams Fund in 2016, Serena and Venus collaborated on the Williams Sisters Fund to work on philanthropic projects together.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.serenawilliams.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301092912/https://www.serenawilliams.com/|url-status=dead|title=Serena &#124; Strong Sexy Sophisticated Clothing by Serena Williams|archivedate=March 1, 2017|website=Serena}}</ref> Also in 2016, in their native home of [[Compton, California]] Serena and Venus teamed up to found the Yetunde Price Resource Center, in honor of their late sister. The Resource Center provides services to families affected by community violence.<ref name=autogenerated1 />', 381 => '', 382 => 'Williams's return to Indian Wells in 2015 was done in partnership with the [[Equal Justice Initiative]], a non-profit organization that provides legal representation to those who might have been denied a fair trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eji.org/news/join-serena-williams-campaign-with-eji|title=Join Serena Williams' Campaign with EJI|website=EJI|accessdate=April 24, 2017|date=March 1, 2015}}</ref> EJI executive director [[Bryan Stevenson]] lauded her courage in supporting his organization. "It's so rare when athletes at the top of their game are willing to embrace a set of issues that, for a lot of people, are edgier", he said. "This is not aid to orphans. ... She was standing when a lot of her contemporaries remain seated, speaking up when others are being quiet."<ref name="SPOTY15">{{cite journal|last=Price|first=S. L. |date=December 21, 2015|title=Serena Williams is Sports Illustrated's 2015 Sportsperson of the Year|journal=Sports Illustrated|volume=123|issue=24|page=76|url=https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2015/12/14/serena-williams-si-sportsperson-year|accessdate=December 17, 2015}}</ref>', 383 => '', 384 => 'In 2014, Williams began hosting an annual charity run named "The Serena Williams Ultimate Fun Run". The event is in support of the Serena Williams Fund, which helps underprivileged individuals and communities that are affected by senseless violence and to ensure equal access to education of youth.<ref>[http://theultimaterun.com/charity/ Serena Williams Live Ultimate Run] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104202844/http://theultimaterun.com/charity/ |date=November 4, 2016}}, South Beach 12.13.15.</ref><ref name=autogenerated1/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tennisontario.com/pages/story-1-ot-spin-week-of-february-19 |title=Ontario Tennis Association – Serena Gives Back- OT Spin Week of February 19 |website=Tennisontario.com |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref>', 385 => '', 386 => 'In 2017, Williams became Ambassador for the [[Allstate|Allstate Foundation]]'s Purple Purse project, an initiative to provide financial empowerment to domestic abuse victims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2017/06/serena-williams-allstate-foundation-purple-purse-campaign/ |title=Serena Williams Joins Allstate's Purple Purse Project |website=Vibe (magazine) |first= Luria|last= Freeman|date=June 23, 2017 |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref><ref name="mediapost1">{{cite web|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/303343/allstate-enlists-serena-williams-for-cause-campaig.html |title=Allstate Enlists Serena Williams For Cause Campaign |first= Tanya|last= Gazdik |date= June 23, 2017|website=Mediapost.com |accessdate=July 15, 2017}}</ref> In a press release, Vicky Dinges, Allstate's senior vice president of corporate responsibility, said, "we are thrilled to welcome Serena, a longtime advocate and role model for so many, to the Purple Purse family. Her voice will bring new audiences into this critical conversation."<ref name="mediapost1" />', 387 => '', 388 => 'Other charitable organizations Williams supports include the [[Elton John AIDS Foundation]], [[Great Ormond Street Hospital]], Hearts of Gold, the Common Ground Foundation, the Small Steps Project, the [[HollyRod Foundation]], Beyond the Boroughs National Scholarship Fund, World Education, the Eva Longoria Foundation, the Caliber Foundation and the Cure for MND Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/serena-williams|title=Serena Williams: Charity Work & Causes|work=Look to the Stars|accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/serena-williams-mentions-mnd-in-victory-speech-115013100729_1.html |title=Serena Williams mentions MND in victory speech|work=Business Standard|date=January 31, 2015|accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref>', 389 => '', 390 => '===Writing===', 391 => 'The Williams sisters, with author Hilary Beard, wrote a book titled ''Venus & Serena: Serving From The Hip: 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning'', which was published in 2005.<ref name="Hilarybeard.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.hilarybeard.com/books/ |title=The Website of Author Hilary Beard – Books |website=Hilarybeard.com |accessdate=April 20, 2017|date=January 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-134387123.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905091647/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-134387123.html |url-status=dead |archivedate=September 5, 2013 |title=Venus and Serena: Serving From the Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving, and Winning.(Brief Article)(Book Review) |website=Highbeam.com |date=July 1, 2005 |accessdate=February 23, 2011}}</ref> During the [[2009 Wimbledon Championships]], Williams said that she was in the process of writing a TV show storyline, which would be converted into script form by her agency. She stated that the show would represent subject matter from a mix of popular American television shows such as ''[[Desperate Housewives]]'' and ''[[Family Guy]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2009.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2009-06-24/200906241245864482421.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825095418/http://2009.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2009-06-24/200906241245864482421.html |accessdate=April 20, 2017|archivedate=August 25, 2009 |title=S Williams – June&nbsp;24, 2009 |publisher=2009.wimbledon.org |date=June 24, 2009}}</ref>', 392 => 'Williams released her first solo autobiography, entitled ''On the Line'', following the [[2009 US Open (tennis)|2009 US Open]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}', 393 => '', 394 => '==Career statistics==', 395 => '{{Main|Serena Williams career statistics}}', 396 => '', 397 => '===Grand Slam tournament performance timeline===', 398 => '{{performance key|short=yes}}', 399 => '''Current through the [[2019 US Open – Women's Singles|2019 US Open]].''', 400 => '{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center;font-size:90%', 401 => '|-', 402 => '!Tournament!![[1998 WTA Tour|1998]]!![[1999 WTA Tour|1999]]!![[2000 WTA Tour|2000]]!![[2001 WTA Tour|2001]]!![[2002 WTA Tour|2002]]!![[2003 WTA Tour|2003]]!![[2004 WTA Tour|2004]]!![[2005 WTA Tour|2005]]!![[2006 WTA Tour|2006]]!![[2007 WTA Tour|2007]]!![[2008 WTA Tour|2008]]!![[2009 WTA Tour|2009]]!![[2010 WTA Tour|2010]]!![[2011 WTA Tour|2011]]!![[2012 WTA Tour|2012]]!![[2013 WTA Tour|2013]]!![[2014 WTA Tour|2014]]!![[2015 WTA Tour|2015]]!![[2016 WTA Tour|2016]]!![[2017 WTA Tour|2017]]!![[2018 WTA Tour|2018]]', 403 => '![[2019 WTA Tour|2019]]!!width=50|{{Tooltip| SR | Strike Rate}}!!width=50|{{Tooltip| W–L|Win–Loss}}!!width=40|Win %', 404 => '|-', 405 => '| style="text-align:left;"|{{nowrap|[[Australian Open]]}}', 406 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1998 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2R]]', 407 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1999 Australian Open – Women's Singles|3R]]', 408 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2000 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]]', 409 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2001 Australian Open – Women's Singles|QF]]', 410 => '|A', 411 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2003 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 412 => '|A', 413 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2005 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 414 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 Australian Open – Women's Singles|3R]]', 415 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 416 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2008 Australian Open – Women's Singles|QF]]', 417 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2009 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 418 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2010 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 419 => '|A', 420 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2012 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]]', 421 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2013 Australian Open – Women's Singles|QF]]', 422 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2014 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]]', 423 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 424 => '|style="background:thistle;"|[[2016 Australian Open – Women's Singles|F]]', 425 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2017 Australian Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 426 => '|A', 427 => '|style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2019 Australian Open – Women's Singles|QF]]', 428 => '|style="background:#efefef;"|7 / 18', 429 => '|style="background:#efefef;"|85–11', 430 => '|style="background:#efefef;"|{{tennis win percentage|won=85|lost=11|integer=yes}}', 431 => '|-', 432 => '| style="text-align:left;"|[[French Open]]', 433 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1998 French Open – Women's Singles|4R]]', 434 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1999 French Open – Women's Singles|3R]]', 435 => '|A', 436 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2001 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]', 437 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2002 French Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 438 => '|style="background:yellow;"|[[2003 French Open – Women's Singles|SF]]', 439 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2004 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]', 440 => '|A', 441 => '|A', 442 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]', 443 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2008 French Open – Women's Singles|3R]]', 444 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2009 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]', 445 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2010 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]', 446 => '|A', 447 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2012 French Open – Women's Singles|1R]]', 448 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 449 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2014 French Open – Women's Singles|2R]]', 450 => '| style="background:lime;"|[[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 451 => '| style="background:thistle;"|[[2016 French Open – Women's Singles|F]]', 452 => '|A', 453 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2018 French Open – Women's Singles|4R]]', 454 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2019 French Open – Women's Singles|3R]]', 455 => '|style="background:#efefef;"|3 / 17', 456 => '|style="background:#efefef;"|65–13', 457 => '|style="background:#efefef;"|{{tennis win percentage|won=65|lost=13|integer=yes}}', 458 => '|-', 459 => '| style="text-align:left;"|[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]', 460 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|3R]]', 461 => '|A', 462 => '| style="background:yellow;"|[[2000 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|SF]]', 463 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2001 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|QF]]', 464 => '| style="background:lime;"|[[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 465 => '| style="background:lime;"|[[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 466 => '| style="background:thistle;"|[[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]]', 467 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|3R]]', 468 => '|A', 469 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|QF]]', 470 => '| style="background:thistle;"|[[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]]', 471 => '| style="background:lime;"|[[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 472 => '| style="background:lime;"|[[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 473 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2011 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]]', 474 => '| style="background:lime;"|[[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 475 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2013 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]]', 476 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2014 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|3R]]', 477 => '| style="background:lime;"|[[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 478 => '| style="background:lime;"|[[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 479 => '|A', 480 => '| style="background:thistle;"|[[2018 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]]', 481 => '| style="background:thistle;"|[[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]]', 482 => '|style="background:#efefef;"|7 / 19', 483 => '|style="background:#efefef;"|98–12', 484 => '|style="background:#efefef;"|{{tennis win percentage|won=98|lost=12|integer=yes}}', 485 => '|-', 486 => '| style="text-align:left;"|[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]', 487 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[1998 US Open – Women's Singles|3R]]', 488 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[1999 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 489 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2000 US Open – Women's Singles|QF]]', 490 => '|style="background:thistle;"|[[2001 US Open – Women's Singles|F]]', 491 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2002 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 492 => '|A', 493 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2004 US Open – Women's Singles|QF]]', 494 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2005 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]]', 495 => '| style="background:#afeeee;"|[[2006 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]]', 496 => '| style="background:#ffebcd;"|[[2007 US Open – Women's Singles|QF]]', 497 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2008 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 498 => '|style="background:yellow;"|[[2009 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]]', 499 => '|A', 500 => '| style="background:thistle;"|[[2011 US Open – Women's Singles|F]]', 501 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 502 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2013 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 503 => '|style="background:lime;"|[[2014 US Open – Women's Singles|'''W''']]', 504 => '|style="background:yellow;"|[[2015 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]]', 505 => '|style="background:yellow;"|[[2016 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]]', 506 => '|A', 507 => '| style="background:thistle;"|[[2018 US Open – Women's Singles|F]]', 508 => '| style="background:thistle;"|[[2019 US Open – Women's Singles|F]]', 509 => '|style="background:#efefef;"|6 / 19', 510 => '|style="background:#efefef;"|101–13', 511 => '|style="background:#efefef;"|{{tennis win percentage|won=101|lost=13|integer=yes}}', 512 => '|- style="font-weight:bold; background:#efefef;"', 513 => '|style=text-align:left|Win–Loss', 514 => '|8–4', 515 => '|11–2', 516 => '|12–3', 517 => '|18–4', 518 => '|21–0', 519 => '|19–1', 520 => '|14–3', 521 => '|12–2', 522 => '|5–2', 523 => '|19–3', 524 => '|19–3', 525 => '|23–2', 526 => '|18–1', 527 => '|9–2', 528 => '|17–2', 529 => '|21–2', 530 => '|13–3', 531 => '|26–1', 532 => '|24–3', 533 => '|7–0', 534 => '|15–2', 535 => '|18–4', 536 => '|{{nowrap|23 / 73}}', 537 => '|{{nowrap|349–49}}', 538 => '|{{tennis win percentage|won=349|lost=49|integer=yes}}', 539 => '|}', 540 => '', 541 => '<small>Note: ''Williams withdrew from the 2018 French Open before her fourth round match, which does not officially count as a loss.''</small>', 542 => '', 543 => '===Grand Slam tournament finals===', 544 => '', 545 => '====Singles: 33 (23–10)====', 546 => '', 547 => '{| class="sortable wikitable"', 548 => '|-', 549 => '!Result', 550 => '!Year', 551 => '!Tournament', 552 => '!Surface', 553 => '!Opponents', 554 => '!class="unsortable"| Score', 555 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 556 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1999 US Open – Women's Singles|1999]]||[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]||[[Hard court|Hard]]||{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Martina Hingis]]||6–3, 7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup>', 557 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 558 => '| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2001 US Open – Women's Singles|2001]]||US Open||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Venus Williams]]||2–6, 4–6', 559 => '|- style="background:#ebc2af;"', 560 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2002 French Open – Women's Singles|2002]]||French Open||[[Clay court|Clay]]||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||7–5, 6–3', 561 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 562 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2002]]||[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]||[[Grass court|Grass]]||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup>, 6–3', 563 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 564 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2002 US Open – Women's Singles|2002]]||US Open <small>(2)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||6–4, 6–3', 565 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 566 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2003 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2003]]||Australian Open||Hard||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup>, 3–6, 6–4', 567 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 568 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2003]]||Wimbledon <small>(2)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||4–6, 6–4, 6–2', 569 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 570 => '| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2004]]||Wimbledon||Grass||{{Flagicon|RUS}} [[Maria Sharapova]]||1–6, 4–6', 571 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 572 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2005 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2005]]||Australian Open <small>(2)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Lindsay Davenport]]||2–6, 6–3, 6–0', 573 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 574 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2007]]||Australian Open <small>(3)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|RUS}} Maria Sharapova||6–1, 6–2', 575 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 576 => '| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2008]]||Wimbledon||Grass||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||5–7, 4–6', 577 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 578 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2008 US Open – Women's Singles|2008]]||US Open <small>(3)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|SRB|2004}} [[Jelena Janković]]||6–4, 7–5', 579 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 580 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2009]]||Australian Open <small>(4)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|RUS}} [[Dinara Safina]]||6–0, 6–3', 581 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 582 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2009]]||Wimbledon <small>(3)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||7–6<sup>(7–3)</sup>, 6–2', 583 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 584 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2010 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2010]]||Australian Open <small>(5)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|BEL}} [[Justine Henin]]||6–4, 3–6, 6–2', 585 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 586 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2010]]||Wimbledon <small>(4)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|RUS}} [[Vera Zvonareva]]||6–3, 6–2', 587 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 588 => '| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2011 US Open – Women's Singles|2011]]||US Open||Hard||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Samantha Stosur]]||2–6, 3–6', 589 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 590 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2012]]||Wimbledon <small>(5)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|POL}} [[Agnieszka Radwańska]]||6–1, 5–7, 6–2', 591 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 592 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|2012]]||US Open <small>(4)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|BLR}} [[Victoria Azarenka]]||6–2, 2–6, 7–5', 593 => '|- style="background:#ebc2af;"', 594 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|2013]]||French Open <small>(2)</small>||Clay||{{Flagicon|RUS}} Maria Sharapova||6–4, 6–4', 595 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 596 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2013 US Open – Women's Singles|2013]]||US Open <small>(5)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|BLR}} Victoria Azarenka||7–5, 6–7<sup>(6–8)</sup>, 6–1', 597 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 598 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2014 US Open – Women's Singles|2014]]||US Open <small>(6)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Caroline Wozniacki]]||6–3, 6–3', 599 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 600 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2015]]||Australian Open <small>(6)</small>||Hard||{{Flagicon|RUS}} Maria Sharapova||6–3, 7–6<sup>(7–5)</sup>', 601 => '|- style="background:#ebc2af;"', 602 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|2015]]||French Open <small>(3)</small>||Clay||{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Lucie Šafářová]]||6–3, 6–7<sup>(2–7)</sup>, 6–2', 603 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 604 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2015]]||Wimbledon <small>(6)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|Spain}} [[Garbiñe Muguruza]]||6–4, 6–4', 605 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 606 => '| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2016 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2016]]||Australian Open||Hard||{{flagicon|GER}} [[Angelique Kerber]]||4–6, 6–3, 4–6', 607 => '|- style="background:#ebc2af;"', 608 => '| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2016 French Open – Women's Singles|2016]]||French Open||Clay||{{Flagicon|Spain}} Garbiñe Muguruza ||5–7, 4–6', 609 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 610 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2016]]||Wimbledon <small>(7)</small>||Grass||{{Flagicon|GER}} Angelique Kerber||7–5, 6–3', 611 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 612 => '|style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2017 Australian Open|2017]]||Australian Open <small>(7)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||6–4, 6–4', 613 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 614 => '| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2018 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2018]]||Wimbledon||Grass||{{Flagicon|GER}} Angelique Kerber||3–6, 3–6', 615 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 616 => '|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2018 US Open – Women's Singles|2018]]||US Open||Hard||{{Flagicon|JPN}} [[Naomi Osaka]] ||2–6, 4–6', 617 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 618 => '|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2019]]||Wimbledon||Grass||{{flagicon|ROU}} [[Simona Halep]]|| 2–6, 2–6', 619 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 620 => '|style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[2019 US Open – Women's Singles|2019]]||US Open||Hard||{{Flagicon|CAN}} [[Bianca Andreescu]] || 3–6, 5–7 ', 621 => '|}', 622 => '', 623 => '====Women's doubles: 14 (14–0)====', 624 => '', 625 => '{| class="sortable wikitable"', 626 => '|-', 627 => '!Result', 628 => '!style="width:40px" | Year', 629 => '!style="width:120px"| Tournament', 630 => '!style="width:70px" | Surface', 631 => '!style="width:170px"| Partner', 632 => '!style="width:170px"| Opponents', 633 => '!style="width:130px" class="unsortable" | Score', 634 => '|- style="background:#ebc2af;"', 635 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1999 French Open – Women's Doubles|1999]]||French Open||Clay||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Venus Williams]]||{{flagicon|SUI}} [[Martina Hingis]]<br />{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Anna Kournikova]]||6–3, 6–7<sup>(2–7)</sup>, 8–6', 636 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 637 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1999 US Open – Women's Doubles|1999]]||[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Chanda Rubin]]<br />{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Sandrine Testud]]||4–6, 6–1, 6–4', 638 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 639 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2000 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2000]]||[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Julie Halard-Decugis]]<br />{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Ai Sugiyama]]||6–3, 6–2', 640 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 641 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2001 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2001]]||Australian Open||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lindsay Davenport]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Corina Morariu]]||6–2, 2–6, 6–4', 642 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 643 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2002 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2002]]||Wimbledon <small>(2)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Virginia Ruano Pascual]]<br />{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Paola Suárez]]||6–2, 7–5', 644 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 645 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2003 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2003]]||Australian Open <small>(2)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|ESP}} Virginia Ruano Pascual<br />{{flagicon|ARG}} Paola Suárez||4–6, 6–4, 6–3', 646 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 647 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2008]]||Wimbledon <small>(3)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lisa Raymond]]<br />{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Samantha Stosur]]||6–2, 6–2', 648 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 649 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2009]]||Australian Open <small>(3)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|SVK}} [[Daniela Hantuchová]]<br />{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Ai Sugiyama]]||6–3, 6–3', 650 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 651 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2009]]||Wimbledon <small>(4)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Samantha Stosur]]<br />{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Rennae Stubbs]]||7–6<sup>(7–4)</sup>, 6–4', 652 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 653 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2009 US Open – Women's Doubles|2009]]||US Open <small>(2)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|ZIM}} [[Cara Black]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Liezel Huber]]||6–2, 6–2', 654 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 655 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2010 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2010]]||Australian Open <small>(4)</small>||Hard||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|ZIM}} Cara Black<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Liezel Huber||6–4, 6–3', 656 => '|- style="background:#ebc2af;"', 657 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2010 French Open – Women's Doubles|2010]]||French Open <small>(2)</small>||Clay||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Květa Peschke]]<br />{{flagicon|SLO}} [[Katarina Srebotnik]]||6–2, 6–3', 658 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 659 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2012]]||Wimbledon <small>(5)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Andrea Hlaváčková]]<br />{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Lucie Hradecká]]||7–5, 6–4', 660 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 661 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[2016 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Doubles|2016]]||Wimbledon <small>(6)</small>||Grass||{{flagicon|USA}} Venus Williams||{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Tímea Babos]]<br />{{flagicon|KAZ}} [[Yaroslava Shvedova]]||6–3, 6–4', 662 => '|}', 663 => '', 664 => '====Mixed doubles: 4 (2–2)====', 665 => '', 666 => '{| class="sortable wikitable"', 667 => '|-', 668 => '!Result', 669 => '!style="width:40px" | Year', 670 => '!style="width:120px"| Tournament', 671 => '!style="width:70px" | Surface', 672 => '!style="width:170px"| Partner', 673 => '!style="width:170px"| Opponents', 674 => '!style="width:130px" class="unsortable"| Score', 675 => '|- style="background:#ebc2af;"', 676 => '| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[1998 French Open – Mixed Doubles|1998]]||French Open||Clay||{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Luis Lobo]]||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Justin Gimelstob]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Venus Williams]]||3–6, 4–6', 677 => '|- style="background:#cfc;"', 678 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1998 Wimbledon Championships – Mixed Doubles|1998]]||[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]||Grass||{{flagicon|BLR|1995}} [[Max Mirnyi]]||{{flagicon|IND}} [[Mahesh Bhupathi]]<br />{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Mirjana Lučić]]||6–4, 6–4', 679 => '|- style="background:#ccf;"', 680 => '| style="background:#98fb98;"|Win||[[1998 US Open – Mixed Doubles|1998]]||[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]||Hard||{{flagicon|BLR|1995}} Max Mirnyi||{{flagicon|USA}} [[Patrick Galbraith]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Lisa Raymond]]||6–2, 6–2', 681 => '|- style="background:#ffc;"', 682 => '| style="background:#ffa07a;"|Loss||[[1999 Australian Open – Mixed Doubles|1999]]||Australian Open||Hard||{{flagicon|BLR|1995}} Max Mirnyi||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[David Adams (tennis)|David Adams]]<br />{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Mariaan de Swardt]]||4–6, 6–4, 6–7<sup>(5–7)</sup>', 683 => '|}', 684 => '', 685 => '==Records==', 686 => '{{Main|List of career achievements by Serena Williams}}', 687 => '* Records in '''bold''' indicate peer-less achievements.', 688 => '* Records in ''italics'' are currently active streaks.{{when|date=July 2019}}', 689 => '', 690 => '{|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"', 691 => '|-', 692 => '!Time span', 693 => '!Selected Grand Slam tournament records', 694 => '!Players matched', 695 => '|-', 696 => '|1999 US Open —<br />2003 Australian Open||Career Grand Slam in singles||[[Doris Hart]]<br />[[Maureen Connolly]]<br />[[Shirley Fry Irvin|Shirley Fry]]<br />[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Billie Jean King]]<br />[[Chris Evert]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]<br />[[Maria Sharapova]]', 697 => '|-', 698 => '|2012 Wimbledon —<br />2015 Australian Open||Career Grand Slam in singles after age 30||'''Stands alone'''', 699 => '|-', 700 => '|2012 Wimbledon —<br />2017 Australian Open||Double Career Grand Slam in singles after age 30||'''Stands alone'''', 701 => '|-', 702 => '|1999 US Open —<br />2012 Olympics||Career Golden Slam in singles||[[Steffi Graf]]', 703 => '|-', 704 => '|2012 Wimbledon —<br />2015 Australian Open||Career Golden Slam in singles after age 30||'''Stands alone'''', 705 => '|-', 706 => '|1999 French Open —<br />2003 Australian Open||Career Grand Slam in both singles and doubles||[[Doris Hart]]<br />[[Shirley Fry Irvin|Shirley Fry]]<br />[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]]', 707 => '|-', 708 => '|1999 French Open —<br />2012 Olympics||Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles||'''Stands alone'''', 709 => '|-', 710 => '|2012 Wimbledon —<br />2017 Australian Open||Ten Grand Slam singles titles after age 30||'''Stands alone'''', 711 => '|-', 712 => '|2002 Wimbledon —<br />2017 Australian Open||[[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions#Winning a Grand Slam singles tournament without losing a set (Open Era)|3 different Grand Slam titles won without losing a set]]||[[Helen Wills]]<br />[[Chris Evert]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]<br />[[Lindsay Davenport]]', 713 => '|-', 714 => '|1999 US Open —<br />2017 Australian Open||Thirteen hardcourt Grand Slam singles titles||'''Stands alone'''', 715 => '|-', 716 => '|2012 Olympics —<br />2015 Wimbledon||Simultaneous holder of Olympic singles gold and all four Grand Slams in singles||[[Steffi Graf]]', 717 => '|-', 718 => '|2008 Olympics —<br />2010 French Open||Simultaneous holder of Olympic doubles gold and all four Grand Slams in doubles (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]]', 719 => '|-', 720 => '|2008 Olympics —<br />2015 Wimbledon||Simultaneous holder of Olympic gold and all four Grand Slams in both singles and doubles||'''Stands alone', 721 => '|-', 722 => '|1999 French Open —<br />2012 Olympics||Double Career Golden Slam (2+ titles at all four Grand Slams & Olympic golds) in doubles (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]]', 723 => '|-', 724 => '|2002 French Open —<br />2002 US Open||100% (21–0) match winning percentage in 1 season||[[Helen Wills]]<br />[[Maureen Connolly]]<br />[[Shirley Fry]]<br />[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Billie Jean King]]<br />[[Chris Evert]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]<br />[[Monica Seles]]', 725 => '|-', 726 => '|2002 French Open —<br />2003 Australian Open||Winner of non-calendar year Grand Slam||[[Maureen Connolly]]<br />[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]', 727 => '|-', 728 => '|2002 French Open —<br />2015 Wimbledon||Winner of two non-calendar year Grand Slams||[[Steffi Graf]]', 729 => '|-', 730 => '|2002 French Open —<br />2010 French Open||Winner of non-calendar year Grand Slams in both singles and doubles||[[Martina Navratilova]]', 731 => '|-', 732 => '|2002 French Open —<br />2016 Wimbledon||Winner of 10+ Grand Slam singles titles in two separate decades (10 from 2000 to 2009 and 12 from 2010 to 2017) ||'''Stands alone'''', 733 => '|-', 734 => '|2002 French Open —<br />2013 French Open||Winner of all four Grand Slam singles titles in two separate decades||[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]', 735 => '|-', 736 => '|1999 US Open —<br />2013 French Open||Winner of Grand Slam singles titles in three decades||[[Blanche Bingley]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]]', 737 => '|-', 738 => '|1999 French Open —<br />2016 Wimbledon||First 14 Grand Slam doubles finals won (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]]', 739 => '|-', 740 => '|1999 US Open —<br />2015 French Open||Triple Career Grand Slam (3+ titles at all four Grand Slams) in singles||[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]', 741 => '|-', 742 => '|1999 US Open —<br />2013 French Open||Double Career Grand Slam in both singles and doubles||[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Martina Navratilova]]', 743 => '|-', 744 => '|1999 US Open —<br />2015 Wimbledon||6+ titles at three different Grand Slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open)||'''Stands alone'''', 745 => '|-', 746 => '|2002 Wimbledon —<br />2017 Australian Open||7 titles at two different Grand Slams (Australian Open and Wimbledon)||'''Stands alone'''', 747 => '|-', 748 => '|1998 Australian Open —<br />2019 US Open||65+ wins at all four Grand Slams', 749 => '||'''Stands alone'''', 750 => '|-', 751 => '|2012 Australian Open—<br />2017 Australian Open||3 finals at each of the four Grand Slams since turning 30', 752 => '||'''Stands alone'''', 753 => '|-', 754 => '|2019 US Open||Oldest women's singles finalist (37 years 11 months)||'''Stands alone'''', 755 => '|}', 756 => '', 757 => '{|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"', 758 => '|-', 759 => '!Grand Slam tournaments', 760 => '!Time span', 761 => '!Records at each Grand Slam tournament', 762 => '!Players matched', 763 => '|-', 764 => '|Australian Open||2007||Unseeded winner of singles title||[[Chris O'Neil (tennis)|Chris O'Neil]]', 765 => '|-', 766 => '|Australian Open||2003–2017||7 women's singles titles (Open Era record)||'''Stands alone'''', 767 => '|-', 768 => '|Australian Open||2003–2017||[[List of Australian Open Singles Finals appearances|8 finals overall]]||'''Stands alone'''', 769 => '|-', 770 => '|Australian Open||2003–2017||14 years between first and last title||'''Stands alone'''', 771 => '|-', 772 => '|Australian Open||2003–2017||14 years between first and last final||[[Chris Evert]]<br />[[Venus Williams]]', 773 => '|-', 774 => '|Australian Open||1998–2019||85 match wins||'''Stands alone'''', 775 => '|-', 776 => '|French Open||2002–2015||13 years between first and last title||'''Stands alone'''', 777 => '|-', 778 => '|French Open||2002–2016||14 years between first and last final||'''Stands alone'''', 779 => '|-', 780 => '|French Open—Wimbledon||2002, 2015||Accomplished a "Channel Slam": Winning both tournaments in the same year||[[Margaret Court]]<br />[[Billie Jean King]]<br />Chris Evert<br />[[Martina Navratilova]]<br />[[Steffi Graf]]', 781 => '|-', 782 => '|Wimbledon||2012–2016||3 women's singles titles after age 30||'''Stands alone'''', 783 => '|-', 784 => '|Wimbledon||2002–2019||17 years between first and last final||Venus Williams', 785 => '|-', 786 => '|US Open||1999–2012||Winner of singles titles in three decades||'''Stands alone'''', 787 => '|-', 788 => '|US Open||1999–2014||6 women's singles titles (Open Era record)||Chris Evert', 789 => '|-', 790 => '|US Open||1998–2019||101 match wins||Chris Evert', 791 => '|-', 792 => '|US Open||1999–2014||15 years between first and last title||'''Stands alone'''', 793 => '|-', 794 => '|US Open||1999–2019||20 years between first and last final||'''Stands alone'''', 795 => '|-', 796 => '|US Open||2011, 2013–2014||Won as [[US Open Series]] Champion multiple times ||'''Stands alone'''', 797 => '|-', 798 => '|US Open||2012–2014||3 women's singles titles after age 30||'''Stands alone'''', 799 => '|}', 800 => '', 801 => '{|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"', 802 => '|-', 803 => '!Time span', 804 => '!Other selected records', 805 => '!Players matched', 806 => '|-', 807 => '|1999–2016||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#WTA Premier/Tier One (since inception in 1988)|23 Tier I / Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 singles titles overall]]||'''Stands alone'''', 808 => '|-', 809 => '|1999–2016||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#WTA Premier/Tier One (since inception in 1988)|32 Tier I / Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 singles finals overall]]||'''Stands alone'''', 810 => '|-', 811 => '|1999–2015||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#Titles by court type|16 Hard court Tier I / Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 singles titles overall]]||'''Stands alone'''', 812 => '|-', 813 => '|2001||Won [[2001 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|WTA Tour Championships]] on debut||[[Maria Sharapova]]<br />[[Petra Kvitová]]<br />[[Dominika Cibulková]]<br />[[Ashleigh Barty]]', 814 => '|-', 815 => '|2010||Ranked No. 1 in singles and doubles simultaneously||[[Martina Navratilova]]<br />[[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]]<br />[[Martina Hingis]]<br />[[Lindsay Davenport]]<br />[[Kim Clijsters]]', 816 => '|-', 817 => '|2013–2016||[[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players#Consecutive|186 consecutive weeks at No. 1]]||[[Steffi Graf]]', 818 => '|-', 819 => '|2003–2008||2 [[Hopman Cup]] titles||[[Dominik Hrbatý]]<br />[[Tommy Robredo]]<br />[[James Blake (tennis)|James Blake]]<br />[[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]]', 820 => '|-', 821 => '|2002–2015||[[Miami Masters#Records|8 Miami Masters singles titles overall]]||'''Stands alone'''', 822 => '|-', 823 => '|2000–2012||[[Tennis at the Summer Olympics#Multiple medal winners (1896–2016)|4 Olympic Gold Medals overall]]||[[Venus Williams]]', 824 => '|-', 825 => '|2000–2012||[[Tennis at the Summer Olympics#Multiple medal winners (1896–2016)|3 Olympic Gold Medals in Doubles]] (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]]', 826 => '|-', 827 => '|2000–2016||[[List of Olympic medalists in tennis#Doubles (women)|93.75% (15–1) Olympic match winning record in doubles]] (with [[Venus Williams]])||[[Venus Williams]]', 828 => '|-', 829 => '|2001, 2012||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#Year-End Championships|Two Year-End Championships won without losing a set]]||[[Martina Navratilova]]', 830 => '|-', 831 => '|2001–2015||[[Open Era tennis records – women's singles#Year-End Championships|Winning percentage of 82.86% at Year-End Championships]]||'''Stands alone'''', 832 => '|-', 833 => '|1995–2017||[[List of WTA Tour players by career prize money|$84,463,131 prize money overall]]||'''Stands alone'''', 834 => '|}', 835 => '', 836 => '==Filmography==', 837 => '', 838 => '{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"', 839 => '|+ Film and television', 840 => '|-', 841 => '! Year', 842 => '! Title', 843 => '! Role', 844 => '! class="unsortable" | Notes', 845 => '|-', 846 => '| 2001', 847 => '| ''[[The Simpsons]]''', 848 => '| Herself (voice)', 849 => '| Episode: "[[Tennis the Menace]]"', 850 => '|-', 851 => '| 2002', 852 => '| ''[[My Wife and Kids]]''', 853 => '| Miss Wiggins', 854 => '| Episode: "Crouching Mother, Hidden Father"', 855 => '|-', 856 => '| 2003', 857 => '| ''[[Street Time]]''', 858 => '| Meeka Hayes', 859 => '| Episode: "Fly Girl"', 860 => '|-', 861 => '| 2004', 862 => '| ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]''', 863 => '| Chloe Spiers', 864 => '| Episode: "Brotherhood"', 865 => '|-', 866 => '| 2004', 867 => '| ''[[The Division]]''', 868 => '| Jennifer Davis', 869 => '| Episode: "Lost and Found"', 870 => '|-', 871 => '| 2004', 872 => '| ''[[Hair Show]]''', 873 => '| Agent Ross', 874 => '|', 875 => '|-', 876 => '| 2005', 877 => '| ''[[Higglytown Heroes]]''', 878 => '| Snowplow Driver Hero (voice)', 879 => '| Episode: "Higgly Hoedown/Eubie's Turbo Sled"', 880 => '|-', 881 => '| 2005', 882 => '| ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]''', 883 => '| Alice Watson', 884 => '| Episode: "Two Ships "', 885 => '|-', 886 => '| 2005', 887 => '| ''[[All of Us]]''', 888 => '| Herself', 889 => '| Episode: "Not So Wonderful News"', 890 => '|-', 891 => '|2005', 892 => '|''[[America's Next Top Model]]''', 893 => '|Herself', 894 => '|Episode: "The Girl with the Worst Photo in History"', 895 => '|-', 896 => '|2005–2007', 897 => '|''[[Punk'd]]''', 898 => '|Herself', 899 => '|3 episodes', 900 => '|-', 901 => '| 2007', 902 => '| ''[[Loonatics Unleashed]]''', 903 => '| Queen Athena (voice)', 904 => '| Episode: "Apocalypso"', 905 => '|-', 906 => '| 2007', 907 => '| ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''', 908 => '| Ming (voice)', 909 => '| Episode: "The Day of Black Sun: Part 1 – The Invasion"', 910 => '|-', 911 => '| 2006', 912 => '| ''[[The Bernie Mac Show]]''', 913 => '| Herself', 914 => '| Episode: "Spinning Wheels"', 915 => '|-', 916 => '| 2008', 917 => '| ''[[The Game (U.S. TV series)|The Game]]''', 918 => '| Herself', 919 => '| Episode: "The List Episode"', 920 => '|-', 921 => '| 2008', 922 => '| ''[[MADtv]]''', 923 => '| Herself / Black Racket', 924 => '|Episode: "Episode 7"', 925 => '|-', 926 => '| 2011', 927 => '| ''[[Keeping Up with the Kardashians]]''', 928 => '| Herself', 929 => '|Episode: "Kim's Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event – Part 2"', 930 => '|-', 931 => '| 2012', 932 => '| ''[[Drop Dead Diva]]''', 933 => '| Kelly Stevens', 934 => '| Episode: "Rigged"', 935 => '|-', 936 => '| 2012', 937 => '| ''[[Venus and Serena (film)|Venus and Serena]]''', 938 => '| Herself', 939 => '|', 940 => '|-', 941 => '| 2013', 942 => '| ''[[The Legend of Korra]]''', 943 => '| Female Sage (voice)', 944 => '| Episode: "Beginnings, Part 1"', 945 => '|-', 946 => '| 2015', 947 => '| ''[[7 Days in Hell]]''', 948 => '| Herself', 949 => '|', 950 => '|-', 951 => '|2015', 952 => '| ''[[Pixels (2015 film)|Pixels]]''', 953 => '| Herself', 954 => '| Cameo Appearance<ref name=Pixels>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/videos/life/2015/05/22/27799457|title=Serena Williams serves up laughs in 'Pixels'|date=May 22, 2015|work=USA Today|accessdate=August 18, 2015}}</ref>', 955 => '|-', 956 => '|2016', 957 => '|''[[Lemonade (Beyoncé album)|Lemonade]]'' music video', 958 => '|Herself', 959 => '|Cameo Appearance in "[[Sorry (Beyoncé song)|Sorry]]"', 960 => '|-', 961 => '|2016', 962 => '|''Serena: The Other Side of Greatness''', 963 => '|Herself', 964 => '|Documentary', 965 => '|-', 966 => '|2018', 967 => '|''[[Ocean's 8]]''', 968 => '|Herself', 969 => '|Cameo Appearance', 970 => '|-', 971 => '|2018', 972 => '|''Being Serena''', 973 => '|Herself', 974 => '|Documentary', 975 => '|}', 976 => '', 977 => '==See also==', 978 => '{{Portal|Biography|Books|Film|Olympics|Television|United States|Tennis|Politics}}', 979 => '', 980 => '{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}', 981 => '* [[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions]]', 982 => '* [[List of Grand Slam women's doubles champions]]', 983 => '* [[List of Grand Slam mixed doubles champions]]', 984 => '* [[Henin–S. Williams rivalry]]', 985 => '* [[Hingis–S. Williams rivalry]]', 986 => '* [[Williams sisters rivalry]]', 987 => '* [[Women's sports]]', 988 => '{{div col end}}', 989 => '{{clear}}', 990 => '', 991 => '==References==', 992 => '{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}', 993 => '{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}', 994 => '', 995 => '==Bibliography==', 996 => '* {{cite book', 997 => '| ref=harv', 998 => '| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=GaphSm9ndMsC', 999 => '| last1=Morgan |first1=Terri', 1000 => '| title=Venus and Serena Williams: Grand Slam Sisters', 1001 => '| series=Sports Achievers Biographies', 1002 => '| publisher=Lerner Publishing', 1003 => '| year=2001', 1004 => '| pages=64pp', 1005 => '| nopp=y', 1006 => '| isbn=978-0-8225-3684-0', 1007 => '}}', 1008 => '* {{cite book', 1009 => '| ref = harv', 1010 => '| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=n-_SalMONJUC', 1011 => '| last1 = Williams | first1 = Venus', 1012 => '| author2 = Serena Williams', 1013 => '| author3 = Hilary Beard', 1014 => '| title = Venus and Serena: Serving from the Hip: 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning', 1015 => '| publisher = Houghton Mifflin Harcourt', 1016 => '| year = 2005', 1017 => '| pages = 133pp', 1018 => '| nopp = y', 1019 => '| isbn = 978-0-618-57653-1', 1020 => '}}', 1021 => '* {{cite book', 1022 => '| ref = harv', 1023 => '| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=QgAHQLkOijkC', 1024 => '| last1 = Williams | first1 = Serena', 1025 => '| author2 = Daniel Paisner', 1026 => '| title = On the Line', 1027 => '| year = 2009a', 1028 => '| pages = 214pp', 1029 => '| nopp = y', 1030 => '| publisher = Hachette Digital', 1031 => '| isbn = 978-0-446-56402-1', 1032 => '}}', 1033 => '* {{cite book', 1034 => '| ref = harv', 1035 => '| last1 = Williams | first1 = Serena', 1036 => '| author2 = Daniel Paisner', 1037 => '| title = My Life: Queen of the Court', 1038 => '| year = 2009b', 1039 => '| pages = 257pp', 1040 => '| nopp = y', 1041 => '| publisher = Simon & Schuster', 1042 => '| isbn = 978-1-84737-544-5', 1043 => '}}', 1044 => '', 1045 => '==External links==', 1046 => '', 1047 => '{{wikimedia|collapsible=true|wikt=no |c=Category:Serena Williams|b=no|q=Serena Williams|s=no|v=no|species=no |voy=no|display=Serena Williams|d=Q11459}}', 1048 => '* {{official website}}', 1049 => '* {{WTA}}', 1050 => '* {{ITF profile|20007765}}', 1051 => '* {{Fed Cup player}}', 1052 => '* {{IMDb name|1102987|Serena Williams}}', 1053 => '* [http://www.makers.com/serena-williams Serena Williams] video produced by ''[[Makers: Women Who Make America]]''', 1054 => '', 1055 => '{{Serena Williams}}', 1056 => '{{Serena Williams start boxes}}', 1057 => '{{navboxes|title=Serena Williams in the [[grand slam (tennis)|Grand Slam Tournaments]]', 1058 => '|list1=', 1059 => '{{navboxes|title=[[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions|Women's singles]]', 1060 => '|list1=', 1061 => '{{Australian Open women's singles champions}}', 1062 => '{{French Open women's singles champions}}', 1063 => '{{Wimbledon women's singles champions}}', 1064 => '{{US Open women's singles champions}}', 1065 => '}}', 1066 => '{{navboxes|title=[[List of Grand Slam women's doubles champions|Women's doubles]]', 1067 => '|list1=', 1068 => '{{Australian Open women's doubles champions}}', 1069 => '{{French Open women's doubles champions}}', 1070 => '{{Wimbledon women's doubles champions}}', 1071 => '{{US Open women's doubles champions}}', 1072 => '}}', 1073 => '{{navboxes|title=[[List of Grand Slam mixed doubles champions|Mixed doubles]]', 1074 => '|list1=', 1075 => '{{Wimbledon mixed doubles champions}}', 1076 => '{{US Open mixed doubles champions}}', 1077 => '}}', 1078 => '{{navboxes|title=Others', 1079 => '|list1=', 1080 => '{{Women's tennis players who won two or more Grand Slam singles titles in one calendar year}}', 1081 => '{{Tennis women grand slam three and more}}', 1082 => '}}', 1083 => '}}', 1084 => '{{navboxes|title=[[Serena Williams 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[[Category:21st-century African-American people]] -->', 1107 => '[[Category:1981 births]]', 1108 => '[[Category:African-American designers]]', 1109 => '[[Category:African-American female tennis players]]', 1110 => '[[Category:American autobiographers]]', 1111 => '[[Category:American female tennis players]]', 1112 => '[[Category:American Jehovah's Witnesses]]', 1113 => '[[Category:Australian Open (tennis) champions]]', 1114 => '[[Category:French Open champions]]', 1115 => '[[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in mixed doubles]]', 1116 => '[[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in women's doubles]]', 1117 => '[[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in women's singles]]', 1118 => '[[Category:Hopman Cup competitors]]', 1119 => '[[Category:Laureus World Sports Awards winners]]', 1120 => '[[Category:Living people]]', 1121 => '[[Category:Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics]]', 1122 => '[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]', 1123 => '[[Category:Medalists at the 2012 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