Personal

Began playing at age 5 at public courts in Compton, California, coached by father, Richard Williams... Mother is Oracene Price... Youngest of five sisters: Lyndrea, Isha, Yetunde (died September 14, 2003) and Venus... Charitable efforts include opening two Serena Williams Secondary Schools in Kenya (2008, 2010); touring Lagos and Johannesburg with sister Venus for 'Breaking The Mould' tour (in 2012); UNICEF International Goodwill Ambassador; and has also made many other appearances at schools and community organizations, particularly those which target at-risk youth... Lifelong interest in fashion, with a custom-designed Nike apparel line, her own clothing line (Aneres) and her successful HSN collection of handbags and jewelry (Serena Williams Signature Statement)... In 2017 founded Serena Ventures, a venture capital fund... Married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in New Orleans on 16 November, 2017... Gave birth to first daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr., on 1 September, 2017... Returned to the Tour in 2018 and reached four more Grand Slam finals before retiring at 2022 US Open... Second daughter, Adira River, arrived on 15 August, 2023.

Career Highlights

SINGLES
Winner (73): 2020 - Auckland; 2017 - Australian Open; 2016 - Rome, Wimbledon; 2015 - Australian Open, Miami, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Cincinnati; 2014 - Brisbane, Miami, Rome, Stanford, Cincinnati, US Open, WTA Finals; 2013 - Brisbane, Miami, Charleston, Madrid, Rome, Roland Garros, Bastad, Toronto, US Open, Beijing, WTA Finals; 2012 - Charleston, Madrid, Wimbledon, Stanford, Olympics, US Open, WTA Finals; 2011 - Stanford, Toronto; 2010 - Australian Open, Wimbledon; 2009 - Australian Open, Wimbledon, WTA Finals; 2008 - Bangalore, Miami, Charleston, US Open; 2007 - Australian Open, Miami; 2005 - Australian Open; 2004 - Miami, Beijing; 2003 - Australian Open, Paris [Indoors], Miami, Wimbledon; 2002 - Scottsdale, Miami, Rome, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open, Tokyo [Princess Cup], Leipzig; 2001 - Indian Wells, Toronto, WTA Finals; 2000 - Hannover, Los Angeles, Tokyo [Princess Cup]; 1999 - Paris [Indoors], Indian Wells, Los Angeles, US Open, Grand Slam Cup.
Finalist (25): 2019 - Wimbledon, Toronto, US Open; 2018 - Wimbledon, US Open; 2016 - Australian Open, Indian Wells, Roland Garros; 2013 - Doha, Cincinnati; 2011 - US Open; 2010 - Sydney; 2009 - Miami; 2008 - Wimbledon; 2007 - Moscow; 2004 - Wimbledon, Los Angeles, WTA Finals; 2003 - Charleston; 2002 - Berlin, WTA Finals; 2001 - US Open; 2000 - Paris [Indoors], Montréal; 1999 - Miami.

DOUBLES
Winner (23): 2016 - Wimbledon (w/V.Williams); 2012 - Wimbledon, Olympics (both w/V.Williams); 2010 - Australian Open, Madrid, Roland Garros (all w/V.Williams); 2009 - Australian Open, Wimbledon, Stanford, US Open (all w/V.Williams); 2008 - Wimbledon, Olympics (both w/V.Williams); 2003 - Australian Open (w/V.Williams); 2002 - Wimbledon (w/V.Williams), Leipzig (w/Stevenson); 2001 - Australian Open (w/V.Williams); 2000 - Wimbledon, Olympics (both w/V.Williams); 1999 - Hannover, Roland Garros, US Open (all w/V.Williams); 1998 - Oklahoma City, Zürich (both w/V.Williams).
Finalist (2): 2020 - Auckland (w/Wozniacki); 1999 - San Diego (w/V.Williams).

MIXED DOUBLES
Winner (2): 1998 - Wimbledon, US Open (both w/Mirnyi).
Finalist (2): 1999 - Australian Open (w/Mirnyi); 1998 - Roland Garros (w/Lobo).

ADDITIONAL
American Fed Cup Team, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2012-13, 2015; American Olympic Team, 2000, 2008, 2012, 2016.

Career in Review

Highlight of 2021 campaign came at Australian Open, where she fell in her 40th Grand Slam SF (l. eventual champion Osaka); defeated No.7 Sabalenka in R16 and No.2 Halep in QF

Captured 73rd career title to begin 2020 campaign at Auckland, also reached SF of US Open (l. Azarenka in 3s)

With 73 career singles titles, ranks fifth on the Open Era list of most titles, after Martina Navratilova (167), Chris Evert (154), Steffi Graf (107) and Margaret Court (92)

Highlights of 2019 season were her 32nd and 33rd Grand Slam finals, at Wimbledon (l. Halep) and US Open (l. Andreescu)

Reached one further final in 2019 at Toronto (ret. vs. Andreescu w/back injury). Ended 2019 ranked No.10, her first year-end finish inside the elite ranking bracket since 2016 (at No.2)

Other highlights of 2019 were reaching QF at Australian Open and partnering with Andy Murray to contest Mixed Doubles at Wimbledon (reaching 3r)

Defeated World No.1 Halep in R16 at 2019 Australian Open - at 37 years, is oldest player to defeat the reigning World No.1. Has registered 17 career wins over (eight different) No.1 ranked players, second-most behind Navratilova (18)

Reached two Grand Slam finals in 2018, at Wimbledon (l. Kerber) and US Open (l. Osaka). Made return to Tour following birth of daughter Olympia at 2018 Indian Wells

Ended 2017 ranked No.22, despite playing only two events all season, and both in January. Broke streak of 10 consecutive Top 20 finishes. Overall, has 16 Top 10 finishes to her name (most recently in 2019) - third-most behind Navratilova (20) and Evert (19) - including five as the year-end No.1

Holds distinction of being the oldest No.1 in WTA history - set record when most recent streak began on February 18, 2013. Spent her 319th week at No.1 in May 2017. Third on all-time list after Graf's 377 and Navratilova's 332

Held the top ranking for 186 consecutive weeks (through 2016 US Open) which equaled the record held by Graf (186 weeks, August 17, 1986 through March 10, 1991)

Holds single-season prize money record of $12,385,572, achieved in 2013, when she compiled a 78-4 win-loss record and won 11 tournaments (including two Slams and WTA Finals)

Singles gold medalist at London 2012 Olympics

Along w/sister Venus held all four Grand Slam titles at same time, from 2009 Wimbledon through 2010 Roland Garros - third pair to do so (also Navratilova/Shriver and Fernandez/Zvereva). Also teamed with Venus to win three Olympic gold medals: 2000 Sydney, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London

Spent eight weeks as co-No.1 in doubles (w/V. Williams); one of six players to hold No.1 in singles and doubles simultaneously (also Navratilova, Hingis, Sánchez Vicario, Davenport and Clijsters)

On Grand Slam debut, at 1998 Australian Open, upset No.6 seed Sprilea in 1r before falling to sister Venus in 2r.

Ended 1997 season by winning first WTA main draw matches during SF run at Chicago (l. Davenport).

WTA main draw debut ended in 1r defeat at 1997 Moscow (as qualifier, l. Po)

First match of career was defeat to Annie Miller in qualifying at 1995 Québec City.