Serena Williams, one of tennis's most iconic figures, is now poised to bid farewell to her illustrious career. After an extraordinary journey that began when she turned professional at the age of 14, Williams has dominated women's tennis for over a quarter-century. She revealed in August that she would retire following the U.S. Open, marking the end of an exceptional era. As we reflect on her remarkable career, let's revisit some of the most remarkable and unforgettable moments.
The First Grand Slam victory stands out as a pivotal milestone in Williams' career. At just 17 years old, she claimed the 1999 U.S. Open title, defeating the legendary Martina Hingis and setting a record as the youngest Grand Slam winner, surpassing Steffi Graf.
Beyond her on-court achievements, Williams made significant impacts off the court. One notable example was her boycott, along with her sister Venus, of the Indian Wells Masters tournament in response to racial abuse endured during the 2001 event, despite facing financial and ranking consequences.
A defining moment came when Williams achieved the "Serena Slam" by consecutively winning all four Grand Slam titles in 2002-2003 and again in 2014-2015, showcasing her unparalleled dominance.
Her post-pregnancy comeback was nothing short of heroic. Despite facing life-threatening complications after childbirth, Williams returned to competitive tennis within months and reclaimed a top 10 world ranking by the end of 2019.
In 2022, at the U.S. Open, where she had first tasted Grand Slam victory, Williams displayed her trademark resilience, defeating Anett Kontaveit before bowing out valiantly in the third round against Ajla Tomljanović, leaving behind one final unforgettable performance.
Williams' achievements speak volumes: 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era, and second-most all-time. Her 367 major match wins are unrivaled by any woman in tennis history. Throughout her career, she has earned $95 million in prizes and an astonishing $350 million from sponsorships.
There's no doubt—Serena Williams is unequivocally the Greatest of All Time (GOAT)!