Serena Williams' Milestones

Serena Williams is an American tennis champion, winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Olympic gold medalist, and influential athlete and entrepreneur who redefined women's sports.
1981

Birth

Serena Williams was born in Saginaw, Michigan, to Richard Williams and Oracene Price.

Family September 26, 1981
1985

Began playing tennis

Started playing tennis at age 4, coached by her father Richard Williams.

Other January 1, 1985
1990

Moved to Florida for tennis academy

Moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, to train at Rick Macci's tennis academy.

Other January 1, 1990
1991

Junior No. 1 in Florida

Ranked No. 1 among under-10 players in Florida on the USTA junior tour.

Achievement January 1, 1991
1995

Turned professional

Turned professional at age 14, beginning her tennis career.

Career September 24, 1995
1997

First WTA main draw win

Recorded first WTA main draw wins over top-10 players Mary Pierce and Monica Seles at the Ameritech Cup in Chicago.

Achievement November 1, 1997
1999

First WTA singles title

Won first WTA singles title at the Open Gaz de France in Paris.

Achievement February 1, 1999

First WTA 1000 title

Won first WTA 1000 event at the Evert Cup in California, defeating Steffi Graf in the final.

Achievement March 21, 1999

First Grand Slam title

Won her first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open, becoming the second African-American woman to win a Grand Slam after Althea Gibson.

Achievement September 11, 1999
2000

First Olympic gold

Won her first Olympic gold medal in doubles with sister Venus Williams at the Sydney Olympics.

Achievement September 28, 2000
2001

Career Grand Slam in doubles

Completed Career Grand Slam in women's doubles with Venus by winning the Australian Open.

Achievement January 27, 2001
2002

First world No. 1 ranking

Reached world No. 1 in singles for the first time after winning Wimbledon.

Achievement July 8, 2002

Serena Slam

Held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously (French Open 2002, Wimbledon 2002, US Open 2002, Australian Open 2003).

Achievement September 7, 2002 - January 25, 2003
2003

Career Grand Slam in singles

Completed Career Grand Slam in singles by winning the Australian Open.

Achievement January 25, 2003
2007

Comeback from injury

Won the Australian Open as an unseeded player after returning from injury.

Achievement January 27, 2007
2012

Olympic singles gold

Won Olympic gold in singles at the London Olympics, completing a Career Golden Slam in singles.

Achievement August 4, 2012

Career Golden Slam in doubles

Won Olympic gold in doubles with Venus at the London Olympics, completing Career Golden Slam in doubles.

Achievement August 5, 2012
2014

Second 'Serena Slam'

Won four consecutive Grand Slam singles titles (2014 US Open, 2015 Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon).

Achievement September 7, 2014 - July 11, 2015
2017

23rd Grand Slam title

Won her 23rd Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open, setting the Open Era record.

Achievement January 28, 2017

Daughter born

Gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

Family September 1, 2017

Married Alexis Ohanian

Married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

Relationship November 16, 2017
2018

Returned to Grand Slam finals after motherhood

Reached four Grand Slam finals after returning from maternity leave, including Wimbledon and US Open.

Achievement July 14, 2018 - September 7, 2019
2022

Farewell tour

Announced retirement in Vogue, played farewell matches at the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Masters, and US Open.

Other August 8, 2022 - September 2, 2022

Retired from tennis

Announced her retirement from professional tennis after the US Open.

Other September 2, 2022