More examples of why Sonny Rollins is considered to be one of the greatest and most significant improvisors in the history of 20th/21st century music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQV8yReZQY8SONNY ROLLINS TRIO;
Sonny Rollins--Tenor Saxophone
Niels-Henning Orsted Petersen--Bass
Alan Dawson--Drums
LIVE IN MUNICH GERMANY IN 1965:
Order of musical compositions played in this legendary One hour 24 minute set by the Sonny Rollins Trio:
00:01 - There will never be another you 11:15 - St Thomas 23:45 - Oleo 36:39 - Sonny Moon for Two 44:56 - Darn that Dream 48:44 - Three little words 54:34 - On green dolphin street 1:06:00 - St Thomas (Again with piano) 1:16:27 - Four
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQV8yReZQY8SONNY ROLLINS TRIO;
Sonny Rollins--Tenor Saxophone
Niels-Henning Orsted Petersen--Bass
Alan Dawson--Drums
LIVE IN MUNICH GERMANY IN 1965:
Order of musical compositions played in this legendary One hour 24 minute set by the Sonny Rollins Trio:
00:01 - There will never be another you 11:15 - St Thomas 23:45 - Oleo 36:39 - Sonny Moon for Two 44:56 - Darn that Dream 48:44 - Three little words 54:34 - On green dolphin street 1:06:00 - St Thomas (Again with piano) 1:16:27 - Four
SELECTIONS FROM THE IMMORTAL MUSIC OF SONNY ROLLINS (1955-PRESENT):
"Oleo" by Sonny Rollins
Live performance in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1965
Sonny Rollins--Tenor Saxophone
Niels-Henning Orsted Petersen--Bass
Alan Dawson--Drums
Sonny Rollins Trio at the Village Vanguard
1957
"Softly As in a Morning Sunrise"
Sonny Rollins--Tenor Saxophone
Wilbur Ware--Bass
Elvin Jones--Drums
Sonny Rollins Trio
Live 1963
Sonny Rollins--Tenor Saxophone
Niels-Henning Orsted Petersen--Bass
Alan Dawson--Drums
Sonny Rollins - YouTube
Sonny Rollins - Tenor Madness - YouTube
► 2:07
Sonny Rollins - St. Thomas - YouTube
► 10:28
Sonny Rollins Alfie's Theme 1973 - YouTube
► 7:30
Sonny Rollins - It Don't Mean a Thing - YouTube
► 4:26
Sonny ROLLINS à Marseille 25 juillet 2012 - YouTube
► 12:43
Way Out West - Sonny Rollins [FULL ALBUM] [HQ] - YouTube
► 43:08
Sonny Rollins - St.Thomas (Original) 1956 - YouTube
► 6:49
1.
Sonny Rollins Interview - YouTube
► 13:54
2.
Sonny Rollins - All The Things You Are - YouTube
► 6:46
3.
Sonny Rollins 5tet - Don't Stop The Carnival [1985] - YouTube
► 10:08
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtC8bT_j48cSep 12, 2011 - 10 min -
Kursaal, Bern (Switzerland) May 10, 1985 ("10. Internationales Jazzfestival Bern" ) Sonny ...
4.
Sonny Rollins, Saxophonist: Strode Rode - 4/30/09 - YouTube
► 4:31
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkfSQrJl6GcMay 7, 2009 - 5 min -
http://www.sonnyrollins.com/ presents warm up, sound check and performance by the saxophone ...
5.
Sonny Rollins Quartet - St. Thomas - YouTube
► 6:53
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN0drSC-eSMFeb 19, 2012 - 7 min
Sonny Rollins Quartet - St. Thomas (1956) Personnel: Sonny Rollins (tenor sax), Tommy ...
6.
SONNY ROLLINS.St. Thomas - YouTube
► 6:49
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA2XIWZxMKMJan 19, 2008 - 7 min -
Personnel: Sonny Rollins (tenor saxophone); Tommy Flanagan (piano); Doug Watkins (bass ...
7.
Extended Interview: Sonny Rollins - YouTube
► 5:59
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CXS4R8hyq8Nov 29, 2011 - 6 min
F
8.
Sonny Rollins 6tet - Long Ago and Far Away [1992] - YouTube
► 23:15
Philharmonie im Gasteig - München (Germany) May 6, 1992 Sonny Rollins - Tenor ...
9.
Sonny Rollins - Global Warming (Finland, 1998) - YouTube
► 7:54
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdjHUtohEEcNov 19, 2006 - 8 min - Uploaded by migmarfin
Sonny Rollins with his band playing a cheerful calypso tune "Global Warming" at the April ...
10.
Sonny Rollins-Where are you - YouTube
► 5:14
www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6kR9-OQ1-oMar 18, 2010 - 5 min The Bridge - Sonny Rollins-ts, Jim Hall-g, Bob Cranshaw-b, Ben Riley-d.
SONNY ROLLINS AND HIS TENOR SAXOPHONE
THE ALWAYS ELEGANT MR. ROLLINS CELEBRATING HIS 78TH BIRTHDAY IN 2008
SONNY ROLLINS
(b. September 7, 1930)
TODAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2013 IS THE 83rd BIRTHDAY OF ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND BELOVED MUSICIANS OF THE PAST CENTURY, MR. THEODORE WALTER "SONNY" ROLLINS
Theodore Walter "Sonny " Rollins
2011 Kennedy Center Honoree
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONNY!
FROM THE PANOPTICON REVIEW ARCHIVES
(Originally posted January 1, 2012):
Sunday, January 1, 2012
BEHOLD: SONNY ROLLINS, THE SAXOPHONE COLOSSUS!
Sonny Rollins--The Official Website of the Saxophone Colossus
All,
In the incredibly rich pantheon of African American art and culture there have been many legendary musical artists from the Jazz tradition who through their prodigious art have dramatically changed the very course of cultural history in the modern world. These astonishing and truly revolutionary figures: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Jelly Roll Morton, Art Tatum, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Lester Young, Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillispie. Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Max Roach, Clifford Brown, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, Eric Dolphy, Sarah Vaugyhn, Betty Carter, Wayne Shorter, Ornette Coleman, Joe Henderson, Horace Silver, Roy Haynes, Kenny Clarke, Herbie Nichols, Albert Ayler, Cecil Taylor, Bobby Hutcherson, Herbie Hancock, Jackie McLean and Archie Shepp-- just to name a few icons from a HUGE collection of truly extraordinary artists in this always fecund tradition--have played a major role in our fundamental understanding of what exactly constitutes "GREAT ART" in the world. It is this grand, profound, and tirelessly powerful legacy that the living legend and saxophone genius SONNY ROLLINS (b. September 7, 1930) embodies and epitomizes in every improvisational gesture that he expresses and is the very source of his magisterial command of his instrument. A consummate master who continues at age 81 (!) to enthrall and captivate his many listeners around the world, Theodore Walter "Sonny" Rollins was one of five Kennedy Center Honorees for 2011 on December 3, 2011 (broadcast on CBS television this past tuesday night December 27, 2011). It is in direct response to and heartfelt appreciation for this great honor that the following TRIBUTE TO THE SAXOPHONE COLOSSUS is made. Long May this GIANT continue to grace our lives with the depth, courage, insight, clarity, beauty, and creative authority that marks his tremendous artistry and his eloquent, humble and generous humanity. SONNYMOON FOR US ALL INDEED...
Kofi
"America is deeply rooted in Negro culture: its colloquialisms, its humor, its music. How ironic that the Negro, who more than any other people can claim America's culture as its own, is being persecuted and repressed, that the Negro, who has exemplified the humanities in its very existence, is being rewarded with inhumanity."
--Sonny Rollins
Liner Notes to "Freedom Suite" 1958
SONNYMOON FOR US ALL
(For the greatest saxophonist in the world: Sonny Rollins)
By Kofi Natambu
WHEN SONNY STANDS IN FOR THE MOON
WE HEAR SUCH A GLORIOUS TUNE
IT'S ALWAYS A BIT OF A SWOON
WHEN SONNY STANDS IN FOR THE MOON
THE SONG COULD BE AUGUST OR JUNE
A HELL OF A BURST OR A BOON
WAILING AT MIDNIGHT OR NOON
WHEN SONNY STANDS IN FOR THE MOON
TRANSVERSING HARMONIC LAGOONS
HE PLAYS THRU OUR FEARS AND OUR WOUNDS
HIS HORN IS A RHYTHMIC PLATOON
WHEN SONNY STANDS IN FOR THE MOON
I THINK I WILL SOON BE A LOON
OR AT LEAST A RAVING BABOON
IF I DON'T GET TO HEAR SOME MORE TUNES
FROM THAT SOARING MELODIC BALLOON
O ROLLINS BLOWS HEAT CAN BE FIERCE OR SO SWEET
YEAH SONNY SWINGS FULL LIKE THE MOON
YEAH SONNY SWINGS FULL LIKE THE MOON
YEAH SONNY SWINGS FULL LIKE THE MOON
YEAH SONNY SWINGS FULL LIKE THE MOON...
FROM THE POETRY VOLUME THE MELODY NEVER STOPS by Kofi Natambu (PAST TENTS PRESS, 1991)
Sonny Rollins was one of five individuals who received the Kennedy Center Honors of 2011.
Along with fellow recipients singer Barbara Cook, singer and songwriter Neil Diamond, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and actress Meryl Streep, Rollins was honored at the 34th annual national celebration of the arts on December 4.
"I am deeply appreciative of this great honor," said Mr. Rollins, "In honoring me, the Kennedy Center honors jazz, America's classical music. For that, I am very grateful."
Other jazz artists who have been Kennedy Center Honorees are: Ella Fitzgerald (1978), Count Basie (1981), Benny Goodman (1982), Dizzy Gillespie (1990), Lionel Hampton (1992), Benny Carter (1996), Quincy Jones (2001), and Dave Brubeck (2009).
The Gala was broadcast on CBS-TV on December 27, 2011 at 9:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT.
BIOGRAPHY
Theodore Walter Rollins was born on September 7, 1930 in New York City. He grew up in Harlem not far from the Savoy Ballroom, the Apollo Theatre, and the doorstep of his idol, Coleman Hawkins. After early discovery of Fats Waller and Louis Armstrong, he started out on alto saxophone, inspired by Louis Jordan. At the age of sixteen, he switched to tenor, trying to emulate Hawkins. He also fell under the spell of the musical revolution that surrounded him, Bebop.
He began to follow Charlie Parker, and soon came under the wing of Thelonious Monk, who became his musical mentor and guru. Living in Sugar Hill, his neighborhood musical peers included Jackie McLean, Kenny Drew and Art Taylor, but it was young Sonny who was first out of the pack, working and recording with Babs Gonzales, J.J. Johnson, Bud Powell and Miles Davis before he turned twenty.
"Of course, these people are there to be called on because I think I represent them in a way," Rollins said recently of his peers and mentors. "They're not here now so I feel like I'm sort of representing all of them, all of the guys. Remember, I'm one of the last guys left, as I'm constantly being told, so I feel a holy obligation sometimes to evoke these people."
In the early fifties, he established a reputation first among musicians, then the public, as the most brash and creative young tenor on the scene, through his work with Miles, Monk, and the MJQ.
Miles Davis was an early Sonny Rollins fan and in his autobiography wrote that he "began to hang out with Sonny Rollins and his Sugar Hill Harlem crowd...anyway, Sonny had a big reputation among a lot of the younger musicians in Harlem. People loved Sonny Rollins up in Harlem and everywhere else. He was a legend, almost a god to a lot of the younger musicians. Some thought he was playing the saxophone on the level of Bird. I know one thing--he was close. He was an aggressive, innovative player who always had fresh musical ideas. I loved him back then as a player and he could also write his ass off..."
With Clifford Brown and Max Roach, 1956
Sonny moved to Chicago for a few years to remove himself from the surrounding elements of negativity around the Jazz scene. He reemerged at the end of 1955 as a member of the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet, with an even more authoritative presence. His trademarks became a caustic, often humorous style of melodic invention, a command of everything from the most arcane ballads to calypsos, and an overriding logic in his playing that found him hailed for models of thematic improvisation.
It was during this time that Sonny acquired a nickname,"Newk." As Miles Davis explains in his autobiography: "Sonny had just got back from playing a gig out in Chicago. He knew Bird, and Bird really liked Sonny, or "Newk" as we called him, because he looked like the Brooklyn Dodgers' pitcher Don Newcombe. One day, me and Sonny were in a cab...when the white cabdriver turned around and looked at Sonny and said, `Damn, you're Don Newcombe!'' Man, the guy was totally excited. I was amazed, because I hadn't thought about it before. We just put that cabdriver on something terrible. Sonny started talking about what kind of pitches he was going to throw Stan Musial, the great hitter for the St. Louis Cardinals, that evening..."
In 1956, Sonny began recording the first of a series of landmark recordings issued under his own name: Valse Hot introduced the practice, now common, of playing bop in 3/4 meter; St. Thomas initiated his explorations of calypso patterns; and Blue 7 was hailed by Gunther Schuller as demonstrating a new manner of "thematic improvisation," in which the soloist develops motifs extracted from his theme. Way Out West (1957), Rollins's first album using a trio of saxophone, double bass, and drums, offered a solution to his longstanding difficulties with incompatible pianists, and exemplified his witty ability to improvise on hackneyed material (Wagon Wheels, I'm an Old Cowhand). It Could Happen to You (also 1957) was the first in a long series of unaccompanied solo recordings, and The Freedom Suite (1958) foreshadowed the political stances taken in jazz in the 1960s. During the years 1956 to 1958 Rollins was widely regarded as the most talented and innovative tenor saxophonist in jazz.
Rollins's first examples of the unaccompanied solo playing that would become a specialty also appeared in this period; yet the perpetually dissatisfied saxophonist questioned the acclaim his music was attracting, and between 1959 and late `61 withdrew from public performance.
Sonny remembers that he took his leave of absence from the scene because "I was getting very famous at the time and I felt I needed to brush up on various aspects of my craft. I felt I was getting too much, too soon, so I said, wait a minute, I'm going to do it my way. I wasn't going to let people push me out there, so I could fall down. I wanted to get myself together, on my own. I used to practice on the Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge because I was living on the Lower East Side at the time."
When he returned to action in early `62, his first recording was appropriately titled The Bridge. By the mid 60's, his live sets became grand, marathon stream-of-consciousness solos where he would call forth melodies from his encyclopedic knowledge of popular songs, including startling segues and sometimes barely visiting one theme before surging into dazzling variations upon the next. Rollins was brilliant, yet restless. The period between 1962 and `66 saw him returning to action and striking productive relationships with Jim Hall, Don Cherry, Paul Bley, and his idol Hawkins, yet he grew dissatisfied with the music business once again and started yet another sabbatical in `66. "I was getting into eastern religions," he remembers. "I've always been my own man. I've always done, tried to do, what I wanted to do for myself. So these are things I wanted to do. I wanted to go on the Bridge. I wanted to get into religion. But also, the Jazz music business is always bad. It's never good. So that led me to stop playing in public for a while, again. During the second sabbatical, I worked in Japan a little bit, and went to India after that and spent a lot of time in a monastery. I resurfaced in the early 70s, and made my first record in `72. I took some time off to get myself together and I think it's a good thing for anybody to do."
Lucille and Sonny
In 1972, with the encouragement and support of his wife Lucille, who had become his business manager, Rollins returned to performing and recording, signing with Milestone and releasing Next Album. (Working at first with Orrin Keepnews, Sonny was by the early ’80s producing his own Milestone sessions with Lucille.) His lengthy association with the Berkeley-based label produced two dozen albums in various settings – from his working groups to all-star ensembles (Tommy Flanagan, Jack DeJohnette, Stanley Clarke, Tony Williams); from a solo recital to tour recordings with the Milestone Jazzstars (Ron Carter, McCoy Tyner); in the studio and on the concert stage (Montreux, San Francisco, New York, Boston). Sonny was also the subject of a mid-’80s documentary by Robert Mugge entitled Saxophone Colossus; part of its soundtrack is available as G-Man.
He won his first performance Grammy for This Is What I Do (2000), and his second for 2004’s Without a Song (The 9/11 Concert), in the Best Jazz Instrumental Solo category (for “Why Was I Born”). In addition, Sonny received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 2004.
In June 2006 Rollins was inducted into the Academy of Achievement – and gave a solo performance – at the International Achievement Summit in Los Angeles. The event was hosted by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg and attended by world leaders as well as distinguished figures in the arts and sciences.
Rollins was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, First Class, in November 2009. The award is one of Austria’s highest honors, given to leading international figures for distinguished achievements. The only other American artists who have received this recognition are Frank Sinatra and Jessye Norman.
In 2010 on the eve of his 80th birthday, Sonny Rollins is one of 229 leaders in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, arts, business, and public affairs who have been elected members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. A center for independent policy research, the Academy is among the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies and celebrates the 230th anniversary of its founding this year.
In August 2010, Rollins was named the Edward MacDowell Medalist, the first jazz composer to be so honored. The Medal has been awarded annually since 1960 to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to his or her field.
Sonny Rollins Receiving National Medal of Arts Award from President Obama at White House in 2010
Photo: Ruth David
Yet another major award was bestowed on Rollins on March 2, 2011, when he received the Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama in a White House ceremony. Rollins accepted the award, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence, “on behalf of the gods of our music.”
Since 2006, Rollins has been releasing his music on his own label, Doxy Records (with distribution from the Decca Label Group). The first Doxy album was Sonny, Please, Rollins’s first studio recording since This Is What I Do. That was followed by the acclaimed Road Shows, vol. 1 (2008), the first in a planned series of recordings from Rollins’s audio archives.
Mr. Rollins released Road Shows, vol. 2 in the fall of 2011. In addition to material recorded in Sapporo and Tokyo, Japan during an October 2010 tour, the recording contains several tracks from Sonny’s September 2010 80th birthday concert in New York—including the historic and electrifying encounter with Ornette Coleman.
SONNY ROLLINS ONE OF 10 RECIPIENTS OF 2010 NATIONAL MEDAL OF ARTS
Saxophonist Sonny Rollins was one of ten honorees who received the 2010 National Medal of Arts for outstanding achievements and support of the arts. The presentation was made on March 2 by President Barack Obama in an East Room ceremony at the White House.
“I’m very happy that jazz, the greatest American music, is being recognized through this honor, and I’m grateful to accept this award on behalf of the gods of our music,” Mr. Rollins said of the award.
The National Medal of Arts recipients represent the many vibrant and diverse art forms thriving in America,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “Sonny Rollins’ melodic sensibilities, playing style, and solos have delighted audiences and influenced generations of musicians for over fifty years and I join the President and the country in saluting him.”
Posted by Kofi Natambu at 2:47 PM
Labels: 2011 Kennedy Center Honors, African American Art, Composition, Improvisation, Jazz history, Sonny Rollins, Tenor Saxophone
![Photo: http://www.insidetennis.com/2013/08/exceptional-exclusive-interview-serenas-coach-patrick-mouratoglou/
From 'Inside Tennis magazine': Excerpt from interview with Serena's coach--
LOOK WHAT HE SAYS ABOUT SERENA'S TENNIS VISIONARY FATHER RICHARD WILLIAMS!! EVEN HE REALIZES THE TRUTH...
IT: Was it the greatest sports prediction ever when Richard Williams said that both of his daughters would become No. 1 players?
PM: I wouldn’t say that it’s the greatest prediction, I would say that he’s the greatest coach of all time. From what I know, no one else in the history of sports raised two different children to become No. 1.
IT: Why do you think Richard isn’t appreciated more? In the US he’s often is dismissed as a buffoon or not a real coach, [as] someone who doesn’t know the Xs and Os.
PM: That surprises me. Whatever his personality is, people should be more interested in such a successful person. I’m French, and four years ago, when I didn’t know Serena and Venus, I interviewed him. I said to the French media, “How can you not be interested?” You have to know what he did, or at least try to know. You have to be curious. It’s wrong not to be respectful of what he achieved. Maybe he doesn’t have the knowledge in every aspect—maybe—but he did something so incredible that he has a lot of interesting things to give, and it’s a pity if people don’t understand that.
IT: Was it fun to interview him? He always has something new to say
PM: Yes. Of course, he’s not like everybody, but it’s because he’s not like everybody that he was able to achieve what he did.
Serena Williams hugs her father (and original coach) Richard in the stands following her winning the 2012 Wimbledon championship match while her proud older sister Venus looks on](https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1209234_511152485634404_467131478_n.jpg)
![Photo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serena_Williams
Serena Williams
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Country United States
Residence Palm Beach Gardens, Florida[1] and
Paris, France
Born September 26, 1981 (age 31)
Saginaw, Michigan
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Turned pro September 24, 1995
Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money US$ 47,049,995[2]
(1st all-time among women athletes and 4th all-time among tennis athletes)[
Official website serenawilliams.com
Singles
Career record 614–112 (84.57%)
Career titles 54 WTA[1] (5th in overall rankings)
Highest ranking No. 1 (July 8, 2002)
Current ranking No. 1 (August 12, 2013)[4]
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian Open W (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010)
French Open W (2002, 2013)
Wimbledon W (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012)
US Open W (1999, 2002, 2008, 2012)
Other tournaments
Championships W (2001, 2009, 2012)
Olympic Games Gold Medal (2012)
Doubles
Career record 169-22 (89.1%)
Career titles 22
Highest ranking No. 1 (June 7, 2010)
Current ranking No. 27 (May 27, 2013)
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian Open W (2001, 2003, 2009, 2010)
French Open W (1999, 2010)
Wimbledon W (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2012)
US Open W (1999, 2009)
Other Doubles tournaments
Championships SF (2009)
Olympic Games Gold Medal (2000, 2008, 2012)
Mixed Doubles
Career record 27–3 (90%)
Career titles 2
Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results
Australian Open F (1999)
French Open F (1998)
Wimbledon W (1998)
US Open W (1998)
Team Competitions
Fed Cup W (1999)
Hopman Cup W (2003, 2008)
Last updated on: July 8, 2013.
Olympic medal record
Women's tennis
{{MedalCountry | the United States }
Gold 2000 Sydney Doubles
Gold 2008 Beijing Doubles
Gold 2012 London Singles
Gold 2012 London Doubles
Serena Jameka Williams (born September 26, 1981) is an American professional tennis player who is currently ranked No. 1 in women's singles tennis. The Women's Tennis Association has ranked her World No. 1 in singles on six separate occasions. She became the World No. 1 for the first time on July 8, 2002, and regained this ranking for the sixth time on February 18, 2013, becoming the oldest world no. 1 player in WTA's history.[5] She is the only female player to have won over $40 million in prize money.[6] Williams is the reigning French Open, US Open, WTA Tour Championships and Olympic ladies singles champion.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time,[7][8] Williams holds the most Major singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles combined amongst active players, male or female. She is the only player to have achieved a Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles. Her record of 31 Grand Slam titles ties her for eighth on the all-time list: 16 in singles, 13 in women's doubles, and 2 in mixed doubles. She is the most recent player, male or female, to have held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously ('02–'03) and only the fifth woman ever to do so. Her total of 16 Grand Slam singles titles is sixth on the all-time list,[9] and fourth in the open era, behind Steffi Graf (22 titles) and Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova (18 titles each).[9] She has won 13 Grand Slam doubles titles with her sister Venus Williams and the pair are unbeaten in Grand Slam finals.[10] Serena Williams is also a three-time winner of the WTA Tour Championships.[11] Williams is only one of five tennis players all-time to win a multiple slam set in two disciplines, matching Margaret Court, Roy Emerson, Martina Navratilova and Frank Sedgman. The arrival of Venus and Serena Williams has been credited with launching a new era of power and athleticism in women's tennis.[12][13][14][15]
Williams has won four Olympic gold medals, one in women's singles and three in women's doubles, an all-time record shared with her sister Venus.[16][17]
Contents
1 Early life
2 Playing style
3 Professional career
3.1 1995–98: Professional debut
3.2 1999–2001: Becoming a top-10 player
3.3 2002–03: "Serena Slam"
3.4 2004–07: Injuries, depression and the comeback
3.5 2008–10: Back to Number One, back in the titles and a life threatening injury
3.6 2011–present: Oldest World No. 1 and Golden Slam
4 On-court activities
4.1 Rivalry with Venus Williams
4.2 Controversies
4.2.1 2004 US Open
4.2.2 2009 US Open
4.2.3 2011 US Open
5 Off-court activities
5.1 Personal life
5.2 Fashion
5.3 Entertainment
5.4 Miami Dolphins venture
5.5 Charity work
5.6 Writing
6 Grand Slam tournaments
6.1 Grand Slam tournament performance timeline
6.2 Grand Slam tournament finals
6.2.1 Singles: 20 (16 titles, 4 runner-ups)
6.2.2 Women's doubles: 13 finals (13 titles)
6.2.3 Mixed doubles: 4 finals (2 titles, 2 runner-ups)
7 Records and achievements
8 See also
9 Works Cited
10 References
11 External links
Early life[edit source]
Serena Williams was born in Saginaw, Michigan, to Richard Williams and Oracene Price and is the youngest of Price's five daughters: half-sisters Yetunde, Lyndrea and Isha Price, and full sister Venus.[1] When the children were young, the family moved to Compton, California, where Serena started playing tennis at the age of four.[18][19] Her father home-schooled Serena and her sister Venus[20][21] and to this day, Serena Williams was and remains coached by both her parents.[1]
Williams' family moved from Compton to West Palm Beach[18] when she was nine so that she could attend the tennis academy of Rick Macci, who would provide additional coaching. Macci spotted the exceptional talents of the sisters. He did not always agree with Williams' father, but respected that "he treated his daughters like kids, allowed them to be little girls".[22] Richard stopped sending his daughters to national junior tennis tournaments when Williams was 10, since he wanted them to take it slow and focus on school work. Another factor was racial, as he had heard white parents talk about the Williams sisters in a derogatory manner during tournaments.[23] At that time, Williams had a 46–3 record on the United States Tennis Association junior tour and was ranked No. 1 among under-10 players in Florida.[24] In 1995, when Serena was in the ninth grade, Richard 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."[24] In 2003 sister Yetunde was fatally shot in an SUV after a confrontation with youths in Compton.[25][26]
Playing style
"She's a competitor. She doesn't like to give free points and free games. No matter the score she wants to win those games and those points, whether she's down a break point or up a break point or whatever it is."
---Maria Sharapova, on Serena Williams in 2013.[27]
Williams is primarily a baseline player, with a serve that critics, pundits and tennis experts consider the greatest serve in the history of women's tennis.[28] Her game is built around taking immediate control of rallies with her powerful and consistent serve,[29] return of serve, and forceful groundstrokes from both her forehand and backhand swings. Williams' forehand is considered to be among the most powerful shots in the women's game 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 combines great power and placement with very high consistency. In the 2013 Australian Open, she had a peak serve speed of 128.6 mph (207.0 km/h) which was the second-fastest all-time among female players (Venus recorded the fastest with 129 mph).[30] At the 2012 Wimbledon Championships, Serena hit a tournament record of 102 aces which was more than any of the men hit during the two weeks.[31] Serena also possesses a very solid volley and powerful overhead which is very useful for her net game. Although many think of Williams as only an offensive player, she also plays a strong defensive game.[32]
Williams is also known for her mental toughness and her ability to come back from improbable situations.[33] [34]
She has won three Grand Slam singles titles after saving match points (2003 Australian Open versus Kim Clijsters, 2005 Australian Open versus Maria Sharapova, and 2009 Wimbledon versus Elena Dementieva), more than any other player in history, male or female.[35] In the 2012 US Open final against Victoria Azarenka, she was led 5-3 in the third set and found herself two points away from losing the match. Williams then proceeded to win the next 4 games and defeat Azarenka.[36] In recent years, Williams has shown an ability to serve aces at critical moments. One of these instances was the 2013 French Open final, where in the last game of the match, she fired three aces, including one clocked at 123 mph (198 km/h) on match point.[37] [38]
Professional career
1995–98: Professional debut[edit source]
Main article: Serena Williams' early career
Williams' first professional event was in September 1995, at the age of 14 to counteract the forthcoming changes to age-eligibility rules, at the Bell Challenge. She lost in the first round of qualifying to Anne Miller, winning just two games.[39]
Williams did not play a tournament in 1996. The following year, she lost in the qualifying rounds of three tournaments, before winning her first main-draw match in November at the Ameritech Cup Chicago. Ranked world no. 304, she upset world no. 7 Mary Pierce and world no. 4 Monica Seles, recording her first career wins over top 10 players and becoming the lowest-ranked player in the open era to defeat two top 10 opponents in one tournament.[1] She ultimately lost in the semifinals to world no. 5 Lindsay Davenport. She finished 1997 ranked world no. 99.
Williams began 1998 at the Medibank International Sydney. As a qualifier ranked world no. 96, she defeated world no. 3 Davenport in the quarterfinals, before losing to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the semifinals. Williams made her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open, where she defeated sixth-seeded Irina Spîrlea in the first round, before losing to sister Venus in the second round in the sisters' first professional match.[40] Williams reached six other quarterfinals during the year, but lost all of them, including her first match against world no. 1 Martina Hingis at the Lipton International Players Championships in Key Biscayne, and her second match against Venus at the Italian Open in Rome. She failed to reach the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam tournament the remainder of the year, losing in the fourth round of the French Open to Sánchez Vicario, and the third round of both Wimbledon and the US Open, to Virginia Ruano Pascual and Spîrlea, respectively. She did, however, win the mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon and the 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 with Venus, becoming the third pair of sisters to win a WTA title.[1] The Williams sisters won two more doubles titles together during the year. Serena finished the year ranked world no. 20 in singles.
1999–2001: Becoming a top-10 player[edit source]
Williams lost in the third round of the 1999 Australian Open to Sandrine Testud. Williams won her first professional singles title, when she defeated Amélie Mauresmo in the final of the Open Gaz de France. With Venus also winning the IGA Superthrift Classic that day, the pair became the first sisters to win professional tournaments in the same week.[41] A month later, Serena won her first Tier I singles title at the Evert Cup, defeating Steffi Graf in the final. At the Lipton International Players Championships, Williams had her 16-match winning streak ended by Venus in the first all-sister singles final in WTA history, Serena made her top-10 debut at world no. 9. She then lost in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open and the German Open, and the third round of the French Open, where she and Venus won the women's doubles title. She then missed Wimbledon because of injury. When she returned to the tour, Williams won a Fed Cup singles match, won the JPMorgan Chase Open, beating Julie Halard-Decugis in the final, and reached the US Open final where she defeated Hingis to become the second African-American woman after Althea Gibson in 1958 to win a Grand Slam singles tournament.[1] The Williams sisters also won the doubles title at this tournament. To complete 1999, Williams won a doubles match in the Fed Cup final against Russia. Williams ended the year ranked world no. 4 in just her second full year on the main tour.
Williams started 2000 by losing in the fourth round of the Australian Open to Elena Likhovtseva. She failed to defend her titles in Paris and Indian Wells, although she did win the Faber Grand Prix. Williams missed the French Open because of injury. She returned at Wimbledon, where she lost to Venus in the semifinals, but they 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 Du Maurier Open where an injury forced her to retire from her match with Hingis. Her defense of the 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 in September. She ended the year winning the Toyota Princess Cup. She finished the year ranked world number 6.
Williams began 2001 losing to Martina Hingis in the quarterfinals of both Sydney and the Australian Open. Serena and Venus 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, defeating Kim Clijsters in the final. However the final was marred by the behavior of the crowd towards Williams and her family. The crowd were incensed at the apparent match fixing of games involving the family after Venus withdrew before their semifinal. Neither Williams sister has entered the tournament since.[42] The following week at the Ericsson Open, Williams lost to Jennifer Capriati in the quarterfinals. She then lost in the quarterfinals to Capriati at the French Open and Wimbledon. This was the fourth consecutive Grand Slam tournament at which Williams had exited in the quarterfinals. At the North American hard-court season, she lost in the quarterfinals of Los Angeles, then captured her second title of the year at the Rogers Cup, defeating Capriati in the final. Williams reached the final of the US Open, losing to sister Venus. That was the first Grand Slam final contested by two sisters during the open era. At the 2001-ending Sanex Championships, Williams won the championship by walkover when Davenport withdrew before the start of the final because of a knee injury. Williams finished 2001 at world no. 6 for the second straight year.
2002–03: "Serena Slam"
Injury forced Williams to retire from her semifinal match at the Medibank International Sydney and to withdraw from the 2002 Australian Open. She won her first title of the year at the State Farm Women's Tennis Classic, defeating world no. 2 Jennifer Capriati in the final. She then won the Ericsson Open for the first time, becoming one of three players in the open era to defeat the world's top 3 at one tournament,[1] after beating world no. 3 Martina Hingis in the quarterfinals, world no. 2 Venus in the semifinals, and world no. 1 Capriati in the final. Her 6–2, 6–2 win over Venus was her second career win over her sister. Williams played three clay-court tournaments before the 2002 French Open. Her first tournament was at Charleston, where she was the third seed. Serena reached the quarterfinals losing to Patty Schnyder. She reached her first clay-court final in May, at the 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, defeating Capriati in the semifinals and Henin in the final.[43] This raised her ranking to a new high of world no. 3. Williams was the third seed at the French Open, where she claimed her first French Open title defeating Venus in the final winning her Second Grand Slam title. Serena rose to a career high of no. 2 after the win, second only to older sister Venus. At the 2002 Wimbledon Championships, Williams won the title for the first time, 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, dethroning her sister and becoming only the third African-American woman to hold that ranking.[1] 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 US Open, losing in the quarterfinals of the JPMorgan Chase Open in Los Angeles to Chanda Rubin, ending a 21-match winning streak. As the top-seeded player at the US Open, Williams reached the final where once again she defeated her sister to win the title for the second time. 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 in Leipzig, Germany. She reached the final at the year-end Home Depot Championships, where she lost to fifth-seeded Clijsters in straight sets, ending her 18-match winning streak. Williams finished 2002 with a 56–5 record, eight singles titles, and the world no. 1 ranking. She was the first African-American (male or female) to end a year with that ranking since Althea Gibson in 1958. She was the first woman to win three Grand Slam titles in one year since Hingis in 1997.[1]
At the 2003 Australian Open, Williams went on to reach the semifinals for the first time, where she recovered from 5–1 down in the third set and saved two match points, before defeating Clijsters. She faced her sister Venus for the fourth consecutive Grand Slam final and won to become the sixth woman in the open era to complete a Career Grand Slam, joining Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, and Margaret Court. 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.[44][45] The Williams sisters won their sixth Grand Slam doubles title together at this event.[46]
Williams then captured singles titles at the Open Gaz de France and the Sony Ericsson Open. Williams' 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 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.[47] She was known to be dating professional football player LaVar Arrington at the time.[citation needed] Williams rebounded from the loss at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships, defeating Henin in the semifinals and Venus in the final. This was Williams' second consecutive Wimbledon title and her sixth Grand Slam singles title overall. This was her last tournament of the year after pulling out of three events in the USA, Williams underwent surgery on the quadriceps tendon in her knee at the start of August. Initially she was expected to be out for six to eight weeks.[48]
2004–07: Injuries, depression and the comeback[edit source]
Main articles: 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 Serena Williams tennis season
After eight months away from the tour during which her desire was questioned,[49] Williams began her comeback at the Nasdaq-100 Open in Miami, where she made a triumphant return as she won the title. This was the third consecutive year that Williams had won this tournament. She then played three clay-court tournaments leading up to the French Open. She lost in the quarterfinals of the Bausch & Lomb Championships, at the Family Circle Cup she withdrew before her third-round match because of an injured knee. She then played the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, where she lost to world number nine Jennifer Capriati in the semifinals. Although ranked world number seven, she was seeded second at the French Open. She won her first four matches over players ranked outside the top 50, before Capriati beat her in the quarterfinals. This was the first time she had lost before the semifinals at a Grand Slam singles tournament since Wimbledon in 2001. She was seeded first at Wimbledon, even though her ranking had dropped to world number ten. She reached the final, where she was defeated by 13th-seeded Sharapova. This loss caused her ranking to drop out of the top 10 for the first time since 1999. Williams reached her third final of the year at the JPMorgan Chase Open in Los Angeles on hard courts where she lost to Lindsay Davenport which was her first loss to Davenport since the 2000 US Open. Williams then withdrew before her quarterfinal match at the Acura Classic in San Diego with another left knee injury. She returned for the US Open, where she was seeded third even though she was ranked world number 11. She lost there in the quarterfinals to world number eight Capriati in three sets. This match featured several missed line calls, including one that led to the suspension of the chair umpire for the remainder of the tournament. This match is commonly referred to as the impetus for the current challenge system.[50] Williams won her second title of the year at the China Open in Beijing, in which she defeated US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final. Williams qualified for the WTA Tour Championships. In the round-robin phase of the tournament, she defeated Dementieva and Anastasia Myskina, but lost to Davenport. She lost to Sharapova in the final where Williams suffered an abdominal injury that caused her to serve around 65 mph.[51] Williams finished 2004 ranked world no. 7, but did not win a Grand Slam singles tournament for the first time since 2001
At the 2005 Australian Open, Williams rejected suggestions that she and sister Venus were a declining force in tennis, following Venus's early exit at the tournament.[52] In the quarterfinals, Williams defeated second-seeded Mauresmo. In the semifinals, she saved three match points in defeating Sharapova 8–6 in the third set. In the final, Williams defeated world #1 and top seed Davenport to win her second Australian Open singles title and seventh Grand Slam singles title, winning 12 of the last 15 games.[53] The win moved Williams back to world number two, and she stated that she was targeting the number one spot.[54] 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. Williams suffered a series of retirements and withdraws. Williams withdrew before her quarterfinal match at the Open Gaz de France;[55] she retired from her semifinal Dubai Duty Free Women's Open, citing a strained tendon in her right shoulder, and a left ankle injury forced her to retire from the Bausch & Lomb Championships.[56] The ankle injury reoccurred, causing her to miss the French Open.[57] She returned for Wimbledon as the fourth-seeded player, but was defeated in the third round by world no. 85 Jill Craybas. After Serena won her first match at the Rogers Cup in Toronto, a recurrence of her left knee injury caused her to withdraw from the tournament. At the 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 the remainder of the year, a loss to world no. 127 Sun Tiantian at the tournament in Beijing. She failed to qualify for the year-end championship for the first time since 1998. She finished the year 2005 ranked world number 11, her first time finishing outside the top 10 since 1998.
Williams started 2006 by participating in the Australian Open. Despite being the defending champion, she lost to Daniela Hantuchová in the third round.[58] After the tournament, Williams told the press that she was injured, blaming a lack of fitness and a knee injury for keeping her off the court.[59] However, in her biography, Serena claims that she was actually suffering from depression. After she had shut herself off from the world for a period, her sisters held a type of intervention which made Williams see her therapist daily.[60] After a chance meeting with a young girl who idolized Serena, she signed up to play in Cincinnati. During her conversation with the girl, Williams felt inspired and was informed that she could be even better at tennis. Williams went home and watched some of her old matches and started to believe that she could win again.[61] She had been away from the tour for almost six months and had slipped to 139 in the world, the lowest ranking Williams had held since 1997. On her return, Williams defeated Myskina and Bethanie Mattek,[62][63] before losing in the semifinals to Vera Zvonareva.[64] She also reached the semifinals in Los Angeles, losing to Janković in straight sets. At the US Open, Williams needed a wildcard to enter the tournament, as her ranking at the cut-off time was 139th in the world, outside the automatic 102. However her ranking had improved to 79th by the time the tournament came around.[65] She lost to top-seeded Mauresmo in the fourth round.[66] She did not play again in 2006, ending the year ranked world number 95, her lowest year-end ranking since 1997.
Williams began 2007 with renewed confidence, stating her intention to return to the top of the rankings,[67] a comment former player and commentator Pat Cash branded "deluded."[68] Williams lost in the quarterfinals of the tournament in Hobart, Australia, a warm-up for the Australian Open. Williams was unseeded at the Australian Open because of her world no. 81 ranking and was widely regarded as "out of shape."[69] Williams experienced a huge amount of pressure on herself prior to the tournament, coming from her fans and the press as well as Serena herself about her weight, focus and needing a good showing. But just before her first match, a representative from Nike paid Williams a visit in the players' lounge, informing her that if she didn't 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.[70] The distraction from Nike did not put Williams off, as she lost just three games to Mara Santangelo and defeated Anne Kremer in straight sets.[71] By this point, a blister had developed on Williams' 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 all the way to the final, defeating Jankovic, Peer and Vaidisova. 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."[72] Williams also found herself two points from going out against Peer before turning it around.[73] By the time Williams had reached the final, the cold and blister had gone, but Tracy Austin in her tournament analysis stated that Serena had a great tournament, but the ride was over and that Sharapova would have no trouble with Williams. Serena thought it was mean and unnecessary and used it as motivation with all the other criticism.[74] In the final, Williams lost just three games against Maria Sharapova winning her first title at any tournament since winning the 2005 Australian Open.[73] Williams became the first player since Chris O'Neill to win the title whilst 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 sister Yetunde.[75] 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."[69][76] In her post match interview, Williams took a swipe at her critics, stating that she had proved them wrong.[77]
After defeating Dinara Safina in the fourth round of the 2007 French Open Williams won the Sony Ericsson Open for the fourth time after defeating Justine Henin. Williams had to record a come-from-behind win after being whitewashed in the first set and saving 2 match points in the second.[78] At the Family Circle Cup, Williams retired from her second-round match because of a groin muscle strain.[79] Williams then played for her country in the Fed Cup for the first time since 2003 in a tie against Belgium. Williams won her opening match,[80] but withdrew from the her second, due to a knee injury.[81] At the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Williams lost to Patty Schnyder in the quarterfinals.[82] At the French Open, Williams lost in the quarterfinals to Henin.[82]
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.[83] Williams then lost her quarterfinal match with Henin, whilst suffering from the injuries sustained in the previous round.[84] At the US Open, Williams lost her third consecutive Grand Slam singles quarterfinal to Henin.[85] Williams reached the final of Kremlin Cup, losing to Elena Dementieva and retired from her first match in Zurich with a thigh injury. Williams qualified for the WTA Championships, but retired from her first match with Anna Chakvetadze with a knee injury and subsequently withdrew from the tournament.[86][87] Williams finished 2007 as World number seven and the top-ranked American for the first time since 2003.[82]
2008–10: Back to Number One, back in the titles and a life threatening injury[edit source]
Main articles: 2008, 2009, and 2010 Serena Williams tennis season
Williams started 2008 by participating on the U.S. team that won the Hopman Cup with Mardy Fish.[88] At the Australian Open she lost in the quarterfinals to Jelena Janković.[82] This was her fourth straight loss in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam singles tournament. In the women's doubles event, She and Venus lost in the quarterfinals. Williams then withdrew from three tournaments because of an urgent need for dental surgery.[89] Williams then won three consecutive singles titles at Bangalore and her fifth Miami title, tying Steffi Graf for the most singles titles at this tournament. Williams then added 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 Berlin.[82] Williams then withdrew in Rome in the quarterfinals against Alizé Cornet because of a back injury. Williams was the only former winner of the French Open in the draw, but lost in the third round to Katarina Srebotnik.
Stretching for a ball in her first round match against Kaia Kanepi of Estonia at Wimbledon in 2008
At Wimbledon, Williams reached the finals for the first time in four years. She lost the final to her older sister Venus in straight sets, in their first Slam final since 2003. Serena and Venus then teamed to win the women's doubles title in their first Grand Slam women's doubles title since 2003. Williams played at 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 Los Angeles. At the Olympics, Williams lost to Dementieva in the quarterfinals. Serena and her sister Venus won the gold medal in doubles, beating Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual in the final. Williams at the US Open, defeated sister Venus, Safina and Jelena Janković in the final. This was her third US Open and ninth Grand Slam singles title. This victory returned her to the world no. 1 ranking for the first time since 2003.[90] At the Year-End Championships she defeated Safina and lost to her sister Venus in her round-robin matches, but withdrew from her match against Dementieva, citing a stomach muscle injury. She ended the year ranked world no. 2 and with four singles titles, her strongest performance in both respects since 2003.
Williams began 2009 at the Medibank International losing in the semifinals to Elena Dementieva. At the 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 world 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. At the Open GDF Suez, Williams withdrew before her semifinal with Dementieva because of a knee injury. Williams then played at Dubai, losing to Venus in the semifinals.
At the 2009 Australian Open
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 Williams, the longest losing streak of her career.[91] She was defeated in her opening matches at Barcelona, Rome, and 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 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.[92] Williams and her sister 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.
As a US Open preparation, Williams played at Cincinnati losing in the third round and in the semifinals of the Rogers Cup. At the US Open, she lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Kim Clijsters amid 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.[93] Williams won all three of her round-robin matches at the year-end 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.[94] Williams finished the year ranked world 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. In doubles, the Williams sisters finished the year ranked world no. 2, despite playing only six tournaments as a pair. She won five Grand Slam titles, putting her total Grand Slam titles at 23. Williams was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press.[95] She also was the ITF World Champion in singles and doubles.[96]
Williams on her way to the singles and doubles title at the 2010 Australian Open
In 2010, Williams's first scheduled tournament was the Medibank International Sydney, losing in the final to Elena Dementieva. At the Australian Open, Williams was the defending champion in both singles and doubles. Williams reached the final, where she defeated Justine Henin for her twelfth Grand Slam singles title. In doubles, Serena and Venus successfully defended their title by defeating Cara Black and Liezel Huber in the final. Williams withdrew with a leg injury from her next events. She returned at the Rome losing to Jelena Janković in the semifinals. At the Madrid, she fell to Nadia Petrova in the third round. She teamed with Venus to win the doubles title. At the French Open, she lost to Samantha Stosur in the quarterfinals. She also played doubles with Venus as the top seeds, they won the title defeating Květa Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik in the final to win their fourth consecutive Grand Slam women's doubles title and improved their doubles ranking to world no. 1.
Her 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.[97][98] She did not lose a set in the tournament.[99] After the match, Martina Navratilova said that Williams is in the top 5 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 definitely got all the goods."[98] 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 missed the rest of the year. She ended the year ranked no. 4 in singles, despite having played only six tournaments, and no. 11 in doubles after four tournaments. On March 2, 2011, she confirmed that she had suffered a hematoma and a pulmonary embolism.[100][101][102]
2011–present: Oldest World No. 1 and Golden Slam[edit source]
Main articles: 2011, 2012, and 2013 Serena Williams tennis season
Williams finally made a return to the practice court in March 2011.[103] She made her first appearance on the WTA tour in almost a year at the 2011 Aegon International in Eastbourne.[104] Williams lost in round two to Vera Zvonareva, in a match that lasted over three hours.[105] Her next tournament was Wimbledon, where she was the defending champion. She reached the round of 16, where she lost to Marion Bartoli. After the loss her ranking plummeted to no.175. Williams next competed at the Stanford where she won her first title on her comeback, beating Bartoli in the finals. This title was quickly followed by another in Toronto over Samantha Stosur. At the Western & Southern Open, Serena defeated Lucie Hradecká, only to withdraw the next day, citing a right toe injury. She then played at the US Open going all the way to the finals losing to Samantha Stosur, during a match which featured her verbally abusing the chair umpire. The US Open final turned out to be Williams' last match in 2011, and she ended the year ranked world no. 12 with 2 titles and with a 22–3 record for the season. She only participated in six tournaments throughout the season.
Williams won the singles gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games.
In 2012, Williams started the year by playing her debut at Brisbane International, However, during her match against Bojana Jovanovski, she injured her left ankle when serving for the match late in the second set. As a result, Williams was forced to withdraw from the tournament.[106] Next she participated at the Australian Open where she was upset by Ekaterina Makarova in the fourth round. After a month layoff Williams returned to competition in Miami losing in the quarterfinals to Caroline Wozniacki. Williams then won consecutive titles at Charleston and Madrid beating Lucie Šafářová and Victoria Azarenka respectively but withdrew from her semifinals match against Li Na in 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.[107] Williams won her fifth Wimbledon singles title, her fourteenth Grand Slam title;[108][109] 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).[110] Williams returned to America to successfully defend her title in Stanford beating Coco Vandeweghe in the finals.[111][112] Serena then returned to Wimbledon to represent her country at the Olympic Games where she became the second female player to win a career Golden Grand Slam after winning the gold medal and the first player in history, male or female, to win the career Golden Grand Slam in both singles and doubles.[112] Williams undefeated streak ended with a loss in Cincinnati to Angelique Kerber. In New York City, Williams went on to win her fourth US Open singles title and her 15th career Grand Slam title overall beating Azarenka in the finals.[107][113] She missed the Asian swing[jargon] but ended the season competing at the WTA Championships going undefeated to win the event for her third title. Serena Williams was voted WTA Player of the Year for 2012, the fourth time she has won this award.[114] Based on her brilliant show in 2012, Serena was also named International Tennis Federation World Champion.[115] Williams also returned to doubles competitions with Venus; in the pair's first tournament since 2010 Wimbledon, they claimed their fifth Wimbledon doubles title and the 13th grand slam doubles title.[116] The pair successfully defended their Olympic doubles title which meant that they became the only tennis players to win four gold medals.[16]
In 2013, Williams' first tournament of the season was Brisbane where she won the tournament without dropping a set. Williams lost in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Australian Open to fellow American player Sloane Stephens. After defeating Petra Kvitova in Doha, Williams ascended to the World Number One position for the sixth time in her career and became the oldest woman in the Open Era to hold the ranking.[117] Williams lost to Victoria Azarenka in the final. In Miami, Williams lost a set to Maria Sharapova for the first time since 2008. However, this setback did not stop Williams who recorded her seventieth 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.[118] Williams successfully defended her Charleston title winning it for the third time in all.[119] Williams' next tournament was Madrid, where she was the defending champion. Williams set up a rematch of the Miami final against Maria Sharapova and won convincingly to retain her number 1 ranking and earn her 50th singles title. Williams then played Rome, where she cruised through without dropping a set to make her first final in Rome since 2002; where she defeated Victoria Azarenka to take her second title. Williams only dropped ten games in reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. There, she faced Svetlana Kuznetsova. Williams squeezed it out in three sets and then defeated Sara Errani, dropping only a game, something Chris Evert described as the finest female performance on clay she had ever seen.[120] She progressed to the final and won her second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, defeating Maria Sharapova in straight sets.
She became the fourth woman in the Open era after Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf to win each Grand Slam title twice or more. She won the Swedish Open by defeating Johanna Larsson in the final, making it her 53rd WTA title. This win also marked her first WTA International tournaments Title. She is undefeated on clay this season, with a winning ratio of 28-0.[121] In the meantime, she got two 2013 ESPY Awards on July 17, 2013, as Best Female Athlete and as Best Female Tennis Player. The first being her second, only the fourth female athlete to do so, the latter being her sixth.[122] She won her 54th WTA title and her 3rd Rogers Cup title in Toronto on August 11, 2013 where she beat Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the final.[123] Her next tournament was the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati, Ohio, which she considers "unexpected", however she reached the final for the first time in her career but eventually lost to Victoria Azarenka in a three-set thriller. It was the second time she lost to the Belarusian in the hard court this year.[124]
In the US Open where she was the top seed, the defending champion and bidding to become the oldest woman to win the U.S. Open since tennis turned professional in 1968, she beat former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in the opening round in a lopsided fashion. She then reached the quarterfinals of the last grand slam tournament of the year by ultimately defeating the 15th seeded and compatriot Sloane Stephens in straight-sets in a much anticipated fourth round match.[125] By dispatching Stephens, Serena avenged her loss to the fast-rising American star from a wobbly quarterfinal defeat in the Australian Open earlier this year.[126] She reached the semifinals in a child's play fashion by dusting 18th seeded Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain in the quarterfinals. The dominant Williams scored an impressive "double bagel" in less than an hour. It was the first "double bagel" in a quarterfinal match at Flushing Meadows since 1989, when 18-time major title winner Martina Navratilova did it to Manuela Maleeva.[127]
On-court activities
Rivalry with Venus Williams
Main article: Williams sisters rivalry
Serena Williams has played older sister Venus in 24 professional matches since 1998. Overall Serena is 14–10 against her sister. Serena has played Venus 12 times in Grand Slam singles tournaments and 11 times in other tournaments (including 11 finals). They have met in eight Grand Slam finals, with Serena winning six times. Beginning with the 2002 French Open, they played each other in four consecutive Grand Slam singles finals, which was the first time in the open era that the same two players had contested four consecutive Grand Slam finals.
Controversies[edit source]
2004 US Open
In her 2004 U.S. Open quarterfinal match against Jennifer Capriati, an overrule was made by chair umpire Mariana Alves in Capriati's favor, even though later video review showed this to be an error. Williams attempted to argue the call, but was not successful. Capriati won the match, but tournament officials dismissed the umpire from the tournament. The controversy renewed calls for the adoption of technology like the MacCam and Hawk-Eye systems.[128]
2009 US Open
In 2009, Williams again was involved in a controversial U.S. Open match, this time against Kim Clijsters in the semifinal round. The drama began at the end of the first set, when Williams slammed her racquet on the court in frustration over losing the 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 racquet to the lineswoman who had made the call and yelled at her, with profanities and an injury threat.[129] During the subsequent on-court conference between the head judge, 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?"[130] The incident resulted in Williams being penalized a point for unsportsmanlike conduct — necessitated by the earlier warning for racquet abuse — meaning Clijsters won the match 6–4, 7–5. The following day, Williams was issued the maximum permissible on-site fine of $10,000 (plus $500 for racquet abuse). After further investigation, the Grand Slam Committee in November 2009 fined her $175,000 in lieu of suspending her from the 2010 US Open or other Grand Slam events.[131] They also placed her on a two-year probation, so if Williams committed another offense in the following two years at a Grand Slam tournament, she would be suspended from participating in the following US Open. If she committed no offenses in the next two years, her fine would be reduced to $82,500.[131] Williams initially refused to apologize for her outburst, both in her post-match press conference[132] and in an official statement released the following day.[93] She eventually apologized to the lineswoman in a statement two days following the incident.
2011 US Open
In the final of the 2011 U.S. Open against Samantha Stosur, Williams again generated controversy. After shouting "Come on!" as the Australian attempted to return a forehand Williams believed to be a winner, chair umpire Eva Asderaki awarded the point to Stosur based on the 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."[133] 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 several changeovers, warning her, "Don't look at me," and telling her that if Asderaki ever saw Williams coming toward her, she should "look the other way". She told the umpire that she was "a loser", "a hater" and "unattractive on the inside". [134] Williams initially gained momentum in the set following the penalty, breaking back in the next game, but eventually flagged and lost the match, 6–2, 6–3. At the end of the match, she declined to offer the customary handshake to Asderaki.[135][136] Williams mentioned the incident in her post-match speech as the tournament runner-up, claiming, "I hit a winner, but I guess it didn't count", but added, "It wouldn't have mattered in the end. Sam played really well."[citation needed] 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.[137] 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."[138]
Off-court
Personal life
As of 2013, Williams is dating her French coach Patrick Mouratoglou.[139] She had previously dated Jackie Long, Brett Ratner and the rapper Common, the last of whom she dated for two years until they broke up in 2010.[139]
Fashion
Williams was once known 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.[140] At the 2004 US Open, Williams wore denim skirts and knee-high boots—tournament officials, however, did not allow her to wear the boots during matches.[141] At Wimbledon in 2008, the white trench coat she wore during warm-up for her opening match was the subject of much discussion since it was worn despite the sunny weather.[142] Off-court, Williams has also presented new designs. In November 2004, at the London premiere of After the Sunset she wore a red gown that had a near-topless effect.[143]
Williams formerly had a special line with Puma[144] and currently has a line with Nike. The deal with Nike is worth US$40 million and was signed in April 2004.[145] Since 2004, she has also been running her own line of designer apparel called "Aneres"—her first name spelled backward. In 2009 she launched a signature collection of handbags and jewelry.[146] The collection, called Signature Statement, is sold mainly on the Home Shopping Network (HSN).
In early 2010, Williams became a certified nail technician in preparation for her upcoming nail collection with a company called HairTech.[147]
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.[148] 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,[149] which she has described as her "favorite show".[150]
Williams has posed for the 2003 and 2004 editions of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.[151] 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 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;[152] she has also guest-starred during episodes of The Bernie Mac Show, ER and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.[153] In 2007 Williams appeared in the music video of "I Want You" by the American rapper Common, alongside performers Alicia Keys and Kanye West.[154]
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 tampons 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.[155]
In May 2012, a minute of a new hip-hop track by Serena Williams was leaked, along with reports the sports star was planning to release an album.[156] In July 2012, she appeared in the ABC comedic improv television series Trust Us With Your Life and as a lawyer on the Lifetime television series Drop Dead Diva.
Miami Dolphins venture
In August 2009, Serena and Venus Williams became part-owners of the Miami Dolphins. The formal announcement was made during a press conference overlooking the practice field. The Williams are the first African-American females to obtain ownership in an NFL franchise. Other prominent owners include: Jimmy Buffett, Gloria and Emilio Estefan (the first Cuban-American owners), and Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. Stephan Ross, the majority owner of the Dolphins, said "We are thrilled to have Venus and Serena join the Dolphins as limited partners. They are among the most admired athletes in the world and have become global ambassadors for the game of tennis. Their addition to our ownership group further reflects our commitment to connect with aggressively and embrace the great diversity that makes South Florida a multicultural gem."[157]
Charity work[edit source]
In 2008 Williams helped to fund the construction of the Serena Williams Secondary School in Matooni, Kenya.[158][159] She received a Celebrity Role Model Award from Avon Foundation in 2003 for work in breast cancer.[160] 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.[1] 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).[1] 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 will go to the Haiti earthquake victims.[161]
Writing[edit source]
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.[162][163] During the 2009 Wimbledon Championships, Williams said that she is in the process of writing a TV show storyline, which will be converted into script form by her agency. She stated that the show will represent subject matter from a mix of popular American television shows such as Desperate Housewives, and Family Guy.[164] Serena released her first solo autobiography entitled On the Line, following the 2009 US Open.
Grand Slam tournaments[edit source]
Main article: Serena Williams career statistics
Grand Slam tournament performance timeline[edit source]
Tournament 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 SR W–L
Australian Open 2R 3R 4R QF A W A W 3R W QF W W A 4R QF 5 / 13 58–8
French Open 4R 3R A QF W SF QF A A QF 3R QF QF A 1R W 2 / 12 46–10
Wimbledon 3R A SF QF W W F 3R A QF F W W 4R W 4R 5 / 14 70–9
US Open 3R W QF F W A QF 4R 4R QF W SF A F W 4 / 13 65–9
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 14–2 16 / 52 239–36
Grand Slam tournament finals[edit source]
Singles: 20 (16 titles, 4 runner-ups)[edit source]
Outcome Year Championship Surface Opponent Score
Winner 1999 US Open Hard Martina Hingis 6–3, 7–6(7–4)
Runner-up 2001 US Open Hard Venus Williams 2–6, 4–6
Winner 2002 French Open Clay Venus Williams 7–5, 6–3
Winner 2002 Wimbledon Grass Venus Williams 7–6(7–4), 6–3
Winner 2002 US Open (2) Hard Venus Williams 6–4, 6–3
Winner 2003 Australian Open Hard Venus Williams 7–6(7–4), 3–6, 6–4
Winner 2003 Wimbledon (2) Grass Venus Williams 4–6, 6–4, 6–2
Runner-up 2004 Wimbledon Grass Maria Sharapova 1–6, 4–6
Winner 2005 Australian Open (2) Hard Lindsay Davenport 2–6, 6–3, 6–0
Winner 2007 Australian Open (3) Hard Maria Sharapova 6–1, 6–2
Runner-up 2008 Wimbledon (2) Grass Venus Williams 5–7, 4–6
Winner 2008 US Open (3) Hard Jelena Janković 6–4, 7–5
Winner 2009 Australian Open (4) Hard Dinara Safina 6–0, 6–3
Winner 2009 Wimbledon (3) Grass Venus Williams 7–6(7–3), 6–2
Winner 2010 Australian Open (5) Hard Justine Henin 6–4, 3–6, 6–2
Winner 2010 Wimbledon (4) Grass Vera Zvonareva 6–3, 6–2
Runner-up 2011 US Open (2) Hard Samantha Stosur 2–6, 3–6
Winner 2012 Wimbledon (5) Grass Agnieszka Radwańska 6–1, 5–7, 6–2
Winner 2012 US Open (4) Hard Victoria Azarenka 6–2, 2–6, 7–5
Winner 2013 French Open (2) Clay Maria Sharapova 6–4, 6–4
Women's doubles: 13 finals (13 titles)[edit source]
Outcome Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Winner 1999 French Open Clay Venus Williams Martina Hingis
Anna Kournikova 6–3, 6–7(2–7), 8–6
Winner 1999 US Open Hard Venus Williams Chanda Rubin
Sandrine Testud 4–6, 6–1, 6–4
Winner 2000 Wimbledon Grass Venus Williams Julie Halard-Decugis
Ai Sugiyama 6–3, 6–2
Winner 2001 Australian Open Hard Venus Williams Lindsay Davenport
Corina Morariu 6–2, 2–6, 6–4
Winner 2002 Wimbledon (2) Grass Venus Williams Virginia Ruano Pascual
Paola Suárez 6–2, 7–5
Winner 2003 Australian Open (2) Hard Venus Williams Virginia Ruano Pascual
Paola Suárez 4–6, 6–4, 6–3
Winner 2008 Wimbledon (3) Grass Venus Williams Lisa Raymond
Samantha Stosur 6–2, 6–2
Winner 2009 Australian Open (3) Hard Venus Williams Daniela Hantuchová
Ai Sugiyama 6–3, 6–3
Winner 2009 Wimbledon (4) Grass Venus Williams Samantha Stosur
Rennae Stubbs 7–6(7–4), 6–4
Winner 2009 US Open (2) Hard Venus Williams Cara Black
Liezel Huber 6–2, 6–2
Winner 2010 Australian Open (4) Hard Venus Williams Cara Black
Liezel Huber 6–4, 6–3
Winner 2010 French Open (2) Clay Venus Williams Květa Peschke
Katarina Srebotnik 6–2, 6–3
Winner 2012 Wimbledon (5) Grass Venus Williams Andrea Hlaváčková
Lucie Hradecká 7–5, 6–4
Mixed doubles: 4 finals (2 titles, 2 runner-ups)[edit source]
Outcome Year Championship Surface Partner Opponents Score
Runner-up 1998 French Open Clay Luis Lobo Justin Gimelstob
Venus Williams 4–6, 4–6
Winner 1998 Wimbledon Grass Max Mirnyi Mahesh Bhupathi
Mirjana Lučić 6–4, 6–4
Winner 1998 US Open Hard Max Mirnyi Patrick Galbraith
Lisa Raymond 6–2, 6–2
Runner-up 1999 Australian Open Hard Max Mirnyi David Adams
Mariaan de Swardt 4–6, 6–4, 6–7(5–7)
Records and achievements[edit source]
Main article: List of career achievements by Serena Williams
These records were attained in Open Era of tennis.
Records in bold indicate peer-less achievements.
Records in italics are currently active streaks.
[show]Time span Selected Grand Slam tournament records Players matched
[show]Grand Slam tournaments Time Span Records at each Grand Slam tournament Players matched
[show]Time span Other selected records Players matched
See also[edit source]
Tennis portal
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
Works Cited[edit source]
Morgan, Terri (2001). Venus and Serena Williams: Grand Slam Sisters - Sports Achievers Biographies. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Lerner Publishing. 64pp. ISBN 9780822536840.
Williams, Venus; Williams, Serena & Beard, Hilary (2005). Venus and Serena : Serving from the Hip : 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 133pp. ISBN 9780618576531.
Williams, Serena & Paisner, Daniel (2009). On The Line. Hachette Digital. 214pp. ISBN 9780446564021.
also Williams, Serena & Paisner, Daniel (2009). My Life : Queen of the Court. Simon & Schuster. 257pp. ISBN 9781847375445.
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External links[edit source]
Find more about Serena Williams at Wikipedia's sister projects
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Serena Williams at the Fed Cup
Serena Williams at the Internet Movie Database
Interview with Serena Williams on Hossli.com](https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/9239_511234878959498_1324047520_n.jpg)
