Serena Williams is an undeniable force.
Since her debut as a child, she’s shown time and time again that not only is her talent one in a million, so is her heart. On and off the court, Williams has led with the same intensity, commitment to her craft, and determination that puts her a step above the rest.
We’ve grown with her over the years, watching her journey as an athlete, wife, mom, sister, daughter, and businesswoman. And as we celebrate this phenomenal woman today and everyday, here are 10 times Serena Williams made history.
Serena Williams Makes History as Tennis Athlete, Male or Female, With the Most Grand Slam Wins
In 2017, Serena Williams defeated her big sister Venus Williams in the Australian Open, making history with a whopping 23 Grand Slam titles. At the time, that was the most recorded major singles title for any athlete, male or female, in the history of the Open Era.
Serena Earns Her 100th U.S. Open Win
In 2019 Serena Williams earned her 100th U.S. Open win. In the 100 US Open wins Williams has earned, she’s played just nine tiebreaks, winning seven, defeated players from 30 different countries, and won 84% of her matches in straight sets. This is more proof she lives up to her title as one of the greatest players of all time (G.O.A.T.).
Serena Becomes 2nd Black Woman After Althea Gibson to Be Featured on Wheaties Box
In 2019, the four-time Olympic gold medalist unveiled her new Wheaties Box, making history as the second Black woman tennis player after Althea Gibson to be featured on the iconic cereal box.
“I have dreamt of this since I was a young woman and it’s an honor to join the ranks of some of America’s most decorated athletes. I hope my image on this iconic orange box will inspire the next generation of girls and athletes to dream big,” said Williams.
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Serena Williams Named Female Athlete of the Decade
At the start of the decade, in January 2020, Serena Williams was named female athlete of the decade by the Associated Press alongside LeBron James, who was crowned male athlete of the decade. A trailblazer in every sense of the word, Williams had taken home the title for AP Female Athlete of the Year five times in the last decade — in 2002, 2009, 2013, 2015, and 2018.
Serena Williams Wins First Title Since Becoming a Mom
In 2020, after taking leave to have her first daughter and becoming an advocate for maternal health after a harrowing delivery, Serena Williams won her first title since 2017 with her daughter Olympia in the stands cheering her on. It was a testament to her resilience and a reminder of the power of women athletes everywhere.
Serena Becomes the First Person to Win 100 Matches in Arthur Ashe Stadium
In 2020, at the age of 38 with 23 Grand Slam wins under her belt, Serena Williams defeated Greek tennis player Maria Sakkari over the Labor Day weekend at Flushing Meadows. This history-making win made her the first person to win 100 matches at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium.
2003 Serena Williams Trading Card Makes History as Highest-Priced Featuring Woman Athlete
In 2022, a 2003 Serena Williams NetPro signed patch rookie card sold for $266,400, making history as the highest-priced trading card to ever sell featuring a woman athlete.
New record set for highest priced trading card of a female athlete last night @GoldinCo . This @serenawilliams 2003 NETPRO signed patch rookie card sold for $266,400 setting the new record. pic.twitter.com/0jGn4BpEXO
— Ken Goldin (@KenGoldin) May 22, 2022advertisement
Nike Unveils the Serena Williams Building, the Largest Building on the Nike Campus
In 2022, Nike unveiled a 1-million-square-foot building at their headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, named in honor of tennis icon Serena Williams. She is the third woman athlete to have a Nike building and the first Black woman athlete to have a Nike building.
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Serena Williams’ Venture Capital Firm Raises Inaugural Fund of $111M to Invest in Diverse Founders
In 2022, after a decade as an active angel investor, Serena Williams’ venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, raised an inaugural fund of $111 million aimed at supporting diverse founders from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
In 2020, The National Women’s Soccer League announced its new expansion team in Los Angeles, named Angel City. The team has a 30-person star-studded ownership group that includes Serena Williams and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and their daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. The toddler’s stake in the new sports company was historic, making Olympia the youngest co-owner in professional sports. Olympia made history again this year as the youngest 2x professional sports team owner when she was named co-owner of Tiger Woods’ Los Angeles Golf Club alongside her mom, dad, and her new baby sister Adira River, who was still in the womb when she became an owner.
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