(Source – vanityfair.com)
“I went on the courts with a ball, a racket, and hopes. That’s all I had… Never give up because you never know what can happen and who you can inspire.” – Serena Williams
A legend in the world of tennis, Serena Williams has not only emerged as the greatest athlete but has inspired many generations to step into the world of sports. With her fashion statements, playing style, and passion for the sport, she has changed the way women compete. In this article, we will learn about Serena’s life and career, along with her philanthropic activities and other business ventures.
Early Life of Serena Williams
Serena Jameka Williams was born on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Oracene Price and Richard Williams. Richard was a former sharecropper from Louisiana and was determined to ensure that his daughters, Serena and Venus, would succeed in life. He saw an opportunity in tennis and, along with his wife, taught themselves the game from books and videos so that they could coach their children. When Serena was around three, the family moved to Compton, California, where she began intensive tennis training with her father and older sister. The Williams sisters practiced for hours every day on rundown public tennis courts.
Serena Williams began her tennis journey at a young age, joining the junior United States Tennis Association tour. By 1991, at just 10 years old, she achieved the remarkable feat of ranking first in the 10-and-under division. Her family then relocated to Palm Beach, Florida, where Serena and her sister received training from coach Rick Macci. Interestingly, Serena’s father made a strategic decision to prevent the sisters from participating in junior tournaments. This was a deliberate move to ensure that they wouldn’t exhaust themselves before transitioning to professional tennis.
The Start of Serena’s Tennis Career
In 1995, at the age of 14, Serena made her professional debut at a qualifying event in Quebec City. Although she faced a defeat, this setback didn’t deter her. Serena took a break from professional matches until 1997, but by the end of that year, she had risen to the impressive rank of 99 in the world rankings. In 1998, Serena’s ranking soared to number 20, and she achieved the remarkable feat of surpassing Monica Seles to become the fastest player to record five victories against Top 10 players.
After graduating from Driftwood Academy in 1999, Serena achieved a significant milestone by signing a lucrative $12 million endorsement deal with Puma. That same year, she clinched her first Grand Slam title by defeating Martina Hingis at the U.S. Open, ultimately rising to the impressive rank of number four in the world. Two years later, in a historic moment for tennis, Serena Williams faced her sister in the U.S. Open final. This marked the first time since 1884 that sisters competed against each other in a Grand Slam final.
Major Career Achievements with Timeline
Serena has won more grand slam singles titles than any other man or woman in the open era of tennis. Starting her career at just the age of fourteen, she has emerged as the greatest womens tennis player of all time. She had made several accomplishments throughout her career, including winning 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three doubles gold medals at the Olympics with her sister.
1998
- Serena made her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open.
- She achieved a notable victory by defeating the sixth-seeded Irina Spirlea.
- She won first Grand Slam doubles title at Wimbledon in mixed doubles with Croatia’s Max Mirnyi.
1999
- Serena beats Swiss legend Martina Hingis in straight sets to win her first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.
- In the finals, she beats Grand Slam champions Kim Clijsters, Conchita Martínez, and Monica Seles.
2000
- Serena bags first Olympic gold along with sister Venus in the women’s doubles category.
2002
- Serena records first French Open and Wimbledon titles, beating Venus in both finals and replacing her as the new world number one.
2003
- Serena completes career Grand Slam by winning her first Australian Open singles title at the age of 22.
2005
- She won her second Australian Open after being out with injury and not winning a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2003.
2012
- She won Olympic gold in singles and doubles, completing career golden slam.
2015
- Serena won third French Open and 20th Grand Slam title, becoming the third person to win each Grand Slam three times.
- She also won all four Grand Slams in a row for the second time, the only player to have done so.
2016
- Serena won her seventh and last Wimbledon singles title after dropping just one set during the tournament.
2017
- She won her 23rd Grand Slam and seventh Australian Open title by defeating sister Venus in the final.
2020
- She won her first title as a mother at the Auckland Open.
2022
- Serena announces retirement plans in a magazine article, making the US Open her last tournament.
Entrepreneurial Business Ventures
Serena Williams has been an investor for various businesses for several years but after her retirement in 2022, she has leaned into it more. She is estimated to have 85 companies in her personal portfolio, 4 of which are unicorns, or startups with a value of more than $1 billion. According to Forbes, her net worth is approximately $290 million. Other than being a renowned tennis player, she has ventured into many business opportunities, some of which are mentioned here.
1. Serena Ventures
Serena launched Serena Ventures in 2014 after years of experience in investing. Serena Ventures is a venture capital fund aimed at supporting women and founders from underrepresented groups, with a mission “to invest in us”. The company aims to ignite change by investing in opportunities that make the everyday lives of people better.
2. Wyn Beauty
Serena Williams has recently launched Wyn Beauty, a makeup brand that focuses on providing “makeup you can move in.” She mentioned that she always struggled to find makeup that looked good even after spending hours on the tennis court. Wyn Beauty was started to promote ‘living in color with confidence.’ The beauty range is inclusive for all skin tones.
3. Will Perform
Serena got the idea for Will Perform after her amazing tennis career, where recovery was really important. She noticed that there weren’t many good self-care products that were clean, high quality, and easy to get. She wanted these products to help her stay healthy and active as a mom, businesswoman, and athlete.
Apart from these, she is a philanthropist and runs the Serena Williams Foundation that partners with major organizations to advance community development. She is also a certified nail technician and have appeared in several movies and shows as well. She has been an International Goodwill Ambassador with UNICEF since 2011, and helped launch UNICEF’s Schools for Asia campaign.
The Serena Effect
Serena Williams has become a role model for black people, women, and new tennis players. Even though she wasn’t the first black woman to play tennis, she made a big difference in how people think about women’s sports. During a special match at the Australian Open, Roger Federer was amazed at how hard it was to predict where Serena’s serve was going.
Serena has changed people’s ideas about what tennis champions should look like, how they should dress, and behave. She has encouraged girls and boys to see tennis as a sport for everyone. She’s also shown that women can be strong, passionate, and expressive while still being true to themselves. She brought excitement to the game with her incredible skill, determination, and energy, and she’s inspired people to support and cheer for her. Over the past 26 years, Serena has proven that she knows what it takes to be a champion, facing challenges and always giving her best, even in the toughest times.
Also read: From Tennis Player to Entrepreneur: Maria Sharapova
