Serena Williams#Records

Williams was born on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Oracene Price and Richard Williams. She is the youngest of Price's five daughters, after half-sisters Yetunde, Lyndrea, and Isha Price, and full older sister Venus. She also has at least seven paternal half-siblings.{{cite book |last=Edmondson |first=Jacqueline |title=Venus and Serena Williams: A Biography |year=2005 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-313-33165-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/venusserenawilli0000edmo}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theroot.com/intimate-look-at-the-williams-sisters-1790896499 |title=Intimate Look at the Williams Sisters |first=Hillary |last=Crosley |website=The Root |date=May 18, 2013 |access-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921104557/https://www.theroot.com/intimate-look-at-the-williams-sisters-1790896499 |url-status=live }} When the children were young, the family moved to Compton, California, where she started playing tennis at the age of four.{{cite web |title=About Serena – Serena Williams |url=http://serenawilliams.com/about/ |website=SerenaWilliams.com |date=June 14, 2013 |access-date=April 20, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107060752/http://serenawilliams.com/about/ |archive-date=November 7, 2016}}{{sfn|Morgan|2001|p=19}} Her father home-schooled her and Venus.{{sfn|Morgan|2001|p=28}}{{Cite web |title=College Homeschool Success |url=https://www.powerhomeschool.org/colleges-accepting-homeschoolers/#famous |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Power Homeschool |language=en-US}} While he and her mother have been her official coaches, her other mentors have included Richard Williams, a Compton man who shared her father's name and subsequently founded The Venus and Serena Williams Tennis Tutorial Academy.{{cite web |title=Williams Tennis Academy Other Richard Williams Kent |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzRbETeZHav7MTI0YzZlYzItZGUwZi00OTE4LWE2NmItM2YwMmU5NTdlMWVm/view |access-date=July 15, 2017 |archive-date=January 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101142836/https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzRbETeZHav7MTI0YzZlYzItZGUwZi00OTE4LWE2NmItM2YwMmU5NTdlMWVm/view |url-status=live }}

File:Venus and Serena 1993.jpg event in Baltimore, 1993]]

When Williams was nine, she and her family moved from Compton to West Palm Beach, Florida, so she could attend the tennis academy of Rick Macci, who provided her with additional coaching. Macci did not always agree with Williams's father, but respected that "he treated his daughters like kids, allowed them to be little girls".{{cite web|url=http://blackathlete.net/artman2/publish/Tennis_35/Venus_Serena_Reflect_As_They_Prepare_For_Fed_Cup_3202.shtml|title=Venus, Serena reflect as they prepare for Fed Cup|publisher=blackathlete.net|access-date=April 22, 2009|first=Michelle|last=Kaufman|date=April 22, 2007|archive-date=July 8, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708024727/http://blackathlete.net/artman2/publish/Tennis_35/Venus_Serena_Reflect_As_They_Prepare_For_Fed_Cup_3202.shtml|url-status=usurped}} By 1991, 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.{{cite web |title=Serena Williams – National Women's History Museum |url=https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/serena-williams |access-date=22 December 2023 |website=www.womenshistory.org}}{{cite web |url=https://sportytell.com/biography/serena-williams-biography-facts-childhood-personal-life/ |title=Serena Williams Biography Facts, Childhood, Personal Life |website=sportytell.com |date=11 April 2020 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} When Williams was 10, Richard stopped sending his daughters to national junior tennis tournaments, as he wanted them to "go slowly" and focus on school, and because he wanted to ensure they would not burn out before turning professional. Experiences of racism also influenced this decision, as he had heard white parents talk about the Williams sisters in a derogatory manner during tournaments.{{cite news |last1=Peyser |first1=Marc |last2=Samuels |first2=Allison |date=August 24, 1998 |title=Venus And Serena Against The World |url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/1012925/venus-serena-against-world |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903121131/http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/1012925/venus-serena-against-world |archive-date=September 3, 2017 |access-date=April 19, 2009 |work=Newsweek}} In 1995, when Williams was in the ninth grade, her father pulled his daughters out of Macci's academy and took over all coaching at their home.{{cite web |url=https://tennispal.com/athlete-profile-serena-williams/ |title=Athlete Profile: Serena Williams |website=tennispal.com |date=10 April 2018 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} When asked in 2000 whether it would have been more beneficial for them to have followed the normal path of playing regularly on the junior circuit, Richard responded, "Everyone does different things. I think for Venus and I, we just attempted a different road, and it worked for us."{{cite web |url=https://sportmob.com/en/article/973747-facts-about-serena-williams-the-king-of-wta |title=Facts about Serena Williams, the king of WTA |website=sportmob.com |date=17 August 2021 |access-date=22 December 2023 }}

{{Main|Serena Williams's early career}}

Williams's parents initially wanted their daughter to wait until she was 16 to participate in professional tournaments.{{cite news |last=Finn |first=Robin |title=Tennis; A Family Tradition At Age 14 |work=The New York Times |date=31 October 1995 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/31/sports/tennis-a-family-tradition-at-age-14.html |access-date=13 July 2019 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406050124/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/31/sports/tennis-a-family-tradition-at-age-14.html |url-status=live }} In 1995, just after turning 14, Williams planned to make her professional debut as a wild-card entry in the Bank of the West Classic in Oakland, California, but was denied due to age-eligibility restrictions.{{cite news |last=Finn |first=Robin |title=Tennis; Teen-Ager, Fighting To Turn Pro At 14, Puts Off Lawsuit For Now |work=The New York Times |date=6 October 1995 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/06/sports/tennis-teen-ager-fighting-to-turn-pro-at-14-puts-off-lawsuit-for-now.html |access-date=13 July 2019 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406035639/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/06/sports/tennis-teen-ager-fighting-to-turn-pro-at-14-puts-off-lawsuit-for-now.html |url-status=live }} She subsequently filed an antitrust lawsuit against the WTA, but withdrew it at her parents' request. Her first professional event was in October 1995 at the Bell Challenge in Quebec,{{cite news |title=Tennis Muster Stuns Sampras Indoors In Germany |work=The New York Times |date=29 October 1995 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/29/sports/results-plus-859495.html |access-date=13 July 2019 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406195430/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/29/sports/results-plus-859495.html | url-status=live }} where she used a wild-card entry to circumvent age-eligibility rules. She lost in the first qualifying round to 18-year-old American Annie Miller.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/12167370/what-ever-happened-first-person-beat-serena-williams |title=Whatever happened to the first person to beat Serena Williams? |work=ESPN |date=14 January 2015 |access-date=22 December 2023}}

After not playing in 1996, Williams won her first main-draw match at the Ameritech Cup Chicago in November 1997.{{cite news |title=Tennis: Roundup; Younger Williams Wins In Chicago |work=The New York Times |date=4 November 1997 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/04/sports/tennis-roundup-younger-williams-wins-in-chicago.html |access-date=13 July 2019 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406114507/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/04/sports/tennis-roundup-younger-williams-wins-in-chicago.html |url-status=live }} Ranked No.304, she upset No.7 Mary Pierce and No.4 Monica Seles,{{cite news |title=Serena Williams Upsets Pierce |work=The New York Times |date=7 November 1997 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/07/sports/tennis-roundup.html |access-date=13 July 2019 |archive-date=6 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406102402/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/07/sports/tennis-roundup.html |url-status=live }} recording her first career wins over top{{nbsp}}10 players and becoming the lowest-ranked player in the Open Era to defeat two top-10 opponents in one tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/playerCard?player=serena |title=ESPN.com: SWILLIAMS PlayerCard |work=ESPN |access-date=22 December 2023}} She ultimately lost in the semifinals to No.5 Lindsay Davenport.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Tennis: Roundup – Ameritech Open; Serena Williams Loses In Semi |work=The New York Times |date=9 November 1997 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/09/sports/tennis-roundup-ameritech-open-serena-williams-loses-in-semi.html |access-date=13 July 2019 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714051231/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/09/sports/tennis-roundup-ameritech-open-serena-williams-loses-in-semi.html |url-status=live }} Her run in Chicago propelled Williams into the Top 100 for the first time in her career, and she finished 1997 ranked No.99 in the world.{{cite web |url=https://www.usta.com/en/home/pro/pro-media---news/remembering-serena-williams--fed-cup-debut-in-1999.html |title=Remembering Serena's 1999 Fed Cup debut |website=www.usta.com |date=31 January 2020 |access-date=22 December 2023}}

At the 1998 Sydney International, Williams defeated No.3 Davenport in the quarterfinals, before losing to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the semifinals.{{cite news |last=Stevenson |first=Samantha |title=Tennis; Williams Sisters Won't Meet in the Final |work=The New York Times |date=16 January 1998 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/sports/tennis-williams-sisters-won-t-meet-in-the-final.html |access-date=13 July 2019 |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406210728/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/sports/tennis-williams-sisters-won-t-meet-in-the-final.html |url-status=live }} Williams's first main draw of a Grand Slam tournament was at the Australian Open, where she defeated sixth-seeded Irina Spîrlea in the first round, before losing to Venus in the second round in the sisters' first professional face-off.{{cite news |last=Finn |first=Robin |title=Tennis; In Williams vs. Williams, Big Sister Moves Ahead |work=The New York Times |date=January 21, 1998 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/21/sports/tennis-in-williams-vs-williams-big-sister-moves-ahead.html |access-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406035637/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/21/sports/tennis-in-williams-vs-williams-big-sister-moves-ahead.html |url-status=live }} She reached six other quarterfinals during the year, but lost all of them, including her first match against No.1-ranked Martina Hingis.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/25/sports/tennis-hingis-escapes-one-williams-and-will-face-the-other.html |title=Hingis Escapes One Williams, and Will Face the Other |website=www.nytimes.com |date=25 March 1998 |access-date=22 December 2023}}{{cite news |first=Douglas S. |last=Looney |title=Venus Rising |work=The Christian Science Monitor |date=May 22, 1998 |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1998/0522/052298.feat.feat.2.html |access-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405074148/https://www.csmonitor.com/1998/0522/052298.feat.feat.2.html |url-status=live }} She lost in the fourth round of the French Open to Vicario,{{cite news |last=Finn |first=Robin |title=Tennis; Emotions Hit the Heights In Bitter Day on the Clay |work=The New York Times |date=June 1, 1998 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/01/sports/tennis-emotions-hit-the-heights-in-bitter-day-on-the-clay.html |access-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406131033/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/01/sports/tennis-emotions-hit-the-heights-in-bitter-day-on-the-clay.html |url-status=live }} and in the third round of the US Open to Spîrlea.{{cite news |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |title=Tennis: U.S. Open; One Year Later, Spirlea Defeats a Williams Sister |work=The New York Times |date=September 5, 1998 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/05/sports/tennis-us-open-one-year-later-spirlea-defeats-a-williams-sister.html |access-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405211850/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/05/sports/tennis-us-open-one-year-later-spirlea-defeats-a-williams-sister.html |url-status=live }} She withdrew from Wimbledon two games into a match after straining a calf muscle.{{cite news |last=Finn |first=Robin |title=Tennis; Serena Williams Is Out; Henman Uplifts Locals |work=The New York Times |date=June 30, 1998 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/30/sports/tennis-serena-williams-is-out-henman-uplifts-locals.html |access-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406035637/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/30/sports/tennis-serena-williams-is-out-henman-uplifts-locals.html |url-status=live }} After losing the French Open mixed doubles final to Venus and Justin Gimelstob, Williams won the mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon and the US Open with Max Mirnyi.{{cite web |url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/on-this-day-serena-williams-wins-wimbledon-mixed-doubles-title-1998 |title=On this day 25 years ago: 16-year-old Serena Williams wins Wimbledon mixed doubles title |website=www.tennis.com |date=5 July 2023 |accessdate=22 December 2023}} Williams won her first professional title in non-mixed doubles at the U.S. National Indoor Championships in Oklahoma City with Venus, which made them the third pair of sisters to win a WTA title.{{cite web |url=https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/on-this-day-1998-venus-williams-wins-first-wta-title-in-oklahoma-city-serena |title=25 Years Ago: Venus Williams' titanic day in Oklahoma City |website=www.tennis.com |date=1 March 2023 |accessdate=22 December 2023}} Williams finished the year ranked No.20 in singles, the fastest achievement of that milestone in women's history.{{cite web |title=Serena Williams ranking history at the WTA |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/players/230234/serena-williams#rankingshistory |accessdate=18 December 2023 |website=www.wtatennis.com}}{{cite web |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2772210/1995-1999-the-beginning-of-a-memorable-career |title=1995–1999: The beginning of a memorable care |website=www.wtatennis.com |date=31 August 2022 |access-date=22 December 2023}}

{{Main|1999 Serena Williams tennis season}}

In February 1999, Williams won her first professional singles title when she defeated Amélie Mauresmo in the final of the Open Gaz de France in Paris.{{cite web |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1449912/20-years-on-remembering-serena-williamss-first-wta-title |title=20 years on: Remembering Serena Williams's first WTA title |website=www.wtatennis.com |date=28 February 2019 |access-date=22 December 2023}} In March, Williams won her first WTA 1000 event at the Evert Cup in California, defeating Steffi Graf in the final.{{cite web |url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/the-matches-that-made-serena-the-goat-williams-d-steffi-graf-1999-indian-wells-f |title=The Matches that Made Serena the GOAT: Williams d. Steffi Graf, 1999 Indian Wells final |website=www.tennis.com |date=13 October 2022 |access-date=22 December 2023}} At the Miami Masters, Williams had her 16-match winning streak ended by her sister in the first all-sister singles final in WTA history.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/venus-beats-sister-at-lipton/ |title=Venus Beats Sister At Lipton |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=28 March 1999 |access-date=22 December 2023}} In the doubles event at the French Open, she and Venus won the title after defeating Hingis and Anna Kournikova in the final.{{cite news |last1=Dillman |first1=Lisa |date=May 29, 1999 |title=Fernandez's Big Upset Is Predictable |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-29-sp-42257-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030230810/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-29-sp-42257-story.html |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |access-date=August 1, 2017 |work=Los Angeles Times |location=Paris}}{{cite web |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1677676/venus-and-serena-win-roland-garros-to-seal-first-of-14-majors |title=Venus and Serena win Roland Garros to seal first of 14 majors |website=www.usta.com |date=7 June 2020 |access-date=22 December 2023}}

Williams missed Wimbledon in 1999 due to injury. When she returned to the tour two months later, she made her Fed Cup debut, defeating Rita Grande to send the United States to the final. She then won her third title at the JPMorgan Chase Open, beating Julie Halard-Decugis in the final. At the US Open, Williams defeated Grand Slam champions Kim Clijsters, Conchita Martínez, Monica Seles, and Lindsay Davenport (the defending champion) in consecutive matches to reach the final, where she defeated No.1-ranked Hingis. Williams became the second African-American woman to win a Grand Slam singles tournament, after Althea Gibson.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/usopen99/news/1999/0911/51747.html |title=Serena upsets Hingis to win first Grand Slam |work=ESPN |date=13 September 1999 |access-date=22 December 2023}} The Williams sisters also won the doubles event at this tournament, making Serena the fifth woman in the Open Era to win both singles and doubles at the same major event. To complete her 1999 season, Williams won a doubles match against Russia in the Fed Cup final to help the US win the title. Williams ended the year ranked in a career-high world No.4 in just her second full year on the main tour.

In 2000, Williams failed to defend her titles in Paris and Indian Wells, although she did win the Faber Grand Prix in Germany.{{Cite news |last=The Associated Press |first= |date=2000-02-21 |title=Faber Grand Prix; Serena Williams Routs Chladkova |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/21/sports/plus-tennis-faber-grand-prix-serena-williams-routs-chladkova.html |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Soon afterwards, she missed the French Open due to injury.{{Cite news |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=2000-05-27 |title=Serena Williams Pulls Out of French Open |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/27/sports/tennis-serena-williams-pulls-out-of-french-open.html |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} She recovered and played at the Wimbledon Championships, where she lost to Venus in the semifinals; however, the pair won the doubles title.{{Cite web |title=Wimbledon 2000 Tennis Tournament |url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/wimbledon/gbr/2000/w-sl-gbr-01a-2000/draws-and-results/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=International Tennis Foundation}} Her defense of the US Open title ended when she lost in the quarterfinals to Davenport. Williams and her sister won the gold medal in doubles at the Sydney Olympics that September,{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/oly/summer00/news/2000/0927/784564.html |title=Summer Olympics 2000 Williams sisters win gold in women's doubles |work=ESPN |date=28 September 2000 |access-date=22 December 2023}} and Williams ended the year by winning the Toyota Princess Cup and finishing at No.6.

Williams began 2001 by losing to Hingis in the quarterfinals of both the Medibank International and the Australian Open.{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=99916 |title=Hingis Ousts Serena Williams at Aussie Open |website=abcnews.go.com |date=24 January 2001 |access-date=22 December 2023}} She and Venus won the doubles event 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".{{cite web |url=https://a.espncdn.com/tennis/aus2001/news/2001/0125/1040762.html |title=Williams sisters upset Davenport-Morariu |work=ESPN |date=26 January 2001 |access-date=22 December 2023}} Her next event was the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, where she defeated Clijsters in the final. During the tournament, Richard Williams stated that racist comments were made to him by spectators.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Doug |date=April 2, 2001 |title=Richard Williams decries fans as racist |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/stories/2001-03-26-focus-williams.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315211821/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/stories/2001-03-26-focus-williams.htm |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |access-date=July 13, 2019 |work=USA Today}} As a result, both Serena and Venus pledged to boycott the event, even though it was a mandatory stop on the WTA tour; Serena's boycott lasted until 2015. Williams then lost to Jennifer Capriati in the quarterfinals of three tournaments: Miami Masters, the French Open and Wimbledon. She claimed her second title of the year at the Rogers Cup, defeating Capriati in the final. In September, Williams lost to her sister in the final of the US Open, which was the first Grand Slam tournament final played by two sisters during the Open Era. At the 2001 season-ending Tour Championships, Williams won the championship by walkover when Davenport withdrew due to injury. Williams finished 2001 at No.6 for the second straight year.

{{Main|2003 Serena Williams tennis season}}

Early in 2002, injury saw Williams retire from the semifinal at the Medibank International Sydney and later withdraw from the Australian Open.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/14/sports/tennis-agassi-and-serena-williams-withdraw-in-australia-kuerten-is-beaten.html|title=Tennis; Agassi And Serena Williams Withdraw In Australia; Kuerten Is Beaten|last=Clarey|first=Christopher|date=January 14, 2002|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=October 25, 2016|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406200337/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/14/sports/tennis-agassi-and-serena-williams-withdraw-in-australia-kuerten-is-beaten.html|url-status=live}} After recovering, Williams won her first title of the year in Scottsdale, Arizona, defeating No.2 Capriati, in the final.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/serena-williams-beats-capriati-to-win-state-farm-classic-1.341407 |title=Serena Williams beats Capriati to win State Farm Classic |website=www.cbc.ca |date=4 March 2002 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} She then won the Miami Masters for the first time after beating No.3 Hingis in the quarterfinals, No.2 Venus in the semifinals, and No.1 Capriati in the final, becoming only the second player in the Open Era to defeat the world's top 3 ranked players at the same event.{{cite web |url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/serena-williams-records-that-may-never-be-broken-beating-no-1-no-2-eight-times |title=Serena Williams records that may never be broken: Beating No. 1 and No. 2 at the same tournament eight times |website=www.tennis.com |date=24 August 2022 |access-date=22 December 2023 }}

File:SWilliams-SYD-1.jpg

In May, Williams reached her first clay-court final at the Eurocard German Open, but lost to Justine Henin. Williams won her first clay-court title at the Italian Open,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/may/20/tennis1 |title=Hingis may be out to end of year |work=The Guardian |access-date=April 23, 2009 |date=May 20, 2002 |first=Eleanor |last=Preston |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113175113/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/may/20/tennis1 |url-status=live }} which raised her ranking to a new high of No.3.{{cite news |first=Derrick |last=Whyte |title=First title on clay boosts Williams for French Open |newspaper=The Independent |date=May 20, 2002 |page=24}} She then claimed her first French Open title, which elevated her to No.2, second only to Venus.{{cite news |title=Au revoir, big sister |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |date=June 9, 2002 |page=37}} During the summer, Williams won Wimbledon for the first time, defeating Venus in the final. The victory propelled her to No.1, making her the third African American woman to hold the top ranking.{{cite web |date=8 July 2002 |title=Sublime Serena celebrates the crucial difference |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/jul/08/wimbledon2002.wimbledon4 |access-date=22 December 2023 |website=www.theguardian.com}}{{cite web |date=6 July 2002 |title=Serena grabs sister's Wimbledon title |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/07/06/williams.tennis/index.html |access-date=22 December 2023 |website=CNN}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/jul/05/wimbledon2002.wimbledon3 |title=Serena on top of the world |website=www.theguardian.com |date=5 July 2002 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} The Williams sisters also won the doubles event at the tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/wimbledon02/s/2002/0707/1402961.html |title=Williams sisters take doubles title, too |publisher=ESPN |date=17 July 2002 |access-date=22 December 2023 }}

At the US Open, Williams reached the final where, for the third Grand Slam in a row, she defeated her sister to win the title.{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/09/08/in-the-end-its-serena-vs-venus/2152e186-4ee9-49f3-bf6d-8b048a4b7ea1/ |title=In the End, It's Serena vs. Venus |website=www.chicagotribune.com |date=8 September 2002 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} Williams won two consecutive singles titles in the fall, defeating Clijsters to win the Toyota Princess Cup in Tokyo, and Anastasia Myskina to win the Sparkassen Cup in Leipzig.{{cite web |url=https://eu.theledger.com/story/news/2002/09/30/serena-williams-wins-another-title/26022233007/ |title=Serena Williams Wins Another Title |website=eu.theledger.com |date=30 September 2002 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} She reached the final at the Home Depot Championships in Los Angeles, where she lost to Clijsters in straight sets.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/news/2002/1111/1459487.html |title=Clijsters upsets Serena to win WTA Championships |publisher=ESPN |date=14 November 2002 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} Williams finished 2002 with a 56–5 win/lose record, eight singles titles, and the No.1 ranking.{{cite web |url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2015/12/27/583371.html |title=Greatest Seasons: Serena Williams 2002 |website=www.vavel.com |date=27 December 2015 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} Her three consecutive Grand Slam titles in 2002 made her only the third player in history to win the "Surface Slam" after Martina Navratilova (1984) and Steffi Graf (1993, 1995, 1996).{{cite news|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1536384-forget-calendar-slam-surface-slam-almost-as-rare|title=Forget Calendar Slam, "Surface Slam" Almost as Rare|work=Bleacher Report|date=February 20, 2013|access-date=July 15, 2015|archive-date=July 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721160101/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1536384-forget-calendar-slam-surface-slam-almost-as-rare|url-status=live}}

At the 2003 Australian Open, Williams faced Venus for the fourth consecutive Grand Slam tournament final. She defeated her older sister and became the sixth woman in the Open Era to complete a Career Grand Slam, alongside Graf, Navratilova, Margaret Court, Chris Evert and Billie Jean King. She also became the fifth woman to hold all Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously, a feat which was dubbed the "Serena Slam" by the press.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/australian_open/2003/2693425.stm|title=Serena completes Slam|access-date=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=January 25, 2003|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405074150/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/australian_open/2003/2693425.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.tennischannel.com/news/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=5055 |title=Grand Slam for Serena Williams? |first=John |last=Leicester |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Tennis Channel |access-date=April 22, 2009 |date=February 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716210454/http://www.tennischannel.com/news/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=5055 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }} At this tournament, the Williams sisters also won their sixth Grand Slam doubles title as a team.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/australian_open/2003/2690067.stm|title=Williams pair take doubles crown|access-date=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=January 24, 2003|archive-date=October 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027004710/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/australian_open/2003/2690067.stm|url-status=live}}

During the spring of 2003, Williams captured the singles titles at the Open Gaz de France and the Sony Ericsson Open. Her streak of 21 wins ended when she lost the final of the Family Circle Cup to Henin. She also lost to Mauresmo in the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. Despite these defeats, Williams was the top seed at the French Open, where she lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Henin; this was Williams's first loss in a Grand Slam tournament since 2001. The match was controversial, with Williams questioning Henin's sportsmanship, and spectators applauding Williams's errors.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/french_open_2003/2967190.stm|title=Williams 'hurt' by jeers|access-date=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=June 6, 2003|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406102345/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/french_open_2003/2967190.stm|url-status=live}} Williams rebounded from the loss at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships, where she defeated Venus in the final. This was Williams's second consecutive Wimbledon title and her sixth Grand Slam singles title overall. Wimbledon was her last tournament of 2003; she pulled out of three events and then underwent surgery on the quadriceps tendon in her knee in early August. She was expected to be in recovery for six to eight weeks.{{cite news|last=Harris |first=Beth |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-08-01-serena-out-us-open_x.htm |agency=Associated Press |title=Serena Williams to miss U.S. Open after knee surgery |newspaper=USA Today |date=August 2, 2003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910034041/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-08-01-serena-out-us-open_x.htm |archive-date=September 10, 2014 }}

{{Main|2004 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2004|2005 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2005|2006 Serena Williams tennis season|l3=2006|2007 Serena Williams tennis season}}

After eight months away from tennis, Williams began her comeback at the NASDAQ-100 Open in March 2004, where she won the title for the third consecutive year. Although ranked No.7, Williams was seeded second at the French Open, where she lost to Capriati in the quarterfinals. A few weeks later, Williams was seeded first at Wimbledon, even though her ranking had dropped to No.10. She won six matches en route to the final, where Maria Sharapova defeated her. The loss caused her to drop out of the top 10 for the first time since 1999. Later that summer, Williams reached her third final of the year at the JPMorgan Chase Open in Los Angeles, where she lost to Lindsay Davenport.

Williams was seeded third at the 2004 US Open, where she faced Capriati in the quarterfinals.{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/us_open/2004/09/07/capriati.serena.ap/index.html |title=High drama. Serena falls to Capriati amid controversy; Roddick continues to roll |agency=Associated Press |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=September 7, 2004 |access-date=May 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608075909/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/us_open/2004/09/07/capriati.serena.ap/index.html |archive-date=June 8, 2009 }} During the match, umpire Mariana Alves made a call that favored Capriati, but subsequent video review showed that her call was incorrect.{{cite web |date=9 September 2018 |title=Serena Williams' controversial US Open moments following final saga |url=https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/32822/11493879/serena-williams-controversial-us-open-moments-following-final-saga |access-date=22 December 2023 |website=www.skysports.com}} Williams argued with Alves over several other calls during the match, which Capriati eventually won. Williams acknowledged that her loss was primarily due to her 57 unforced errors, but she nevertheless felt "cheated" and accused Alves of temporary insanity.{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Clifton |date=September 8, 2004 |title=Umpire's Unforced Errors Help Lift Capriati |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/08/sports/tennis/umpires-unforced-errors-help-lift-capriati.html |work=The New York Times}}{{cite news |last=Broussard |first=Chris |date=September 9, 2004 |title=Williams Receives Apology, and Umpire's Open Is Over |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/09/sports/tennis/williams-receives-apology-and-umpires-open-is-over.html |access-date=March 4, 2019 |work=The New York Times}} The controversy renewed calls for, and was widely given credit for, the adoption of new technology such as the MacCAM and Hawk-Eye systems.{{cite web |date=September 9, 2004 |title=Officials apologize to Serena for bad call – U.S. Open |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5933547 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105051331/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5933547 |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=January 27, 2011 |publisher=MSNBC}}

Williams won her second title of the year at the China Open in September, defeating US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final. Williams's successful season allowed her to qualify for the Tour Championships, held again in Los Angeles. She lost to Sharapova in the final, where she suffered an abdominal injury.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=November 16, 2004 |location=Los Angeles, California |access-date =April 23, 2009|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6474040|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127000326/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6474040|archive-date=November 27, 2012|title=Sharapova tops injured Serena for WTA title|publisher=NBC Sports}} Williams finished 2004 ranked No.7, but did not win a Grand Slam singles tournament for the first season since 2001.

File:Serena serving.jpg

Following Venus's early exit from the 2005 Australian Open, Williams rejected suggestions that she and her sister were a declining force in tennis.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4204449.stm|title=Angry Williams rejects criticism|work=BBC Sport|access-date=May 30, 2017|date=January 25, 2005|archive-date=July 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721082142/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4204449.stm|url-status=live}} She defeated top seed Davenport to win the tournament, claiming her second Australian Open trophy and seventh Grand Slam singles title.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4214545.stm|title=Williams battles to Aussie title|work=BBC Sport|date=January 29, 2005|access-date=May 30, 2013|archive-date=May 30, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060530153214/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4214545.stm|url-status=live}} The victory moved her back to No.2.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4217997.stm |title=Williams eyes return to top spot |date=January 29, 2005 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=April 20, 2017 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721082142/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4217997.stm |url-status=live }} Williams completed just two tournaments between the Australian Open and Wimbledon, losing to Venus in Miami and Francesca Schiavone in Italy.{{cite web |url=http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2005-02-12/k.php |title=Serena Williams Pulls from WTA Paris with Stomach Illness |website=Tennis-X.com |date=February 12, 2005 |access-date=January 27, 2011 |archive-date=June 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615113323/http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2005-02-12/k.php |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7884299.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905095603/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7884299.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 5, 2013 |title=Strained Tendon Forces Serena Out |date=March 5, 2005 |access-date=January 27, 2011}} A reoccurring ankle injury caused her to miss the French Open.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-may-21-sp-french21-story.html |title=Serena Pulls Out, Citing Ankle Injury |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 21, 2009 |access-date=January 27, 2011 |first=Lisa |last=Dillman |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015101633/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/may/21/sports/sp-french21 |url-status=live }} She returned to Wimbledon as the 4th-seeded player, but was defeated in the third round. At the US Open, Williams lost to her sister in the fourth round. Williams played just one more match that fall, a loss to No.127 Sun Tiantian at the China Open in Beijing. She failed to qualify for the year-end championship for the first time since 1998, and she finished 2005 ranked No.11.{{Cite news |last1=Cai |first1=Weiyi |last2=Gamio |first2=Lazaro |last3=Ward |first3=Joe |date=2022-08-09 |title=Serena Williams: Charting a Career at the Top |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/08/09/sports/tennis/serena-williams-ranking-tennis-wins.html |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Williams made her 2006 debut at the Australian Open, defending her title. After she lost to Daniela Hantuchová in the third round, she told the press that she was injured.{{cite news |date=January 20, 2006 |title=Hantuchova stuns champion Serena |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4631036.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220232344/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4631036.stm |archive-date=February 20, 2006 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4818448.stm|title=Injured Serena pulls out of Miami|date=March 17, 2006|access-date=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport|archive-date=April 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415234156/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4818448.stm|url-status=live}} In her biography, Williams wrote that she was suffering from depression during this time. She stayed away from tennis for six months during the 2006 season, and began seeing a therapist daily.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=175–176}} After a chance meeting with a young girl who idolized Williams and believed in her, Williams signed up to play in Cincinnati in July, her first tournament since January.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=198–199}} She had slipped to No.139, her lowest ranking since 1997. On her return, Williams defeated Myskina and Bethanie Mattek,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5175132.stm |title=Serena scores big win on return |date=July 19, 2006 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420065613/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5175132.stm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5201908.stm |title=Serena comeback gathers momentum |date=July 21, 2006 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405074148/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5201908.stm |url-status=live }} before losing in the semifinals to Vera Zvonareva.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5207094.stm |title=Serena run comes to end in semis |date=July 23, 2006 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030230817/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/5207094.stm |url-status=live }} She also reached the semifinals in Los Angeles, losing to Janković in straight sets. Williams needed a wildcard to enter the US Open, as her No.139 ranking was too low to automatically qualify her to play. By the time the tournament began, however, she had risen to 79th.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4801379.stm |title=Serena granted US Open wildcard |date=August 17, 2006 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220190111/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4801379.stm |url-status=live }} She lost to top-seeded Mauresmo in the fourth round.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5314730.stm |title=Mauresmo sees off tired Williams |date=September 5, 2006 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420065611/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5314730.stm |url-status=live }} Williams finished the year ranked No.95, her lowest year-end ranking since 1997.

Williams began 2007 with renewed confidence. She stated her intention to return to the top of the rankings, a goal that was labeled "deluded" by commentator Pat Cash.{{cite news |date=March 17, 2006 |title=Serena targets number one ranking |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6236551.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406114200/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6236551.stm |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=April 23, 2009 |work=BBC Sport}}{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1292868.ece|title=Williams is lost cause|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821180813/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1292868.ece|archive-date=August 21, 2008}} Williams lost in the quarterfinals of the Hobart International, a warm-up for the Australian Open, where she was unseeded and widely regarded as "out of shape".Tandon, Kamakshi (January 14, 2008) [https://web.archive.org/web/20091026224342/http://www.tennis.com/tournaments/2008/australianopen/australianopen.aspx?id=110906 New Mindset: Serena Playing for Herself]. tennis.com Shortly before her first match, a representative from Nike told her the company might cancel her sponsorship if she did not perform at her customary level. Williams claimed that Nike's ultimatum meant she would have to reach the quarterfinals at least.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=205–206}}

The Nike situation did not distract Williams, as she lost just three games to Mara Santangelo and defeated Anne Kremer in straight sets.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|p=206}} By this point, a blister had developed on her foot and she had contracted a cold. In the third round, Williams found herself two points away from losing to Nadia Petrova, but fought back to win in three sets. She then made it to the final, defeating Jelena Janković, Shahar Pe'er and Nicole Vaidišová along the way. Williams described them as "good players ... who certainly didn't expect an overweight, out-of-shape, has-been champion ... to give them a game."{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|pp=208–209}} Commentator Tracy Austin said she expected Sharapova to easily defeat Williams in the final. Williams thought the commentary was mean, and used it as motivation to win.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|p=209}} She triumphed over Sharapova, losing just three games; it was her first tournament title in two years.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/27/sports/27iht-web.0127tennis.4368100.html |title=Williams shocks Sharapova to win Australian Open |date=January 27, 2007 |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613010541/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/27/sports/27iht-web.0127tennis.4368100.html |url-status=live }} Williams became the first player since Chris O'Neil to capture the title without being seeded. The victory, which elevated her to No.14, was her third Australian Open title and eighth career Grand Slam singles title. Williams dedicated the achievement to her deceased half-sister Yetunde.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6299369.stm |title=Superb Williams wins Aussie title |work=BBC Sport |last=Newbery |first=Piers |access-date=May 30, 2017 |date=January 27, 2007 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406054220/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6299369.stm |url-status=live }}

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".[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6669051.stm "Resurgent Serena targets Paris"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913202752/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6669051.stm |access-date=April 20, 2017|date=September 13, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6304837.stm|title=I proved critics wrong – Williams|date=January 27, 2007|access-date=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport|archive-date=February 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212150222/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6304837.stm|url-status=live}} Williams won the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami for the fourth time by defeating Henin, but then lost to her in the quarterfinals at the French Open.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6514957.stm "Serena takes title in epic final"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009030840/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6514957.stm|access-date=April 20, 2017|date=October 9, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.[https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/230234/title/serena-Williams Serena Williams Playing Activity] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306114435/https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/230234/title/serena-Williams|date=March 6, 2019}}, WTA. Retrieved August 19, 2008. During a fourth round match against Hantuchová at Wimbledon, Williams collapsed from an acute muscle spasm. After a medical timeout, rain forced play to be suspended for nearly two hours. When the players returned, Williams won the match.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6262654.stm Injured Serena seals amazing win] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716094757/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6262654.stm |date=July 16, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008. Williams then lost her quarterfinal match against Henin.{{cite news |last=Cheese |first=Caroline |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6270864.stm |title=Henin overcomes battling Serena |work=BBC Sport |date=July 4, 2007 |access-date=May 30, 2013 |archive-date=October 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007021401/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6270864.stm |url-status=live }} At the US Open, Williams lost her third consecutive Grand Slam singles quarterfinal to Henin.{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/05/sports/tennis/05tennis.html| title = Henin Defeats Serena Williams Again| last = Robbins| first = Liz| date = September 5, 2007| work = The New York Times| access-date = February 18, 2017| archive-date = April 6, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230406132046/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/05/sports/tennis/05tennis.html| url-status = live}} Williams reached the final of the Kremlin Cup, but lost to Elena Dementieva. She qualified for the WTA Championships, but retired from her first match with a knee injury and subsequently withdrew from the event.{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/07/AR2007110702033.html| title = Serena Williams Hurts Knee in Madrid| date = November 7, 2007| agency = Associated Press| newspaper = The Washington Post| access-date = April 25, 2017| archive-date = December 23, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171223044010/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/07/AR2007110702033.html| url-status = live}}{{cite news| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-women-championships-williams-idUSL0857371820071108| title = Williams withdraws from Madrid through injury| work = Reuters| date = November 8, 2007| access-date = July 5, 2021| archive-date = April 6, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230406063216/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-women-championships-williams-idUSL0857371820071108| url-status = live}} Williams finished 2007 as No.7 and the top-ranked American for the first time since 2003.

{{Main|2008 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2008|2009 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2009|2010 Serena Williams tennis season}}

Williams started 2008 by winning the Hopman Cup for the US, with Mardy Fish.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7170304.stm USA beat Serbia to take Hopman Cup] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106100258/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7170304.stm |date=January 6, 2008}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008. At the Australian Open, she lost in the quarterfinals to Janković, her fourth straight loss in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam singles tournament. In the women's doubles event, she and Venus were defeated in the quarterfinals. Williams withdrew from her next three scheduled tournaments because of an urgent need for dental surgery.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7279958.stm |title=Serena returns to action with win |work=BBC Sport |date=March 5, 2008 |access-date=August 19, 2008 |archive-date=March 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309010932/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7279958.stm |url-status=live }} She then won three consecutive singles titles at Bangalore and her fifth Miami title, tying Graf for the most singles titles at this tournament.{{Cite web |title=Miami Open presented by Itaú Past Winners |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/tournament/902/miami/past-winners |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Women's Tennis Association |language=en}} She claimed victory at the Family Circle Cup, her first clay-court title since 2002. Her 17-match winning streak was ended by Dinara Safina in the quarterfinals in Berlin. Williams withdrew in Rome in the quarterfinals due to a back injury, and lost in the third round of the French Open to Katarina Srebotnik.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2008-05-17 |title=Williamses Out of Italian Open |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9A03E3DC1231F934A25756C0A96E9C8B63.html |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=The New York Times |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite news |last=Bierley |first=Steve |date=2008-05-30 |title=Serena's crash to Srebotnik guarantees new champion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/may/31/frenchopen.tennis |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

At Wimbledon, Williams reached the finals for the first time in four years, but lost to Venus in their first Grand Slam final since 2003. Serena and Venus teamed up and won the doubles title, however. Williams played at Stanford, but retired in the semifinals with a knee injury, which also forced her to withdraw from a tournament in Los Angeles. During the Summer Olympics in Beijing, Williams lost to Dementieva in the singles quarterfinals, but she and Venus won the gold medal in doubles. In early September, Williams captured her third US Open title, which was also her ninth Grand Slam singles title. The victory returned her to No.1 for the first time since 2003.{{cite news| url= http://usopen.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/match-tracking-jelena-jankovic-vs-serena-williams/?hp |first=Thomas|last= Lin |title= Serena Williams Wins to Regain No. 1 Ranking |work=The New York Times |date=September 7, 2008|access-date=May 4, 2009}} At the year-end championships, she defeated Safina and lost to Venus in round-robin matches, but withdrew from a match against Dementieva, citing a stomach muscle injury. She ended 2008 ranked 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 Dementieva. At the Australian Open, she claimed her tenth Grand Slam singles title by defeating Safina. This win restored her No.1 ranking and made her the all-time career prize money leader in women's sports, a title previously held by golfer Annika Sörenstam.{{cite web |title=Serena ousts Annika |date=January 29, 2009 |url=https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/serena-ousts-annika_sto1827447/story.shtml |website=Eurosport }} Serena and Venus also won the doubles event at the Australian Open for the third time.{{cite news |title=Epic win puts Nadal in final; Williams sisters win doubles title |newspaper=Arizona Republic |date=January 31, 2009 |page=32}} At the Open GdF Suez, Williams withdrew before her semifinal match against Dementieva because of a knee injury.{{cite news |title=Knee injury forces Serena out in Paris |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/02/14/tennis.mauresmo/ |work=CNN |date=February 14, 2009 }} She then played in Dubai, losing to Venus in the semifinals.{{cite news |title=WTA Barclays Dubai TennisChampionships |newspaper=The Ottawa Citizen |date=February 21, 2009 |page=24}} File:Serena Williams Australian Open 2009 5.jpg

Williams was beset by ankle and quadriceps injuries at the Sony Ericsson Open, and 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.{{cite web |last=Tandon |first=Kamakshi |title=Serena's protests lack teeth |publisher=ESPN |date=May 13, 2009 |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/columns/story?columnist=tandon_kamakshi&id=4161689 |access-date=May 19, 2009 |archive-date=May 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519093949/http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/columns/story?columnist=tandon_kamakshi%26id=4161689 |url-status=live }} After Ericsson, she was defeated in her opening matches in Barcelona, Rome, and Madrid. At the French Open, she lost in the quarterfinals to the eventual champion Kuznetsova. This ended her 18-match winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments. She rebounded at Wimbledon, prevailing over Dementieva in the semifinals and Venus in the finals. The victory was her third Wimbledon title and her 11th Grand Slam singles title.{{cite news |last=Newbery |first=Piers |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8134542.stm |title=Serena shocked to stay number two |work=BBC Sport |date=July 4, 2009 |access-date=January 27, 2011 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721082201/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8134542.stm |url-status=live }} For the second consecutive year, Serena and Venus claimed the Wimbledon doubles title, which was their ninth Grand Slam title in doubles.{{cite news |title=At a glance: Women's doubles |newspaper=Bristol Herald Courier |date=July 5, 2009 |page=33}}

Ahead of the US Open, Williams suffered a third-round defeat in Cincinnati and a semifinal defeat at the Rogers Cup. At the Open, she was given a racket abuse warning after losing the first set of her semifinal match against Clijsters. Later in the match, one of her serves was called a foot fault. Williams yelled profanities at the lineswoman who made the call, and threatened to shove a tennis ball down her throat.{{cite news |last=Donegan |first=Lawrence |date=September 14, 2009 |title=Serena Williams is fined $10,500 for US Open line judge tirade |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/sep/13/serena-williams-tirade-us-open |access-date=June 5, 2010 |work=The Guardian}} Williams was penalized a point for unsportsmanlike conduct, which resulted in Clijsters winning the match.{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2009 |title=Clijsters wins after controversial ending |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4468762 |access-date=March 17, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en}} The following day, Williams was issued a fine of $10,500. After further investigation, the Grand Slam Committee fined her $175,000 in place of suspending her from the 2010 US Open or other Grand Slams.{{cite news |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=November 30, 2009 |title=Serena Williams Given Hefty Fine but No Suspension for Tirade |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/sports/tennis/01serena.html |access-date=November 30, 2009 |work=The New York Times}} They also placed her on a two-year probation, which meant that if she committed another offense at a Grand Slam during the next two years, she would be suspended from the following US Open. If, however, she committed no offenses, her fine would be reduced to $82,500. Although Williams initially did not express regret for her outburst, she eventually apologized, saying she was humbled by the experience.{{cite news |date=September 15, 2009 |title=Serena Williams tries to move on from uproar over outburst |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/15/serena.williams.outburst/index.html |access-date=September 15, 2009 |publisher=CNN}}{{cite web |date=September 14, 2009 |title=Serena Williams apologizes for outburst toward line judge during U.S. Open semifinal |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4472638 |access-date=August 18, 2015 |publisher=ESPN}}

Williams continued in the US Open doubles competition, teaming up with Venus to capture their third Grand Slam doubles title of the year, and the tenth of their career. Williams won all three of her round-robin matches at the year-end WTA Tour Championships, defeating Venus, Dementieva, and Kuznetsova. She advanced to the final after Caroline Wozniacki retired from their semifinal match. In the final, Williams defeated her sister to claim her second singles title at this event.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8336793.stm |title=Serena ends Venus reign in Doha |date=November 1, 2009 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=May 30, 2017 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405083123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8336793.stm |url-status=live }} Williams finished the year ranked No.1 for the second time in her career. She played in 16 tournaments in 2009, more than any other year. With $6,545,586 in prize-money earnings, she broke the record previously set by Justine Henin for most prize money earned by a female tennis player in one year. In doubles, the Williams sisters finished 2009 at No.2, despite playing only six tournaments together. Williams now had a total of 23 Grand Slam titles, and was consequently named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press.{{cite web |title=Williams wins AP's Female Athlete of the Year award |website=tennis.com |date=December 22, 2009 |url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2009/12/williams-wins-aps-female-athlete-of-the-year-award/19661/ |access-date=December 24, 2009 |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829163012/http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2009/12/williams-wins-aps-female-athlete-of-the-year-award/19661/ |url-status=live }} She was also the International Tennis Federation World Champion in both singles and doubles.{{cite web |title=Serena ITF World Champion |publisher=WTA |date=December 23, 2009 |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/serena-itf-world-champion-20091223_2256076_1912973 |access-date=December 24, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904024154/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/serena-itf-world-champion-20091223_2256076_1912973 |archive-date=September 4, 2013 |url-status=dead }}File:Melbourne Australian Open 2010 Serena Serve.jpg

In 2010, Williams's first tournament was in Sydney, where she lost in the final to Dementieva. At the Australian Open, Williams was the defending champion in both singles and doubles. She reached the final and defeated Justine Henin, who had recently come out of retirement, for her twelfth Grand Slam singles title. In doubles, Williams and her sister successfully defended their title by defeating Cara Black and Liezel Huber in the final.{{Cite web |date=2010-01-29 |title=Australian Open 2010: Venus and Serena Williams claim fourth doubles title |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/australianopen/7099660/Australian-Open-2010-Venus-and-Serena-Williams-claim-fourth-doubles-title.html |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=The Telegraph |language=en}} Williams sat out several events with a leg injury,{{Cite news |last=Fialkov |first=Harvey |date=2010-03-23 |title=Who Can Fill Serena's Shoes? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-who-can-fill/148781540/ |access-date=2024-06-05 |work=Sun Sentinel |pages=2C}} but returned for the Rome Masters, where she was defeated by Janković in the semifinals. At Madrid, she fell to Nadia Petrova in the third round, but partnered with Venus to win the doubles title.{{Cite news |date=2010-05-12 |title=Serena Williams loses to Nadia Petrova in Madrid Open |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8679103.stm |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}{{cite web|work=WTA Tour|title=Williams sisters beats hottest doubles team Dulko/Pennetta to claim Madrid Open doubles title|url=http://www.pubsub.com/Williams-sisters-beats-hottest-doubles-team-Dulko-Pennetta-to-claim-Madrid-Open-doubles-title_Tennis-madrid-title-kmG2XbpqPIN,kGZXuuSZzI9E|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411163232/http://www.pubsub.com/Williams-sisters-beats-hottest-doubles-team-Dulko-Pennetta-to-claim-Madrid-Open-doubles-title_Tennis-madrid-title-kmG2XbpqPIN,kGZXuuSZzI9E|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2013|date=17 May 2010}}

At the French Open, Williams was bested by Samantha Stosur in the quarterfinals. She and Venus won the doubles event, achieving their fourth consecutive Grand Slam doubles title and improving their doubles ranking to No.1.{{Cite web |last= |date=2010-06-04 |title=Williams sisters win French doubles title |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/french10/news/story?id=5251333 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} Williams's next tournament was Wimbledon, where she did not lose a single set, defeating Zvonareva in the final.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/sports/tennis/04wimbledon.html|title=A Booming Serena Williams Keeps Title|last=Bishop|first=Greg|date=July 3, 2010|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 5, 2010|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406104507/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/sports/tennis/04wimbledon.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2010/07/serena-routs-zvonareva-for-fourth-wimbledon-title/23255/|title=Serena routs Zvonareva for fourth Wimbledon title|agency=Associated Press|date=July 3, 2010|work=Tennis Magazine|access-date=July 5, 2010|archive-date=May 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530222657/http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2010/07/serena-routs-zvonareva-for-fourth-wimbledon-title/23255/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/3/serena-williams-beats-vera-zvonareva-win-wimbledon/?page=all |title=Serena Williams beats Zvonareva to win Wimbledon |last=Wilson |first=Stephen |agency=Associated Press |date=July 3, 2010 |work=The Washington Times |access-date=July 5, 2010 |archive-date=February 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204045725/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/3/serena-williams-beats-vera-zvonareva-win-wimbledon/?page=all |url-status=live }} After the match, Navratilova said Williams was among the top five female tennis players in history. She asserted that being a great player is "not just about how many Slams you win ... it's just your game overall ... she's got all the goods." The Williams sisters lost in the doubles quarterfinals to Elena Vesnina and Zvonareva. In Munich on July 7, Williams stepped on broken glass while in a restaurant, and the injury caused her to miss the rest of the year.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Kevin |date=September 2, 2010 |title=Serena Williams reveals details of her serious foot injury |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/sep/03/serena-williams-silence-tendon-injury |access-date=October 5, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808201732/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/sep/03/serena-williams-silence-tendon-injury |url-status=live }} She finished 2010 ranked No.4 in singles and No.11 in doubles.On March 2, 2011, she confirmed that she had suffered a hematoma and a pulmonary embolism.{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/03/serena-williams-has-emergency-health-treatement/1 |title=Tennis star Serena Williams home after treatment for blood clot |last=Cherner |first=Reid |date=March 2, 2011 |work=USA Today |access-date=March 2, 2011 |archive-date=March 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305094815/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/03/serena-williams-has-emergency-health-treatement/1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.celebritydiagnosis.com/2011/03/serena-williams-undergoes-emergency-treatment-for-pulmonary-embolism/ |title=Serena Williams undergoes emergency treatment for pulmonary embolism |last=Berman |first=Michele |work=Celebrity Diagnosis |date=March 2, 2011 |access-date=January 5, 2012 |archive-date=January 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102132822/http://www.celebritydiagnosis.com/2011/03/serena-williams-undergoes-emergency-treatment-for-pulmonary-embolism/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.celebritydiagnosis.com/2011/03/serena-williams-gives-more-details-about-recent-health-scare/ |last=Berman |first=Michele |title=Serena Williams gives more details about recent health scare |work=Celebrity Diagnosis |date=March 9, 2011 |access-date=January 5, 2012 |archive-date=March 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314203556/http://www.celebritydiagnosis.com/2011/03/serena-williams-gives-more-details-about-recent-health-scare/ |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|2011 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2011|2012 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2012|2013 Serena Williams tennis season}}

File:Serena Williams wins Gold cropped.jpg

Williams made her first appearance on the WTA tour in almost a year in Eastbourne, where she lost in round two to Zvonareva.{{cite news |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=June 6, 2011 |title=Serena Williams Plans to Play at Wimbledon |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/sports/tennis/serena-williams-plans-to-play-at-wimbledon.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610155446/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/sports/tennis/serena-williams-plans-to-play-at-wimbledon.html? |archive-date=June 10, 2011 |access-date=June 6, 2011 |work=The New York Times}}{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/tennis/06/15/tennis.eastbourne.zvonareva.serena/index.html |title=Serena comeback ended by Zvonareva |date=June 15, 2011 |publisher=CNN |access-date=April 3, 2013 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406102748/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/tennis/06/15/tennis.eastbourne.zvonareva.serena/index.html |url-status=dead }} In June, she attempted to defend her title at Wimbledon, but was eliminated in the round of 16, which dropped her ranking to No.169. Later in the summer, she won titles in both Stanford and Toronto. Williams played the Western & Southern Open, but withdrew due to injury. She reached the final at the US Open, where she faced Stosur. During the match, Williams became angry with umpire Eve Asderaki. She made gestures and unflattering comments towards her, including calling her "a hater".{{cite web |last=Abad-Santos |first=Alexander |date=September 12, 2011 |title=Serena Williams' Tirade Was Seven Years in the Making |url=http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2011/09/serena-williamss-tirade-was-seven-years-making/42357/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601230234/http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2011/09/serena-williamss-tirade-was-seven-years-making/42357/ |archive-date=June 1, 2013 |access-date=June 15, 2013 |work=The Atlantic}} Williams eventually lost the match, and then declined to offer Asderaki the customary handshake.{{cite news |date=September 11, 2011 |title=Serena Williams Upset By Samantha Stosur 6–2, 6–3 In US Open Final |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/11/serena-williams-upset-samantha-stosur-us-open-final_n_957662.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030014958/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/11/serena-williams-upset-samantha-stosur-us-open-final_n_957662.html |archive-date=October 30, 2011 |access-date=September 11, 2011 |work=HuffPost}}{{cite news |last=Chase |first=Chris |date=September 11, 2011 |title=She did it again: Serena Williams blows up in U.S. Open loss |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/serena-williams-blows-up-again-in-u-s-open-loss?urn=ten,wp3253 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204050527/http://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/serena-williams-blows-up-again-in-u-s-open-loss?urn=ten%2Cwp3253 |archive-date=February 4, 2015 |access-date=September 11, 2011 |publisher=Yahoo! Sports}}{{cite news |last=Fendrich |first=Howard |date=September 11, 2011 |title=Stosur stops Williams in controversial final |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/stosur-stops-williams-in-controversial-final |access-date=July 12, 2015 |work=National Post}} A writer for ESPN suggested that Williams did not violate the terms of her probation (on which she was placed following her 2009 outburst), since she did not use profanity when addressing the umpire.{{cite news |last=Garber |first=Greg |date=September 11, 2011 |title=Serena Williams loses cool, then match |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/usopen11/story/_/id/6958687/us-open-serena-williams-loses-cool-match |access-date=September 11, 2011 |publisher=ESPN}} In the end, Williams was fined $2,000, but was not barred from competing.{{cite web |title=Serena Williams fined for final outburst |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/tennis/09/12/tennis.serena.williams.fined/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913090713/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/tennis/09/12/tennis.serena.williams.fined/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 13, 2011 |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=CNN}} The US Open was Williams's final event of 2011, and she ended the year ranked No.12, with two titles and a 22–3 record for the season. She only played in six tournaments during the season.

Williams started the 2012 season at the Brisbane International. During her match against Bojana Jovanovski, she injured her left ankle, and was forced to withdraw from the tournament.{{cite news |url=http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2012/01/serena-withdraws-from-brisbane-international |title=Serena withdraws from Brisbane International |work=Brisbane International |date=January 4, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2012 |archive-date=June 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610200138/http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2012/01/serena-withdraws-from-brisbane-international |url-status=live }} Next she participated in 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. She then won consecutive titles in Charleston and Madrid, but withdrew from her semifinal match in Rome due to a lower back injury. At the French Open, Williams suffered her first ever loss in the opening round of a Grand Slam. She notched up a 33–1 record for the second half of the season, winning five titles in the process.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/20117316 |title=Serena Williams beats Sharapova in WTA Championships final |date=October 28, 2012 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917230857/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/20117316 |url-status=live }} She captured her fifth Wimbledon singles title (her 14th Grand Slam victory), and became the first female player to serve 24 aces in a match. She also set a record for the most aces in a tournament by any player—male or female—with a total of 102.{{cite news |last=Hegde |first=Prajwal |date=July 8, 2012 |title=Serena Williams beats Radwanska to clinch fifth Wimbledon title |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon-2012/top-stories/Serena-Williams-beats-Radwanska-to-clinch-fifth-Wimbledon-title/articleshow/14738318.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429224632/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon-2012/top-stories/Serena-Williams-beats-Radwanska-to-clinch-fifth-Wimbledon-title/articleshow/14738318.cms |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |access-date=July 8, 2012 |work=The Times of India}}{{cite news |date=July 7, 2012 |title=Wimbledon 2012 – Serena Williams stretched to three sets, wins 5th title |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/wimbledon12/story/_/id/8138336/wimbledon-2012-serena-williams-stretched-three-sets-wins-5th-title |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714183059/http://espn.go.com/tennis/wimbledon12/story/_/id/8138336/wimbledon-2012-serena-williams-stretched-three-sets-wins-5th-title |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |access-date=July 16, 2012 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}}{{cite news |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/158997.html |title=Serena books latest Wimbledon final appearance |publisher=ESPN |date=July 5, 2012 |access-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-date=February 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204031925/http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/158997.html |url-status=live }} Williams and her sister also captured their fifth trophy in Wimbledon doubles.{{cite web |last=Bondy |first=Filip |date=July 8, 2012 |title=Bondy: Williams sisters are kin-do at Wimby |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-08/news/32591733_1_venus-williams-serena-and-venus-williams-sisters |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028220418/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-08/news/32591733_1_venus-williams-serena-and-venus-williams-sisters |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |access-date=August 4, 2012 |work=Daily News |location=New York}}

Williams returned to America to successfully defend her Stanford title, overcoming CoCo Vandeweghe in the final.{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012-07-15/serena-williams-wins-back-of-the-west-classic/56240708/1 |title=Serena Williams wins at Stanford in final Olympic tuneup |date=July 20, 2012 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=June 20, 2013 |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224110710/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/story/2012-07-15/serena-williams-wins-back-of-the-west-classic/56240708/1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/serena-williams-gold-medal-olympics-sharapova_n_1741297.html |title=Serena Williams Wins Gold Medal In Olympic Singles Tennis, Beats Maria Sharapova In Final |last=Wine |first=Steven |agency=Associated Press |date=August 4, 2012 |work=HuffPost |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917023255/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/serena-williams-gold-medal-olympics-sharapova_n_1741297.html |archive-date=September 17, 2012 }} At the Olympics, she won gold by defeating Sharapova in a dominating performance. She and Venus also won a second consecutive Olympic doubles title. In New York, Williams claimed her fourth US Open singles title, which was her 15th career Grand Slam singles title.{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20120909/serena-williams-wins-us-open-victoria-azarenka/ |title=Serena tops Azarenka for fourth U.S. Open championship |agency=Associated Press |date=September 9, 2012 |access-date=September 10, 2012 |archive-date=September 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911040351/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20120909/serena-williams-wins-us-open-victoria-azarenka/ |url-status=dead }} She ended the season by going undefeated at the WTA Championships and winning the event for the third time. She was named ITF World Champion, and was voted WTA Player of the Year for the fourth time.{{cite news |title=Serena Williams wins WTA Tour Player of the Year award |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/20540525 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102180534/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/20540525 |archive-date=January 2, 2019 |access-date=November 29, 2012 |work=BBC Sport}}{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Novak-Djokovic-Serena-Williams-crowned-ITF-world-champions/articleshow/17572209.cms? |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121212040808/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Novak-Djokovic-Serena-Williams-crowned-ITF-world-champions/articleshow/17572209.cms |archive-date=December 12, 2012 |title=Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams crowned ITF world champions |website=The Times of India |date=December 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |date=August 5, 2012 |title=Venus and Serena Williams win Olympic gold |publisher=CBS News |agency=Associated Press |location=London, England |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/venus-and-serena-williams-win-olympic-gold/ |access-date=April 24, 2017 |archive-date=November 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116074656/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/venus-and-serena-williams-win-olympic-gold/ |url-status=live }}

Williams's first tournament of the 2013 season was in Brisbane, where she won the title without dropping a set. At the Australian Open, she was upset in the quarterfinals by fellow American Sloane Stephens. After defeating Petra Kvitová in Doha, Williams returned to No.1 for the sixth time in her career, becoming the oldest woman in the Open Era to hold the ranking.{{cite news |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3077758/title/serena-to-return-to-no1-for-sixth-time |title=Serena To Return To No. 1 For Sixth Time |date=February 15, 2013 |publisher=WTA |access-date=April 25, 2017 |archive-date=April 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421071222/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3077758/title/serena-to-return-to-no1-for-sixth-time |url-status=live }} In the Miami final, Williams recorded her 70th come-from-behind win. The victory made Williams a six-time champion in Miami, breaking the record she held with Graf. She also became the fourth woman in the Open Era to win a given tournament six times.{{cite news |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3126967/title/serena-conquers-sharapova-miami |title=Serena Conquers Sharapova & Miami |access-date=April 25, 2017 |date=March 30, 2013 |publisher=WTA |archive-date=April 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412005853/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3126967/title/serena-conquers-sharapova-miami |url-status=live }} Williams then defended her Charleston title, winning the event for the third time.{{cite news |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3136277/title/serena-wins-49th-wta-title-in-charleston |title=Serena Wins 49th WTA Title In Charleston |date=April 6, 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2017 |publisher=WTA |archive-date=October 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008125252/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3136277/title/serena-wins-49th-wta-title-in-charleston |url-status=live }} She won her 50th career singles title in Madrid, prevailing over Sharapova in the final. She then played in Rome, where she won the title a second time. At the French Open, Williams lost only one game whilst defeating Sara Errani in the semifinal. Evert said Williams's play during the match was the finest performance she had ever seen by a female player on clay.{{cite web |last=Caple |first=Jim |date=June 7, 2013 |title=New Heights For Serena Williams |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/9352085/2013-french-open-serena-williams-looks-better-ever-heading-final-maria-sharapova |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 7, 2013 |archive-date=June 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610152520/http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/9352085/2013-french-open-serena-williams-looks-better-ever-heading-final-maria-sharapova |url-status=live }} Williams bested Sharapova in the final to claim her second French Open title and her 16th Grand Slam title overall. She also became the fourth woman in the Open Era to win each Grand Slam tournament at least twice. At Wimbledon, she advanced easily to the fourth round before being defeated by eventual finalist Sabine Lisicki. Williams then won the Swedish Open, her first victory at the International level. She was undefeated on clay during the season.{{cite news|title=Serena Wins 53rd WTA Title in Bastad|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3323512/title/serena-wins-53rd-wta-title-in-bastad|publisher=WTA|access-date=July 21, 2013|date=July 20, 2013|archive-date=July 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723102117/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3323512/title/serena-wins-53rd-wta-title-in-bastad|url-status=live}}

File:Serena Williams serves at the US Open (9665931630).jpg

Williams won her third Rogers Cup title in Toronto, beating Sorana Cîrstea in the final.{{cite news|title=Serena Williams wins Rogers Cup women's title|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/serena-williams-wins-rogers-cup-women-s-title-1.1408357|publisher=CBC News|access-date=August 11, 2013|date=August 11, 2013|archive-date=August 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814034013/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/story/2013/08/11/sp-wta-tennis-rogers-cup-final.html|url-status=live}} She reached the final of the Western & Southern Open for the first time, but lost to Azarenka.{{cite news|first=Steve |last=Keating |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/azarenka-beat-williams-cincinnati-title-231248255.html |title=Azarenka beats Williams for Cincinnati title |publisher=Yahoo! |date=August 18, 2013 |access-date=September 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823010432/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/azarenka-beat-williams-cincinnati-title-231248255.html |archive-date=August 23, 2013 }} At the US Open, Williams began as top seed and defending champion. She reached the final and defeated Azarenka in three sets, capturing her 17th Grand Slam singles title and pushing her career prize winnings past $50{{nbsp}}million.{{cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Kevin|title=Serena Williams crowns 14-year reign with fifth US Open title|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/sep/09/serena-williams-victoria-azarenka-us-open-final1|website=The Guardian|date=September 9, 2013|access-date=September 9, 2013|archive-date=September 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909052136/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/sep/09/serena-williams-victoria-azarenka-us-open-final1|url-status=live}} At 31, she became the oldest US Open champion in the Open Era. After the US Open, Williams beat Janković to win the China Open, which was her 10th title of 2013.{{cite news | title=Serena Williams beats Jelena Jankovic to win China Open | work=BBC Sport | date=October 6, 2013 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/24420636 | access-date=April 20, 2017 | archive-date=April 17, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417091119/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/24420636 | url-status=live }}[https://sports.yahoo.com/news/serena-powers-past-jankovic-10th-title-2013-143744440--ten.html "Serena powers past Jankovic for 10th title in 2013"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305220750/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/serena-powers-past-jankovic-10th-title-2013-143744440--ten.html |date=March 5, 2016}}. Yahoo! Sports. October 6, 2013. She went undefeated at the WTA Championships, triumphing over Li Na in the final and becoming the first person to defend the title since Henin in 2007.Fuller, Russell (October 27, 2013), [https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/24694991 "Serena Williams beats Li Na to win WTA Championships"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419185211/http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/24694991 |date=April 19, 2014}}. BBC Sport. Retrieved April 19, 2014. She also became the oldest player to win the WTA Championships, the fourth player to win it four times or more, and the first female player to win more than $10{{nbsp}}million in a season (her total for 2013 was $12.4 million). Only Rafael Nadal (in 2013), and Novak Djokovic (in 2011, 2012 and 2013) have earned more money in one season.[http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3513171/title/serena-conquers-li-istanbul "Serena Conquers Li & Istanbul"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071608/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3513171/title/serena-conquers-li-istanbul |date=March 4, 2016 }}. WTA.

Williams finished as the year-end No.1 for the third time, becoming the oldest No.1 player in WTA history.{{cite news|date=October 27, 2013|title=Serena Williams rallies in WTA final|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/9888972/serena-williams-forced-rally-vs-li-na-final-wta-championships|location=Istanbul, Turkey|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|access-date=April 24, 2017|archive-date=April 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421000223/http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/9888972/serena-williams-forced-rally-vs-li-na-final-wta-championships|url-status=live}} She was named the ITF World Champion for the fourth time.(December 18, 2013), [http://www.itftennis.com/news/163361.aspx Williams and Djokovic named 2013 ITF World Champions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429215902/http://www.itftennis.com/news/163361.aspx |date=April 29, 2016}}. itftennis.com. Retrieved April 29, 2016. She received two prizes at the 2013 ESPY Awards: Best Female Athlete and Best Female Tennis Player, the latter of which she won for a record sixth time.{{cite news|title=Serena Wins Best Female Athlete ESPY|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3282995/title/serena-wins-best-female-athlete-espy|website=WTA|access-date=July 19, 2013|date=July 18, 2013|archive-date=July 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721180809/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3282995/title/serena-wins-best-female-athlete-espy|url-status=live}} In December, Williams received the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award for the third time. Only Evert and Babe Didrikson have been chosen more often as Athlete of the Year since the awards were first handed out in 1931.{{cite news|last=Fendrich |first=Howard |date=December 25, 2013 |title=Serena Williams Wins 3rd AP Athlete Of Year Award |url=http://dailydigest.com/18803/serena-williams-wins-3rd-ap-athlete-of-year-award/ |website=DailyDigest |agency=Associated Press |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228220845/http://dailydigest.com/18803/serena-williams-wins-3rd-ap-athlete-of-year-award/ |archive-date=December 28, 2013 }}

{{Main|2014 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2014|2015 Serena Williams tennis season}}

Williams defended her title at the Brisbane International by defeating No.2 Azarenka in the final.{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Victoria Azarenka 6–4, 7–5 to win Brisbane International title|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/10550797/Serena-Williams-beats-Victoria-Azarenka-6-4-7-5-to-win-Brisbane-International-title.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/10550797/Serena-Williams-beats-Victoria-Azarenka-6-4-7-5-to-win-Brisbane-International-title.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=January 4, 2014 |access-date=March 16, 2015}}{{cbignore}} At the Australian Open, she fell in the fourth round to Ana Ivanovic. In Dubai, Williams lost her semifinal match to Alizé Cornet in straight sets. Williams then played in the Miami Open, where she won her record seventh title with a straight-sets victory over No.2 Li Na.{{cite web|url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611135911/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMQzynsGhVg | archive-date=June 11, 2020|title=Serena Williams vs Li Na Final Miami 2014 Highlights |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMQzynsGhVg|via=YouTube|access-date=March 16, 2015}}{{cbignore}} At the Family Circle Cup, she lost to Jana Čepelová in the second round. She made it to the quarterfinals at the Madrid Open before withdrawing with a thigh injury. In Rome, Williams won her third title of the season. She suffered the worst loss of her Grand Slam career in the second round of the French Open when Garbiñe Muguruza defeated her while losing just four games in two sets.{{cite web|title=Serena Williams's shocking loss is the worst of her legendary career|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/05/serena-williams-french-open-loss-worst|work=USA Today|date=May 28, 2014|access-date=March 16, 2015|archive-date=May 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528151723/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/05/serena-williams-french-open-loss-worst|url-status=live}} Cornet defeated Williams in the third round of Wimbledon, handing Williams her earliest Wimbledon elimination since 2005. During the doubles event with Venus, Serena hit four consecutive doubles faults. She appeared disoriented and unsteady on her feet, and withdrew from the tournament. The official cause of withdrawal was "viral illness".{{cite web|title=Navratilova on Serena: 'It's not right'|date=July 2, 2014|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/11168116/espnw-martina-navratilova-critical-serena-williams-wimbledon-exit|publisher=ESPN|access-date=March 16, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402180030/http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/11168116/espnw-martina-navratilova-critical-serena-williams-wimbledon-exit|url-status=live}}

Williams rebounded by winning 19 out of her next 20 matches (losing only to Venus in the semifinals of the Rogers Cup). The streak included titles at the Bank of the West Classic and the Western & Southern Open, and her third consecutive and sixth overall US Open singles title.{{cite web |title=Serena Williams wins 18th Slam |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/usopen14/story/_/id/11484243/2014-us-open-serena-williams-beats-caroline-wozniacki-win-3rd-straight |publisher=ESPN |date=September 7, 2014 |access-date=March 16, 2015 |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318175210/http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen14/story/_/id/11484243/2014-us-open-serena-williams-beats-caroline-wozniacki-win-3rd-straight |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Kevin |title=US Open: Serena Williams powers past Caroline Wozniacki for sixth title |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/07/serena-williams-caroline-wozniacki-us-open-2014-sixth-title |work=The Guardian |date=September 8, 2014 |access-date=March 16, 2015 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529204209/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/07/serena-williams-caroline-wozniacki-us-open-2014-sixth-title |url-status=live }} With this victory, Williams tied Evert for most US Open singles titles won by a woman in the Open Era. Williams also tied Evert and Navratilova's record of 18 career Grand Slam singles titles won in the Open Era. By virtue of winning both the US Open and the US Open Series, Williams collected $4 million—the biggest payday in tennis history. At the 2014 WTA Finals in Singapore, Williams advanced to the final for the third consecutive year despite having equaled her career-worst loss in her second round robin match against Simona Halep.{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/halep-routs-serena-williams-wta-finals-092843864.html |title=Halep routs Serena Williams at WTA Finals |publisher=Yahoo! News |date=October 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305025929/http://news.yahoo.com/halep-routs-serena-williams-wta-finals-092843864.html |archive-date=March 5, 2016}} She claimed the WTA Finals title, which was her seventh title of the year, and finished the year ranked No.1 for the fourth time in her career.{{cite news |last=Rotherberg |first=Ben |date=October 26, 2014 |title=Serena Williams Punishes Simona Halep for Earlier Defeat at WTA Finals |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-punishes-simona-halep-for-earlier-defeat.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528175810/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-punishes-simona-halep-for-earlier-defeat.html |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=March 16, 2015 |work=The New York Times}} She held the top ranking for the entire calendar year, a feat not accomplished since Graf achieved it in 1996. Williams was voted WTA Player of the Year and ITF World Champion for a third consecutive year.{{Cite web |last=Tandon |first=Kamakshi |date=2014-12-09 |title=WTA Player of the Year: Serena Williams |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/espntennis/post/_/id/1445/wta-player-of-the-year-serena-williams |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2014-12-18 |title=Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams named 2014 ITF world champions |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-19/williams-and-djokovic-top-itf-awards/5978036 |access-date=2024-05-28 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}

Williams began the 2015 season by reaching the final of the Hopman Cup, where she and her partner John Isner lost to Poland.{{cite web|title=Poland defeat United States to lift Hopman Cup for first time|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/388281.html|publisher=ESPN|access-date=April 20, 2017|date=February 22, 2015|archive-date=February 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222142632/http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/388281.html|url-status=live}} At the Australian Open, Williams defeated Sharapova for the 16th consecutive time to claim her sixth Australian Open singles title and 19th career Grand Slam singles title.{{cite news|title=Serena Williams Wins Australian Open With Coughs, Guts and Aces|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/sports/tennis/serena-williams-beats-maria-sharapova-in-australian-open-final.html|work=The New York Times|date=January 31, 2015|access-date=March 16, 2015|last1=Clarey|first1=Christopher|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406131038/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/sports/tennis/serena-williams-beats-maria-sharapova-in-australian-open-final.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova to win Australian Open – as it happened|first=Katy|last=Murrells|date=January 31, 2015|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/jan/31/serena-williams-v-maria-sharapova-australian-open-womens-final-live|work=The Guardian|access-date=February 26, 2015|archive-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831125222/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/jan/31/serena-williams-v-maria-sharapova-australian-open-womens-final-live|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=How Serena Williams won the shouting match and more in Australia|date=January 31, 2015|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/12257852/how-serena-williams-won-shouting-match-more-australia|publisher=ESPN|access-date=February 26, 2015|archive-date=February 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215054432/http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12257852/how-serena-williams-won-shouting-match-more-australia|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|title=Serena Williams wins Australian Open, 19th Grand Slam title in champion form|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/01/31/serena-williams-beats-sharapova-wins-australian-open-title|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=February 22, 2015|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406055714/https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/01/31/serena-williams-beats-sharapova-wins-australian-open-title|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Australian Open 2015 Final – Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611143816/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80ba6nJH1MQ | archive-date=June 11, 2020 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80ba6nJH1MQ|via=YouTube|access-date=March 16, 2015}}{{cbignore}} With this victory, Williams surpassed both Evert and Navratilova for the second most Grand Slam singles titles won in the Open Era. She is the only player in history to win all four Grand Slams at age 30 or older. She and Venus next traveled to Buenos Aires to face Argentina in a World Group II tie in the Fed Cup. She played and won her only match against María Irigoyen to help the US team win against the Argentines.{{cite news|title=Williams sisters see U.S. through in Fed Cup promotion bid|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-fed-argentina-idUSKBN0LC0XG20150208|work=Reuters|access-date=February 26, 2015|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406042536/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-fed-argentina-idUSKBN0LC0XG20150208|url-status=live}} After a 14-year boycott of the Indian Wells Masters, Williams announced that she would be competing at the event.[https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/12277217/serena-williams-wants-rewrite-indian-wells-ending "Serena 'proudly returning' to tourney"] . ESPN.{{cite news |title=After a 14-Year Boycott, Serena Williams Plans to Play at Indian Wells |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/sports/tennis/serena-williams-will-play-indian-wells-ending-boycott.html |first=Christopher |last=Clarey |date=February 4, 2015 |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 13, 2015 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406195432/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/sports/tennis/serena-williams-will-play-indian-wells-ending-boycott.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Serena Williams ends Indian Wells boycott, 14 years after racist incident|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/02/serena-williams-end-indian-wells-boycott-14-years-after-racist-incident|first=Chris|last=Chase|work=USA Today|date=February 4, 2015|access-date=February 27, 2015|archive-date=February 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220053534/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/02/serena-williams-end-indian-wells-boycott-14-years-after-racist-incident|url-status=live}} Upon her return, she received a standing ovation from the crowd and won her first match in straight sets.{{cite web|title=Serena Williams received standing ovation, fought tears and won while ending 14-year boycott at Indian Wells|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/serena-williams-return-indian-wells-score-2001-racism|work=USA Today|access-date=March 16, 2015|date=March 14, 2015|archive-date=March 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316085710/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/serena-williams-return-indian-wells-score-2001-racism|url-status=live}} She reached the semifinals, but was forced to withdraw because of a knee injury. When Williams defeated Lisicki in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open, she became the eighth woman in the Open Era to record 700 match wins in her career.{{cite news|agency=Press Association|title=Serena Williams beats Sabine Lisicki in Miami to seal 700th career win|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/02/serena-williams-sabine-lisicki-700th-career-win|website=The Guardian|date=April 2, 2015|access-date=April 4, 2015|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403235817/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/02/serena-williams-sabine-lisicki-700th-career-win|url-status=live}} This also made her one of only three active players to have won 700 or more matches in singles, the others being Nadal and Roger Federer.{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/slideshow/12597799/tennis-exclusive-700-club |title=Tennis' Exclusive 700 Club |publisher=ESPN |date=July 16, 2013 |access-date=April 15, 2015 |archive-date=April 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418011158/http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/slideshow/12597799/tennis-exclusive-700-club |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title=Serena Outlasts Halep In Miami Classic|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4610499/title/serena-outlasts-halep-in-miami-classic|publisher=WTA|date=April 1, 2015|access-date=April 4, 2015|archive-date=April 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405023735/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4610499/title/serena-outlasts-halep-in-miami-classic|url-status=live}} Williams went on to win a record eighth title in Miami.{{cite web |title=Super Serena Wins Miami Title No. 8 |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4614412/title/super-serena-wins-miami-title-no8 |publisher=WTA |access-date=April 5, 2015 |date=April 4, 2015 |archive-date=April 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405113054/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4614412/title/super-serena-wins-miami-title-no8 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=As Serena Williams Ascends, Grand Slam Buzz Grows |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/sports/tennis/as-serena-williams-ascends-grand-slam-buzz-grows.html |work=The New York Times |date=April 5, 2015 |access-date=April 5, 2015 |last1=Clarey |first1=Christopher |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405211907/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/sports/tennis/as-serena-williams-ascends-grand-slam-buzz-grows.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Serena Williams wins eighth Miami Open |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/04/04/serena-williams-wins-eighth-miami-open/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=April 5, 2015 |archive-date=April 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413194312/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/04/04/serena-williams-wins-eighth-miami-open/ |url-status=live }}

File:Serena Williams Won Roland Garros in 2015.JPG

As preparation for the clay-court season (and to ensure her eligibility for the 2016 Summer Olympics), Williams travelled to Brindisi, Italy, where she competed with that country's team for a place in the Fed Cup's World Group. Williams and teammate Alison Riske lost the decisive doubles match to Errani and Flavia Pennetta, which meant the United States was relegated to World Group II. It was Williams's first loss in the Fed Cup.{{cite web |title=Italy beats United States 3–2 in Fed Cup World Group playoff |place=Brindisi, Italy |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/12721344/italy-edges-united-states-serena-williams-fed-cup-playoff |publisher=ESPN |access-date=April 22, 2015 |date=April 19, 2015 |archive-date=April 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422013237/http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12721344/italy-edges-united-states-serena-williams-fed-cup-playoff |url-status=live }} The week of April 20 marked Williams's 114th consecutive week ranked No.1, the third-longest run in WTA history at the time, behind Graf's 186 weeks and Navratilova's 156. In the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open, Williams suffered her first defeat of the season, ending a 50-match winning streak at Premier-Mandatory events.{{cite web |date=May 8, 2015 |title=Serena Williams' win streak, Madrid run come to an end |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/12845988/tennis-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-barely-put-fights-madrid-losses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511054459/http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12845988/tennis-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-barely-put-fights-madrid-losses |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |access-date=May 9, 2015 |publisher=ESPN}}{{cite web |date=May 8, 2015 |title=Serena Williams' perfect season ended |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/05/serena-williams-loss-madrid-petra-kvitova-win-grand-slam-french-open-rome |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511005656/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/05/serena-williams-loss-madrid-petra-kvitova-win-grand-slam-french-open-rome |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |access-date=May 9, 2015 |work=USA Today}}{{cite web |title=Kvitova Stuns Serena in Madrid |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4701085/title/kvitova-stuns-serena-in-madrid |publisher=WTA |access-date=May 9, 2015 |date=May 8, 2015 |archive-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510190131/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4701085/title/kvitova-stuns-serena-in-madrid |url-status=live }} She played one match at the 2015 Internazionali BNL d'Italia before withdrawing with an elbow injury.{{cite news |title=Serena Williams pulls out of Italian Open with elbow injury |year=2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/32741356 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=May 17, 2015 |archive-date=November 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120200559/http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/32741356 |url-status=live }}

At the 2015 French Open, Williams defeated Lucie Šafářová in three sets to claim the trophy and win her third French Open and 20th Grand Slam singles title.{{cite web |title=Serena Williams beats Lucie Safarova at French Open to win 20th grand slam |first=Simon |last=Cambers |date=June 6, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/06/serena-williams-safarova-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title |work=The Guardian |access-date=June 6, 2015 |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615141140/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/06/serena-williams-safarova-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Serena Williams Wins French Open for Her 20th Grand Slam Title |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/tennis/serena-williams-wins-french-open-for-her-20th-grand-slam-title.html |work=The New York Times |date=June 6, 2015 |access-date=June 6, 2015 |last1=Clarey |first1=Christopher |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804044520/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/tennis/serena-williams-wins-french-open-for-her-20th-grand-slam-title.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Serena Williams wins French Open for 20th Grand Slam title |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/french15/story/_/id/13023322/serena-williams-wins-2015-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title |publisher=ESPN |date=June 6, 2015 |access-date=June 6, 2015 |archive-date=June 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606203900/http://espn.go.com/tennis/french15/story/_/id/13023322/serena-williams-wins-2015-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title |url-status=live }} The accomplishment made Williams only the third person in history to win each Grand Slam at least three times, the others being Court and Graf.{{cite web |title=Serena Battles To Milestone 20th Major |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4773153/title/serena-battles-to-milestone-20th-major |publisher=WTA |date=June 5, 2015 |access-date=June 6, 2015 |archive-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608002325/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4773153/title/serena-battles-to-milestone-20th-major |url-status=live }} At Wimbledon, Williams defeated three former No.1 players—Azarenka, Sharapova, and her sister Venus—to advance to the final.{{cite web|title=Incredible Record Against Top Players Adding to Serena Williams' Historic Run|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2518904-incredible-record-against-top-players-adding-to-serena-williams-historic-run|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=July 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711214747/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2518904-incredible-record-against-top-players-adding-to-serena-williams-historic-run|url-status=live}} Awaiting her was Muguruza, who had previously handed Williams the worst Grand Slam defeat of her career.{{cite magazine|title=Serena Williams shocked by Garbine Muguruza in French Open second round|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2014/05/28/serena-williams-loses-to-garbine-muguruza-french-open-round-two|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=July 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709220419/http://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2014/05/28/serena-williams-loses-to-garbine-muguruza-french-open-round-two|url-status=live}} Williams bested Muguruza and claimed her sixth Wimbledon singles title and 21st Grand Slam singles title overall. With this triumph, she completed her second "Serena Slam" (winning all four Grand Slams in a row, but not in the same calendar year).{{cite news |last=Perrotta |first=Tom |date=July 11, 2015 |title=Serena Williams Wins Sixth Wimbledon Championship |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/serena-williams-wins-sixth-wimbledon-championship-1436626560 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405074150/https://www.wsj.com/articles/serena-williams-wins-sixth-wimbledon-championship-1436626560 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}{{cite web |date=July 11, 2015 |title=Serena Williams Beats Garbiñe Muguruza In Straight Sets To Win Wimbledon |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/11/serena-williams-wimbledon_n_7775932.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712210644/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/11/serena-williams-wimbledon_n_7775932.html |archive-date=July 12, 2015 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |work=HuffPost}}{{cite magazine |last=Nguyen |first=Courtney |date=July 3, 2015 |title=Serena avoids upset against Watson to set up clash with sister Venus |url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/07/03/wimbledon-2015-serena-williams-defeats-heather-watson |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406104510/https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/07/03/wimbledon-2015-serena-williams-defeats-heather-watson |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} The Wimbledon victory made Williams the oldest woman in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title.{{cite web |date=July 12, 2015 |title=Serena Wins Wimbledon & Serena Slam 2 |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4856959/title/serena-wins-wimbledon-serena-slam-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714044119/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4856959/title/serena-wins-wimbledon-serena-slam-2 |archive-date=July 14, 2015 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |website=Women's Tennis Association}} It also was her eighth consecutive victory in Grand Slam singles finals appearances, breaking Graf's Open Era record of seven and tying Pete Sampras's Open Era record of eight. The week of July 13 marked the first time in WTA history that the No.1 player had more than twice as many points as the No.2.{{cite web|title=Historic Ranking Milestone For Serena|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4863665/title/historic-ranking-milestone-for-serena|publisher=WTA|access-date=July 16, 2015|date=July 14, 2015|archive-date=July 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717014149/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4863665/title/historic-ranking-milestone-for-serena|url-status=live}} Following her win at Wimbledon, Williams was awarded her seventh ESPY for Best Female Tennis Player.{{cite web|url=http://www.thewrap.com/espy-awards-winners-2015-complete-list/|title=ESPYS Awards Winners: The Complete List|website=TheWrap|access-date=August 18, 2015|date=July 16, 2015|archive-date=August 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818074624/http://www.thewrap.com/espy-awards-winners-2015-complete-list/?|url-status=live}}

Williams was the defending champion at the Bank of the West Classic, but withdrew from the tournament to recover from an elbow injury.{{cite web|title=World No. 1 Serena Williams withdraws from Bank of West with hurt elbow|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/07/31/serena-williams-withdraws--bank--west--hurt-elbow/30955719/|website=USA Today|access-date=August 3, 2015|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406035639/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/07/31/serena-williams-withdraws--bank--west--hurt-elbow/30955719/|url-status=live}} In the semifinals of the Canadian Open, Williams had a 19-match winning streak ended by 18-year-old Belinda Bencic.{{cite web|title=Serena Williams battles from third-set hole but falls short in Rogers Cup|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/13446751/serena-williams-upset-18-year-old-belinda-bencic-rogers-cup-semifinals|publisher=ESPN|access-date=August 16, 2015|date=August 16, 2015|archive-date=August 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816090430/http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13446751/serena-williams-upset-18-year-old-belinda-bencic-rogers-cup-semifinals|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|title=Serena Williams falls in Toronto semifinals|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/08/15/ap-ten-toronto|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=August 16, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924165819/http://www.si.com/tennis/2015/08/15/ap-ten-toronto|url-status=live}} The next week Williams defended her title at the Western & Southern Open with a straight sets victory over No.3 Halep.{{cite web|title=Serena Williams wins Cincinnati tournament for second time|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/13495801/serena-williams-defeats-simona-halep-win-cincinnati-title|publisher=ESPN|access-date=August 24, 2015|date=August 23, 2015|archive-date=September 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926000545/http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13495801/serena-williams-defeats-simona-halep-win-cincinnati-title|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Serena Edges Halep & Wins Cincinnati|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4953555/title/serena-edges-halep-wins-cincinnati|publisher=WTA|access-date=August 24, 2015|date=August 23, 2015|archive-date=August 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825195649/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4953555/title/serena-edges-halep-wins-cincinnati|url-status=live}} Williams's attempt at capturing the "Grand Slam" (winning all four Grand Slams in a calendar year) came to an end at the US Open, where she lost to Roberta Vinci in the semifinals.{{cite news|title=Roberta Vinci Ends Serena Williams's Grand Slam Bid at U.S. Open|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/12/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-ends-serena-williamss-grand-slam-run-at-us-open.html|work=The New York Times|date=September 11, 2015|access-date=September 25, 2015|last1=Clarey|first1=Christopher|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406065244/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/12/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-ends-serena-williamss-grand-slam-run-at-us-open.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Roberta Vinci upsets Serena Williams at the U.S. Open |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-upsets-serena-williams-at-the-us-open/2015/09/11/c5fdc6ca-5884-11e5-8bb1-b488d231bba2_story.html |first=Jacob |last=Feldman |date=September 11, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-date=May 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525180434/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-upsets-serena-williams-at-the-us-open/2015/09/11/c5fdc6ca-5884-11e5-8bb1-b488d231bba2_story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Serena Williams' grand slam dream ended by Roberta Vinci's shock win |first=Kevin |last=Mitchell |date=September 11, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/11/serena-williams-grand-slam-ended-roberta-vinci |work=The Guardian |access-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221111847/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/11/serena-williams-grand-slam-ended-roberta-vinci |url-status=live }} The defeat has been described by some as one of the biggest upsets in tennis history.{{cite web|title=No indication Vinci would stop Serena's Slam streak|date=September 11, 2015|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/usopen15/story/_/id/13633288/tennis-roberta-vinci-shatters-serena-dreams-monumental-upset|publisher=ESPN|access-date=September 25, 2015|archive-date=September 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926003947/http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen15/story/_/id/13633288/tennis-roberta-vinci-shatters-serena-dreams-monumental-upset|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=13 reasons Serena Williams' loss to Roberta Vinci was the biggest upset in tennis history|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/09/13-reasons-serena-williams-loss-was-the-biggest-upset-in-tennis-history-roberta-vinci-us-open-grand-slam|work=USA Today|date=September 11, 2015|access-date=September 25, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153557/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/09/13-reasons-serena-williams-loss-was-the-biggest-upset-in-tennis-history-roberta-vinci-us-open-grand-slam|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Why Serena's loss is one of the biggest upsets in sports history|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/serena-williams|first=Chris|last=Chase|date=September 11, 2015|publisher=PBS NewsHour|access-date=September 25, 2015|archive-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925201754/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/serenas-loss-one-biggest-upsets-sports-history/|url-status=live}} On October 1, Williams called an end to her season, stating that she had been injured for most of the year and wanted to "properly address [her] health".{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Ends 2015 Season, Withdraws from China Open and WTA Finals|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2574337-serena-williams-ends-2015-season-withdraws-from-china-open-and-wta-finals|work=Bleacher Report|access-date=October 13, 2015|archive-date=October 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014002636/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2574337-serena-williams-ends-2015-season-withdraws-from-china-open-and-wta-finals|url-status=live}} Coach Patrick Mouratoglou hinted that her decision to end the season early might be due to a lack of motivation and disappointment following her loss at the Open.{{cite web|title=Disappointed Serena Williams may not play again in 2015, says coach|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/29/disappointed-serena-williams-may-not-play-again-in-2015-says-coach|work=The Guardian|date=September 29, 2015|access-date=October 13, 2015|archive-date=October 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001221059/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/29/disappointed-serena-williams-may-not-play-again-in-2015-says-coach|url-status=live}}

On October 5, Williams surpassed Evert for third-most weeks ranked world No.1.{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Stays On Top Of WTA rankings And Moves Third On All Time List|url=https://www.beinsports.com/us/tennis/news/serena-williams-stays-on-top-of-wta-rankings-/109739|publisher=beIN SPORTS|access-date=October 13, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924184342/https://www.beinsports.com/us/tennis/news/serena-williams-stays-on-top-of-wta-rankings-/109739|url-status=live}} Williams held the top ranking the entire season for the second consecutive year, finishing there for the fifth time in her career. She was voted WTA Player of the Year for the seventh time, and named ITF World Champion for the sixth time.{{cite web |title=Serena Williams: WTA Player Of The Year |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5194460/title/serena-williams-wta-player-of-the-year |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210105111/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5194460/title/serena-williams-wta-player-of-the-year |archive-date=December 10, 2015 |access-date=December 9, 2015 |publisher=WTA}}{{cite web |title=Serena Williams: ITF World Champion |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5226383/title/serena-williams-itf-world-champion |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101131502/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5226383/title/serena-williams-itf-world-champion |archive-date=January 1, 2016 |access-date=December 22, 2015 |publisher=WTA}} She was also voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press for the fourth time in her career, and was chosen as Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated.{{cite news |title=Serena Williams wins fourth AP female athlete of the year title |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/serena-williams-wins-fourth-ap-female-athlete-of-the-year-title/article27939491/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226010421/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/serena-williams-wins-fourth-ap-female-athlete-of-the-year-title/article27939491/ |archive-date=December 26, 2015 |access-date=December 26, 2015 |work=The Globe and Mail}}{{cite magazine|title=Serena Williams is SI's Sportsperson of the Year|url=https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2015/12/14/serena-williams-si-sportsperson-year|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=December 14, 2015|archive-date=December 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211040640/https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2015/12/14/serena-williams-si-sportsperson-year|url-status=live}} She became the third solo woman, and the first since 1983, to receive the latter award.{{cite web|title=Why it matters that Serena Williams is on the cover of Sports Illustrated|date=December 14, 2015|url=https://www.vox.com/2015/12/14/10131368/serena-williams-sports-illustrated|publisher=Vox|access-date=December 27, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529022330/https://www.vox.com/2015/12/14/10131368/serena-williams-sports-illustrated|url-status=live}}

{{Main|2016 Serena Williams tennis season}}

Williams was the No.1 seed and defending champion at the Australian Open. She reached the final without dropping a set, and faced first time Grand Slam finalist Angelique Kerber. Williams was considered the heavy favorite, as she had never lost an Australian Open final or semifinal. She had also dominated in past matches against Kerber, losing only once to her in six meetings. Williams lost the final in three sets, however, which marked her first-ever three-set loss in the final of a Grand Slam.{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Kevin |date=January 30, 2016 |title=Angelique Kerber stuns Serena Williams to clinch Australian Open title |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/30/serena-williams-angelque-kerber-australian-open-final-tennis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621143555/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/30/serena-williams-angelque-kerber-australian-open-final-tennis |archive-date=June 21, 2018 |access-date=June 4, 2018 |website=The Guardian}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/sports/angelique-kerber-upsets-serena-williams-to-win-australian-open.html|title=Angelique Kerber Upsets Serena Williams to Win Australian Open|date=January 30, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 4, 2018|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406065245/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/sports/angelique-kerber-upsets-serena-williams-to-win-australian-open.html|url-status=live}}

The week of February 15 marked Williams's 157th consecutive week ranked No.1, the second-longest streak in WTA history. Only Graf had held the ranking longer, for 186 weeks. Williams competed in Indian Wells as the No.1 seed, and reached the final for the first time since 2001. She was defeated by Azarenka, whom she had beaten the last five times the pair had met. This marked the first time since 2004 that Williams lost two consecutive finals. She next played the Miami Open as the defending champion, losing in the fourth round to Kuznetsova. In Rome, she prevailed over Anna-Lena Friedsam and Christina McHale to progress to the quarterfinals, where she defeated Kuznetsova. She then defeated Irina-Camelia Begu and Madison Keys to win her 70th career WTA title and her first title of the year.{{Cite news |last=Rothenberg |first=Ben |date=2016-05-15 |title=At Italian Open, Serena Williams Ends a Long but Lean Drought |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/16/sports/tennis/serena-williams-madison-keys-italian-open-rome.html |access-date=2024-05-28 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

At the French Open, Williams dropped only one set en route to the final, where she faced Muguruza. She lost to the Spanish-Venezuelan player in straight sets, marking the first time she had lost two consecutive Grand Slam finals. At Wimbledon, Williams again dropped only one set on her way to the final, where she faced Kerber in a rematch of their Australian Open final earlier in the year. Williams defeated Kerber in straight sets and tied Graf's record of 22 Open Era Grand Slam singles titles. Later that day, Williams and her sister won their sixth Wimbledon doubles title and 14th Grand Slam doubles title overall, keeping their perfect record at Grand Slam doubles finals intact.

In July, Williams withdrew from the Rogers Cup due to a shoulder injury.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12040/10511583/serena-williams-withdraws-from-rogers-cup-in-montreal|title=Serena Williams withdraws from the Rogers Cup in Montreal|publisher=Sky Sports|date=July 24, 2016|access-date=August 24, 2016|archive-date=August 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828063813/http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12040/10511583/serena-williams-withdraws-from-rogers-cup-in-montreal|url-status=live}} She next participated in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she was the defending gold medalist in both singles and doubles, and was the heavy favorite to retain those titles. The sisters suffered a shock exit in the first round of doubles, losing to the Czech duo of Šafářová and Barbora Strýcová, which ended their career record of 15–0 dating back to the 2000 Olympics.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/37006469|title=Rio Olympics 2016: Serena & Venus Williams lose in doubles|work=BBC Sport|date=August 8, 2016|access-date=August 24, 2016|archive-date=August 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810021752/http://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/37006469|url-status=live}} In singles, Williams lost to Elina Svitolina in the third round.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/serena-williams-loses-singles-round-three-out-rio-olympics|title=Serena Williams loses in singles round three, out of Rio Olympics|publisher=NBC Sports|first=Alan |last=Levinsohn |date=August 10, 2016|access-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811131031/http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/serena-williams-loses-singles-round-three-out-rio-olympics|archive-date=August 11, 2016|url-status=dead}} Days after the Olympics, Williams entered the Western & Southern Open to defend her crown, but then withdrew due to the same shoulder injury from earlier in the summer.{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016/08/shoulder-injury-forces-serena-williams-out-of-tourney/59966/|title=After practice session, Serena Williams withdraws from Cincinnati with shoulder injury|website=Tennis.com|date=August 16, 2016|access-date=August 24, 2016|archive-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819184645/http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016/08/shoulder-injury-forces-serena-williams-out-of-tourney/59966/|url-status=live}} The week of September 5, 2016, marked Williams's 186th consecutive week ranked No.1, tying her with Graf for the longest run in WTA history. Williams's streak ended when she lost to Karolína Plíšková in the semifinals of the US Open.{{cite news |date=September 9, 2016 |title=Serena Williams suffers shock US Open semifinal defeat to Karolina Pliskova |url=https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/us-open-women/2016/serena-williams-v-karolina-pliskova-us-open-live_sto5835691/story.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030230811/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |access-date=June 4, 2018 |work=Eurosport}} In October, she pulled out of the WTA Finals, citing her shoulder injury.{{cite web |first1=Zahra |last1=Ullah |first2=Ben |last2=Westcott |title=Injured Serena Williams out of WTA Finals |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/17/tennis/serena-williams-singapore-finals/index.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |publisher=CNN |date=October 17, 2016 |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502081215/https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/17/tennis/serena-williams-singapore-finals/index.html |url-status=live }}

{{main|2017 Serena Williams tennis season}}

Williams started 2017 by playing in the WTA Auckland Open for the first time in her career. In the second round, she lost to Madison Brengle. She then won the Australian Open for an Open Era record seventh time, defeating Venus in the final.{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Serena-Williams|title=Serena Williams {{!}} Biography, Titles, & Facts|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=August 8, 2017|archive-date=September 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918073816/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Serena-Williams|url-status=live}} It was her 23rd Open Era Grand Slam singles title, pushing her past Graf's record of 22. It was the first time in the Open Era that two players aged 35 or older had competed in the final of a Grand Slam tournament. The win ensured Williams's return to the No.1 ranking.{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/01/27/2017-australian-open-watch-live-stream-online-finals-full-schedule-ao-venus-serena-williams.html|title=How to Watch the 2017 Australian Open Finals|last=Warshaw|first=Amelia|date=January 27, 2017|website=The Daily Beast|access-date=January 28, 2017|archive-date=January 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127211352/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/01/27/2017-australian-open-watch-live-stream-online-finals-full-schedule-ao-venus-serena-williams.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38781553|title=Australian Open 2017: Serena Williams beats Venus Williams to set Grand Slam record|date=January 28, 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=January 28, 2017|archive-date=January 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128104305/http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38781553|url-status=live}} She subsequently withdrew from the Indian Wells and Miami Opens, citing a knee injury.{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Withdraws from BNP Paribas Open|work=BNP Paribas Open |url=http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/en/media-and-news/news/2017/03/07/serena-williams-withdraws-from-bnp-paribas-open|access-date=April 20, 2017|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808200934/http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/en/media-and-news/news/2017/03/07/serena-williams-withdraws-from-bnp-paribas-open|url-status=live}}

On April 19, 2017, Williams revealed that she was 20 weeks pregnant and would miss the remainder of the season.{{cite web|title=Serena Williams planning 2018 return after confirming pregnancy|work=BT.com |url=http://sport.bt.com/tennis/serena-williams-planning-2018-return-after-confirming-pregnancy-S11364174403855|publisher=BT Sport|access-date=April 20, 2017|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023023805/https://sport.bt.com/tennis/serena-williams-planning-2018-return-after-confirming-pregnancy-S11364174403855|url-status=live}} The timing of her announcement meant she was already pregnant when she won the Australian Open.{{cite news|title=Serena Williams: How can you win a Grand Slam while pregnant?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39653317|work=BBC Sport|access-date=April 20, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417074636/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/39653317|url-status=live}} In interviews, she said that she intended to return to tennis after giving birth, saying she had an "outrageous plan" of competing in the 2018 Australian Open.{{cite web |last=Haskell |first=Rob |date=August 15, 2017 |title=Serena Williams on Pregnancy, Power, and Coming Back to Center Court |url=http://www.vogue.com/article/serena-williams-pregnancy-vogue-september-issue-2017 |access-date=August 15, 2017 |website=Vogue}} On September 1, 2017, Williams gave birth to a daughter.{{Cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/09/13/serena_williams_revealed_her_daughter_s_name_and_her_first_photo.html|title=Serena Williams Revealed Her Daughter's Name and Shared the Baby's First Photo|last=Olmstead|first=Molly|date=September 13, 2017|work=Slate|access-date=September 14, 2017|issn=1091-2339|archive-date=September 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914014552/http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/09/13/serena_williams_revealed_her_daughter_s_name_and_her_first_photo.html|url-status=live}} She suffered a pulmonary embolism after delivery, leaving her bedridden for six weeks and delaying her return to training.{{cite web|last1=Haskell|first1=Rob|title=Serena Williams on Motherhood, Marriage, and Making Her Comeback|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/serena-williams-vogue-cover-interview-february-2018|website=Vogue|date=January 10, 2018|access-date=January 17, 2018|archive-date=January 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122044131/https://www.vogue.com/article/serena-williams-vogue-cover-interview-february-2018|url-status=live}} On December 30, Williams played her first match since giving birth, an exhibition match at the World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, where she lost to Jeļena Ostapenko.File:Williams S. RG18 (17) (41168711240).jpg

On January 5, 2018, Williams withdrew from the upcoming Australian Open, citing a lack of sufficient preparation in the wake of her pregnancy.{{cite web|last1=Spits|first1=Scott|title=Australian Open 2018: Serena Williams to miss but vowing to return to Melbourne|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2018-serena-williams-wont-compete-20180105-h0dv52.html|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=January 5, 2018|access-date=January 17, 2018|archive-date=January 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106191418/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-2018-serena-williams-wont-compete-20180105-h0dv52.html|url-status=live}} In February, after overcoming pregnancy-related health problems, she returned to the tennis court with Venus. The pair lost to Lesley Kerkhove and Demi Schuurs of the Netherlands in the first round of the Fed Cup.{{Cite news|url=https://jezebel.com/serena-williams-made-her-return-to-competitive-tennis-t-1822914914|title=Serena Williams Made Her Return to Competitive Tennis This Weekend|last=Fishbein|first=Rebecca|work=Jezebel|access-date=February 12, 2018|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406042249/https://jezebel.com/serena-williams-made-her-return-to-competitive-tennis-t-1822914914|url-status=live}} Williams then suffered back-to-back early exits in Indian Wells and Miami. Williams returned to Grand Slam tennis at the 2018 French Open, playing singles and doubles with her sister. In the first round, she defeated Kristýna Plíšková, then overcame Ashleigh Barty in the second round. She then defeated 11th seed Julia Görges to set up a fourth-round match against Sharapova, whom she had bested 18 consecutive times since 2004. Williams withdrew from the match due to an injury, however.{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/04/sport/french-open-serena-sharapova-nadal-tennis/index.html|title=Serena Williams pulls out of French Open due to injury|first=Ravi|last=Ubha|publisher=CNN|access-date=June 4, 2018|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406131440/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/04/sport/french-open-serena-sharapova-nadal-tennis/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jun/04/serena-williams-withdraws-french-open-injury-sharapova|title=Serena Williams withdraws from French Open clash with Maria Sharapova|last=Mitchell|first=Kevin|date=June 4, 2018|website=The Guardian|access-date=June 4, 2018|archive-date=June 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604162729/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jun/04/serena-williams-withdraws-french-open-injury-sharapova|url-status=live}}

In July, she played Wimbledon and was seeded No.25. Many felt the decision showed bias and unduly favored Williams, who was ranked No.181.{{cite web |date=July 10, 2018 |title=Serena Williams |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/230234/title/serena-williams |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030125120/https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/230234/title/Serena-Williams |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |access-date=July 10, 2018 |website=WTA Tennis}} Others argued that the All England Club, which does not base seedings on players' world rankings—as other Grand Slam tournaments do—had sensibly considered Williams's excellent historic record at Wimbledon.{{cite news |last=Merrill |first=Jamie |date=July 2018 |title=Serena Willams reveals 'surprise' at Wimbledon seeding |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/01/serena-willams-reveals-surprise-wimbledon-seeding/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/01/serena-willams-reveals-surprise-wimbledon-seeding/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |access-date=July 10, 2018 |website=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |date=July 10, 2018 |title=Federer and Serena Williams remain but exodus of seeds raises questions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/07/wimbledon-2018-seeds-exodus-questions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728133755/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/07/wimbledon-2018-seeds-exodus-questions |archive-date=July 28, 2018 |access-date=July 10, 2018 |website=The Guardian}} Williams reached the Wimbledon semifinals, becoming the lowest-ranked player to do so.{{cite news |last1=Oxley |first1=Sonia |title=Serena Williams into Wimbledon semifinals with win over Camila Giorgi |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/44783078 |access-date=July 11, 2018 |publisher=BBC |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411132629/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/44783078 |url-status=live }} She bested 13th seed Görges in the semifinal match, but lost to Kerber in a rematch of the 2016 final.{{Cite web |last=Skiver |first=Kevin |date=2018-07-12 |title=Wimbledon 2018 women's semifinal results: Serena Williams to play Angelique Kerber for title |url=https://www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/wimbledon-2018-womens-semifinal-results-serena-williams-to-play-angelique-kerber-for-title/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=ESPN News Services |date=2018-07-14 |title=Angelique Kerber wins Wimbledon, keeps Serena Williams from tying all-time mark |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/24096564/wimbledon-2018-angelique-kerber-beats-serena-williams-3rd-grand-slam-title |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Following Wimbledon, Williams entered the 2018 Silicon Valley Classic, her first appearance in a US Open series tournament since 2015. She suffered the worst loss of her career in the first round, winning just a single game against Johanna Konta.{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/01/tennis/serena-williams-johanna-konta-silicon-valley-classic-spt-intl/index.html|title=Serena Williams suffers worst defeat of her career|date=August 2018|publisher=CNN|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=June 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602061821/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/01/tennis/serena-williams-johanna-konta-silicon-valley-classic-spt-intl/index.html|url-status=live}} Williams later revealed in an interview with Time that she checked Instagram prior to the match, and discovered that the man who had murdered her half-sister, Yetunde, in 2003 had been released on parole earlier in the year. Williams said she "couldn't shake it out of [her] mind."{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5368858/serena-williams-comeback/|title=Serena Williams Opens Up About Her Complicated Comeback, Motherhood And Making Time to Be Selfish|magazine=Time|access-date=August 17, 2018|archive-date=August 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816225315/http://time.com/5368858/serena-williams-comeback/|url-status=live}}

Williams's next tournament was the Cincinnati Masters. She beat Daria Gavrilova in straight sets in the first round, but lost to Petra Kvitová in the second round.{{Cite web |last=Brennan |first=Pat |date=2018-08-13 |title=Serena Williams dominates in first round of Western & Southern Open |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/tennis/2018/08/13/serena-williams-dominates-first-round-western-southern-open/983194002/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Cincinnati Enquirer |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Brennan |first=Pat |date=2018-08-14 |title=Petra Kvitova holds off Serena Williams at the Western & Southern Open |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/tennis/2018/08/14/petra-kvitova-holds-off-serena-williams-western-southern-open/994750002/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Cincinnati Enquirer |language=en-US}} She was then seeded 17th at the US Open, although ranked 26th in the WTA. She prevailed over Magda Linette in the first round, Carina Witthöft in the second, Venus in the third, and Kaia Kanepi in the fourth. Williams's quarterfinal face-off against Karolína Plíšková was a rematch of the 2016 US Open semifinal, which the Czech player had won. Williams prevailed, notching her first win against a top 10 player since her return from pregnancy. Williams then won her semifinal match against Anastasija Sevastova, putting her into the final against Naomi Osaka. During the second set of the match, Williams was given a code violation because her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, gave her coaching hand signals. Williams claimed Mouratoglou was simply giving her a thumbs-up, and demanded an apology from umpire Carlos Ramos. However, Mouratoglou later admitted in the after-game interview that he had been coaching, but believes Williams did not understand the hint.{{cite magazine |date=September 8, 2018 |title=Patrick Mouratoglou admits to coaching Serena Williams during final |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/tennis/news/patrick-mouratoglou-serena-williams-coaching-us-open-final/uu0mars28xk61dkz9jkmnpk4p |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023122917/https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/tennis/news/patrick-mouratoglou-serena-williams-coaching-us-open-final/uu0mars28xk61dkz9jkmnpk4p |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |access-date=September 9, 2018 |magazine=Sporting News}} Williams then received a second violation for racket abuse, which resulted in a point penalty. After her third code violation for verbal abuse of the umpire, Williams received a game penalty, and went on to lose the match. She was fined a total of $17,000 for the three offenses, although she claimed she was treated unfairly because she is a woman.{{cite web |date=September 8, 2018 |title=Serena Williams demands apology from US Open umpire |url=https://www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/us-open-final-2018-serena-williams-demands-apology-from-umpire-after-controversial-game-penalty/ |publisher=CBS}}{{cite news |date=September 8, 2018 |title=Serena Williams unleashes furious rant at umpire as she loses US Open |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2018/09/08/serena-williams-vs-naomi-osaka-us-open-2018-final-live-score/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2018/09/08/serena-williams-vs-naomi-osaka-us-open-2018-final-live-score/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |access-date=September 8, 2018 |newspaper=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |date=September 9, 2018 |title=US Open: Serena Williams says she was treated more harshly because she is a woman |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-09/us-open-serena-williams-says-sexism-to-blame-in-loss-to-osaka/10219364 |access-date=March 4, 2019 |work=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)}}{{cite web |title=Serena Williams Fined $17,000 for US Open Code Violations |url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/09/09/serena-williams-fined-17-000-us-open-code-violations/ |website=TMZ|date=September 9, 2018 }}

Following the US Open final match, the Melbourne newspaper the Herald Sun published a cartoon by Mark Knight depicting Williams throwing a tantrum while the umpire asks her opponent to "just let her win".{{cite web |date=September 11, 2018 |title=Knight's cartoon neither racist or sexist |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-mark-knights-cartoon-rightly-mocks-serena-williams-us-open-finals-dummyspit/news-story/bff3c329c6c706b966636620bcb21be7 |access-date=September 24, 2019 |website=Herald Sun}} The cartoon was widely criticized as racist and sexist, including by Williams's husband, Alexis Ohanian, and author J. K. Rowling.{{cite web |last=Dawson |first=Alan |title=Serena Williams' Reddit co-founder husband Alexis Ohanian slams controversial 'angry baby' cartoon for being 'racist and misogynistic' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/alexis-ohanian-calls-serena-williams-cartoon-racist-misogynistic-2018-9 |access-date=September 24, 2019 |website=Business Insider}}{{cite news |date=September 10, 2018 |title=JK Rowling condemns 'racist and sexist' cartoon of Serena Williams at US Open |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/jk-rowling-twitter-serena-williams-cartoon-us-open-racist-sexist-a8531941.html |access-date=September 24, 2019 |website=The Independent}} Complaints centered on the portrayal of Williams as an angry black woman with exaggeratedly large lips and a broad, flat nose; the depiction of Williams in an ape-like pose; and the rendering of Osaka with blonde hair (only some of her hair was colored blonde during the tournament).{{Cite news |last=Cavna |first=Michael |date=September 12, 2018 |title=An Australian artist's racist Serena Williams cartoon receives swift and international blowback |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/09/10/an-australian-artists-racist-serena-williams-cartoon-receives-swift-and-international-blowback/ |access-date=September 24, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}{{cite web |date=September 11, 2018 |title=I shut Twitter to save family from abuse: Knight |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/herald-sun-backs-mark-knights-cartoon-on-serena-williams/news-story/30c877e3937a510d64609d89ac521d9f |access-date=September 24, 2019 |website=Herald Sun}} Knight defended his work, claiming his satire was never about race or gender, but rather about shining a spotlight on bad behavior by sports superstars.

Williams started her 2019 season at the Australian Open, her first appearance at the tournament since winning it in 2017. Seeded 16th, she defeated Tatjana Maria, Eugenie Bouchard, and Dayana Yastremska in the first three rounds, then bested top seed and world No.1 Halep in the fourth. In the quarterfinals, she met Karolína Plíšková, who won the match after Williams twisted her ankle. This was Williams's earliest defeat at the Australian Open since her fourth-round loss in 2014. Despite the loss, her ranking climbed to No.11. Williams prevailed over Azarenka in the second round of the Indian Wells Masters, but a viral illness caused her to retire. She then experienced a recurrence of a long-term knee injury, which caused her to pull out of upcoming Miami and Rome events. She could not train properly until after the French Open, where she lost in the third round.{{cite news |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |title=Serena Williams's Coach Says She Is Pain Free. Watch Out, Wimbledon? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/29/sports/wimbledon-serena-williams.html |website=The New York Times |date=June 29, 2019 |access-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-date=July 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702044651/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/29/sports/wimbledon-serena-williams.html |url-status=live }} Williams then reached the final at Wimbledon, making 2019 the 13th consecutive year in which she played in a Grand Slam final. She became the oldest Grand Slam finalist in the Open Era.{{cite news |last=Oxley |first=Sonia |title=Serena Williams beats Barbora Strycova to reach Wimbledon final |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48952703 |access-date=September 7, 2019 |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920225738/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48952703 |url-status=live }} Williams lost the final to Halep in two straight sets.{{cite news|title=Wimbledon final: Serena Williams loses to Simona Halep – CBBC Newsround|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48976427|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406131038/https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48976427|url-status=live}}

At the Canadian Open, Williams defeated Osaka in the quarterfinals and Marie Bouzkova in the semifinals, then faced Bianca Andreescu in the final. However, Williams was forced to withdraw early in the match after experiencing back spasms.{{cite news |last=Rush |first=Curtis |title=Serena Williams Leaves Rogers Cup Final With Back Spasms; Andreescu Wins |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/sports/tennis/serena-williams-rogers-cup-bianca-andreescu.html?module=inline |website=The New York Times |date=August 11, 2019 |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814131840/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/sports/tennis/serena-williams-rogers-cup-bianca-andreescu.html?module=inline |url-status=live }} Her back problems continued at the Cincinnati Open, where she withdrew before her first-round match.{{cite news |last=Rothenberg |first=Ben |title=Serena Williams, Citing Back Pain, Withdraws From Cincinnati Masters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/sports/tennis/serena-williams.html |website=The New York Times |date=August 14, 2019 |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406054252/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/sports/tennis/serena-williams.html |url-status=live }} Williams was seeded eighth at the US Open, where she bested Sharapova in the first round. In the quarterfinals she defeated Wang Qiang, and in the semifinals she triumphed over Svitolina. Williams then proceeded to the final against Andreescu, who won the title in straight sets.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/sep/07/us-open-women-final-bianca-andreescu-serena-williams-live|title=Bianca Andreescu beats Serena Williams in US Open women's final – as it happened|first=Bryan Armen|last=Graham|newspaper=The Guardian|date=September 7, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406143211/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/sep/07/us-open-women-final-bianca-andreescu-serena-williams-live|url-status=live}} Williams finished the year ranked No.10.

In January 2020, Williams won her first singles title as a mother at the ASB Classic, defeating Jessica Pegula in the final.{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2020/01/12/serena-williams-donates-australia-wildfire-relief-asb-classic|title=Serena Williams Wins ASB Classic, Donates Winnings to Australia Wildfire Relief|agency=Associated Press|date=January 12, 2020|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406104515/https://www.si.com/tennis/2020/01/12/serena-williams-donates-australia-wildfire-relief-asb-classic|url-status=live}} At the Australian Open, Williams lost in the third round to Wang in three sets.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/australian-open-2020-serena-williams-falls-to-qiang-wang-denied-another-chance-at-24th-grand-slam/ |title=Australian Open 2020: Serena Williams falls to Qiang Wang, denied another chance at 24th Grand Slam |website=www.cbssports.com |date=23 January 2020 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} Williams then entered the Top Seed Open as the No.1 seed, defeating Venus in the second round before losing to Shelby Rogers in the quarterfinals.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/aug/14/serena-williams-shelby-rogers-lexington-match |title=Serena Williams thwarted by Shelby Rogers in Top Seed Open quarter-final |website=www.theguardian.com |date=15 August 2020 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} At the US Open, Williams defeated Stephens in the third round before losing to Azarenka in the semifinals.{{cite web|last=Ubha|first=Ravi|title=Serena Williams upset by Victoria Azarenka in US Open semifinals|date=September 11, 2020|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/11/tennis/us-open-tennis-serena-osaka-azarenka-brady-spt-intl/index.html|access-date=September 11, 2020|publisher=CNN|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911070951/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/11/tennis/us-open-tennis-serena-osaka-azarenka-brady-spt-intl/index.html|url-status=live}} Williams withdrew from the delayed French Open in October, citing an Achilles injury she had sustained during the US Open. She failed to reach a Grand Slam final in 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200930-serena-williams-withdraws-from-french-open-due-to-unhealed-achilles-injury |title=Serena Williams withdraws from French Open due to Achilles injury |website=www.france24.com |date=30 September 2020 |access-date=22 December 2023 }}

Williams started the 2021 season by playing the Yarra Valley Classic, where she withdrew prior to her semifinal match, citing a right shoulder injury.{{cite web|last=Zagoria|first=Adam|title=Serena Williams Withdraws From Australian Open Tuneup Event With Shoulder Injury|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2021/02/05/serena-williams-withdraws-from-australian-open-tuneup-event/|access-date=February 18, 2021|website=Forbes|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406134958/https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2021/02/05/serena-williams-withdraws-from-australian-open-tuneup-event/|url-status=live}} In the Australian Open, Williams lost in the semifinal to Osaka.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/naomi-osaka-defeats-serena-williams-2021-australian-open/ |title=Serena Williams loses to Naomi Osaka in Australian Open semifinals |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=18 February 2021 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} In May, Williams played her 1000th match of her career against Nadia Podoroska in the second round of the Italian Open, which she lost in straight sets.{{cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2138205/celebrating-serena-s-1000th-match-a-retrospective|title=Celebrating Serena's 1000th match: A retrospective|website=Women's Tennis Association|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512153830/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2138205/celebrating-serena-s-1000th-match-a-retrospective|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.internazionalibnlditalia.com/en/news/match-reports/podoroska-stuns-serena-williams/|title=Podoroska stuns Serena Williams|date=May 12, 2021|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405211851/https://www.internazionalibnlditalia.com/en/news/match-reports/podoroska-stuns-serena-williams/|url-status=live}} She sustained an injury during the first round at Wimbledon against Belarusian player Aliaksandra Sasnovich, forcing her to withdraw from the tournament.{{cite web|title=Serena Williams forced to retire from Wimbledon in first round after injuring ankle|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/serena-williams-forced-retire-wimbledon-203400476.html|access-date=June 29, 2021|website=Yahoo Sports|date=June 29, 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629205438/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/serena-williams-forced-retire-wimbledon-203400476.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Williams 'heartbroken' by Wimbledon exit|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/57656647|access-date=July 1, 2021|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417071839/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/57656647|url-status=live}} In August, a leg injury forced Williams to retire from the US Open.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportstiger.com/serena-williams-withdraws-from-2021-us-open-due-to-injury/ |title=Serena Williams withdraws from 2021 US Open due to injury |work=SportsTiger |date=August 25, 2021 |access-date=August 25, 2021 |archive-date=August 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825131550/https://www.sportstiger.com/serena-williams-withdraws-from-2021-us-open-due-to-injury/ |url-status=live }} The withdrawal saw Williams plummet nineteen places to 41st in the world, her lowest year-end ranking in 15 years.

File:Serena and Venus (cropped).jpg

In December 2021, Williams announced she would not play the 2022 Australian Open, citing the same leg injury.{{cite news |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=December 8, 2021 |title=Serena Williams Withdraws From Australian Open |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/08/sports/tennis/serena-williams-australian-open.html |access-date=March 28, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110003100/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/08/sports/tennis/serena-williams-australian-open.html |url-status=live }} She returned to professional play in June 2022 when she teamed up with Ons Jabeur for the Eastbourne International. The pair won two matches before retiring from the tournament due to an injury sustained by Jabeur.{{cite news |date=June 20, 2022 |title=Williams makes winning return in Eastbourne doubles after year out |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/tennis/59813824 |access-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620180458/https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/tennis/59813824 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Carayol |first=Tumaini |date=June 23, 2022 |title=Serena Williams' comeback cut short by Ons Jabeur injury at Eastbourne |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jun/23/serena-williams-comeback-cut-short-by-ons-jabeur-injury-at-easbourne |access-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623213628/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jun/23/serena-williams-comeback-cut-short-by-ons-jabeur-injury-at-easbourne |url-status=live }} Williams also played singles at Wimbledon, where she lost to No.113 Harmony Tan in the first round.{{cite news |last=Carayol |first=Tumaini |date=June 14, 2022 |title=Serena Williams granted wildcard into Wimbledon singles draw |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jun/14/serena-williams-set-to-make-tennis-comeback-at-wimbledon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620231459/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jun/14/serena-williams-set-to-make-tennis-comeback-at-wimbledon |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |access-date=June 21, 2022 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite web |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2658987/tan-prevails-over-serena-in-three-hour-wimbledon-opener |title=Tan prevails over Serena in three-hour Wimbledon opener |access-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706224106/https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2658987/tan-prevails-over-serena-in-three-hour-wimbledon-opener |url-status=live }} Williams was ranked No. 320 at the end of 2022.{{Cite web |title=Ranking history of Serena Williams |url=http://www.coretennis.net/tennis-player/serena-williams/220/ranking.html |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=CoreTennis.net |language=en}}

In the September 2022 issue of Vogue, Williams announced her plans to "evolve away" from tennis after the 2022 US Open, indicating retirement.{{cite news |date=August 9, 2022 |title=Serena Williams says she will be 'evolving away' from tennis – suggesting retirement after US Open |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62481750 |access-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809134344/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62481750 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=August 10, 2022 |title=Serena Williams OK Not Being GOAT, Happy 'Writing the Big Checks' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/serena-williams-goat-happy-writing-big-checks-tennis-business-family-1732439 |access-date=August 10, 2022 |work=NewsWeek |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810210844/https://www.newsweek.com/serena-williams-goat-happy-writing-big-checks-tennis-business-family-1732439 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=August 9, 2022 |title=Serena Williams's Farewell to Tennis—In Her Own Words |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/serena-williams-retirement-in-her-own-words |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=Vogue |language=en-US |archive-date=September 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904055728/https://www.vogue.com/article/serena-williams-retirement-in-her-own-words |url-status=live }} She stated her intention to focus on her family and her venture capital firm. Williams began her farewell tour by entering the Canadian Open in Toronto using a protected ranking. She beat Nuria Párrizas Díaz in straight sets for her first singles win in 14 months, before losing to Belinda Bencic.{{cite news |date=August 8, 2022 |title=National Bank Open: Serena Williams beats Nuria Parrizas Diaz for first singles win in over a year |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62470911 |access-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809010411/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62470911 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=August 11, 2022 |title=Serena Williams loses to Belinda Bencic in first match since saying she will 'evolve away' from tennis |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62502494 |access-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812180737/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62502494 |url-status=live }} After her elimination, tournament organizers gave Williams gifts to remember the city.{{cite AV media |date=August 11, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2RPJ6Je83c |title=Serena Williams emotional on-court interview in Toronto |publisher=WTA |via=YouTube |access-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902160916/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2RPJ6Je83c |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |url-status=live}} Williams subsequently entered the Cincinnati Masters, where she fell to reigning US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the first round.{{cite news |date=August 13, 2022 |title=Emma Raducanu to face Serena Williams for first time in final US Open warm-up |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2022/08/13/emma-raducanu-face-serena-williams-first-time-final-us-open/ |access-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813071758/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2022/08/13/emma-raducanu-face-serena-williams-first-time-final-us-open/ |url-status=live }}

At the US Open, Williams played doubles with Venus for the first time since 2018; the sisters lost to the Czech duo of Lucie Hradecká and Linda Nosková.{{cite news |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=September 2, 2022 |title=The Williams sisters, after a tight first set, are overpowered in doubles. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/01/sports/tennis/serena-venus-williams-us-open.html |access-date=September 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902033743/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/01/sports/tennis/serena-venus-williams-us-open.html/ |url-status=live }} In the first round of singles, Williams defeated Danka Kovinić of Montenegro. After the match—which was attended by Eric Adams, Bill Clinton, Spike Lee, Mike Tyson, Vera Wang, Ruth Westheimer, and Tiger Woods—a tribute video narrated by Oprah Winfrey was played, and an interview was conducted by Gayle King.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpFEO5hWTy0 |title=Serena Williams On-Court Interview {{!}} 2022 US Open Round 1 |date=August 30, 2022 |publisher=US Open Tennis Championships |access-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902160923/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpFEO5hWTy0 |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}{{cite web |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Tiger Woods, Venus Williams and more spotted at Serena Williams' US Open match |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/34484638/serena-williams-first-round-win-brings-stars |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902131041/https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/34484638/serena-williams-first-round-win-brings-stars |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}{{cite web |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Oprah Winfrey delivers beautiful tribute to retiring great Serena Williams |url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Serena_Williams/119756/oprah-winfrey-delivers-beautiful-tribute-to-retiring-great-serena-williams/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902160908/https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Serena_Williams/119756/oprah-winfrey-delivers-beautiful-tribute-to-retiring-great-serena-williams/ |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=Tennis World USA}} In the second round, Williams upset world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit, becoming the oldest woman in the Open Era to defeat a top-three ranked player.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/31/serena-williams-beats-anett-kontaveit-us-open-tennis-third-round |title=Serena Williams rolls back the years at US Open to beat No 2 seed Kontaveit |website=www.theguardian.com |date=1 September 2022 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} She then lost to Ajla Tomljanović in what was ultimately her final match.{{Cite news |last=Carayol |first=Tumaini |date=2022-09-03 |title=Serena Williams went out the same way she came in: fighting like hell |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/sep/03/serena-williams-final-match-us-open-fighting-spirit |access-date=2024-03-20 |work=The Guardian |issn=}}

{{Main|Williams sisters rivalry}}

Williams played her older sister Venus in 31 professional matches starting in 1998. Overall, Serena is 19–12 against her sister.{{cite web |date=April 22, 2009 |title=Head to Head – Serena Williams vs Venus Williams |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/9027 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129022820/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/9027 |archive-date=January 29, 2017 |access-date=April 20, 2017 |website=WTA}} The pair played 15 times in Grand Slam singles and 13 times in other tournaments (including 11 finals).{{Cite news |url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/slideshow/18550742/serena-vs-venus-rivalry-lifetime |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126223357/http://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/slideshow/18550742/serena-vs-venus-rivalry-lifetime |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 26, 2017 |title=14 major showdowns between tennis legends Serena Williams and Venus Williams |work=ESPN |access-date=12 October 2017}} They have met in nine Grand Slam tournament finals, with Serena winning seven times. Beginning with the 2002 French Open, they played each other in four consecutive Grand Slam finals, which was the first time in the Open Era that the same two players had faced off in four consecutive finals in Grand Slam singles.{{cite web|title=Tennis Grand Slam Men's Champions – Tennis Grand Slam Men's Champions |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/history|access-date=June 5, 2021|publisher=ESPN}}

When both the Williams sisters entered the top ten and started facing off in tournaments, rumors of match fixing started to circulate. John McEnroe, while commenting on the 2000 Wimbledon semifinal between the two sisters, said that "Serena may not be allowed to win. Richard [Williams] may have something to say about this."wine, Steve (July 6, 2000), [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2026&dat=20000705&id=2b8jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=29AFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1781,581859 "Williams Sister Giving Tennis a Lift with Family Feud"]. Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Retrieved April 29, 2017. After losing to Venus at the Indian Wells quarterfinals in 2001, Elena Dementieva claimed that Richard Williams had decided the results of matches between the sisters.[http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=35375 "ASAP Sports Transcripts – Tennis – 2001 – TMS – Indian Wells, Women – March 14 – Elena Dementieva"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423001654/http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=35375 |date=April 23, 2016}}. asapsports.com. Shortly after that, Venus pulled out of her Indian Wells semifinal match against Serena at the last minute, claiming tendinitis; this led to much speculation in the press, and some spectators demanded their money back.{{cite web |title=There's no evidence to prove the sisters tanked |url=https://www.espn.com/columns/kreidler/1158786.html |publisher=ESPN}}{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsworldnews.com/articles/42575/20150706/wimbledon-rumors-new-accusation-of-fixed-matches-between-serena-venus-williams-video.htm |title=New accusation of fixed matches between Serena, Venus Williams |publisher=Sports World News|date=July 6, 2015}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/atptour/3001048/Williams-denies-match-fixing-as-crowd-demand-refunds.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/atptour/3001048/Williams-denies-match-fixing-as-crowd-demand-refunds.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Williams denies match-fixing as crowd demand refunds |work=The Telegraph|date=March 16, 2001 |last=Parsons |first=John}}{{cbignore}} The final, in which Serena defeated Kim Clijsters, was marred by the behavior of the crowd toward Williams and her family.{{cite web| url=https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/Indian-Wells-boycott-hurts-Williamses-more-than-?urn=ten,149332 |title=Indian Wells boycott hurts Williamses more than it helps |last=Rogers |first=Martin |date=March 19, 2009 |work=Busted Racquet |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204050557/http://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/blog/busted_racquet/post/Indian-Wells-boycott-hurts-Williamses-more-than-?urn=ten%2C149332 |archive-date=February 4, 2015}}

{{Main|Hingis–S. Williams rivalry}}

One of Williams's first rivalries was with Martina Hingis, who turned pro less than one year before her (Hingis in October 1994, Williams in 1995). They first played each other at the 1998 Miami Open where Hingis won in three sets. All but one of their matches was played on a hard court with the exception being a contest on clay in Rome in 1999, which Hingis won in straight sets. Their last match took place at the 2002 Miami Open, which Williams won.{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/3491/title/martina-hingis|title=Players – WTA Tennis English|work=WTA Tennis |publisher=WTA |access-date=August 18, 2015}} Williams leads the rivalry 7–6.{{cite web |title=Head 2 Head – WTA Tennis English |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/3491/player2/9044 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911214922/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/3491/player2/9044 |archive-date=September 11, 2015 |access-date=August 18, 2015 |website=WTA}}

Williams leads the series against Jennifer Capriati 10–7.{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/1325/player2/9044 |title=Head 2 Head – WTA Tennis English |website=WTA |access-date=August 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031074058/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/1325/player2/9044 |archive-date=October 31, 2016}} The rivalry—which began in 1999 and was once considered one of the best rivalries in women's tennis—started off one-sided, with Capriati winning four of the first five matches. Williams went on to win the next eight.{{cite web |last=Schoenfeld |first=Bruce |date=March 8, 2015 |title=Jennifer Capriati: Too little, too late? |url=http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025173017/http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/ |archive-date=October 25, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2015 |website=TennisBuzz.com}}{{cite news |last=Clarke |first=Liz |date=June 30, 2004 |title=It's Capriati, S. Williams In Rematch |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14758-2004Jun29.html |access-date=August 18, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} Twelve of the pair's seventeen meetings went three sets.{{cite web |last=Bondy |first=Filip |date=June 30, 2004 |title=Jen, Serena Hot Stuff Respect With Power To Match |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/jen-serena-hot-stuff-respect-power-match-article-1.554433 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025110824/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/jen-serena-hot-stuff-respect-power-match-article-1.554433 |archive-date=October 25, 2016 |access-date=August 4, 2015 |work=Daily News |location=New York}} 3. {{cite web |last=Schoenfeld |first=Bruce |title=Jennifer Capriati: Too Little, Too Late? |url=http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025173017/http://tennis-buzz.com/jennifer-capriati-too-little-too-late/ |archive-date=October 25, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2015 |work=Tennis Buz}}

{{main|Henin–S. Williams rivalry}}

Justine Henin and Williams have met 14 times, five of which were in tournament finals. In Grand Slam tournaments, they have faced each other seven times, with Henin leading 4–3.{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/3541 |title=Head 2 Head – WTA Tennis English |publisher=WTA |access-date=August 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826083335/http://www.wtatennis.com/head2head/player1/9044/player2/3541 |archive-date=August 26, 2015}} The two women's different personalities and styles of play are often credited with making the rivalry entertaining.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/13/sports/tennis-a-potential-rivalry-of-opposites-arises.html|title=A Potential Rivalry of Opposites Arises|date=April 13, 2004|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 18, 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wtatour/2296127/Serena-Williams-breaks-her-Justine-Henin-habit.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wtatour/2296127/Serena-Williams-breaks-her-Justine-Henin-habit.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Serena Williams breaks her Justine Henin habit|first=Mark |last=Hodgkinson |date=April 2, 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=August 18, 2015}}{{cbignore}} Williams leads the series 8–6.

Williams leads the series 18–5. The rivalry began at the 2008 Australian Open, and their most recent match was in the semifinals of the 2020 US Open. Williams holds a 10–1 record in Grand Slams. Azarenka is the only player to win four WTA tour-level finals against Williams, and, despite only winning five matches against Williams, is considered one of the few modern players to truly challenge Williams.{{cite web|title=Rivalry record: Serena Williams vs Victoria Azarenka|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/photos/1820020/rivalry-record-serena-williams-vs-victoria-azarenka|access-date=October 18, 2020|website=Women's Tennis Association}}

Williams leads the series 20–2. The pair first met in the fourth round of the 2004 Miami Open, where Williams defeated Sharapova. Their rivalry truly began at the 2004 Wimbledon final, where Williams was the two-time defending champion; Sharapova bested her in an upset. Williams next lost to Sharapova in the finals of the 2004 WTA Tour Championships. Since then, however, Williams has dominated the rivalry, winning all of their clashes, with only three of their matches going to three sets. They met 10 times in Grand Slam tournaments, where Williams leads 9–1. They faced off in a further nine finals, with Williams leading 7–2. Their final match was in the first round of the 2019 US Open, where Williams defeated Sharapova in two sets.

Williams is regarded as one of the best female tennis players of all time. In 2017, BBC Sport users selected Williams as the greatest female tennis player of the Open Era. In 2018, a Tennis.com panel arrived at the same conclusion.{{cite web |title=GOAT Vote: Steffi or Serena? 'The Ten' went one way; you went another |url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2018/11/goat-vote-steffi-or-serena-ten-went-one-way-you-went-another/78127/}} Many players, commentators, and sports writers regard Williams as the greatest female tennis player of all time.{{#tag:ref|Attributed to multiple sources:{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/prishe/2018/09/09/just-dont-do-it-serenas-tasteless-u-s-open-tirade-contradicts-nikes-brand-identity/|title=Serena's U.S. Open Tirade Creates A Challenge For Nike|first=Patrick|last=Rishe|website=Forbes}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/usopen15/story/_/id/13576563/us-open-how-serena-williams-fare-graf-navratilova-their-prime|title=Comparing Serena Williams to two of the all-time greats|publisher=ESPN|access-date=September 6, 2015|date=September 4, 2015|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905154437/http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen15/story/_/id/13576563/us-open-how-serena-williams-fare-graf-navratilova-their-prime|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/18757028|title=Wimbledon 2012: Serena Williams true great after fifth title|work=BBC Sport|access-date=July 13, 2015|archive-date=January 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102153406/https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/18757028|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=St. John|first1=Allen|title=Tennis' Battle Of The Sexes: Who's The Greatest Of All Time, Roger Federer Or Serena Williams?|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/allenstjohn/2017/01/31/tenniss-battle-of-the-sexes-whos-better-the-greatest-of-all-time-roger-federer-or-serena-williams/|website=Forbes|access-date=September 5, 2017|archive-date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908192248/https://www.forbes.com/sites/allenstjohn/2017/01/31/tenniss-battle-of-the-sexes-whos-better-the-greatest-of-all-time-roger-federer-or-serena-williams/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.us/sports/legends-evert-king-call-serena-williams-greatest-ever-metro-us/tmWmie---26cv55IcoExFE/|title=Legends Evert, King call Serena Williams greatest ever – Metro.us|first=Adam|last=Zagoria|date=October 12, 2014|work=Metro|access-date=November 15, 2015|archive-date=June 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610141229/http://www.metro.us/sports/legends-evert-king-call-serena-williams-greatest-ever-metro-us/tmWmie---26cv55IcoExFE/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com.au/andre-agassi-says-serena-williams-greatest-ever-1426225|title=Andre Agassi Says Serena Williams Is The 'Greatest Ever'|first=Rachelle|last=Corpuz|date=March 3, 2015|work=International Business Times AU|access-date=July 13, 2015|archive-date=July 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702200037/http://www.ibtimes.com.au/andre-agassi-says-serena-williams-greatest-ever-1426225|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Schiavenza|first=Matt|access-date=April 20, 2017|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/07/the-astonishing-greatness-of-serena-williams/398339/|title=Serena Williams Wins Wimbledon for Her 21st Grand Slam Title|work=The Atlantic|date=July 13, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402082707/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/07/the-astonishing-greatness-of-serena-williams/398339/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/serena-williams-americas-greatest-athlete|title=Serena Williams Is America's Greatest Athlete|first=Ian|last=Crouch|date=September 9, 2014|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=July 13, 2015|archive-date=July 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728081333/http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/serena-williams-americas-greatest-athlete|url-status=live}}{{cite web|access-date=April 20, 2017|url=http://www.complex.com/sports/2015/07/serena-williams-is-the-goat|title=Serena Williams Is the Greatest of All Time|first=Aaron|last=Randle|work=Complex|date=July 13, 2015|archive-date=April 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424061152/http://www.complex.com/sports/2015/07/serena-williams-is-the-goat|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Chase|first=Chase|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/serena-williams-greatest-athlete-history|title=Serena Williams will go down as one of the greatest athletes in history|work=For The Win|access-date=April 20, 2017|date=July 13, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085654/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/06/serena-williams-greatest-athlete-history|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://observer.com/2015/07/on-the-eve-of-a-serena-slam-a-look-at-americas-greatest-athlete/|title=Short List / Things To Look Forward To|first=Alexa|last=Jaccarino|work=Observer|access-date=April 20, 2017|date=July 13, 2015|archive-date=May 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503185700/http://observer.com/2015/07/on-the-eve-of-a-serena-slam-a-look-at-americas-greatest-athlete/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Block|first1=Justin|title=Billie Jean King Thinks Serena Williams Is The Best Tennis Player Of All Time|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/billie-jean-king-serena-williams-goat_us_55f08f97e4b093be51bd4e20|website=HuffPost|date=September 9, 2015|access-date=July 7, 2016|archive-date=August 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812071341/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/billie-jean-king-serena-williams-goat_us_55f08f97e4b093be51bd4e20|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=McManus|first=Jane|access-date=April 20, 2017|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/13239462/with-drake-help-john-mcenroe-joins-chorus-praise-serena-williams|title=With Drake's Help, John McEnroe Joins Chorus Of Praise For Serena Williams|work=espnW|date=July 13, 2015|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118150136/http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13239462/with-drake-help-john-mcenroe-joins-chorus-praise-serena-williams|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Keating|first=Peter|access-date=April 20, 2017|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/13432409/why-serena-williams-greatest-tennis-player-ever|title=Powering Toward History|work=espnW|date=February 5, 2017|archive-date=February 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206105350/http://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13432409/why-serena-williams-greatest-tennis-player-ever|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/07/serena-williams-greatest-sportsperson-ever|title=Why Serena Williams is the greatest sportsperson ever |last=Eboda|first=Michael|date=September 7, 2016|website=The Guardian|access-date=January 25, 2018|archive-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125193608/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/07/serena-williams-greatest-sportsperson-ever|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/serena-williams-is-the-greatest-ever-can-we-please-stop-the-debate|title=Serena Williams Is the Greatest Ever. Can We Please Stop the Debate?|last=Fallon|first=Kevin|date=June 27, 2017|work=The Daily Beast|access-date=January 25, 2018|archive-date=September 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930182102/http://www.thedailybeast.com/serena-williams-is-the-greatest-ever-can-we-please-stop-the-debate?|url-status=live}}|group=lower-alpha}} In 2020, the Tennis Channel ranked Williams as the greatest female tennis player in history.{{cite web |last=Prakash |date=May 18, 2020 |title=Serena Williams Ranked as the Greatest of All Time |url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Serena_Williams/87651/serena-williams-ranked-as-the-greatest-of-all-time/ |access-date=June 15, 2021 |website=Tennis World USA}} In 2018, Roger Federer said the player who probably has the best case for "Greatest Of All Time", man or woman, is Serena Williams.{{cite web|last=Tandon|first=Kamakshi|date=May 27, 2018|title=Roger Federer on the tennis GOAT debate: overall, it's Serena Williams|url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/roger-federer-on-the-tennis-goat-debate-overall-it-s-serena-williams|access-date=June 15, 2021|website=Tennis.com}} In 2022, McEnroe described Williams as an "icon" and the "GOAT of GOATs".{{cite web |last=Shitole |first=Sarthak |date=September 2, 2022 |title="Has there ever been anywhere a better athlete than her," John McEnroe puts Serena Williams ahead of Michael Jordan and Tom Brady calling her "GOAT of GOAT's" » FirstSportz |url=https://firstsportz.com/tennis-news-has-there-ever-been-anywhere-a-better-athlete-than-her-john-mcenroe-puts-serena-williams-ahead-of-michael-jordan-and-tom-brady-calling-her-goat-of-goats/ |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=firstsportz.com |language=en-US}}{{cite web |date=August 24, 2022 |title=Serena seen as icon with Ali by fellow US tennis legends |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220824-serena-seen-as-icon-with-ali-by-fellow-us-tennis-legends |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=France 24}} BBC presenter and former French Open Champion Sue Barker has called Williams's serve "without question the greatest ever".{{cite news |year=2017 |title=Serena Williams picked as greatest female player of the Open Era by BBC Sport users |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/38802221 |access-date=October 12, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}

{{Quote box

| quote = "It all starts with Venus and Serena. The demonstration effect. The power of seeing two African-American girls with braids in the finals of the biggest tournaments in the world in a predominantly white sport. Just a huge impact that really can't be overstated. [They] attracted thousands of girls [to] the sport, not just African-American but all backgrounds and races."

| author = Martin Blackman

| source = General Manager of Player Development, USTA{{cite news |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=4 September 2020 |title=With More Black Women, U.S. Open Shows Serena and Venus Legacy |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/sports/tennis/us-open-black-players-serena-venus-williams.html |access-date=20 October 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}

| align = right

| width = 25em

}}

Williams has won the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year four times (2003, 2010, 2016, 2018).{{cite web |url=https://leadingladiesafrica.org/serena-williams-bumble-advert-is-teaching-women-to-ditch-patience/ |title=Why We Love Serena Williams |website=leadingladiesafrica.org |date=23 March 2019 |access-date=22 December 2023 }} In December 2019, the Associated Press named her Female Athlete of the Decade for the 2010s.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/28382914/serena-williams-takes-home-ap-female-athlete-decade-honors|title=Serena named AP Female Athlete of the Decade|date=December 28, 2019|publisher=ESPN|access-date=December 30, 2019}} She is the highest-earning woman athlete of all time.

For their first match in March 2019, the members of the United States women's national soccer team each wore a jersey with the name of a woman who inspired them on the back. Crystal Dunn chose Serena Williams.{{cite web |last=Ennis |first=Dawn |url=https://www.outsports.com/2019/3/4/18248520/lesbian-icons-honored-with-jerseys-worn-uswnt |title=Lesbian icons honored with jerseys worn by USWNT |publisher=Outsports |date=March 4, 2019 |access-date=March 4, 2019}} In September 2022, Twitter said that Williams was the most tweeted-about female athlete of all time.{{cite web |title=Serena Williams is most tweeted-about female athlete ever, Twitter says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/serena-williams-tweeted-female-athlete-ever-twitter-says-rcna46202 |publisher=NBC News |date=September 3, 2022 |access-date=September 5, 2022}} She and Venus have been widely credited with increasing diversity within the sport.{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Kayla |date=September 9, 2022 |title=Saying Goodbye to Serena: Reflecting on Williams' Legacy |url=https://oberlinreview.org/27350/sports/saying-goodbye-to-serena-reflecting-on-williams-legacy/ |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=The Oberlin Review}}{{cite web |last=Zagoria |first=Adam |date=September 2, 2022 |title=Serena Williams May Be Retiring, But Her Legacy And GOAT Status Will Live On Forever |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2022/09/02/serena-williams-may-be-retiring-but-her-legacy-and-goat-status-will-live-on-forever/ |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=Forbes}}{{cite news |date=September 11, 2015 |title=Serena Williams' lasting influence on young black athletes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-34229415 |access-date=October 20, 2022 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Williams was an aggressive baseliner whose game was centered around her powerful serve and forceful groundstrokes. Owing to her high-risk playing style, she typically hit a large number of winners and a large number of unforced errors. Williams's serve—which is considered the greatest in the history of women's tennis{{Cite web |last=Bodo |first=Peter |date=2015-07-11 |title=Bodo: Five ways Serena Williams excels |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/wimbledon15/story/_/id/13238613/wimbledon-five-things-serena-williams-excels-at |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=ESPN |language=en}}—is known for its speed and accurate placement, which allowed her to deliver numerous aces. At the 2013 Australian Open, she delivered the third-fastest serve in WTA recorded history, a 128.6 mph (207 km/h) ace against Ayumi Morita.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3935300/serena-williams-2/|title=The Most Exceptional Athlete: Serena Williams|magazine=Time|date=June 25, 2015|access-date=October 7, 2021|archive-date=October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007201335/https://time.com/3935300/serena-williams/|url-status=live}} Williams possessed an accurate and consistent ball toss, allowing her to serve to any position on the court with minimal differences in the position of the ball in the air; this made it difficult for opponents to read her service motion and predict the position of her serve, allowing her to dominate a rally from the first stroke.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/how-serena-williams-used-the-most-beautiful-service-toss-in-tennis-to-beat-her-sister-venus-at-the-us-open|title=How Serena Williams used the most beautiful service toss in tennis to beat her sister Venus at the U.S. Open|magazine=The New Yorker|last=Marzorati|first=Gerald|date=September 1, 2018|access-date=October 7, 2021|archive-date=July 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727070545/https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/how-serena-williams-used-the-most-beautiful-service-toss-in-tennis-to-beat-her-sister-venus-at-the-us-open|url-status=live}} Williams also possessed effective and accurate kick and slice serves. She deployed these as second serves, minimizing double faults and preventing opponents from scoring free points.{{cite web |last1=Cheng |first1=Shirley |last2=Hunt |first2=Bob |title=We asked a physicist to break down Serena Williams' iconic serve |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/serena-williams-serve-dominates-tennis-wins-served-games-2019-8?r=US&IR=T |work=Business Insider |date=June 4, 2021 |access-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007201548/https://www.businessinsider.com/serena-williams-serve-dominates-tennis-wins-served-games-2019-8?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live }}

Williams's forehand and backhand are considered two of the most powerful shots in the history of women's tennis.{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/top-tennis-players-best-men-women-rank-greatest-all-time|title=From Steffi Graf's Golden Slam to Roger Federer's unrelenting run, the best from the world of tennis|work=Olympic Games|last1=Peter|first1=Naveen|date=October 5, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2021|archive-date=October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007201338/https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/top-tennis-players-best-men-women-rank-greatest-all-time|url-status=live}} She hit both her forehand and her backhand in an open stance, allowing her to generate consistently powerful, heavy, and dominating groundstrokes. She was able to generate sharp, acute angles, which allowed her to hit winners from any position on the court.{{cite web|url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/techniques-and-tactics-by-serena|title=Techniques and tactics by Serena|work=Tennis|last1=Bodo|first1=Peter|date=September 20, 2013|access-date=October 7, 2021|archive-date=October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007201549/https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/techniques-and-tactics-by-serena|url-status=live}} Her forehand—which has been described as "devastating"—was hit with heavy topspin, which allowed her to dominate rallies.{{Cite web |last=Abulleil |first=Reem |date=July 13, 2018 |title=Kerber v Williams: How each could win |url=https://www.wimbledon.com/amp/en_GB/news/articles/2018-07-13/kerber_v_williams_how_each_could_win.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007201336/https://www.wimbledon.com/amp/en_GB/news/articles/2018-07-13/kerber_v_williams_how_each_could_win.html |archive-date=October 7, 2021 |access-date=March 20, 2024 |website=www.wimbledon.com}} She was capable of hitting her forehand both crosscourt and down the line to produce winners.{{cite news|title=U.S. Open 2014: Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Sam Stosur Among Best Tennis Strokes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/25/sports/tennis/us-open-2014-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-and-agnieszka-radwanska-among-best-tennis-strokes.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 24, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2015|issn=0362-4331|first=Christopher|last=Clarey|archive-date=May 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507035558/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/25/sports/tennis/us-open-2014-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-and-agnieszka-radwanska-among-best-tennis-strokes.html|url-status=live}} Her two-handed backhand was equally dominant, and has been described as one of the greatest backhands of all time.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/story/_/id/31709195/wimbledon-2021-experts-picks-novak-djokovic-vs-field-serena-williams-notch-24th-slam|title=Wimbledon 2021 experts' picks: Novak Djokovic vs. the field, and can Serena Williams notch her 24th Slam?|publisher=ESPN|date=June 27, 2021|access-date=October 7, 2021|archive-date=October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007201338/https://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/story/_/id/31709195/wimbledon-2021-experts-picks-novak-djokovic-vs-field-serena-williams-notch-24th-slam|url-status=live}} Williams tended to hit her backhand flatter than her forehand, which allowed her to hit with speed, power, and depth both crosscourt and down the line. Despite playing primarily from the baseline, Williams was an adept net player thanks to her extensive doubles experience. She frequently chose to finish points at the net, either with deft touch, aggressive drive volleys, or a solid, powerful, and reliable overhead smash.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/28/sports/tennis/wimbledon-volley-serve.html|title=The Volley, Once a Huge Part of the Game, Is in Decline|work=The New York Times|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=June 29, 2020}} She possessed an aggressive return of serve; she neutralized powerful first serves, and attacked weak second serves. She is widely considered one of the greatest returners of all time.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/wimbledon15/story/_/id/13238613/wimbledon-five-things-serena-williams-excels-at|title=Serena Williams far more than just a serving machine|publisher=ESPN|last1=Bodo|first1=Peter|date=July 11, 2015|access-date=October 7, 2021}}

Despite predominantly employing an aggressive style, Williams was also an excellent defender who was capable of counterpunching against aggressive opponents until she created an opportunity to hit a winner. She was an exceptional athlete, known for her movement, speed, court coverage, agility, flexibility, balance, and footwork. Her on-court intelligence, shot selection, and point construction allowed her to execute her game plan effectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/31/serena-williams-best-because-brains-not-body|title=Serena Williams is the best because of her brains – not just her body|work=The Guardian|last1=Wilson|first1=Patrick|date=August 31, 2015|access-date=October 7, 2021}} American tennis player Christina McHale praised her composure in high-pressure moments, while Martina Navratilova called her mental strength "unbelievable".{{cite web|url=https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/christina-mchale-tennis-five-toughest-opponents|title=The five toughest players I've ever faced|work=The Players' Tribune|last1=McHale|first1=Christina|date=July 28, 2016|access-date=October 7, 2021}}{{cite book |last1=Wertheim |first1=Lewis Jon |author-link1=Jon Wertheim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hdDvCAAAQBAJ |title=This is Your Brain on Sports: The Science of Underdogs, the Value of Rivalry, and What We Can Learn from the T-Shirt Cannon |last2=Sommers |first2=Samuel |author-link2=Samuel Sommers |year= 2016 |publisher=Crown Publishing Group |isbn=978-0553447422 |page=162}} Williams has been noted for her ability to produce extraordinary comebacks, particularly at the Grand Slam level. She won three Slams after saving match points, more than any other player in history.{{cite web |url=http://www.tennisplanet.me/blog/2012/06/grand-slam-champions-who-saved-match-points-from-2000-is-Djokovic-about-to-make-his-second-entry-her.html |title=Grand slam champions who saved match points (from 2000). |date=June 5, 2012 |work=Tennisplanet.me}} Williams bounced back from a set down to win 37 Grand Slam matches. Her ability to come back from set and break deficits in Grand Slam matches was described by McEnroe as "a gift", and he called her "the greatest" competitor in the history of women's tennis.{{cite web|url=https://tennisnow.com/Blogs/NET-POSTS/June-2015/John-McEnroe-Says-Serena-Williams%E2%80%99-Mental-Toughnes.aspx|title=John McEnroe says Serena Williams' mental toughness has improved with age|work=Tennis Now|date=June 2015|access-date=October 7, 2021}} She has also been praised for her ability to serve aces at critical moments. As noted by retired player Li Na in 2016, "break point down, [there is an] 80% chance [she] serves an ace".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xqArCAnp-M&t=36s|title=WTA Legends Build the Perfect WTA Player|work=Women's Tennis Association on YouTube|date=February 11, 2016|access-date=October 7, 2021}}{{cbignore}} Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211130/_xqArCAnp-M Ghostarchive] and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20211010055616/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xqArCAnp-M Wayback Machine]

Williams had five coaches during her career: Richard Williams (1994–2022), Oracene Price (1994–2003), Patrick Mouratoglou (2012–2022), Eric Hechtman (2022) and Rennae Stubbs (2022).{{cite web |date=June 26, 2022 |title=Sunday Slice: Serena Debuts New Team, Denis Shapovalov Celebrates Anniversary at Wimbledon |url=https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/sunday-slice-serena-williams-new-team-denis-shapovalov-celebrates-anniversary |access-date=June 28, 2022 |work=Tennis.com}}

Williams graduated from Driftwood Academy in 1999, and soon after signed a $12 million endorsement deal with Puma. In 2004, she signed a five-year deal with Nike for $40 million, and has been sponsored by the company ever since.{{Cite web |last=Upasani |first=Atharva |date=2024-04-24 |title=Serena Williams Nike contract: How the American icon set herself up for life with a one-of-a-kind partnership deal |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/serena-williams-nike-contract-how-american-icon-set-life-one-of-a-kind-partnership-deal |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Sportskeeda}}{{Cite web |last=Ackerman |first=Alyssa |date=2022-08-31 |title=Serena and the Swoosh: A Legacy Unmatched |url=https://hypebae.com/2022/8/serena-wiliams-nike-tennis-us-open-retirement-op-ed |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Hypebae}} During Williams's tennis career, Nike designed custom clothing and footwear for her. The largest building on Nike's Portland campus is the one-million-square-foot Serena Williams Building, which features many references to the athlete's career and long partnership with Nike.{{cite web |title=Serena Williams Building at Nike World Headquarters |url=https://serenawilliamsbuilding.nike.com/ |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=Serena Williams Building at Nike World Headquarters}}{{cite web |title=Serena Williams Building, Skylab Architecture |url=https://skylabarchitecture.com/work/nikewhq/ |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=Skylab Architecture}} According to John Hoke, Nike's Chief Design Officer, Williams assisted with the design of the building.{{cite web |last=Newcomb |first=Tim |title=Nike Opens Design-Focused Serena Williams Building, Largest Office Building On Oregon Campus |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timnewcomb/2022/04/27/nike-opens-design-focused-serena-williams-building-largest-office-building-on-oregon-campus/ |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=Forbes}}

In 2015, Williams became the Chief Sporting Officer for British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin, and in 2018 she joined the board of directors of SurveyMonkey.{{cite web |date=June 25, 2015 |title=Serena Williams: Chief Sports Officer for Aston Martin! |url=http://www.tennisworldusa.org/news/news/Serena_Williams/24641/serena-williams-chief-sports-officer-for-aston-martin/ |access-date=June 18, 2017 |publisher=Tennis World USA}}{{cite web |date=June 25, 2015 |title=Serena Williams Named Chief Sporting Officer For Aston Martin |url=http://www.informationng.com/2015/06/serena-williams-named-chief-sporting-officer-aston-martin.html |access-date=June 18, 2017 |publisher=Information Nigeria}}{{cite news |title=Tennis Star Serena Williams Joins SurveyMonkey's Board |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/24/tennis-star-serena-williams-joins-surveymonkeys-board/ |access-date=November 30, 2018 |work=TechCrunch}} During her career, Williams had endorsement deals with AbbVie, Anheuser-Busch InBev, AT&T, Audemars Piguet, Beats by Dre, Berlei Bras, Block Inc, Bumble, Chase Bank, Delta Air Lines, DirecTV, DoorDash, Ford Motor, Gatorade, Gucci, Hanes, IBM, Intel, Mission Athletecare, OnePiece, OPI Products, Pepsi, Subway, Tempur, Tonal and the Walt Disney Company.{{cite web |last=Livaudais |first=Stephanie |date=August 11, 2022 |title=#tbt, Money Moves: How Serena Williams set herself up for life after retirement |url=https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/tbt-serena-williams-endorsements-sponsors-prize-money-investing |access-date=February 9, 2023 |website=Tennis.com}}{{cite web |last= |date=September 3, 2022 |title=As Tennis queen bows out, a look at brand Serena Williams and what she was worth |url=https://www.livemint.com/sports/tennis-news/as-tennis-queen-bows-out-a-look-at-brand-serena-williams-and-what-she-was-worth-11662184229911.html |access-date=February 9, 2023 |website=mint}}{{cite web |last=Browley |first=Jasmine |date=August 10, 2022 |title=A Look At Serena Williams' Biggest Boss Moves |url=https://www.essence.com/news/money-career/serena-williams-tennis-retirement-vogue-investment-black-woman/ |access-date=February 9, 2023 |website=Essence |language=en-US}}

Williams used the Wilson Hammer Stretch range of rackets when she won her first Grand Slam title in 1999, before switching to the Hyper Hammer range.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2000/08/20000828/No-Topic-Name/WHAT-THEYRE-WEARING-AND-HITTING-WITH-AT-THE-US-OPEN.aspx |title=What They're Wearing (And Hitting With) At The U.S. Open |publisher=SportsBusiness Journal |date=August 28, 2000 |access-date=September 10, 2014}} She switched to the Wilson nCode briefly in 2005, and has used various iterations of the Wilson Blade since 2008. Her racket is typically oversized, with a head size of 104 square inches. Since 2017, Wilson has manufactured a signature racket, the Wilson Blade SW104, which is designed to Williams's specifications. Since 2020, Williams has used a smaller variant of this racket, the Wilson Blade SW102 Autograph.{{cite web |title=Serena Williams' 23 Grand Slams in Pictures |url=https://www.wilson.com/en-us/blog/tennis/throwback/serena-williams-23-grand-slams-pictures |work=Wilson Sporting Goods |date=April 30, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2021 |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026224659/https://www.wilson.com/en-us/blog/tennis/throwback/serena-williams-23-grand-slams-pictures |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|Serena Williams career statistics}}

{{performance key|short=yes}}

Current through the 2022 US Open.

Note: Williams withdrew from the 2018 French Open before her fourth round match and the 2020 French Open before her second round match, both of which do not officially count as losses.

{{Main|List of career achievements by Serena Williams}}

• Records in bold indicate peer-less achievements.

File:Web Summit 2018 - Centre Stage, Day 1 -November 6 SD5 6360 (44835575425).jpgWilliams is married to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. He proposed to her on December 10, 2016, and they married on November 16, 2017, in New Orleans.{{cite magazine |date=June 27, 2017 |title=Cover Story: Serena Williams's Love Match |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/06/serena-williams-cover-story |access-date=December 8, 2019 |magazine=Vanity Fair}} Their wedding ceremony was attended by prominent personalities such as Beyoncé, Anna Wintour, Kelly Rowland and Kim Kardashian.{{cite web |last1=Hahn |first1=Jason Duaine |last2=Ehrich |first2=Kathy |date=November 16, 2017 |title=A Perfect Match! Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian Are Married |url=http://people.com/sports/serena-williams-alexis-ohanian-wedding-marriage/ |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=People}}

On April 19, 2017, Williams posted a picture of herself on Snapchat that focused on her midsection. It had the caption, "20 weeks", prompting speculation that she was pregnant.(April 19, 2017), [https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/19193213/serena-williams-photo-sparks-pregnancy-speculation.html?_r=0 "Serena Williams photo sparks pregnancy speculation"]. ESPN. Retrieved April 19, 2017. Later that evening, her spokesperson confirmed the pregnancy.{{cite news |date=April 19, 2017 |title=Serena Williams Confirms She's Pregnant After Day of Speculation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/19/sports/tennis/serena-williams-pregnant-snapchat.html |access-date=April 19, 2017 |work=The New York Times}} The fact that she was 20 weeks pregnant when announcing her pregnancy meant that she was roughly eight to nine weeks pregnant when she won the Australian Open earlier that year.{{cite web |last=Gonzales |first=Erica |date=April 20, 2017 |title=Serena Williams Fans Cannot Handle That She Won the Australian Open While Pregnant |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/serena-williams-fans-cannot-handle-170114621.html |access-date=July 15, 2017 |publisher=Yahoo!}} Williams later said that posting the picture was an accident.{{Cite news |date=April 26, 2017 |title=Serena Williams Says Posting of Pregnancy Picture Was an Accident |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/26/sports/tennis/serena-williams-pregnancy-picture.html |access-date=April 24, 2019 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |agency=Reuters}} On September 1, 2017, Williams gave birth to a daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.{{cite web |last1=Hautman |first1=Nicholas |last2=Lupo |first2=Marc |date=September 1, 2017 |title=Serena Williams Welcomes Her First Child! |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/serena-williams-gives-birth-welcomes-first-child-with-alexis-ohanian-w492788 |access-date=October 17, 2017 |website=Us Weekly}}{{cite web |last=Solé |first=Elise |date=September 13, 2017 |title=Serena Williams's baby girl and the meaning behind her name |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/serena-williams-baby-girl-meaning-behind-name-173808990.html |access-date=January 4, 2019 |publisher=Yahoo!}} The child, who goes by "Olympia," was delivered through emergency caesarean-section after her heart rate dropped during labor.{{cite web |last=Rubenstein |first=Janine |date=April 26, 2018 |title=Serena Williams Recalls Being 'Devastated' By Emergency C-Section and Postpartum Problems |url=https://people.com/parents/serena-williams-emergency-c-section-postpartum-problems/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509012349/https://people.com/parents/serena-williams-emergency-c-section-postpartum-problems/ |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |access-date=February 1, 2019 |work=People}} Williams gave Olympia a doll, Qai Qai, that has become famous on social media.{{Cite web |last=Booth |first=Jessica |date=September 5, 2023 |title=All About Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian's Older Daughter Olympia |url=https://people.com/parents/serena-williams-alexis-ohanian-children/ |access-date=March 18, 2024 |website=People |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Weaver |first=Caity |date=January 17, 2019 |title=Wait – Is Qai Qai America's Most Important Doll? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/style/qai-qai-serena-williams-alexis-ohanian.html |work=The New York Times}} By February 2021, Williams had hired a tennis coach for Olympia, then three years old.{{cite web |last=Owoseje |first=Toyin |date=February 15, 2021 |title=Serena Williams shares video of her 3-year-old daughter training with tennis coach |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/15/tennis/serena-williams-daughter-tennis-intl-scli-spt/index.html |access-date=February 18, 2021 |publisher=CNN}} In August 2023, Williams gave birth to a second daughter, Adira River Ohanian.{{Cite web |last=Martinez |first=Gina |date=2023-08-22 |title=Serena Williams welcomes second daughter, Adira River |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/serena-williams-alexis-ohanian-welcomes-second-daughter-adira-river/ |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}{{cite news |last=Respers France |first=Lisa |date=August 22, 2023 |title=Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian welcome second child |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/22/entertainment/serena-williams-baby-girl/index.html |access-date=August 23, 2023 |publisher=CNN}}

Williams was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, but was not baptized until 2023.{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2023 |title=Serena Williams was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness |url=https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Serena_Williams/126913/serena-williams-was-baptized-as-a-jehovah-s-witness/ |access-date=August 25, 2023 |website=Tennis World USA |language=en}} In 2017, she said she "never really practiced [the faith]". However, she would often thank Jehovah after winning a match.{{cite web |date=10 July 2015 |title=Serena Williams' Secret Weapon: 'Jehovah God' |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/serena-williams-secret-weapon-jehovah-god_us_55a06ed9e4b0ecec71bc445b |access-date=26 April 2017 |website=www.huffingtonpost.com}} She does not celebrate birthdays, which is a practice of the faith.{{cite news |last=Dorking |first=Marie Claire |date=August 29, 2018 |title=Serena Williams confirms she won't celebrate her daughter's first birthday because of her Jehovah's Witness beliefs |url=https://www.yahoo.com/style/serena-williams-says-jehovahs-witness-will-prevent-celebrating-daughters-first-birthday-090319769.html |access-date=August 30, 2018 |work=Yahoo |publisher=}}

Williams made an appearance on stage during Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX halftime show, doing a crip walk amongst other background dancers.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Brianna |date=2025-02-10 |title=Serena Williams adds star power to Kendrick Lamar's halftime show |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43724706/kendrick-lamar-serena-williams-half-show-super-bowl-lix-2025 |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Williams is alleged to have been romantically involved with Drake, with whom Lamar is involved in an ongoing feud, in 2011 and 2015.{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/10/entertainment/drake-serena-williams-kendrick-lamar/index.html|title=How Drake lost worse than the Chiefs at the Super Bowl|work=CNN|first=Lisa Respers|last=France|date=February 10, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/serena-williams-super-bowl-halftime-drake-b2695560.html|title=Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian reacts to her Super Bowl cameo amid history with Drake|work=The Independent|first=Amber|last=Raiken|date=February 10, 2025}}{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/7214650/serena-williams-crip-walk-super-bowl-kendrick-lamar-halftime-show/|title=The Meaning Behind Serena Williams Dancing During the Super Bowl Halftime Show|magazine=Time|first=Miranda|last=Jeyaretnam|date=February 10, 2025}}

Williams runs the Serena Williams Foundation, which has partnered with major organizations to advance community development. In 2008, as part of the foundation's work, Williams helped to fund the construction of the Serena Williams Secondary School in Matooni, Kenya.{{cite web |date=November 15, 2008 |title=Serena Williams in Kenya on charity tour |url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91323/6534327.html |work=People's Daily}}{{cite web |last=Wanja |first=Claire |date=November 10, 2008 |title=Serena Williams to Visit Kenya on Charity cause |url=http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=53717 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305115551/http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=53717 |archive-date=March 5, 2010 |access-date=April 24, 2009 |publisher=Kenya Broadcasting Corporation}}{{cite web |last=Elliot |first=Danielle |display-authors=etal |title=Serena Williams: Service On and Off the Court |url=https://www.chase.com/news/081315-serena-williams |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905145550/https://www.chase.com/news/081315-serena-williams |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |access-date=August 18, 2015}} The foundation also provides university scholarships for underprivileged students in the United States. In 2016, the Serena Williams Fund partnered with Helping Hands Jamaica to build the Salt Marsh Primary School for Jamaican youth in Trelawny Parish.{{cite news |date=February 9, 2016 |title=Tennis Star Serena Williams helps build school in Trelawny | Features |url=http://jamaica-star.com/article/features/20160209/tennis-star-serena-williams-helps-build-school-trelawny |access-date=July 15, 2017 |newspaper=Jamaica Star}}{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Taylor |title=Serena Williams Lends a Helping Hand to Build a Jamaican School |url=http://www.essence.com/2016/02/10/serena-williams-lends-helping-hand-build-jamaican-school |access-date=July 15, 2017 |website=Essence}}

Williams received a Celebrity Role Model Award from the Avon Foundation in 2003 for her work fighting breast cancer.{{cite web |date=October 15, 2003 |title=Jewel and Serena Williams Help the Avon Foundation Raise Millions for the Fight Against Breast Cancer |url=http://www.avoncompany.com/women/news/press20031015.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114130839/http://www.avoncompany.com/women/news/press20031015.html |archive-date=November 14, 2008 |access-date=April 26, 2009 |work=Avon |publisher=Avon Products, Inc.}} The same year, she won the "Young Heroes Award" from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater L.A. and Inland. In 2004, she won the "Family Circle and Prudential Financial Player Who Makes a Difference Award". She has been an International Goodwill Ambassador with UNICEF since 2011, and helped launch UNICEF's Schools for Asia campaign.{{cite web |date=September 20, 2011 |title=Tennis star Serena Williams becomes UNICEF's latest Goodwill Ambassador – with a focus on education |work=UNICEF |url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_59874.html |publisher=UNICEF}}{{cite web |title=Serena Williams – Charity Work, Events and Causes |url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/serena-williams |publisher=Look To The Stars}}{{cite web |last=Piggott |first=Mark |date=January 10, 2015 |title=Lionel Messsi and Serena Williams join Unicef children's education campaign |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/lionel-messsi-serena-williams-join-unicef-childrens-education-campaign-1482787 |work=International Business Times}}{{cite web |date=August 18, 2015 |title=Serena Williams Launches UNICEF's Schools for Asia |url=http://www.ecorazzi.com/2012/01/25/serena-williams-launches-unicefs-schools-for-asia/ |access-date=April 20, 2017 |work=Ecorazzi |archive-date=July 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705052508/http://www.ecorazzi.com/2012/01/25/serena-williams-launches-unicefs-schools-for-asia/ |url-status=usurped }} In 2004 and 2005, Serena and Venus visited hospitals and played several tennis matches in predominantly Black cities to raise funds for the local Ronald McDonald House charities. An ESPN episode was dedicated to the charity tour.{{cite journal |last=Douglas |first=Delia |date=March 2012 |title=Venus, Serena, and the Inconspicuous Consumption of Blackness: A Commentary on Surveillance, Race Talk, and New Racism(s) |journal=Journal of Black Studies |volume=43 |issue=3 |pages=127–145 |doi=10.1177/0021934711410880 |pmid=22454972 |s2cid=34579543 | issn=0021-9347}}

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 Australian Open to assist earthquake victims.{{Cite web |last= |date=2010-01-17 |title=Haiti Charity Match in Oz |url=https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/australian-open/2010/haiti-charity-match-in-oz_sto2186148/story.shtml |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=www.eurosport.com |agency=Reuters}} Serena and Venus are contributors to First Serve Miami, a foundation for youth who want to learn tennis but face social and economic obstacles.{{cite web |title=The Chairman's Letter |url=http://www.firstservemiami.org/the-chairmans-letter/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722215654/http://www.firstservemiami.org/the-chairmans-letter/ |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |publisher=First Serve Miami}}{{cite web |date=March 16, 2015 |title=First serve adopt-a-player program |url=http://www.firstservemiami.org/first-serve-adopt-a-player-program/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722215657/http://www.firstservemiami.org/first-serve-adopt-a-player-program/ |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |publisher=First Serve Miami}}{{cite web |date=March 14, 2014 |title=Nole, Andy and Serena to benefit the First Serve Miami Foundation at Ritz-Carlton |url=http://novakdjokovic.com/en/news/events/nole-andy-and-serena-to-benefit-the-first-serve-miami-foundation-at-ritz-carlton/ |website=NovakDjokovic.com}}{{cite web |date=February 17, 2014 |title=Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Serena Williams and Other World Renowned Tennis Players Hold Court at Fifth Annual Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami All-Star Charity Tennis Event |url=http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KeyBiscayne/Information/News/Releases/fifth_annual_miami_all_star_charity_tennis.htm |publisher=Ritz-Carlton}} The sisters have collaborated on philanthropic projects through the Williams Sisters Fund, which assists individuals and communities affected by violence, and aims to ensure that youth have access to education. In 2014, Williams began hosting an annual charity run named "The Serena Williams Ultimate Fun Run" to support the Fund.{{cite web |title=Serena | Strong Sexy Sophisticated Clothing by Serena Williams |url=https://www.serenawilliams.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301092912/https://www.serenawilliams.com/ |archive-date=March 1, 2017 |website=Serena}}[http://theultimaterun.com/charity/ Serena Williams Live Ultimate Run] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104202844/http://theultimaterun.com/charity/|date=November 4, 2016}}, South Beach 12.13.15.{{cite web |title=Ontario Tennis Association – Serena Gives Back- OT Spin Week of February 19 |url=https://www.tennisontario.com/pages/story-1-ot-spin-week-of-february-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827001016/https://www.tennisontario.com/pages/story-1-ot-spin-week-of-february-19 |archive-date=August 27, 2017 |access-date=July 15, 2017 |website=Tennisontario.com}} In 2016, in her childhood home of Compton, she and Venus founded the Yetunde Price Resource Center, in honor of their late half-sister Yetunde.

Williams's return to Indian Wells in 2015 (after a 14-year boycott) occurred in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization that provides legal representation to people who may have been denied a fair trial.{{cite web |date=March 1, 2015 |title=Join Serena Williams' Campaign with EJI |url=http://eji.org/news/join-serena-williams-campaign-with-eji |access-date=April 24, 2017 |website=EJI}}{{cite magazine |last=Price |first=S. L. |date=December 21, 2015 |title=Serena Williams is Sports Illustrated's 2015 Sportsperson of the Year |url=https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2015/12/14/serena-williams-si-sportsperson-year |access-date=December 17, 2015 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |page=76 |volume=123 |issue=24}} In 2017, Williams became Ambassador for the Allstate Foundation's Purple Purse project, an initiative to provide financial empowerment to domestic abuse victims.{{cite web |last=Freeman |first=Luria |date=June 23, 2017 |title=Serena Williams Joins Allstate's Purple Purse Project |url=http://www.vibe.com/2017/06/serena-williams-allstate-foundation-purple-purse-campaign/ |access-date=July 15, 2017 |website=Vibe (magazine)}}{{cite web |last=Gazdik |first=Tanya |date=June 23, 2017 |title=Allstate Enlists Serena Williams For Cause Campaign |url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/303343/allstate-enlists-serena-williams-for-cause-campaig.html |access-date=July 15, 2017 |website=Mediapost.com}} Other organizations Williams supports include the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Hearts of Gold, the Common Ground Foundation, the Small Steps Project, the HollyRod Foundation, Beyond the Boroughs National Scholarship Fund, World Education, the Eva Longoria Foundation, the Caliber Foundation and the Cure for MND Foundation.{{cite web |date=August 18, 2015 |title=Serena Williams: Charity Work & Causes |url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/serena-williams |access-date=April 20, 2017 |work=Look to the Stars}}{{cite news |date=January 31, 2015 |title=Serena Williams mentions MND in victory speech |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/serena-williams-mentions-mnd-in-victory-speech-115013100729_1.html |access-date=August 18, 2015 |work=Business Standard}}

In August 2009, Serena and Venus became minority owners of the Miami Dolphins after purchasing a small stake in the team. According to the Dolphins, they are the first African-American women to hold any amount of ownership in an NFL franchise.{{cite news |date=August 25, 2009 |title=Williams sisters buy into Dolphins group |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4422313 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} In 2014, Williams founded the venture capital firm Serena Ventures, which invests in start-up companies whose "perspectives and innovations level the playing field for women and people of color." As of 2022, Serena Ventures had raised more than $110 million.{{cite web |date=October 11, 2022 |title=Sport queen, Serena Williams leads $3.3 million seed in Nigerian startup |url=https://techparley.com/sport-queen-serena-williams-leads-3-3-million-seed-in-nigerian-startup-stears/ |accessdate=October 16, 2022}}{{cite web |last=Latos |first=Hillary |date=October 10, 2022 |title='The Davos of the Hamptons' returns with the 1640 Society Family Office Wealth Forum |url=https://impactwealth.org/5452-2/ |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=Impact Wealth |language=en-US}}

In July 2020, it was announced that Williams was part of a nearly all-women investors' group that was awarded a new franchise in the National Women's Soccer League, the highest level of the women's sport in the United States. Williams's husband Alexis Ohanian is classified as the "lead investor", but he holds a minority interest, and is the only man in the ownership group. Other owners in the group include prominent actresses, media figures, businesswomen, former members of the US women's national team, and Williams's eldest daughter.{{cite press release |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/national-womens-soccer-league-awards-expansion-team-rights-to-los-angeles |title=National Women's Soccer League awards expansion team rights to Los Angeles |publisher=National Women's Soccer League |date=July 21, 2020 |access-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721191247/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/national-womens-soccer-league-awards-expansion-team-rights-to-los-angeles |url-status=dead }} The new team began playing in 2022 as Angel City FC.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-03-03/serena-williams-ownership-group-wnba-expansion-team-toronto-tempo |title=Serena Williams joins ownership group of WNBA expansion team Toronto Tempo |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 3, 2025 |access-date=May 15, 2025}}

Williams became more involved in social change as her career progressed, primarily using social media to express her views. In 2016 she voiced her support for Black Lives Matter on her Facebook page. She expressed concern that her young nephew could be in danger from police due to his skin color.{{cite web |date=September 27, 2016 |title=Serena Williams posts in support of Black Lives Matter on Facebook |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/serena-williams-writes-about-black-lives-matter-on-facebook/ |access-date=February 23, 2018 |publisher=CBS News}} During American tennis player Tennys Sandgren's breakthrough run to the quarterfinals of the 2018 Australian Open, it was revealed that he tweeted insensitive words about the LGBT community, followed members of the alt-right, and referred to an article describing Williams's on-court behavior as "disgusting". Williams responded to him by saying, "I don't need or want [an apology]. But there is an entire group of people that deserves an apology."{{cite news |last=Skiver |first=Kevin |date=January 24, 2018 |title=Serena Williams tells Tennys Sandgren to apologize for his alt-right tweets |url=https://www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/serena-williams-tells-tennys-sandgren-to-apologize-for-his-alt-right-tweets/ |access-date=February 23, 2018 |work=CBS Sports}}

Also in 2016, Williams wrote an open letter in Porter Magazine's feature "Incredible Women of 2016" in support of gender equality and to share her personal struggles as a woman in tennis.{{cite web |last=Bridges |first=Francis |date=December 7, 2016 |title=Serena Williams Writes Open Letter About Gender Equality, Empowerment And Resilience |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2016/12/07/serena-williams-writes-open-letter-about-gender-equality-empowerment-and-resilience/ |access-date=April 6, 2020 |work=Forbes}} She claimed that women's contributions to the sport are not recognized in the same way as men's contributions, and she also commented on the issue of unequal pay.{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Serena |date=November 29, 2016 |title='We must continue to dream big': an open letter from Serena Williams |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/nov/29/dream-big-open-letter-serena-williams-porter-magazine-incredible-women-of-2016-issue-women-athletes |access-date=April 6, 2020 |work=The Guardian}} Williams has received several awards for her activism, particularly her endeavors involving Black communities. The NAACP has honored Williams with its President's Award (2003) and the Jackie Robinson Sports Award (2023).{{Cite web |last=Chiesa |first=Victoria |date=February 27, 2023 |title=Serena Williams receives Jackie Robinson Sports Award at NAACP Image Awards |url=https://www.usta.com/en/home/pro/pro-media---news/serena-williams-receives-jackie-robinson-sports-award-at-naacp-i.html |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=USTA |language=en}}

Williams was noted for her unusual and colorful outfits on court. She arrived at the 2004 US Open in a denim skirt and knee-high leg wraps that looked like boots, which she was not allowed to wear during matches.{{Cite web |last=Chase |first=Chris |date=May 31, 2018 |title=Serena Williams' fashion history, from catsuits to shoes |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2018/05/31/serena-williams-fashion-history-from-catsuits-to-gamechanging-ballgowns/111169888/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=USA Today|language=en-US}} At the 2018 French Open, she promoted her clothing line Serena by wearing a catsuit, which was subsequently banned by the French Tennis Federation.{{cite news |date=June 1, 2018 |title=Serena Williams Had Her Own Style Long Before Her Black Catsuit |url=https://www.racked.com/2018/6/1/17414940/serena-williams-french-open-black-catsuit |access-date=August 28, 2018 |work=Racked}}{{cite news |date=August 28, 2018 |title=The Serena Williams catsuit ban shows that tennis can't get past its elitist roots |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/8/28/17791518/serena-williams-catsuit-ban-french-open-tennis-racist-sexist-country-club-sport |access-date=August 28, 2018 |work=Vox}}{{cite news |date=August 24, 2018 |title=New French Open dress rules prohibit Serena Williams' catsuit |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/24461310/new-french-open-dress-rules-prohibit-serena-williams-catsuit-2019 |access-date=August 28, 2018 |publisher=ESPN}} At the 2018 US Open, Williams wore a black tutu during her first match.{{cite magazine |date=August 28, 2018 |title=Serena Williams Makes a Case for the Casual Tutu With Her 2018 US Open Outfit |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/24461310/new-french-open-dress-rules-prohibit-serena-williams-catsuit-2019 |access-date=August 28, 2018 |magazine=Time}}

In 2009, she launched a signature collection of handbags and jewelry, Signature Statement, which is sold mainly on the Home Shopping Network.{{cite web |last=Marr |first=Madeleine |date=March 3, 2009 |title=Serena Williams has a passion for fashion |url=http://www.ontennis.com/news/serena-williams-has-passion-fashion |access-date=April 25, 2009 |work=The Miami Herald |publisher=Miami Herald Media Co. |archive-date=April 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402060946/http://ontennis.com/news/serena-williams-has-passion-fashion |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=HSN and Tennis Great Serena Williams Return to New York Fashion Week to Present Serena Williams Signature Statement Fall Collection at KIA STYLE360 |url=https://corporate.hsn.com/newsroom/pressrelease/hsn-and-tennis-great-serena-williams-return-to-new-york-fashion-week-to-present-serena-williams-signature-statement-fall-collection-at-kia-style360-2/ |access-date=May 2, 2021 |website=HSN}} In 2010, she became a certified nail technician in preparation for her upcoming nail collection with HairTech.{{cite news |last=Farber |first=Jim |date=February 17, 2010 |title=Serena Williams takes time away from the tennis courts to become a certified nail technician |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/02/17/2010-02-17_serena_williams_takes_time_away_from_the_tennis_courts_to_become_a_certified_nai.html |access-date=October 2, 2010 |work=Daily News |location=New York}}

In February 2019, Williams was appointed to the board of directors of the online fashion marketplace Poshmark.{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Lauren |date=February 20, 2019 |title=Serena Williams joins online retailer Poshmark's board of directors |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/20/serena-williams-joins-online-retailer-poshmarks-board-of-directors.html |publisher=CNBC}} In the fall of that year, she launched the first collection of her clothing line S by Serena.{{cite web |last=Yates |first=Jacqueline |date=February 12, 2020 |title=Serena Williams on the inspiration behind her sustainable S by Serena collection |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Style/serena-williams-inspiration-sustainable-serena-collection/story?id=68938024 |publisher=ABC}} Inspired by 1990s street wear, the apparel is designed for a range of body types and body sizes.{{cite web |last=Andrews |first=Jessica |date=February 14, 2020 |title=Serena Williams Talks Inclusivity At Her S By Serena NYFW Show |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/serena-williams-talks-inclusivity-at-her-s-by-serena-nyfw-show-21801331 |publisher=Bustle}}

In 2005, the Williams sisters authored the book Venus & Serena: Serving From The Hip: 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning, which was written with Hilary Beard.{{cite web |date=January 27, 2011 |title=The Website of Author Hilary Beard – Books |url=http://www.hilarybeard.com/books/ |access-date=April 20, 2017 |website=Hilarybeard.com}}{{cite web |date=July 1, 2005 |title=Venus and Serena: Serving From the Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving, and Winning.(Brief Article)(Book Review) |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-134387123.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905091647/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-134387123.html |archive-date=September 5, 2013 |access-date=February 23, 2011}} In 2009, Williams released the autobiography On the Line.{{cite web |date=23 September 2009 |title=Serena Williams Puts Emotion Into Game, Memoir |url=https://www.npr.org/2009/09/23/113090963/serena-williams-puts-emotion-into-game-memoir |access-date=22 December 2023 |website=www.npr.org}} The same year, she appeared in online videos and print advertisements for Tampax Pearl tampons, becoming the first active female professional athlete to appear in advertising for a feminine hygiene product.{{cite news |last=Newman |first=Andrew Adam |date=September 28, 2009 |title=Serena Williams' Ad Deals Survive Her Outburst on Court |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/business/media/29adco.html |access-date=September 28, 2009 |work=The New York Times}} Williams posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2003 and 2004.{{cite web |last=Thurmond |first=Sarah |date=February 11, 2009 |title=Golovin, Hantuchova, Kirilenko in SI swimsuit issue |url=http://tennis.com/backcourt/general/backcourt.aspx?id=164656 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215214440/http://tennis.com/backcourt/general/backcourt.aspx?id=164656 |archive-date=February 15, 2009 |access-date=May 9, 2009 |work=Tennis Magazine}}

Williams has appeared in films, television series, and music videos. She and Venus also served as executive producers on the 2021 film King Richard, a biopic about their father.{{cite web |last=Jakiel |first=Olivia |date=March 27, 2022 |title=Venus and Serena Williams Rock Gorgeous Plunging Gowns on 2022 Oscars Red Carpet |url=https://people.com/style/oscars-2002-venus-and-serena-williams-rock-gorgeous-plunging-gowns-red-carpet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328191313/https://people.com/style/oscars-2002-venus-and-serena-williams-rock-gorgeous-plunging-gowns-red-carpet/ |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |website=People}}

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{{div col end}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=GaphSm9ndMsC

| last1=Morgan |first1=Terri

| title=Venus and Serena Williams: Grand Slam Sisters

| series=Sports Achievers Biographies

| publisher=Lerner Publishing

| year=2001

| pages=64pp

| no-pp=y

| isbn=978-0-8225-3684-0

}}

• {{cite book

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=n-_SalMONJUC

| last1 = Williams | first1 = Venus

| last2 = Williams | first2 = Serena

| last3 = Beard |first3 = Hilary

| title = Venus and Serena: Serving from the Hip: 10 Rules For Living, Loving and Winning

| publisher = Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

| year = 2005

| pages = 133pp

| no-pp = y

| isbn = 978-0-618-57653-1

}}

• {{cite book

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=QgAHQLkOijkC

| last1 = Williams | first1 = Serena

| last2 = Paisner |first2 = Daniel

| title = On the Line

| year = 2009

| pages = 214pp

| no-pp = y

| publisher = Hachette Digital

| isbn = 978-0-446-56402-1

| ref={{sfnRef|WilliamsPaisner2009a}}

}}

• {{cite book

| last1 = Williams | first1 = Serena

| last2 = Paisner |first2 = Daniel

| title = My Life: Queen of the Court

| year = 2009

| pages = 257pp

| no-pp = y

| publisher = Simon & Schuster

| isbn = 978-1-84737-544-5

| ref={{sfnRef|WilliamsPaisner2009b}}

}}

• {{Cite journal |last=Spencer |first=Nancy E. |date=May 2004 |title=Sister Act VI: Venus and Serena Williams at Indian Wells: 'Sincere Fictions' and White Racism |journal=Journal of Sport & Social Issues |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=115–135 |doi=10.1177/0193723504264411 |s2cid=159517372 }}

{{sister project links|collapsible=true|wikt=no |c=Category:Serena Williams|b=no|q=Serena Williams|s=no|v=no|species=no |voy=no|display=Serena Williams|d=Q11459}}

• {{official website}}
• {{WTA}}
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• [http://www.makers.com/serena-williams Serena Williams] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607222011/http://www.makers.com/serena-williams |date=June 7, 2017 }} video produced by Makers: Women Who Make America

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