Serena Williams is an American tennis player who won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any player in the Open Era, and spent 319 weeks as world No. 1. Born in Saginaw, Michigan, on 26 September 1981, she turned professional in 1995, retired from competition after the 2022 US Open, and returned to the tour in 2026. She is also the founder of the venture capital firm Serena Ventures.
Serena Williams at a Glance
| Full name | Serena Williams |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 September 1981, Saginaw, Michigan, United States |
| Profession | Professional tennis player; investor |
| Grand Slam singles titles | 23 |
| Olympic gold medals | 4 |
| Weeks at No. 1 (singles) | 319 |
| Family | Husband Alexis Ohanian; daughters Olympia and Adira |
| Business | Serena Ventures (venture capital) |
Early Life and Background
Serena Williams was born to Oracene Price and Richard Williams. Her parents were her official coaches, and her father also acted as a mentor. She grew up alongside her older sister Venus, who would become her most frequent doubles partner and a rival in several Grand Slam finals.
She made her professional debut in October 1995 at the Bell Challenge in Quebec, at age 14.
Career Journey
Williams won her first major singles title at the US Open in 1999. She added the French Open and Wimbledon in 2002, and by the end of the 2000s had established herself as the leading player of her generation. Her 23 major singles titles break down as seven at the Australian Open (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017), three at the French Open (2002, 2013, 2015), seven at Wimbledon (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016) and six at the US Open (1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014).
Her Australian Open win in January 2017 was her 23rd major. She revealed on 19 April 2017 that she had been 20 weeks pregnant when she won it, and gave birth to her first daughter on 1 September 2017.
In August 2022 she wrote in Vogue that she planned to “evolve away” from tennis after the US Open, citing her family and her venture capital firm. Her last singles match of that era was a loss to Ajla Tomljanović at the 2022 US Open.
Major Achievements
- 73 WTA singles titles and 23 WTA doubles titles, including 14 major doubles titles, all with Venus Williams.
- Two mixed doubles majors, both in 1998 (Wimbledon and the US Open).
- Four Olympic gold medals: doubles in 2000 and 2008, and singles and doubles in 2012.
- 319 weeks at No. 1 in singles, third-most all time, and five year-end No. 1 finishes.
- Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year in 2015, the third solo woman to receive it and the first since 1983.
- Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year four times (2003, 2010, 2016 and 2018).
Business and Investing
Williams runs Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm she cited when announcing her step back from tennis in 2022. She has presented the firm and her family as the focus of her life after competition.
Current Work: The 2026 Comeback
Wikipedia reports that Williams announced a return on 1 June 2026 and played doubles at Queen’s Club with Victoria Mboko in June. News agencies then reported that she played her first singles match in nearly four years at Wimbledon, losing to 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia 3-6, 7-6 (6), 3-6 on Centre Court. Her plans beyond that tournament should be checked against current WTA reporting.
Conclusion
Serena Williams’s record of 23 major singles titles, four Olympic golds and 319 weeks at No. 1 makes her one of the most decorated players in tennis history. Her career, which spans three decades and now includes a return in 2026, is documented in the WTA and major-tournament records cited below.
Sources and References
- Wikipedia: Serena Williams (career, titles, 2026 return)
- Ahram Online: Serena beaten at Wimbledon in first singles match in four years
- Newsweek: Maya Joint after defeating Serena Williams at Wimbledon
