Serena Williams Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Serena Williams is one of the greatest female tennis stars of all time. Serena Williams is known for her powerful serves and aggressive playing style.  Her achievements on and off the court show her strength and perseverance.

Childhood And Early Life

Serena Williams was born on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan.  During her childhood years, Serena Williams lived in some places including California and Florida. 

Serena Williams and her older sister Venus were playing tennis with their father when Serena Williams was three years old.  They later trained with Rick Macci.

Education

Serena Williams was homeschooled, which allowed her time for the extra time training.  In 1999 Serena Williams attended The Arts Institute of Fort Lauderdale to study fashion design.  Serena Williams is also an alum of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  

Rise To Stardom

In 1991, Serena Williams ranked #1 in the 10 and under a group of the US Tennis Association Junior Team.  However, her father pulled her and her sister out of competition so that they would not burn out from pushing too much too soon.

Career

Serena Williams turned professional in 1995.  In a year's time, Serena Williams jumped to rank in the top 100 worldwide. By 1998, Serena Williams and her sister Venus showed that they had the winning touch.  Serena Williams ranked 20th after winning mixed doubles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. The following year they won Wimbledon double, but also won Olympic gold for the United States at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

After Serena Williams and her sister won the doubles competition at the Australian Open in 2001, they became the 5th team to win all four Grand Slam women's doubles titles.  As well as they were competing, it was only a matter of time that they would compete as singles. That was also the year that she lost the U.S. Open finals to Venus.  In the next year, Serena Williams defeated Venus in the U.S. Open, the French Open, and Wimbledon.  Her efforts put her in 1st place worldwide.

Serena William's ranking dropped significantly in the next few years.  She was not playing or winning as often due to injuries.  Serena Williams had knee surgery in 2003.  It wasn't until 2007 that Serena Williams returned to the courts, jumping back up to 7th in the world that year.  

In 2008, Serena Williams and her sister returned to the Olympics, this time in Beijing.  The duo won gold in the doubles competition again.  In 2009, Serena Williams won all of her matches and returned to the top spot in the tennis rankings. 

Her health slowed her down again in 2011.  This time doctors found a blood clot in one of her lungs.  After getting her health back, Serena Williams and Venus went to the 2012 Olympic games in London.  They won gold in the doubles while Williams won gold in the singles competition.  2013 was the year that she won her first International title at the Swedish Open. Her career has not just been in tennis.  Williams has appeared on television as herself or as one of the actors.  She has also been a voice actor on animated shows such as The Simpsons. 

Serena Williams has modeled with credits as a cover model in publications such as Sports Illustrated.  With an education from the Art Institute, it is not surprising that she started her own fashion line Aneres in 2004.  Her name is also on handbags and jewelry.  Serena Williams published a book with her sister in 2005 as well as her own autobiography in 2009.

Later Life

Serena Williams is still competing professionally and maintaining her ranking worldwide.

Personal Life And Legacy

Serena Williams is engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in 2016.

Controversies

In 2009, Serena Williams yelled at a linewoman for a foot-fault call.  Not only did she swear at the linewoman for all of the spectators to hear, but it is also alleged that she threatened the woman. 

Serena Williams received the largest punishment on any player.  She was fined $10,000 by the U.S. Tennis Association, was on probation for two years, and paid a fine of $82,500 to the Grand Slam committee.

Religion

Serena Williams is a Jehovah's Witness.

Philanthropic Works / Humanitarian Work

Among William's many donations and philanthropic support to charitable organizations, she established the Serena Williams Foundation. 

Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to underprivileged youth around the world.  Serena Williams has been to Africa to help build schools there.  

Awards And Achievements

•    First Grand Slam singles title in 1999 at the U.S. Open
•    Earned her first world #1 ranking in 2002
•    Most singles titles at the Australian Open (6)
•    23 singles titles
•    14 doubles titles
•    Oldest #1 ranked champion since 2013
•    Part owner along with sister Venus of the Miami Dolphins.  They are the first African American women to own part of an NFL team.

Summary Of Major Works

Tennis:

•    Most singles titles at the Australian Open (6)
•    23 singles titles
•    14 doubles titles

Books:

•    Venus and Serena Williams:  Serving From the Hip:  10 Rules for Living, Loving, and Winning along with Hilary Beard, 2005
•    On the Line autobiography, 2009