Serena Williams' 475-102 career win-loss record includes 37 singles titles, 20 doubles titles, two mixed doubles titles and two Olympic gold medals, according to the Women's Tennis Association. With prize winnings of nearly $32 million, Williams holds a career grand slam -- a victory at each of four major tennis tournaments. She nearly won a 2002 grand slam, but was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open with an ankle injury. With her sister, Venus, as her partner, Serena Williams also won a doubles grand slam. After injuries and and health issues plagued her in 2010, Williams returned to the tour in 2011.
Singles
Williams played one match in 1995 in her professional debut. She earned her first top-20 ranking in 1998 and set the record for the fastest five top-10 victories in just her 16th match. The previous record holder, Monica Seles, achieved the milestone in her 33rd match. Ranked No. 4 in 1999, Williams won the U.S. Open to become only the second African-American woman to win a grand slam title. She won 13 grand slam titles including five Australian Open titles in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010; a French Open title in 2002; four Wimbledon titles in 2002, 2003, 2009 and 2010; and three U.S. Open titles in 1999, 2002 and 2008; along with two WTA Championships in 2001 and 2009.
Doubles and Mixed Doubles
With her sister, Venus, as her partner, Williams won a gold medal in doubles at both the 2000 and 2008 Summer Olympics. The pair won 12 grand slam titles, including four Australian Open titles in 2001, 2003, 2009 and 2010; a French Open title in 1999; five Wimbledon titles in 2000, 2002, 2008, 2009 and 2010; and a U.S. Open title in 1999. The sisters are 12-0 in grand slam title matches. With Max Mirnyi as her partner, Williams won mixed doubles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open to record two grand slam titles in 1998.
Biography
Serena Williams was born on Sept. 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan. Williams's sister, Venus, a singles competitor and doubles partner, was born the previous June. The 5-foot-9, 150-lb. right-hander is the youngest of five girls, Lyndrea, Isha, Yetunde and Venus. Yetunde died in 2003. The family relocated to Compton, California, shortly after Williams was born, and they moved to Florida when she was 9 years old. Both Serena and Venus Williams are coached by their parents, Richard Williams and Oracene Price, and trained by Esther Lee.
Personal
Williams began playing tennis at an early age, entering her first tournament when she was 4 1/2. The WTA website says that Serena's favorite author is Maya Angelou, and that she likes pop musicians Mariah Carey and Brandy. She describes herself as "humorous" with a "great personality." Williams' website says that her passions are fashion and acting. She has appeared in numerous television series portraying others and as herself.
Serena vs. Venus
Williams holds a 14-10 edge over sister Venus in head-to-head competition. Venus Williams built an advantage in the early going, but No. 2-seed Serena Williams evened the series at five-all in 2002 with a win over her No. 1-seeded sister at Wimbledon. As the new No. 1 seed, Serena Williams won the next three match-ups. Two wins in 2005 brought Venus Williams close to even, but Serena held the advantage through the next four showdowns. They had two wins apiece in 2008. No. 6 seed Venus Williams evened the competition at 10-all at Dubai in 2009, but was unable to move ahead. Serena Williams took the next four matches, all in 2009.
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