Serena Jameka Williams, a multiple Grand Slam champion, stated that she is about to retire after a spectacular career that began in 1995.
In a chat with Vogue on Tuesday, the announcement was made.
With 23 Major titles and a total of 73 career titles, William is the second-most successful woman in professional tennis, only behind Australian Margaret Court (24).The former world number one, who is regarded as one of the best tennis players of all time, recently struggled with her form, which caused her to lose to debutante Harmony Tan in the first round at Wimbledon.
Despite this, the American has had some impressive accomplishments while playing, and as her career comes to a close, Vanguard takes readers back in time to revisit some of her most memorable moments.
First Professional Game
Serena Williams participated in her first professional match in 1995 against American Annie Miller at the Bell Challenge in Quebec, where she won just two games.
First Career Win
Williams won her first career game at age 15 in 1995. She defeated Monica Seles, who was ranked fourth, and Mary Pierce, who was ranked seventh. She was thus the lowest-ranked player in the Open Era to win two matches against opponents who were in the top ten.
Grand Slam debut
At the Australian Open in 1998, William made her Grand Slam debut by defeating sixth-seeded Irina Spîrlea in the first round before falling to her sister Venus in the following round. Additionally, it was the sisters’ first encounter in a match of competitive tennis.
First Grand Slam withdrawal
First Doubles victory
At the U.S. National Indoor Championships in Oklahoma City, Serena Williams and her sister Venus won their first doubles championship. Additionally, she paired up with tennis star Max Mirnyi from Belarus to win her first mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Leading 10 debut
After Venus stopped Williams’ 16-match winning streak, she entered the Top 10 at number 9. She had earlier defeated Steffi Graf of Germany in the Evert Cup final to claim her maiden Tier I victory.
First Grand Slam title
Serena became the first Black woman to win a major tennis event since Althea Gibson in 1958 when she won her first Grand Slam title on home soil at the age of 17 by defeating Martina Hingis 6-3, 7-6 (4).
First Olympic victory
Serena won her first Olympic medal in the doubles division at the Sydney 2000 Games. Together with Venus, she defeated Kristie Boogert and Miriam Oremans of the Netherlands in the championship match 6-1, 6-1.
