Serena Williams is a name that has been continuously written in the WTA record books. To mark her 35th birthday, below are ten incredible milestones that she has achieved so far in her career.
Made her WTA main draw debut in Moscow – Williams’ first taste of the tour occurred at the 1997 Moscow Open. Coming through three rounds of qualifying where she defeated the fifth and third seeds, the American played compatriot Kimberly Po-Messerli and lost in straight sets.
Her first main draw win was at the 1997 Chicago Open, where she defeated Monica Seles on route to the semi-finals.
Has won more grand slam matches than any other player – During this year’s US Open, Williams overtook Roger Federer on the all-time list for most matches won at major tournaments. Since the 1998 Australian Open she has won 309 matches and lost 43, giving her a winning rate of 88%.
Has won more premier titles than anybody else – Williams is the first and so far only player in history to win 20 or more WTA premier titles. Her current tally of 24 overshadows Victoria Azarenka’s 13, who is second on the all-time list.
The only female player to earn over $50,000,000 in prize money – Currently with a career prize money fund of $81,758,451 to her name (as of 16/9/16), Williams has earned at least two-times more than any other player on the WTA Tour. Her nearest rival is Maria Sharapova, who has $36,484,486 in prize money.
Has won 10 grand slam titles in two separate decades – With 22 grand slam titles under her belt, Williams has won major titles in three different decades.
2010- 2016 = 11
2016 Wimbledon
2015 Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon
2014 U.S. Open
2013 French Open, U.S. Open
2012 Wimbledon, U.S. Open
2010 Australian Open, Wimbledon (G)
2000 – 2009 = 10
2009 Australian Open, Wimbledon
2008 U.S. Open
2007 Australian Open
2005 Australian Open
2003 Australian Open, Wimbledon
2002 French Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open
1990-1999 = 1
1999 US Open
A member of the second most successful doubles team in grand slam tournaments in the Open Era – Partnering her sister Venus, Williams has won 14 doubles titles so far in her career, placing the sisters second on the all-time list of most successful doubles pairings in grand slams. They are currently tied with Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva. The most titles belong to Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver, who won 20 trophies.
The oldest woman to win a major title – At the age of 34, Williams defeated Angelique Kerber in straight sets to win the 2016 Wimbledon title and become the oldest woman to win a grand slam title in the open era.
Spent 309 weeks as world No.1 – Despite being dethroned from the top of the rankings earlier this month, only two players in history have spent more weeks at world No.1 than Williams. Navratilova lasted 332 weeks and Steffi Graf achieved 377.
Has completed a career grand slam in both singles and doubles – Williams held all four major title in the doubles between 2009-2010 and in the singles between 2014-2015.
Achieved her first five wins over top 10 players in her first 16 matches on the tour – Williams completed the milestone at the 1998 Lipton Championships in Miami when she defeated Irina Spîrlea in the second round.
