10 best moments of Serena Williams’ amazing tennis career: as the legend announced she’ll retire after the 2022 US Open, we look back at her 30 years of sports success

Aug 15 , 2022

Serena Williams, pictured with her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. after the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, in January 2020, has said she is ready to step away from tennis after winning 23 grand slam titles, turning her focus to having another child and her business interests. Photo: Photosport via AP

Serena Williams recently announced her retirement from tennis in a Vogue piece, planning to have a second child after her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr

From achieving a ‘Golden Slam’ – winning every grand slam plus an Olympic gold medal – and victories with sister Venus, to competing while pregnant, she’s had an incredible career

Serena Williams has said she’ll retire from tennis after the 2022 US Open. In a story written for Vogue, she opened up about the difficult choice to say farewell to tennis as she expands her family, hoping to have a second child after her first daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., 4.

A household name among tennis fans and the public in general, the 41-year-old is bound to leave behind a shining legacy after her last match on the court.

Here’s a look back at 10 of the most iconic moments from her incredible, almost three-decade-long career.

1. Winning her first grand slam as a teenager

Serena Williams, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, celebrates after defeating Lindsay Davenport, of Newport Beach, California, in the women’s singles semi-finals at the US Open tennis tournament in 1999, in New York. Photo: AP Photo

Williams turned professional in 1995 at age 14 and it didn’t take her long to claim her maiden grand slam.

Serena Williams poses with her women’s singles championship trophy after defeating Martina Hingis at the US Open in New York, in 1999. Photo: AP Photo

At the 1999 US Open, the 17-year-old starlet produced an astonishing run to lift the title. She beat world No 4 Monica Seles in the quarter finals, second seed Lindsay Davenport in the semi-finals, and lastly world No 1 Martina Hingis in the final.

The same weekend, Williams also won the women’s doubles title alongside her sister, Venus.

2. Boycotting Indian Wells

Serena Williams reacts to winning a point before defeating Kim Clijsters of Belgium in their finals match at the Tennis Masters Series, in 2001, in Indian Wells, California. Photo: AP Photo

The Williams sisters are widely credited with helping change the face of tennis from a traditionally white sport to one that is more inclusive.

Forcing that change hasn’t come without its hardships for the sisters, however, most notably at Indian Wells in 2001.