Serena

Williams

Quick Facts

• Daughter of Richard Williams and Oracene Price
• Has four sisters, Venus, Lyndrea, Isha and Yetunde (deceased in 2003)
• Began playing tennis at age five at public courts in Compton, California
• Favorite author is Maya Angelou
• Hobbies are watching movies and football, reading, acting, talking on the phone, spending time with family and friends
• Debuted a custom-designed Nike apparel line in Paris in May 2004
• Minority owner of the Miami Dolphins
• Co-founded the Serena Williams Secondary School in Kenya, which opened in November 2008
• Inducted into the USOPC Hall of Fame, Class of 2025

Biographical Information

With four Olympic gold medals and 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Serena Williams is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in history. She ranks fifth in all-time career titles and boasts a remarkable 84% win percentage. Williams held the world No. 1 ranking in women’s singles for a total of 319 weeks, finishing as the year-end No. 1 on five occasions.

Throughout her storied career, Williams revolutionized women’s tennis, redefining the sport with her unmatched power, athleticism and mental toughness. Alongside her sister, Venus, she helped usher in the power era of the women’s game, setting new standards for excellence. Together, the Williams sisters claimed 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and captured Olympic gold at the Olympic Games Sydney 2000, Olympic Games Beijing 2008 and Olympic Games London 2012, becoming the most successful doubles team in Olympic history.

From the public courts of Compton to the pinnacle of global sport, Serena Williams’ legacy transcends her records and championships—she remains an enduring symbol of determination, resilience, and inspiration.

Olympic Experience

• 4-time Olympian; 4-time Olympic medalist (4 gold)
  • Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, 9th (Singles - Women), 17th (Doubles - Women)
  • Olympic Games London 2012, gold (Doubles - Women, Singles - Women)
  • Olympic Games Beijing 2008, gold (Doubles - Women), 5th (Singles - Women)
  • Olympic Games Sydney 2000, gold (Doubles - Women)