Serena Williams is a rarity. Not only has she broken records and stood atop her sport as an undeniable champion, but she also transcended pop culture in such a way that we’d never seen before. The decorated athlete, businesswoman, and unassailable GOAT has built an unmatched career in the Open Era of tennis — where it all started. The news of Williams’ upcoming retirement following the 2022 US Open has given a lot of her longtime fans and supporters, ourselves included, pause. We thought back on everything the queen of the court has done, but nothing can match her collection of Grand Slam titles.
Amongst active players in the Open Era, Serena Williams currently holds the record for most Grand Slam singles titles — man or woman. She’s won 23 trophies and appeared in even more finals. Every time she walks on the court, Williams carries so much history on her shoulders. We’ve been so lucky to see her play for more than two decades, and as her career as a professional athlete ends, we look back on those 23 incredible matches.
It all started back in 1999 when Williams won the US Open at the age of 17. This September, her career will end where it all started — at the US Open in New York City. Over the years, Williams collected even more trophies from the US Open, French Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon, adding to her more than 70 singles titles.
To celebrate all that Williams accomplished, and her next chapter off the court (and the US Open happening in full swing), let’s take a look back at her 23 epic Grand Slam wins.
A version of this article was originally published on Aug 2022.
US Open 1999
For her maden Grand Slam title, Serena Williams defeated Martina Hingis of Switzerland at the US Open. A then-17-year-old Williams beat her oponent with a final score of 6-3, 7-6 (7-4 tiebreak).
French Open 2002
It took a few years for Williams to clinch her second Grand Slam title, but she finally got there in June 2002. Williams won the French Open against her sister Venus at the iconic Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France. Serena deated her big sister Venus 7-5, 6-3.
Wimbledon 2002
Just a few weeks later, Serena backed up her French Open win with her third Grand Slam title. Once again, she defeated her older sister, Venus, in a tight match. Serena won 7-6 (7-4 tiebreak), 6-3.
US Open 2002
The entire 2002 season could really be described best as the Williams show. For the final Grand Slam of the season, Serena played sister Venus again at the US Open. Serena won the match with a straight sets victory of 6-4, 6-3.
Australian Open 2003
Serena started off her 2003 season with a (grand) slam! It was a sister-sister battle on the court again as Serena and Venus Williams played against one another for the Australian Open title. Serena came out on top, beating Venus in a three-set match. 7-6 (7-4 tiebreak), 3-6, 6-4.
Wimbledon 2003
The Williams sisters hit the grass courts for Wimbledon in 2003, where Serena took home yet another trophy. She toppled Venus 4–6, 6–4, 6–2, coming back from a set down to claim the title.
Australian Open 2005
Following a bit of a drought during the 2004 season, Serena Williams came back swinging for the 2005 season. The first slam of the year, the Australian Open, saw Williams take the trophy after coming back from a set down to Lindsay Davenport. Williams won the contest 2–6, 6–3, 6–0.
Australian Open 2007
After another Grand Slam title drought in 2006, Williams came back in 2007 ready to claim some titles. She won the Australian Open, defeating Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-2 in the final.
US Open 2008
Williams closed out the 2008 season with a major win. The tennis player defeated Jelena Jankovic of Serbia in the women’s singles finals at the 2008 US Open. Williams claimed the trophy with a 6–4, 7–5 victory.
Australian Open 2009
To kick off the 2009 season, Williams won the Australian open, besting Dinara Safina of Russia with a 6–0, 6–3 victory.
Wimbledon 2009
Just a few months later, Williams claimed her third Wimbledon singles title, beating sister Venus 7-6 (7-3 tiebreak), 6-2.
Australian Open 2010
A new decade, another Grand Slam title. Serena Williams won the Australian Open 2010 by defeating Justine Henin of Belgium. Williams claimed her victory with a 6–4, 3–6, 6–2 win.
Wimbledon 2010
Months after her Australian Open victory, Williams went on to win her fourth Wimbledon title in July 2010. She beat Russia’s Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 6-2.
Wimbledon 2012
Two years later, Williams returned to Wimbledon to claim the title once again. She beat Poland’s Agnieszka Radwańska 6–1, 5–7, 6–2.
US Open 2012
To close out the 2012 season, Williams bested Belarus’ Victoria Azerenka at the US Open. It was a hotly contested match, with Williams pulling a victory with a final score of 6–2, 2–6, 7–5.
French Open 2013
After more than a decade without a French Open title, Williams secured her second French Open trophy by defeating Russia’s Maria Sharapova in the Women’s Final. Williams won 6-4, 6-4.
US Open 2013
To close out her 2013 season, Serena Williams defeated Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka in an epic re-match to claim the US Open trophy. Williams beat Azarenka 7–5, 6–7 (6–8 tiebreak), 6–1.
US Open 2014
Williams defended her title the next year, beating friend Caroline Wozniacki at the 2014 US Open. Williams bested her longtime pal 6–3, 6–3.
French Open 2015
Serena Williams won her third French Open title in 2015, defeating Lucie Safarova of Czech Republic 6–3, 6–7 (2–7 tiebreak), 6–2.
Australian Open 2015
Williams claimed her sixth Australian Open title in 2015. She defeated rival Maria Sharapova of Russia with a 6–3, 7–6 (7–5 tiebreak) final score.
Wimbledon 2015
Williams won yet another Wimbledon title in 2015, defeating Spain’s Garbiñe Muguruza 6-4, 6-4.
Wimbledon 2016
In 2016, Williams defended her title, beating Germany’s Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-3.
Australian Open 2017
In 2017, Serena Williams defeated big sister Venus in another epic showdown at the Australian Open. Serena bested Venus 6-4, 6-4. Oh, by the way, she did this while she was two months pregnant.
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