Serena Williams
Date of Birth: 26/09/81
Born: Saginaw, Michigan, USA
Height: 5’9” (1.75cm)
Weight: 135lbs (61kg)
Turned Pro: September 1995
Serena Williams started playing tennis at
the age of five and a half on neighbourhood courts in Compton, California,
USA. Her father Richard Williams coached her and also Venus Williams.
Their mother Oracene Price was more of an advisor in the partnership.
She has also received training from Rick Macci and her trainer is
Kerrie Brooks. Richard Williams is famously known for his attitude
towards tournament play in junior tennis and kept the girls away
from too many tournaments during the early years. Instead he concentrated
on their technique and attitude to competition in a more controlled
environment. In this instance it has proved to be a successful philosophy.
Serena Williams has developed over the years into a very rounded
person. She is very charitable and has made numerous appearances
at schools and in particular organisations that help chidren at
risk. Off the court she is interested in fashion and acting. She
is opening her own fashion line and has made many appearances on
TV and film, including (with Venus Williams) providing the voices
on a Feb 11 2001 episode of the Simpsons.
organisations which help children at risk.
Career so far
1995 Serena Williams played her first professional match as a wild
card in Quebec City, aged 14 and one month (lost to A.Miller 6-1
6-1)
1997 In her second career main draw (wild card) ranked No. 304 she
became the lowest ranked player to defeat two top 10 players No.7
Pierce 6/3 7/6 (3) and Seles 4/6 6/1 6/1. Serena finished her first
full season ranked No. 99
1998 She became the fastest woman to record five top 10 victories (16 pro matches) She won her first grand slam titles, mixed doubles at Wimbledon and the US Open and won her first tour doubles title with Venus at Oklahoma. Serena also made over two million dollars.
1999 biggest career win came at the US Open where she defeated Seles, Davenport and then world No. 1 Hingis in the final. She also won the doubles titles with Venus at Roland Garros and the US Open. Her end of season ranking was No.4 in only her third full season on tour.
2000 was plagued with injuries, however she did manage to add to her doubles titles with a Wimbledon trophy and the Olympic gold medal, both with Venus.
2001 Started positively getting to the Australian
Open final (lost to Hingis) but she won the doubles title with her
sister completing a career grand slam together.
She was defeated in the final of the US Open by her sister, which
was the second time that sisters had met in a final and the first
time since Wimbledon 1884.
2002 Was an awesome year. Serena Williams won eight of 11 tournaments, 0three grand slams and almost $4 million in prize money. She defeated Venus in the Roland Garros final; then beat her again at Wimbledon before combining with her to win the doubles title. After she defeated Mauresmo in the semi finals she became No.1 in the world. At this stage she was invincible and won the US Open without dropping a set (she achieved this at Wimbledon as well).
2003 She completed the ‘Serena Slam’ by winning the Australian Open and collected her sixth grand slam doubles title with Venus. Her 33 match grand slam winning streak was ended by Henin-Hardenne at the semi final stage of the French Open, but she did defend her Wimbledon title (defeating Venus) and maintained her No1 status, just ahead of Kim Clijsters.
2004 After an eight-month lay off with knee problems she returned and won her first tournament at Miami. Serena Williams reached her eighth grand slam final at Wimbledon but lost to Maria Sharapova, this ended her 20 match win steak at Wimbledon. She also lost to Sharapova at the season ending championships.
2005 Started well and after saving three match
points against Maria Sharapova in the semi final of the Australian
Open defeated Davenport in the final 2/6 6/3 6/0.
This year Serena has been troubled with ankle and knee injuries.
She missed Roland Garros for the first time in five years and was
then beaten by Jill Craybas in the 3rd round of Wimbledon. Serna
made her earliest exit of the US Open since 1998 losing to her Venus
Williams in the 4th round
Hopefully 2006 will see her competing without injury or pain!
Throughout her career Serena Williams has displayed immense power. Study the videos and see how she combines great strength with simple technique.
