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Serena Williams Birth
Serena Jameka Williams was born on September 26, 1981 in Saginaw Michigan to Richard Williams and Oracene Price. She was the youngest of 5 girls. -
The Williams moved to Compton, CA
The Williams family moved to Compton, Ca in 1983. Although it was not a safe environment, Richard Williams hoped that it would teach his girls important life lessons about poverty and struggle. Serena and Venus grew up playing on beat up courts with potholes and ripped nets but it didn't affect their amazing talents. -
Started Training in Tennis
Serena's father, Richard, started training Serena and her sister at the age of 3. They used to go to public tennis courts and train for three hours each day. -
Serena plays in her first Tournament
At age 9 Serena played in her first junior tournament. Serena only participated in a few tournaments like this which is rare because all young athletes participated in many, many tournaments before going pro. -
Serena makes her first Pro Debut
On August 28, 1995, at age 13, Serena makes her first pro debut at the Bell challenge in Quebec. She quickly looses in less than an hour. Richard realized that Serena was not quite ready for the pros so she didn't participate for the next 2 years. -
Her First Win
Serena Williams got her first main draw win in 1997 and won two more against No. 7 and No. 2 seed and a nine-time major champion. She lost during the semi-finals but the 16 had already made her point. -
Serena wins her first Grand Slam title
At only age 17, Serena Williams wins her first Grand Slam title on September 11, 1999 at the US Open. -
Serena Starts her first clothing line
Serena Williams has always loved fashion and had a passion for it so in 2003 she decides to start a fashion line called "Aneres" which is her name spelled backwards. She also released a second line in April of 2009. -
Serena's Sister is Murdered
On September 14, 2003, Serena's oldest sister and assistant, Yetunde Price, was killed in Compton. She was unfortunately in the crossfire during and shooting while with her boyfriend. Serena was devastated. -
Serena Williams Foundation
Serena created the Serena Williams Foundation in 2005 to promote equity by race, education, gender, disability, and the underprivileged. She has built three schools and continues to do more for the community. -
Serena wins her 23rd Grand Slam
On January 28, 2017, Serena wins her 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. -
Serena Williams gives birth
Serena Williams gives birth on September 1, 2017 to her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. Alexis Olympia was named after her father Alexis Ohanian which is a prime example of how Serena likes to defy the gender rules. -
Serena gets Married
After meeting her husband, Alexis Ohanian, in Italy in 2015, they get engaged in 2016 and then they are finally married in November of 2017. They had a baby girl a few months prior to the marriage. Alexis Ohanian is a tech entrepreneur. -
Serena Williams
"I really think a champion is defined not by their wins, but by how they can recover when they fall"
"You have to believe in yourself when no one else does"
"Luck has nothing to do with it, I have spent many, many hours, countless hours, on the court working for my one moment in time, not knowing when it would come"
