Crushing the game of tennis since turning pro in 1995, Serena Williams recently celebrated thirty-eight years of blessing this earth with her remarkable spirit and talent! Her agility and dedication to changing the game of tennis, has inspired the next generation of Black professional women tennis players. From Australian & US Open grand slam champion Naomi Osaka, US Open grand slam champion Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, to now 15- year-old Cori Gauff, Serena Williams has left a lasting legacy that has touched the hearts of many. Through her greatness, Ms. Williams has always been open about her struggles, but more importantly, she has openly vocalized that her fight towards equality for all women is not nearly finished.
Coming into such a male-dominated field such as the sport of tennis, Ms. Williams and her sister Seven-time grand slam champion sister Venus Williams, triumphed over countless obstacles to ultimately change the way that women are viewed in tennis. Venus Williams (pictured below), turned pro in 1994 and won her first Grand Slam tournament in 2000. In 1999, at the age of seventeen, Serena won her first Grand Slam title. After winning the U.S Open, her next win came as a defeat over sister in the French Open. The Venus and Serena Williams matchups throughout the years have made major headlines, absolutely crushed national television views, and have excitedly leveled up the game of tennis. Though Serena has surpassed her sister in the amount of grand slam wins, these two women have always reigned supreme in playing at the highest level of tennis.
Now, at the age of 38, Serena has accomplished more than any other woman in the open-era of tennis. She has twenty-three grand slam titles, seventy-two career WTA Singles Titles, and twenty-three doubles titles. Ms. Wiliams has also been ranked No.1 in the WTA six times, and has 4 Olympic Gold Medals. Yet, without a doubt her most prized victory is giving birth to her baby girl Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. in 2017. Not only is she an amazing tennis legend, but an even better mother. Her work ethic is something that is simply unmatched, and if anything Serena has taught us all that it is okay to not be perfect, as long as you live in your freely in your truth.