10 questions · Society & Everyday
Serena Williams is born in the United States in 1981 and grows up in Compton, a district of Los Angeles marked by poverty and violence. Her father coaches her and her older sister Venus from early childhood on public tennis courts, with the bold aim of shaping two world-class players. The plan works: both sisters conquer the tennis world. Serena develops into the most dominant player of her era. With her powerful serve and unyielding will she wins 23 Grand Slam singles titles: more than any other player in the professional era. For two decades she stands at the top of the world, often in duels with her sister Venus, with whom she also wins numerous doubles titles and Olympic gold medals. Particularly remarkable: in 2017 she wins the Australian Open while in the first weeks of pregnancy. After the difficult birth of her daughter, during which there are life-threatening complications, she returns to the court and continues to compete at the top. Her openness about the dangers of childbirth draws attention to the health risks faced by Black mothers. As a Black woman in a sport long dominated by white players, Serena Williams is far more than a record-breaker. She is a global symbol of strength, self-confidence and determination: an athlete who repeatedly pushed the boundaries of what seemed possible and inspires generations of young women.
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23 Grand Slam titles
She dominated women's tennis for two decades.
💡 Did you know? With 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Serena Williams holds the women's Open Era record: more than any other woman in that period.
tennis
Her especially powerful serve is famous.
💡 Did you know? For over two decades Serena dominated tennis with her powerful serve and sheer willpower.
Venus Williams
Together they won numerous doubles titles and Olympic gold medals.
💡 Did you know? Serena and her sister Venus faced each other in several Grand Slam finals and together won numerous doubles titles.
Compton (Los Angeles)
Serena grew up in Compton near Los Angeles, marked by poverty and violence, where her father coached her and Venus on public courts.
💡 Did you know? Her father coached her and Venus on public courts from childhood.
Australian Open (while pregnant)
After the birth of her daughter she returned to the court.
💡 Did you know? Serena won her 2017 Australian Open title, unknowingly, in the early weeks of pregnancy: an extraordinary feat.
health risks for Black mothers
After life-threatening complications giving birth to her daughter, Serena publicly highlighted the greater health risks faced by Black mothers.
💡 Did you know? The birth of her daughter involved life-threatening complications.
symbol of strength and self-confidence
She inspires generations of young women.
💡 Did you know? Far beyond sport, Serena stands for strength, self-confidence and the fight against prejudice.
Foto: AndrewHenkelman · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Serena Williams
Serena Williams (b. 1981) is an American tennis player and, with 23 Grand Slam titles, one of the greatest athletes in history.
💡 Did you know? Serena fought her way back to the top again and again (even after childbirth and serious injury) becoming a role model for millions.
1981
Born: 26 September 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw, Michigan
Born: 26 September 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan
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