Faris looks at the glittering career of one of the greatest female athletes of all time.
Last week saw the end of Serena Williams’ run at the US Open in a loss to Ajla Tomljanovic which marked her final professional appearance on court, following the announcement of her retirement earlier this year.
Although Tomljanovic played brilliantly and earnt herself a well-deserved victory, this has been understandably overshadowed by Serena’s retirement. Despite playing well and showing glimpses of her younger self, there is no denying that her era of domination is well in the past and as her career comes to an end, it is worth looking back on her incredible journey in tennis.
Serena and Venus Williams during the Lawn Tennis Championships, Wimbledon, in 2000 – Photo [ITV].Although in their youth her sister Venus was the stronger of the pair in tennis, Serena thrived as an underdog and found more success in professional tennis. Serena won her first singles title at the 1999 US Open and from the 2002 French Open to the 2003 Australian Open she dominated, winning all four major singles titles against Venus in each of these finals. Serena claimed two more single majors in the following few years, but she suffered from a torn quadricep tendon which kept her from playing her best until 2007 when, despite continued injuries, she reclaimed the world No. 1 singles ranking. It was not until the 2012 Wimbledon Championships that she returned to the level of dominance established in 2002. Serena finished the year with an Olympic gold and became the first tennis player to achieve a career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles, marking her as a level above her competitors.
Serena Williams after defeating Martina Hingis at the U.S. Open in 1999 -Photo [Vogue].Looking at her career, it comes as no surprise that she is considered as the greatest of all time by many. Not only did she surpass Graf’s record, winning 23 singles majors but she dominated in an unprecedented way, coining the term ‘the Serena Slam’ for holding all Grand Slam titles simultaneously as well as being one of only six women to complete a career Grand Slam. She won eight singles majors (four in a row from 2014-15, achieving a second Serena Slam) and won her 23rd major singles title at the 2017 Australian Open, surpassing Steffi Graf’s Open Era record, cementing her as one of the best, if not the best, to play of all time. She then took a break after becoming pregnant, but this has not stopped her and since her return to the sport she has reached four major finals.
Serena Williams’ powerful serve -Photo [Vogue].In order to truly appreciate her dominance, however, her unparalleled playstyle must be noted. Her strength was simply unmatched, allowing her to play an aggressive baseline game centred around her serve and powerful groundstrokes. Her fastest serve was 128.6 mph and her average serve speed was 106 mph, often exceeding many of her male counterparts as well as equalling Nadal’s in the Australian Open.
Her impressive ability in tennis extends beyond these statistics; her mental fortitude through injury, motherhood and business while playing professional tennis at the highest level enabled her to dominate on and off the court. In multiple finals Serena has saved two or more match points to then win the game, showing the impressive determination she has. Despite having had a torn quadricep tendon, a hematoma, and a pulmonary embolism she then went on to win a second career grand slam and a golden slam which not only shows not only her physical prowess but also her mental strength. If the injuries were not the most difficult struggle for her to overcome during her time as a player, certainly pregnancy was.
Serena winning Australian Open while pregnant, 2017 -Photo [BBC Sport].In April 2017, Serena revealed that she was five months pregnant, making her victory in the Australian Open final all the more impressive. After giving birth in September and suffering a pulmonary embolism leaving her bedridden for six weeks, Serena played her first match since giving birth in December, demonstrating uncanny recovery.
In addition to her incredible persistence through injury and pregnancy, Serena pursued her own interests outside of tennis. Instantly recognisable on court due to her unconventionally colourful outfits, fashion became an identifiable characteristic of Serena, talked about and scrutinised constantly by the media. Rather than shying away from the public eye, she seized the opportunity signing a US$40 million deal for a line with Nike before going on to run her own line of apparel, “Aneres”. As well as fashion, Serena has been the CSO of Aston Martin since June 2015 and is on the board of directors at Momentive Incorporated. Her ability to perform at a top level whilst balancing all her other interests and creating a name for herself outside of tennis sets her apart from her peers.
Serena Williams and Andy Murray -Photo [Express].Although her career titles speak for themselves, anyone who witnessed Serena play on the court can recognise that she was a level above everyone she faced. The fact she managed to dominate while balancing her other pursuits off the court makes it clear she is one of the greatest to play tennis. When comparing to her male counterparts, the superiority that Serena has in women’s tennis is emphasised. There is a constantly debate about who between Nadal, Federer and Djokovic is the best or most dominant, no one during Serena’s time playing comes as close to her level of dominance, cementing in her place in the history of tennis.
F*ckin’ remarkable issues here. I am very happy to peer your article. Thanks a lot and i’m looking ahead to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
I will immediately take hold of your rss feed as I can not in finding your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly allow me know so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something informative to read?
I am not positive the place you’re getting your info, however good topic. I must spend a while learning more or figuring out more. Thank you for excellent information I used to be in search of this information for my mission.
What i don’t understood is actually how you’re not actually much more well-liked than you may be now. You are very intelligent. You realize therefore considerably relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs great. Always maintain it up!
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you may be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back at some point. I want to encourage you continue your great posts, have a nice morning!
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with helpful info to work on. You have performed a formidable task and our entire neighborhood will probably be thankful to you.
I was more than happy to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks to your time for this glorious learn!! I undoubtedly having fun with each little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you weblog post.
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
Hello, you used to write great, but the last few posts have been kinda boringK I miss your great writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!
Hey! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the great work!
I’ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this information So i’m happy to convey that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to do not forget this web site and give it a look regularly.
Thanks , I’ve recently been looking for info about this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain about the supply?
Very well written story. It will be valuable to everyone who utilizes it, including yours truly :). Keep up the good work – looking forward to more posts.
Very interesting points you have observed, appreciate it for putting up. “A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.” by John C. Maxwell.
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
I’ll right away grab your rss as I can not find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say superb blog!
I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this info So i am happy to convey that I’ve an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to do not forget this web site and give it a look on a constant basis.
Excellent web site. A lot of helpful information here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your effort!
I have been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
I like this web blog its a master peace ! Glad I noticed this on google .
F*ckin’ remarkable issues here. I am very happy to peer your article. Thanks a lot and i’m looking ahead to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
I will immediately take hold of your rss feed as I can not in finding your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly allow me know so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something informative to read?
I am not positive the place you’re getting your info, however good topic. I must spend a while learning more or figuring out more. Thank you for excellent information I used to be in search of this information for my mission.
What i don’t understood is actually how you’re not actually much more well-liked than you may be now. You are very intelligent. You realize therefore considerably relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs great. Always maintain it up!
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you may be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back at some point. I want to encourage you continue your great posts, have a nice morning!
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with helpful info to work on. You have performed a formidable task and our entire neighborhood will probably be thankful to you.
I was more than happy to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks to your time for this glorious learn!! I undoubtedly having fun with each little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you weblog post.
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
Hello, you used to write great, but the last few posts have been kinda boringK I miss your great writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!
Hey! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the great work!
I’ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this information So i’m happy to convey that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to do not forget this web site and give it a look regularly.
Thank you for some other fantastic article.
Where else could anyone get that kind of info in such a perfect approach of writing?
I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m
at the search for such information.
Also visit my web page: coupon
I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also
go to see this weblog on regular basis to get updated from most recent reports.
Thanks , I’ve recently been looking for info about this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain about the supply?
Very well written story. It will be valuable to everyone who utilizes it, including yours truly :). Keep up the good work – looking forward to more posts.
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was looking for!
Very interesting points you have observed, appreciate it for putting up. “A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.” by John C. Maxwell.
Great post, I conceive people should acquire a lot from this blog its very user pleasant.
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
I’ll right away grab your rss as I can not find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say superb blog!
Dead indited subject material, appreciate it for entropy. “Necessity is the mother of taking chances.” by Mark Twain.
I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this info So i am happy to convey that I’ve an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to do not forget this web site and give it a look on a constant basis.
Excellent web site. A lot of helpful information here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your effort!
I have been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
Good write-up, I?¦m regular visitor of one?¦s web site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
Well I sincerely enjoyed reading it. This post provided by you is very constructive for proper planning.
Hello thestand-online.com webmaster, Thanks for the well-organized post!
Dear thestand-online.com owner, Your posts are always well structured and easy to follow.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Greetings! Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!