Legend Serena Williams is experiencing the final days of her tennis career. Photo: GETTY

Currently, 40-year-old legend Serena is taking her final steps, possibly her last tournament at the US Open (starting today, August 29).

Serena Williams – symbol of African American pride

Serena has become an icon for African Americans in a white-dominated sport . She won 23 Grand Slam titles and conquered many important milestones with a strong determination, just like the energy she radiated in her magical shots.

Serena and her sister Venus (7-time Grand Slam champion) are co-producers and executive producers of the movie “King Richard”. The film is like a fairy tale , telling the story of how they were taught to play tennis by their father, Mr. Richard Williams, on the harshest streets of Compton, California (USA).

Serena and her sister Venus on the premiere day of the movie King Richard. Photo: GETTY

“I’m still just that girl, with a racket and a dream. And I only compete for that,” was the words shared after Serena won the 2013 US Open title.

Serena – the female tennis player known as “legendary” has won 7 Australian Open titles, 3 French Open titles, 7 Wimbledon titles and 6 US Open championships, less than her predecessor’s all-time record . Margaret Court is exactly one title.

At the 1999 US Open, Serena won her first Grand Slam at the age of 17. By 2017, she won her 23rd major title at the Australian Open, while pregnant with her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian.

After giving birth to Olympia in September 2017, Serena was bedridden for six weeks due to a pulmonary embolism. But just 5 months later, she fought back to compete in doubles, partnering with her sister Venus at the Fed Cup ( world women’s team tournament ).

Having won 6 Wimbledon championships, the 40-year-old tennis player is struggling again in the 2022 season. Photo: GETTY

Among the 23 Grand Slam titles, Serena Williams has twice completed the “Serena Slam” – twice winning all four major titles in a row. First in the 2002-2003 season, starting at the 2002 French Open and again in 2014-2015, starting at the 2014 US Open.

Although extremely successful, Serena is very humble: “I never focus on numbers. When I started playing tennis, I didn’t think about becoming the greatest because I only had a racket and a dream. Now people say I can be (the greatest) but for me, I’m not there yet.

Talented athletes like Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf, for me, they are the ultimate icons in the history of women’s tennis in the world.”

The ups and downs of a legend

Serena has a powerful playing style on the court, but sometimes the design of her clothes overshadows her inner strength. The most recent of the 73 WTA titles won by Serena was in January 2020 at the Auckland Open. This is also the only championship Serena has won as a mother.

It’s not that Serena doesn’t have a chance to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record, but all four times, she lost in the 2018 Wimbledon and 2019 US Open finals (deferred to Naomi Osaka).

When her half-sister and personal assistant, Yetunde Price was shot dead by gangsters in 2003 at the age of 31, Serena had to fight hard to overcome this pain.

Two patches on her face help Serena breathe easier due to pulmonary congestion. Photo: GETTY

When she was at the peak of her career, Serena had to take a break from competition for nearly a year (after winning Wimbledon 2010). After an accident, she underwent two surgeries and 20 weeks in a cast. Then, she discovered a blood clot causing lung obstruction, threatening her life in 2011.

“The doctor said I had blood clots in both lungs. A lot of people died because of that. It makes me unable to breathe. At first I just thought I was out of shape. But the disease got worse and worse. Being at the top and having to accept that happening, it’s really difficult. But it made me realize the value of everything,” Serena confided.

Serena affirmed that her success was gleaned from her father Richard Williams: “I would not have won a single title without my father and his support. He is a great, creative coach . Father nurtured and built me ​​and my sister. Father gave us a good, very solid foundation. That’s why we can develop our careers.”

Serena with her father and older sister in her childhood. Photo: GETTY

Even though other kids made fun of his daughter while practicing, Serena’s father, Richard Williams, remained steadfast: “To be successful, you have to be prepared for the unexpected – and I was prepared for that. Criticism can get the best of you.”