Sensational Serena

‘I can imagine it’s hard for you that Venus is getting all the attention now,’ says Richard Williams to his daughter Serena. ‘And she will also become the number one in the world.’ He looks at his daughter who is sadly staring at the gravel. ‘But you, Serena, you will become the greatest tennis player of all time.’ A fragment from King Richard (if you get the chance: watch this film) that really happened and that Serena described to Jimmy Kimmel as ‘a moment she will never forget.’.

With 73 titles to her name, more than 50 million dollars in prize money (not to mention all other income), she has far surpassed her sister Venus. There is only one woman, Margaret Court, who has won more matches than Serena. If Serena wins the US Open, the circle will be complete. She won this Grand Slam at the age of seventeen and will end her career here. We commemorate one of the greatest athletes ever in 17 funny facts you probably didn’t know.

1. At 18 months she was already on the tennis court
Richard Williams had a plan for his daughters. Even before they were born, he had already prepared the training schedules. There is a photo of Venus pushing Serena in the stroller across the tennis court when Serena is only 18 months old.

2. Richard Williams made unconventional decisions
For example, he didn’t let Serena participate in youth competitions for six years. He wanted to keep her carefree and not expose her to the racist remarks they often heard while playing.

3. Rome is her favorite city
Probably because she loves pizza and because she met her husband Alexis there.

4. When she won the Australian Open in 2017, she was pregnant
Just eight weeks left and we know those are the most exhausting weeks.

5. She has her own OPI line
Makes sense, because Serena says there’s no one who loves painted nails more than she does.

6. She has a great love for fashion
And even went to Fashion School at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.

7. She is a Jehovah’s Witness and does not celebrate birthdays

8. She loves dogs
One of her dogs is named Jackie and the other is named Christopher ‘Chip’ Rafael Nadal, named after her tennis buddy Nadal.

9. She has an apartment in Paris

10. She speaks French very well

11. She is vegan

12. She donates a lot of money to schools in Jamaica and Africa

13. Her ideal vacation consists of staying in a beachfront villa in Jamaica for $20,000 a week.

14. She has the cutest tagline ever on Instagram

Nothing about her career and unmatched achievements. The phrase reads: ‘I’m Olympia’s mom.’.

What’s not to love?