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Serena Williams Then & Now: See Photos of the Tennis Star Over the Years

By:
August 21, 2025 10:34AM EDT
Serena Williams Then & Now: See Photos of the Tennis Star Over the Years
Getty Images for Vogue

Serena has managed her tennis career with strength and grace. See pics of the athlete from the beginning of her fame to now.

Serena Williams is an undeniable icon in the sports world, born September 26, 1981. The tennis champ got her start on the pro circuit in 1995 when she was just 14. From there, she would go on to win 23 individual Grand Slams and 14 in doubles alongside sister Venus Williams.

Serena married tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, two months after the birth of their baby girl prompted her hiatus from tennis. The couple share two daughters. She returned to the court and won the French Open a year later. However, in August 2022, the tennis ace announced she was leaving the sport, telling Vogue she was “evolving away” from competition.

We’re looking back at everything Serena has accomplished so far in our photo gallery here.

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Serena Williams: Then & Now

Serena Williams: Then & Now
Shutterstock

Serena Williams is an undeniable athletic icon, born September 26, 1981. The tennis pro got her start on the pro circuit in 1995, when she was just 14. From there, she would go on to win 23 individual Grand Slams and 14 in doubles alongside sister Venus.

Serena married tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, two months after the birth of their baby girl prompted her hiatus from tennis. She returned to the court and won the French Open a year later.

The tennis ace announced she was leaving the sport in Aug. of 2022, telling Vogue she was ‘evolving away’ from competition. Her final pro appearance will be at the 2022 US Open, which starts Aug. 29.

Serena Williams has had an amazing career. Look back at everything she’s accomplished in our gallery here.

August 9, 2022, 9:44AM
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Serena Williams In 1997

Serena Williams In 1997
Colorsport/Shutterstock

Serena Williams holds up her US Open trophy while in New York in 1997. Making a tourist stop, she visited the Unisphere.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
3 of 24

Serena Williams Plays In 1998

Serena Williams Plays In 1998
Colorsport/Shutterstock

Serena Williams plays Spain’s Virginia Ruano Pascual at the 1998 Wimbledon Tennis Championship. Her strength was on full display as she showed off her arms in a Puma exercise dress.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
4 of 24

Serena Williams With President Bill Clinton

Serena Williams With President Bill Clinton
Shutterstock

Truly honors! Serena Williams got to meet President Bill Clinton alongside Men’s US Open Tennis Champion Andre Agassi in 1999.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
5 of 24

Serena & Venus Williams Win The 1999 US Open

Serena & Venus Williams Win The 1999 US Open
Kathy Willens/AP/Shutterstock

Venus, left, and Serena Williams celebrate winning the  1999US Open. They beat Chanda Rubin, of Lafayette, Louisiana and France’s Sandrine Testud.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
6 of 24

Samuel L. Jackson & The Williams Sisters

Samuel L. Jackson & The Williams Sisters
Richard Young/Shutterstock

Samuel L. Jackson poses with Venus Williams (left) and sister Serena (right) during the 2000 Laureus Sports Awards in Monaco. It was the start of a stunning red carpet career.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
7 of 24

The Williams Gamily At The Essence Awards

The Williams Gamily At The Essence Awards
Darla Khazei/AP/Shutterstock

Serena Williams, left, and her sister Venus, center, take their mother Oracene to the 2001 Essence Awards at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The Serena was stylish in hot pink while Venus wore sequins and mom looked classic in a red and a shawl.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
8 of 24

Serena Williams In 2004

Serena Williams In 2004
Dan Steinberg/BEI/Shutterstock

Serena Williams embraces monochrome fashion for Clive Davis’ 2004 Pre-Grammy party. She teamed a billowing white blouse with a black skirt that was gathered down the center. Pink heels offered a punchy touch.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
9 of 24

Serena Williams At The Beach In 2006

Serena Williams At The Beach In 2006
Ron C Angle/BEI/Shutterstock

Serena Williams flaunts her chiseled abs while on the beach in Malibu on Jul. 13, 2006. She showed off her athletic figure in a red bikini. The star was back to training after a six-month tennis break due to injuries.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
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Serena Williams At The 2008 US Open

Serena Williams At The 2008 US Open
Rhona Wise/EPA/Shutterstock

Victory scream! Serena Williams celebrates here match point against Jelena Jankovic of Serbia at the Sony Ericsson Open in Florida on Apr. 5, 2008.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
11 of 24

Serena Williams At A Burberry Fashion Show

Serena Williams At A Burberry Fashion Show
David Fisher/Shutterstock

Serena Williams proved she was a fashionista at heart during Burberry Prorsum’s Spring Summer 2014 fashion show at London’s Kensington Palace Gardens on Jun. 18, 2013. Her little pink dress and mini-trench were so Brit-chic.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
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Serena Williams Launches Her HSN Line

Serena Williams Launches Her HSN Line
Kristin Callahan/Shutterstock

Serena Williams waves after presenting her Serena Williams Signature Collection by HSN collection during New York Fashion Week in Sep. 2015. Her fringed skirt revealed a pair of hot pants and she also wore a sexy wrap to with heels on foot.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
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Serena Williams Plays In 2017

Serena Williams Plays In 2017
Timothy D Easley/AP/Shutterstock

Serena Williams looks like a champ while in action during the WTA tennis tournament in Nicholasville, Kentucky on Jan. 16, 2017. She had purple streaks in her hair and wore a cool Nike look on the court.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
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Serena Williams At The 2017 Met Gala

Serena Williams At The 2017 Met Gala
David Fisher/Shutterstock

Serena Williams is glowing in green during the 2017 Met Gala, celebrating the opening of the exhibit ‘Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between’ on May 1, 2017. She showed off her budding baby bump in the Versace look, which she teamed with a Piguet watch.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
15 of 24

Serena Williams & Husband At The Premiere Of ‘Being Serena’

Serena Williams & Husband At The Premiere Of ‘Being Serena’
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutte

Her biggest fan! Serena Williams was joined by husband Alexis Ohanian during the premiere of her HBO documentary ‘Being Serena’ on Apr. 25, 2018. She was radiant in a white dress while he suite up in dark grey

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
16 of 24

Serena Williams Closes Her Fashion Show

Serena Williams Closes Her Fashion Show
John Photography/Shutterstock

Serena Williams is so proud as she takes daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. out on the catwalk after her Serena by Serena Williams fashion show in Sep. 2019. She wore a sheer black top and snakeskin skirt with sneakers.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
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Serena Williams Walks Off-White

Serena Williams Walks Off-White
Valerio Mezzanotti/Shutterstock

Serena Williams looks fierce as she struts down the catwalk of Off-White’s Paris Fashion Week show in Dec. 2020. The show was late fashion designer Virgil Abloh’s final bow.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
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Serena Williams At Balmain

Serena Williams At Balmain
Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP/Shut

Serena Williams is pure fashion as she arrives for Balmain’s Fall/Winter 2022-2023 RTW show on Mar. 2, 2022. She wore green velvet and blackout shades.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
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Venus & Serena Williams At The 2022 Critics Choice Awards

Venus & Serena Williams At The 2022 Critics Choice Awards
Jordan Strauss/AP/Shutterstock

Sisters Venus and Serena Williams are chic in silver during the 27th annual Critics Choice Awards on Mar. 13, 2022. Venus opted for a leggy look with dual slits while Venus sparkled in a spaghetti strap dress with a train attached.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
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Serena Williams At The Premiere Of ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’

Serena Williams At The Premiere Of ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’
Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock

Serena Williams was gorgeous in pink Gucci during the London premiere of ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ on Jul. 55, 2022. Her sheer pink mini came with a black velvet bow.

August 9, 2022, 9:42AM
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Serena Williams In Canada

Serena Williams In Canada
EDUARDO LIMA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstoc

Serena Williams waves at the crowd after her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, during the second round of the National Bank Open women’s tennis tournament on Aug. 10, 2022. She looked touched.

August 29, 2022, 11:20AM
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Serena Williams Opens Wall Street

Serena Williams Opens Wall Street
Allie Joseph/AP/Shutterstock

Serena Williams rings the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Aug. 26, 2022. Serena has been working hard on Serena Ventures, her venture capital firm based in Washington, D.C.

August 29, 2022, 11:20AM
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Serena Williams Plays The Western & Southern Open

Serena Williams Plays The Western & Southern Open
Aaron Doster/AP/Shutterstock

Serena Williams had her game face on while playing Britain’s Emma Raducanu at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament in Mason, Ohio on Aug. 16, 2022. She wore a pale pink dress with zesty lime stripes.

August 29, 2022, 11:19AM
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Serena Williams Then & Now: See Photos of the Tennis Star Over the Years

Serena Williams Then & Now: See Photos of the Tennis Star Over the Years
Getty Images for Vogue

Serena Williams Then & Now: See Photos of the Tennis Star Over the Years

August 21, 2025, 10:32AM