Serena Williams
Coached by her father on public courts in Compton; won 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
Serena Williams was born in 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan, US (raised in Compton, California). Serena Williams's background is described as Black American. Growing up, the family was working class — father ran a small security firm and coached his daughters himself, learning tennis from books and videos. Coached by her father on public courts in Compton; won 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
- Born
- 1981 · Saginaw, Michigan, US (raised in Compton, California)
- Roots
- Black American
- Family
- Working class
- Father ran a small security firm and coached his daughters himself, learning tennis from books and videos.
- Education
- Home-schooled during junior tennis; later studied fashion design
- Started with
- Public courts
- Trained by her father on Compton's public courts.
- Affiliations & societies
- Jehovah's WitnessesDocumented
- Raised in the faith and has described herself as a practicing member.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1984 · age 3Starts tennis
Her father begins coaching her and her sister Venus on Compton's public courts.
- 1991 · age 9Moves to Florida
The family relocates so the sisters can train at Rick Macci's academy.
- 1995 · age 14Turns professional
- 1999 · age 17First Grand Slam title$750K
Wins the US Open.
- 2003 · age 21“Serena Slam”
Holds all four major titles at once; ranked world No. 1.
- 2017 · age 3523rd Grand Slam title
Wins the Australian Open while pregnant.
- 2022 · age 40Retires; Serena Ventures$111M fund
Her venture fund closes at $111M.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Serena Williams from?
Serena Williams was born in 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan, US (raised in Compton, California). Their background is described as Black American.
When was Serena Williams born?
Serena Williams was born in 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan, US (raised in Compton, California).
What is Serena Williams's background or ethnicity?
Serena Williams's roots are described as Black American. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Serena Williams go to school?
Serena Williams's education: Home-schooled during junior tennis; later studied fashion design.
What was Serena Williams's family background growing up?
At birth the family was working class. Father ran a small security firm and coached his daughters himself, learning tennis from books and videos.
How did Serena Williams get started?
Serena Williams started with public courts. Trained by her father on Compton's public courts.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.