Professional tennis player Serena Williams bids farewell to a career that yielded 23 Grand Slams and 319 weeks of holding a No. 1 ranking. After playing her final match in the United States Open Tennis Championship on Sept. 3. Williams retired from the sport after 27 years of her professional career. “Throughout her career, Williams broke down barriers for female athletes and left a lasting influence on all sports,” Viewpoints Editor Janie Ripps wrote. Illustration by Antonio Starks
Following her last match in the United States Open Tennis Championship on Sept. 3, tennis star Serena Williams retired. However, her lasting impact on sports for female athletes will never end.
Throughout her career, Serena Williams broke down barriers for female athletes and left a lasting influence on all sports.
From holding the Women’s Tennis Association’s No. 1 ranking for 319 weeks to winning the Grand Slam singles title 23 times, Williams is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time. After playing professionally for 27 years, she finally hung up her racket on Sept. 3 after playing in the 2022 United States Open Tennis Championship.
After defeating top-ranked Martina Hingis and winning her first U.S. Open tournament in 1997 at age 17, just two years after turning professional, Williams caught the eyes of the world, including investors.
Over the course of her career, Williams partnered with brands including Puma SE, Nike Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc. and amassed $94 million in career prize money – the most ever made by a female athlete.
Williams’ groundbreaking corporate partnerships pushed brands to invest more in relationships with female athletes. Not only did the tennis star change the game by promoting investments in female athletics, but also the lives of athletes who are mothers.
Williams’ groundbreaking corporate partnerships pushed brands to invest more in relationships with female athletes. Not only did the tennis star change the game by promoting investments in female athletics, but also the lives of athletes who are mothers.
Until 2018, the WTA’s seeding protocol stated that players who dropped in rankings due to leaves of absence wouldn’t receive any protection in tournament seedings, even for maternity leave.
While playing in the Australian Open in 2017, Williams was two months pregnant. She played as a statement towards how women were treated when they took a leave of absence. Fortunately, her public statement prompted change. Now, players who take pregnancy leaves aren’t penalized in their ranking.
Williams’ impact extends beyond professional tennis, though.
Physical Education department teacher and Varsity Tennis Assistant Coach Evan Adams feels that Williams’ legacy sets an example for high school students.
“She is an inspiration as to the ability to succeed regardless of the obstacles she encountered,” Adams said. “She was a huge inspiration to me throughout my athletic career and will continue to be an inspiration to future female athletes. I believe her determination is infectious and is a great example for athletes at (Clarke Central High School).”
Not only is she a role model at CCHS, but Williams is a global role model for athletes. From her fierce wardrobe to her inspiring victories, she has changed sports for the better.
Generations today must work to continue the legacy and to embody her values of consistency, activism and embracing change. Her influence will never be forgotten.
