5 best matches that defined Serena Williams' career ft. remarkable wins against Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova

Serena Williams, regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, bid adieu to tennis in 2022. The American claimed countless titles and broke numerous records during her 27-year-long professional career.

Williams turned professional in 1995 and was then coached by her father Richard Williams. She went on to win 23 Grand Slam titles, the most by any woman in the Open Era and the second most of all time. The 43-year-old was ranked World No. 1 in the WTA rankings for 319 weeks, including 186 consecutive weeks. She also finished as year-end No. 1 on five occasions.

As a new season approaches, let us reflect on some of Serena Williams' matches that became iconic moments in tennis history and defined her illustrious career.

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#5 Serena Williams vs Martina Hingis, 1999 US Open

Williams claimed her first Grand Slam title in front of her home crowd at the 1999 US Open. The then 17-year-old defeated Martina Hingis 6-3, 7-6(4) in the final. As a result, she became the first African American woman to clinch a major title in the Open Era.

After winning the first set comfortably, Williams had the opportunity to serve out the match. However, she was forced to a tiebreaker. The American held her nerves and went all in to win the tiebreaker and the title, instantly becoming a celebrity among tennis fans.

Williams beat defending champion Lindsay Davenport to reach the final.

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#4 Serena Williams vs Venus Williams, 2002 Wimbledon

The Williams sisters at the 2002 Wimbledon Championships (Source: Getty)

Serena Williams beat her sister Venus Williams in the 2002 Wimbledon final. The 23-time Grand Slam champion won the opener after a closely fought tiebreaker before comfortably wrapping up the tie after nine games in the second set.

The win was monumental in Williams' career for several reasons. It marked the American's first title at the grass court major. She became the World No. 1 for the first time after winning the championship.

Williams also claimed 'Channel Slam', having already won the French Open title the same year.

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#3 Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova, 2012 London Olympics

Williams addressing the press at the 2012 London Olympics (Source: Getty)

By 2012, Williams had already won numerous titles that many professional players could only dream of. However, what was missing in the American's trophy cabinet was an Olympic gold medal in singles.

Williams defeated her long-time rival Maria Sharapova 6-0, 6-1 in the gold medal match. The win became even more significant as it helped her claim the career Golden Slam, having already won all four majors in her career by then.

It was a double delight for Serena Williams at the London Olympics as she paired up with her sister Venus to bag the gold in the doubles event. They defeated Czech Republic's Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka, 6-4, 6-4, in the final.

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#2 Serena Williams vs Kim Clijsters, 2001 Indian Wells

Serena Williams defeated Kim Clijsters in the 2001 Indian Wells final. Among the 23 WTA 1000 titles that Williams won during her career, the circumstance under which she secured this particular title made it special.

Williams and her family were subjected to loud boos and jeers from the crowd. Her father Richard was accused of manipulating matches between the Williams sisters by former Russian player Elena Dementieva. This accusation gained widespread attention among tennis fans as Richard allegedly became the target of racial slurs throughout the match.

Despite the taunts from the crowd, the American displayed strong determination and fought back from a set down to beat Clijsters, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

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#1 Serena Williams vs Venus Williams, 2017 Australian Open

Williams with the 2017 Australian Open title (Source: Getty)

Williams claimed her final Grand Slam title of her career at the 2017 Australian Open. She achieved the feat by defeating sister Venus Williams, 6-4, 6-4, in the final. The summit clash marked the Williams sisters' ultimate face-off at a major final.

With the win, Williams surpassed Steffi Graf's record for the most women's singles major titles in the Open Era. She regained her No. 1 position in the rankings as well.

What made the achievement even more exceptional is that Williams was pregnant during her campaign at the Melbourne major. She was around eight weeks pregnant with her first daughter Olympia by the end of the tournament, eventually giving birth to the baby on September 1, 2017.