Serena Williams

Tennis champion Serena Williams embodies style, power, beauty and courage. Williams has overcome insurmountable odds to win 11 career Grand Slams, 34 singles championships, 15 doubles championships, and she was a Gold-Medalist at the 2000 and 2008 Olympics. Her remarkable tennis skills have skyrocketed her to fame, but only her unique charm and drive could explain her successful endeavours outside of tennis in film, television, fashion and philanthropy. Williams' tennis ability combined with her off-court activity makes her one of the most recognizable names and faces in the world.

Williams began playing tennis at age four, and since that time she has become one of the most dominant figures in tennis. Most recently, she won the 2009 Wimbledon crown, which followed her victory at the 2009 Australian Open—winning both the singles and the doubles championships with sister Venus.

Williams has been named the Associated Press "Female Athlete of the Year," one of BBC's "Sports Personalities of the Year," and nominated for the Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year" Award. She was the recipient of two ESPY Awards: "Female Athlete of the Year," and "Female Tennis Player of the Year." As a media sensation, Williams has been selected as one of People Magazine's "25 Most Intriguing People" and was honoured as one of Essence Magazine's "50 Most Inspiring African-Americans."

Off the tennis court, William's passion extends to acting and fashion. She and her sister Venus partook in the reality television show, Venus and Serena For Real, and she has numerous acting and voice credits on hit television shows. She was featured among 10 individuals named "Fashion Trendsetters" by Vogue Magazine on a VH1/Vogue Television Special. Using her fashion savvy, Williams founded and created the acclaimed clothing label, Aneres. Her first book, On The Line, was published in September 2009.

Williams' is deeply committed to philanthropic causes. In 2008, Williams helped to fund the construction of the Serena Williams Secondary School in Matooni, Kenya. She has also worked with The Owl Foundation, the S.E. Tennis and Learning Center, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund; Race for the Homeless, Stop the Violence, the Special Olympics, and the Arthur Ashe Foundation.

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