Serena Williams is the GOAT and these era-defining stats prove it

Serena Williams has already defied considerable odds to reach the third round of the US Open. Let's take a step back to reflect on a few stats that underline her status as the GOAT in the sport.

Serena Williams is the GOAT and these era-defining stats prove it

23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams is safely through to the third round of this year’s US Open after dumping out the Estonian second seed Anett Kontaveit in three absorbing sets.

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40-year-old Williams now boasts a ridiculous 42-0 record in first and second round matches at Flushing Meadow. That’s just one statistic that underlines her dominance of the women’s game over the past two decades and more.

Real recognises real. Tiger Woods watches on as Serena Williams defeats Anett Kontaveit. Images via @ESPN / Twitter.

Serena Williams: Stats of a GOAT

  • Serena Williams won her first Grand Slam title all the way back in 1999, aged 17.
  • In 2002, Williams won Wimbledon, Ronald Garros and her second US Open title, finishing that Grand Slam season with a 21-0 record.
  • She went on to win the 2003 Australian Open, meaning that Williams held all of the slams at once (dubbed the “Serena Slam”).
  • From the 2008 US Open until Wimbledon 2010, Serena Williams won five of eight Grand Slam titles on offer.
  • A second “Serena Slam” followed in 2014-15.
  • At Wimbledon 2016, Williams equaled Steffi Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles.
  • At the 2017 Australian Open, Serena scooped her 23rd major honour, making her the most decorated player of the open era, and she was two months pregnant at the time.
  • Serena has also won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with sister Venus, along with three Olympic Gold medals in doubles to go along with Serena’s singles Gold in 2012.
  • All-in-all, Serena Williams has won seven Australian Open, seven Wimbledon, three Roland Garros and six US Open crowns.

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The inimitable Serena Williams, who has now won her last eight matches against opponents ranked inside the world top two, will face Ajla Tomljanović in the US Open third round.

It looks like another heavyweight clash not to be missed.