Serena Williams recently revealed how the unfortunate end of her first romantic relationship fueled her to achieve remarkable feats in tennis.
The former World No. 1 won 23 Major singles titles throughout her illustrious career; an Open Era record in women’s tennis.
Serena Williams revealed how being ghosted by her first boyfriend motivated her to achieve the Serena Slam (Source: Getty)
One of the feats that defined Williams’ career was the ‘Serena Slam’; winning four Grand Slam singles titles in a row, but not all of them in the same calendar year.
Williams did the ‘Serena Slam’ twice in her career. The first time was in 2002 and 2003 when she won the 2002 edition of the French Open, the Wimbledon Championships, the US Open, and the 2003 edition of the Australian Open.
The second time was between 2014 and 2015. This time around, the run started with her title triumph at the 2014 US Open. Williams then went on to win the 2015 edition of the Australian Open, the French Open, and the Wimbledon Championships.
Serena Williams’ $150 million worth husband Alexis Ohanian teases Christmas gift plan with Santa Claus statement
Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian in attendance at NBA Cup final; American shows his support to Giannis Antetokounmpo
“The next day, I lost” – Rafael Nadal shares anecdote with uncle Toni that taught him important lesson in life
However, the ‘Serena Slam’ may never have become a reality had Williams’ first romantic relationship not come to a grinding halt. In the ESPN+ documentary ‘In the Arena: Serena Williams’, the American revealed that her boyfriend at the time (before the 2002 season) had suddenly started “ghosting” her.
“A few days after the US Open final, I’m in DC with my sister. I see this guy that I’m dating, so and so. and I stayed at his house for a couple of weeks. It was the first relationship I ever had. I was in my twenties. I go home. He ghosts me. I got ghosted,” Williams said.
The former World No. 1 went on to state that her boyfriend’s behavior towards her became her motivation to make him “regret” it by laying her claim to the most prestigious titles in tennis.
“It wasn’t even that serious, but it was like I used that and I made it way more serious than what it was. So when he ghosted me I used that as an opportunity to say, he’s going to regret this for the rest of his life.
That was just the motivation I needed to go the extra mile. I’m gonna make sure this person sees me EVERYWHERE for the rest of their life,” Williams added.
“That final was so huge” – Serena Williams on 2003 Australian Open final against elder sister Venus
Venus Williams (L) and Serena Williams (R) during the trophy presentation ceremony after the conclusion of the 2003 Australian Open women’s singles final
Williams completed the ‘Serena Slam’ for the first time by defeating elder sister Venus 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4 in the final of the 2003 Australian Open.
Recently, Williams revisited the final during her appearance on ‘Hot Ones’, a talk show on YouTube. According to the former World No. 1, it was the most mentally intense match she played throughout her career.
“Oh man! The most intense match, I don’t know for me the most mentally like mine was Australia 2023, I mean goodness 2003 (laughs). That final was so huge because it was the first time I could win four Grand Slams in a row which would be dubbed as a ‘Serena Slam’,” Williams said.
The final also marked Venus’ fourth-straight loss to her sister in the women’s singles final of a Grand Slam, having tasted defeat in the finals of the 2002 editions of the French Open, the Wimbledon Championships, and the US Open.
