Serena Williams' retirement: relive the legend's most memorable moments on court

An absolute legend, a leading businessperson, a mother, and an activist, Serena Williams the greatest of all champions has retired!

Her illustrious career that began at the mere age of 14 came to an end after she bowed out of US Open post her 3rd round defeat to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic.

On August 9th, Serena Williams had for the first time expressed her desire to ‘focus on life beyond her sport’

Is it over for Serena or not…only time will tell, but the legendry American athlete in her post match conference said, ‘Just not sure if that was my last moment’

For Serena, one of the most-loved sporting icons, the choice of being referred to as ‘one of the greatest of all time' in opposition to ‘history’s greatest female athlete’ spoke volumes about her, her stand, and what she accomplished beyond the Tennis court.

Bringing an end to the huge wage gap, crashing the glass ceiling, her statement-making fashion sense, and her staunch stand on various issues all define her, apart from the record 23 singles Grand Slam and 14 major championships in doubles.

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Here's a look at 3 of her most memorable moments on the court:

First Slam win

First is always special. For Serena Williams, the first Grand Slam came in 1999, when she was 17 years old. Unknown about what was in store for her, the American had defeated World No. 1 Swiss Tennis player Martina Hingis in the US Open final, becoming the first Afro-American woman to win a singles major in the Open Era.

Australian Open 2003

For all the 4 years that she had played in major singles events, she had failed to get her hands around the Australian Open trophy. But that changed in 2003 finally, when she completed the Serena Slam after beating Venus. Interestingly, from the 2002 French Open to the 2003 Australian Open, Williams won all 4 major singles titles and all over Venus Williams.

2017 Australian Open

Just before entering the competition, the American got to know that she was expecting her first child. And in her extravagant Aus Open victory, Williams dropped no set and won against Venus Williams to win her 8th title in Melbourne, leaving behind Steffi Graff in the all-time list of major winners in the Open Era.

BONUS

The proudest moment for Serena- 2015 French Open!

101.5 degrees burning body, serious flu symptoms almost forced the American champion to pull herself out of French Open. But it is Serena, we are talking about!

She first won the semifinal, then called up the referee before the night of the final to inform him about her health. However, she braved her poor health and went on to beat Czech player Lucie Safarova to lift the trophy on the clay court.