Serena Williams, who is set to retire from the sport after the U.S. Open. The following is a timeline charting her rise to the top of the women's game:1999: Defeated Martina Hingis in the U.S.
Open final, becoming the first African American woman to win a Grand Slam singles title after Althea Gibson in 1958.2001: Failed to make another major final until 2001, when she lost the U.S.
Open title clash to sister Venus.2002-03: Missed the 2002 Australian Open due to injury and then embarked on an incredible run that included winning five of the next six Slams and losing in the 2003 French Open semis.2004-07: Career was affected by injury, but she still won Australian Open titles in 2005 and 2007.2008-09: Won the 2008 U.S.
Open to break her Grand Slam drought before claiming the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles the following year.2010: Won her 12th major at the Australian Open.