Serena Williams on Tuesday announced her retirement from the sport after this year's US Open starting on Aug. 29. The following is a timeline charting her rise to the top of the women's game:1999: Defeated Martina Hingis in the US 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 US 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 US Open to break her Grand Slam drought before claiming the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles the following year.
2010: Joined Billie-Jean King on the all-time Grand Slam list in sixth with her 12th major at the Australian Open. Missed the US Open over medical complications after cutting her foot on glass while celebrating her Wimbledon win.