SERENA WILLIAMS: Intense moments on the court

Serena Williams (born September 26, 1981) is an American professional tennis player and a former world no. 1. The Women’s Tennis Association has ranked her world no. 1 in singles on separate occasions. She became the world no. 1 for the first time on July 8, 2002.

Her Grand Slam titles places her ninth on the all-time list. She is the most recent player, male or female, to have held all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously and only the fifth woman in history to do so. She was also the first woman, along with her sister Venus, to hold all four Grand Slam doubles titles simultaneously since Martina Hingis did so in 1998. She has won more Major titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles than any other active player, male or female. Furthermore, Serena Williams has won two Olympic gold medals in women’s doubles.

As Serena Williams climbed to the top of the female tennis world, she courted plenty of controversy along the way. Ever since she set foot on the tennis court, she has caused debate. She dressed differently, played differently, and she did it her way.

🎾 📖 Vocabulary / Vocabulario🎾

🤔 Comprehension Questions / Preguntas de Comprensión

1. How many times has Serena Williams been ranked world no. 1?
2. What achievement makes her unique among active players?
3. What historic accomplishment did she share with her sister Venus?
4. How did Serena Williams change the way female tennis players are perceived?
5. Why has she been a controversial figure in the tennis world?

✏️ Fill in the Blanks / Completa los espacios en blanco

1. Serena Williams became world no. 1 for the first time on __________.
2. She has won more __________ titles than any other active player, male or female.
3. Serena and Venus Williams were the first women to hold all four Grand Slam __________ titles simultaneously.
4. Serena has won two Olympic gold medals in __________.
5. Her playing style and fashion choices have sparked __________ in the tennis world.

🎓 Discussion Questions / Preguntas de Discusión

• What do you think has contributed to Serena Williams’ success in tennis?
• How do you feel about athletes expressing their individuality in professional sports?
• In what ways has Serena Williams influenced the future of women’s tennis?

✍️ Bonus: Creative Writing! / ¡Escritura Creativa!

Imagine you are a sports journalist covering one of Serena Williams’ Grand Slam victories. Write a short paragraph describing the match, her performance, and the reaction of the crowd.

Answers:

1. July 8, 2002
2. Major
3. Doubles
4. Women’s doubles
5. Debate