Serena Williams, Who Scripted History at Just 17, Got an Unexpected Phone Call From Her Biggest Supporter in 1999

Serena Williams, the American tennis legend, undoubtedly has a huge fan following among tennis players. Her fan base has only grown over time because of her outstanding achievements on the WTA tour. However, when she started playing professionally, she would have never imagined that the US president would be her ardent fan.

The former world number one has altered the course of the sport, particularly women’s tennis. She has dominated the sport over the course of 27 years by winning 23 Grand Slam titles and setting a benchmark for the next generation.

Serena Williams got a call from her biggest supporter

The 23-time Grand Slam champion’s career peaked in 1999 at the US Open. After defeating Hingis in the championship match of the competition, she captured her maiden Grand Slam title. The former world number one was only 17 years old and not quite as well-known as she is now.

After her maiden Grand Slam victory, the tennis star got a phone call from her biggest supporter that she made at the age of 17. Williams found out Bill Clinton, the former President of the United States, was her biggest fan.

After the match, when she was informed that the then-president wanted to talk to her, the tennis legend was astonished and said, “Someone was telling me, ‘The president of the United States wants to talk.’ I was thinking, ‘Wow.’”

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From well-known personalities to ordinary folks, she had swayed everyone’s hearts with her triumph in Flushing Meadows. Many starting following the sport because of the tennis star and the craze she brought with her to the tennis court.

Serena was unstoppable since then

When she was on a roll, the tennis legend was unbeatable. Following her triumph in 19, she went on to win another 22 championships, which is the second-highest total of Grand Slam titles in tennis history.

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Serena has also held the top spot in the WTA ranking for 186 consecutive weeks. The former world number one brought fame to the sport with her talent and prowess. Earlier at this year’s US Open, she evolved from the sport to focus on her family and business ventures.