This Incredible Serena Williams Landmark May Never Be Surpassed

Serena Williams is head and shoulders above the rest in the women’s field in terms of her career haul of Grand Slam titles and is just one short of equaling an all-time record. But there’s also another career landmark of hers that may never be matched, much less surpassed.

Serena Williams holds the record of winning career Golden Slams in both singles and doubles

The 39-year-old American holds the incredible record of winning career Golden Slams – all Grand Slam titles and the Olympics gold  – in both singles and doubles in separate years. She happens to be the only tennis player, male or female, to have this remarkable feat against her name.

In a career that has spanned more than two decades and is now into its twilight, there are many landmarks and records that have fallen to this champion and have put her firmly ahead in the race for ‘GOAT’ in women’s tennis.

The American reached the career landmark in singles after landing the Olympics gold with the defeat of Maria Sharapova in 2012, becoming only the second player after the legendary Steffi Graf to do so.

However, unlike Serena, Graf won all four Grand Slams and the Olympics gold in 1988, in what was a phenomenal year in her career.

Serena won three doubles gold in Olympics apart from 14 Grand Slam titles with sister Venus

Along with elder sister Venus Williams, Serena won the doubles gold in the Summer Games of 2000, 2008, and 2012. This is apart from the 14 Grand Slam titles that the American won partnering with her sibling.

With 23 Grand Slam championship victories, Serena is currently just one title shy of going on par with yesteryear stalwart Margaret Court for the most number of Major trophies across the men’s and women’s fields.

However, the last few years have only prolonged her agony of not being able to reach the landmark.

Going into this year’s Australian Open with the mental baggage of not having won a Grand Slam in three years, the current World Number 7 couldn’t cross the last-four hurdle as she fell to a straight-set defeat to eventual champion Naomi Osaka.

Read More: “She Believes She Can”: Serena Williams’ Coach Insists She’s Playing to Lift Her 24th Grand Slam

While not taking away the hurt of another failed Grand Slam bid at Melbourne Park, one can safely say that in a career that is now into its 26th year, successes far outweigh failures and disappointments.