There’s no question that tennis legend Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes of all time, with a near-record number of Grand Slams under her belt. But just how many medals has she won at the Olympic Games, and how does her haul stack up to her competitors?
Serena has medalled at three different Olympic Games (and looked pretty stylish doing it, too), winning a total of four medals, all of which are gold. At the time of her most recent gold medal in 2012, she was tied as one of the most decorated tennis players in Olympic history; that record was broken by her sister, Venus, who took home a fifth medal (a silver in mixed doubles) in 2016.
Serena’s run began at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, where she took home her first Olympic gold in the doubles event with her sister, Venus. Serena chose not to compete in the 2004 Olympics but returned alongside Venus to the 2008 Games in Beijing, where the sisters were once again a tour de force on the court, clinching their second gold medal. It was the 2012 Olympics in London, however, where Serena shone brightest. Not only did she and Venus defend their doubles title, but Serena also took home the gold in women’s singles after defeating longtime competitor Maria Sharapova in the gold-medal match. With that win, she became one of only three women to win gold in both singles and doubles in the same Olympics, joining Venus (who did it in 2000) and Helen Wills (who achieved the feat at the 1924 Paris Olympics).
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At the 2016 Olympics, Serena was somewhat less successful, finishing off the podium after shocking early-round defeats in both singles and doubles. Although it technically remains to be seen if Serena will compete in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo (Team USA hasn’t been announced yet), the ninth-ranked star is already making the case after a recent win at the ASB Classic.
Sofia Kenin ‘looking forward’ for Serena Williams partnership after Australian Open triumph
Sofia Kenin was in utter disbelief after winning the Australian Open title but she is already looking forward to joining Serena Williams in America’s Fed Cup team next month.
Kenin was the 14th seed at the Australian Open but she came through the field and beat two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza in the final today.
The 21-year-old had never before been past the fourth round of a major tournament.
But her name will now be known worldwide after scooping one of the biggest prizes in tennis.
Kenin did her damage in the shadows of countrywomen Williams and Coco Gauff in Melbourne.
And when the spotlight was thrust upon her she handled the occasion with the utmost maturity.
Next up for the youngster is a Fed Cup clash against Latvia and she will get to play alongside her idol and 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams.
“No, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” Kenin said. “Everything is just still a blur for me. I just can’t believe what happened.
“Yeah, it’s just great. I feel like I’m doing some great things for American tennis. It’s such an honor.
“I’ve watched Serena. I’ve been following her, all the Slams she’s been winning. It’s a special feeling just to be ahead of her.
“I’m just super excited. I can’t wait to compete, be on the same team with her in Fed Cup.”
Kenin will rise to No 7 in the world rankings on Monday – which will make her the best American in the world.
“It’s exciting. I’m so happy,” she added. “I was told, yeah, if I would win, I’d be number seven. It’s such an honor.
“I love representing the US, I just love it. It’s like an honor.
“Everything is coming into place, a dream come true. Everything I’ve done, all the hard work I’ve been doing is paying off.”
Kenin was having to fight back the tears at some points during the third set as her dreams were edging closer to reality.
She explained: “I felt that in the third set, I felt like I was getting closer to the title, something that I really want.
“I knew I needed to somehow try and relax, just try to calm down.
“I did a great job. I looked a few times to my box. They cheered for me, calmed me down. It just paid off.”
