Serena Williams: The Queen of Tennis

Only the Australian Open trophy was absent from her cabinet as Serena Williams arrived in Melbourne on the back of an amazing Grand Slam streak, having won every major since the 2002 French Open. Completing the 'Serena Slam' - a feat that no other player has achieved before or since - she and Venus then boycotted the event for many years, with Serena not returning until 2015 and Venus a year later.

In her first Grand Slam singles title win in New York at just 17, Williams produced a fine run to lift the trophy. She beat world number four Monica Seles in the quarterfinals, then second-ranked Lindsey Davenport before meeting world number one Martina Hingis in the final.

Serena's victory over Kim Clijsters in the final was marked by heavy booing from the crowd, with accusations of match-fixing aimed at her father Richard and sisters Venus. However, when Venus withdrew with injury, Serena won instantly and hugged her father in the stands.

Throughout her career, Williams has spoken about the racism she and her sister Venus experienced in a traditionally white sport. The sisters have also addressed issues their father, Richard, faced. In 2001, they were set to meet in the semi-finals of Indian Wells - one of the biggest events outside of the Grand Slams.

Williams claimed a straight-set victory to become the first African

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