African Celebrities: Serena Williams

Serena Jameka Williams popularly known as Serena Williams is an American professional tennis player. She was born on 26th of September, 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan, United States to Richard Williams and Oracene Price, and is the youngest of Oracene Price's five daughters: half - sisters Yetunde, Lyndrea and Isha Price and full sister Venus Williams.

Serena is the reigning French open, US open, WTA Tour Championships and Olympic ladies singles champion. She started playing tennis at the age of four, her first professional event was in September 1995, at the age of 14.

Serena and her sister Venus have won more Olympics gold medals than any other female tennis player. Serena is currently ranked No. 1 in Women's singles tennis. The Women's Tennis Association has ranked her World No. 1 in singles on six separate occasions. She became the World No. 1 for the first time on July 8, 2002, and regained this ranking for the sixth time on February 18, 2013. Serena is also a three time winner of the WTA Tour Championships.

In 2008 Serena Williams helped to fund the construction of the Serena Williams Secondary School in Matooni, Kenya. She has also been involved in a number of clinics at schools and community centers, particularly those which have programs focusing on at risk- youth.

In 2003, Serena received a Celebrity Role Model Award from Avon Foundation for work in breast cancer. She has also won the "Young Heroes Award" from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater L.A. and Inland in 2003. In response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake Williams, along with other ATP and WTA stars decided to forgo their final day of preparation for the 2010 Australian-open to form a charity event in which all proceeds went to the Haiti earthquake victims.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams (right) and her mother Oracene Williams (left)

Serena Williams (second right), her mother Oracene Price (second left), her sisters Lyndrea Price (left) and Isha Price (right) pose with the French open trophy in Paris.