Who Is Serena Williams?

Lexile: 600 | Grade: 3

Passage

Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis players in the world. She has won more Grand Slam tournaments than almost any other player in history. But her journey to success wasn’t easy.

Serena was born in Michigan in 1981 and grew up in California. She started playing tennis with her older sister Venus when they were very young. Their father, Richard, taught them how to play on old, cracked tennis courts near their house. They didn’t have fancy clothes or expensive equipment, but they worked hard every day.

Serena became known for her powerful serve and strong will. She played her first major tournament when she was just 14 years old. She kept training and practicing, even when people said she wouldn’t make it.

Over the years, Serena has won many championships and Olympic gold medals. She is also known for speaking out about fairness in sports and standing up for women and people of color.

Today, Serena inspires kids and adults around the world. She shows that with hard work, confidence, and determination, you can reach your dreams—no matter where you start.