Reflecting on Serena's first WTA title in '99

Published Feb 28, 2019

On this day, 20 years ago, Serena Williams won her first WTA title at the 1999 Gaz de France. Through the 20 years after her first victory, she struggled, fought, and eventually persevered on her journey to becoming the GOAT. She is now a mother, wife, and, above all, a legend👑 pic.twitter.com/VIf4vB9DMW
— Adam🎾2️⃣3️⃣ (@RenaAddict23) February 28, 2019

Twenty years ago on Feb. 28, Serena Williams won her first WTA title. At just 17 years of age, she beat Amelie Mauresmo in a third-set tiebreaker to beat the Frenchwoman on her home soil at the Open Gaz de France in Paris.

It wasn't Williams first title of any kind as she won two doubles titles in 1998 with her sister Venus, in Oklahoma and Zurich. She also won the mixed titles at Wimbledon and the US Open that year with Max Mirnyi. And then the week before she won her first singles title in 1999, she won her third doubles crown with Venus, in Hanover.

Venus won the singles title in Oklahoma City the very same day an unseeded Serena won in Paris, marking the only time the Williams sisters have won titles during the same week.

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2️⃣0️⃣years ago today @serenawilliams won her first of 7️⃣2️⃣(and counting) WTA singles titles!

Take a look back on her incredible breakout season --> https://t.co/kvQSuEYFIA pic.twitter.com/M3g75Qank7
— wta (@WTA) February 28, 2019

"I decided if I want to win, if I wanted to be the best, I had better be able to close out the match,"Serena said after her 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (4) win over Mauresmo. "This is a start for me. It's always good to get a smaller tournament under your belt so that by the time you get to the Slams, you have a lot of experience."

Not long after, Serena would win the crowns in Indian Wells and Manhattan Beach before capturing her first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open. She ended her 1999 season with victory at the Grand Slam Cup—the year-end championships back then–and climb to a No. 4 ranking.

Throughout her career, the 37-year-old has piled up 72 singles titles, including 23 Grand Slams. And she's not done yet. The world No. 10 is expected to next compete in Indian Wells next week.

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