"Two Really Strong Women" – Serena On The Williams Sisters' Impact On Tennis
Serena Williams talks about the impact she thinks she and sister Venus have had on the sport.
Serena Williams talks about the impact she thinks she and sister Venus have had on the sport.
An interview with Angelique Kerber after her second round win at the Brisbane International.
MELBOURNE, Australia – It was during the wee hours of the morning for most of the world when Serena Williams defeated Venus Williams in the final of the Australian Open, clinching an Open Era record 23 Grand Slam titles.
But the impact of Serena’s victory was felt all over the world, and the congratulations poured in from big names everywhere – from her tennis peers on the WTA and beyond, to fellow sports stars and celebrities.
One of the first to send her congrats was Karlie Kloss – she gave them to the champion in person. The model was in Melbourne and at Rod Laver Arena with a front row view to Serena’s monumental achievement.
Congratulations @SerenaWilliams on your @AustralianOpen victory!! ? pic.twitter.com/k4Dl8T3nFn
— Karlie Kloss (@karliekloss) January 28, 2017
.@karliekloss and @alexisohanian congratulating the #AusOpen 2017 Champion @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/B1iq2fLxf9
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2017
Also in the front row? Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, though you might know him better as Serena’s fiancé:
I'm so proud of you, Serena. https://t.co/i2HhjyeJhv
— Alexis Ohanian (@alexisohanian) January 28, 2017
Serena’s fellow Nike athletes – led by basketball legend Kobe Bryant – sent had a simple yet powerful message for her: “Greatest ever.”
#GOAT pic.twitter.com/38itTeQijV
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 28, 2017
Greatest ever. @SerenaWilliams #justdoit https://t.co/1AIDDsYoXW pic.twitter.com/ETrlYcq5rE
— Eden hazard (@hazardeden10) January 28, 2017
Congrats, Serena! Greatest ever! #justdoit @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/SEYPg0CxWl
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) January 28, 2017
Congrats on #23 @serenawilliams!?? pic.twitter.com/KbLPCMK1qU
— Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix) January 28, 2017
The WWE even put Serena’s accomplishment in a category of its own, creating a specially-designed title belt for the 23-time Grand Slam champion. She can add this to the custom surprise she received from one of sports’ biggest legends, Michael Jordan.
The WWE created a special championship belt for Serena Williams after she won her 23rd grand slam this morning. pic.twitter.com/BT5xiAZoEt
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 28, 2017
But as the rest of the world woke up to the news of Serena’s history-making achievement, congratulations began to pour in from all over the Twitter-sphere.
Check out some of the best celebrity tweets:
Exciting to see @serenawilliams make more history. What an amazing tennis weekend. #WilliamsSisters
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) January 28, 2017
Congrats to #WilliamsSisters #AustralianOpen2017#finals @serenawilliams #23grandslams @Venuseswilliams #history
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) January 28, 2017
Up late for the best reason in the world. Venus & Serena.The tennis nerd in me is filled with fangirl joy. #AustralianOpen #SerenavsVenus
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 28, 2017
You gotta admire these awesome women. V&S show us what family means, how to be unapologetically competitive & what a little swagger can do.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 28, 2017
Serena and Venus I love you both. Barriers broken smashed and demolished, you represent us all Everytime and we forever love you. Thank you
— Trey Songz (@TreySongz) January 28, 2017
The reason I picked up a tennis racquet #WilliamsSisters
— Minenhle Dlamini (@MinnieDlamini) January 28, 2017
Getting my whole life with @Venuseswilliams and @serenawilliams right now #AusOpen
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) January 28, 2017
YESSS! congrats @serenawilliams ? “the top is never lonely when your best friend is there” #blackgirlmagic #sistergoals #23 pic.twitter.com/NG42csnNTX
— chloe x halle (@chloeandhalle) January 28, 2017
The Williams Sisters 2 of the most amazing sportspersons of our time …..period!!!!!! @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) January 28, 2017
G.O.A.T ???????????????????????beyond proud my friend @serenawilliams A legend! An icon! Rena congrats on your 23rd… pic.twitter.com/83ZsNd7FAk
— LA LA (@lala) January 28, 2017
Huge congrats to both Williams sisters! @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams You guys are an inspiration! #AusOpen2017
— scott foley (@scottkfoley) January 28, 2017
An interview with Eugenie Bouchard after her win in the second round of the Rogers Cup.
Daria Gavrilova rallied the troops at the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy to watch the Australian Open final; check out their reaction to championship point right here on wtatennis.com.
Angelique Kerber takes on Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in the second round of the Rogers Cup.
It’s time to vote for January’s WTA Player of the Month!
Have a look at the nominees and cast your vote before Thursday at 11:59pm ET! The winner will be announced Friday, February 3.
January 2017 WTA Player Of The Month Finalists
Serena Williams: Serena’s historic month came to its dizzying peak as she held aloft the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy after defeating sister Venus in straight sets to win the Australian Open. It was not only her seventh title Down Under, but also her 23rd overall, earning her the sole holder of the Open Era record she previously shared with Stefanie Graf. The win also returned Serena to No.1 on the WTA rankings and the Road to Singapore leaderboard.
Venus Williams: Not to be outdone, Venus served a bit of history herself, reaching her first major final since 2009 in Melbourne. It was her first Australian Open final in 14 years, and the American dropped just one set through six matches. Despite losing to Serena in the championship match, the elder of the Williamses still found herself at No.2 on the RTS leaderboard.
Karolina Pliskova: Pliskova began the year with a bang, winning the Brisbane International and roaring into her second straight Grand Slam quarterfinal. The Czech powerhouse won her first nine matches of the season and rose up to a career-high ranking of No.3.
Johanna Konta: The Brit also served notice to start 2017, winning her second career title at the Apia International Sydney. Under immense ranking pressure in Australia, Konta held her nerve to return to the quarterfinals.

2016 Winners
January: Angelique Kerber
February: Carla Suárez Navarro
March: Victoria Azarenka
April: Angelique Kerber
May: Garbiñe Muguruza
June: Serena Williams
July: Simona Halep
August: Monica Puig
September: Petra Kvitova
October: Dominika Cibulkova
How it works:
Finalists are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com
An interview with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova after her win in the third round of the Rogers Cup.
Highlights from the quarterfinal round action at the Brisbane International.