Serena Williams Honored with 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports
American tennis legend Serena Williams has been awarded the prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in 2025, a notable recognition among 30 candidates from 13 different nationalities. This award, which celebrated the remarkable achievements in sports, was previously awarded to Spanish badminton player Carolina Marín.
The nomination of Williams was put forward by Jaime Montalvo Correa, Vice President of Mutua Madrileña and a member of the jury for the Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences. With a staggering career total of 73 individual titles, including 23 Grand Slam titles, Williams stands out as a paragon of competitive excellence. The jury highlighted her unmatched ability to secure all four major tournament titles consecutively in two separate periods of her career, one from 2002-2003 and another from 2014-2015. Furthermore, they applauded her ongoing commitment to advocating for gender equality, showcasing her influence beyond the court.
Born on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan, Serena Williams began playing tennis at just five years old, guided by her father and inspired by her sister, Venus Williams. Turning professional in 1995, Williams burst onto the scene in 1998, capturing women's doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the US Open alongside partner Max Mirnyi. Her prowess was evident by the following year, when she claimed both her first WTA title and Grand Slam title.
Serena’s journey is marked by significant milestones, including six US Open titles and seven Wimbledon championships. Furthermore, she is one of the most decorated athletes in the sport, with a total of 39 Grand Slam titles—23 singles and 16 doubles and mixed doubles—along with four gold medals from the Olympics.
Ranking number one in the world for the first time in 2002, Williams achieved acclaim for capturing all four Grand Slam titles in a single calendar year by winning the Australian Open in 2003. Despite various challenges, including injuries, she returned to dominate the sport, exemplified by her resurgence in the 2010s and her historic wins, including her seventh Wimbledon title in 2016.
In addition to her extensive achievements in tennis, Serena Williams has dedicated herself to philanthropy through The Serena Williams Foundation, focusing on education and supporting victims of violence. She has pioneered initiatives such as the Williams Sisters Fund and the Yetunde Price Resource Center in honor of her late sister.
Her influence is recognized far beyond the courts, with multiple awards like the Laureus Award for Best Sportswoman and her designation as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. This year’s Princess of Asturias Award will be the fifth of eight to be announced in this year's edition, which will culminate in a ceremony in October at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, presided over by the royal family.
Williams' legacy reflects not only her athletic achievements but also her commitment to social justice and equality in sports and society. The award is significant, emphasizing the role of sports in promoting human values, and highlights the continuing impact of Serena Williams on future generations.
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