Editing Serena Williams (section)

===2014–2015: Second "Serena Slam"===
{{Main|2014 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2014|2015 Serena Williams tennis season}}
Williams defended her title at the [[2014 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]] by defeating No.2 Azarenka in the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Victoria Azarenka 6–4, 7–5 to win Brisbane International title|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/10550797/Serena-Williams-beats-Victoria-Azarenka-6-4-7-5-to-win-Brisbane-International-title.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/10550797/Serena-Williams-beats-Victoria-Azarenka-6-4-7-5-to-win-Brisbane-International-title.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=January 4, 2014 |access-date=March 16, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> At the [[2014 Australian Open|Australian Open]], she fell in the fourth round to Ana Ivanovic. In [[2014 Dubai Tennis Championships|Dubai]], Williams lost her semifinal match to [[Alizé Cornet]] in straight sets. Williams then played in the Miami Open, where she won her record seventh title with a straight-sets victory over No.2 [[Li Na]].<ref>{{cite web|url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611135911/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMQzynsGhVg | archive-date=June 11, 2020|title=Serena Williams vs Li Na Final Miami 2014 Highlights |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMQzynsGhVg|via=YouTube|access-date=March 16, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> At the [[2014 Family Circle Cup|Family Circle Cup]], she lost to [[Jana Čepelová]] in the second round. She made it to the quarterfinals at the [[2014 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Open]] before withdrawing with a thigh injury. In [[2014 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome]], Williams won her third title of the season. She suffered the worst loss of her Grand Slam career in the second round of the [[2014 French Open|French Open]] when [[Garbiñe Muguruza]] defeated her while losing just four games in two sets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams's shocking loss is the worst of her legendary career|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/05/serena-williams-french-open-loss-worst|work=USA Today|date=May 28, 2014|access-date=March 16, 2015|archive-date=May 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528151723/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/05/serena-williams-french-open-loss-worst|url-status=live}}</ref> Cornet defeated Williams in the third round of [[2014 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], handing Williams her earliest Wimbledon elimination since 2005. During the doubles event with Venus, Serena hit four consecutive doubles faults. She appeared disoriented and unsteady on her feet, and withdrew from the tournament. The official cause of withdrawal was "viral illness".<ref>{{cite web|title=Navratilova on Serena: 'It's not right'|date=July 2, 2014|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/11168116/espnw-martina-navratilova-critical-serena-williams-wimbledon-exit|publisher=ESPN|access-date=March 16, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402180030/http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/11168116/espnw-martina-navratilova-critical-serena-williams-wimbledon-exit|url-status=live}}</ref>

Williams rebounded by winning 19 out of her next 20 matches (losing only to Venus in the semifinals of the [[2014 Rogers Cup|Rogers Cup]]). The streak included titles at the [[2014 Bank of the West Classic|Bank of the West Classic]] and the [[2014 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]], and her third consecutive and sixth overall [[2014 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] singles title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams wins 18th Slam |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/usopen14/story/_/id/11484243/2014-us-open-serena-williams-beats-caroline-wozniacki-win-3rd-straight |publisher=ESPN |date=September 7, 2014 |access-date=March 16, 2015 |archive-date=March 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318175210/http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen14/story/_/id/11484243/2014-us-open-serena-williams-beats-caroline-wozniacki-win-3rd-straight |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Kevin |title=US Open: Serena Williams powers past Caroline Wozniacki for sixth title |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/07/serena-williams-caroline-wozniacki-us-open-2014-sixth-title |work=The Guardian |date=September 8, 2014 |access-date=March 16, 2015 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529204209/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/07/serena-williams-caroline-wozniacki-us-open-2014-sixth-title |url-status=live }}</ref> With this victory, Williams tied Evert for most US Open singles titles won by a woman in the Open Era. Williams also tied Evert and Navratilova's record of 18 career Grand Slam singles titles won in the Open Era. By virtue of winning both the [[2014 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] and the [[2014 US Open Series|US Open Series]], Williams collected $4 million—the biggest payday in tennis history. At the [[2014 WTA Finals]] in Singapore, Williams advanced to the final for the third consecutive year despite having equaled her career-worst loss in her second round robin match against [[Simona Halep]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/halep-routs-serena-williams-wta-finals-092843864.html |title=Halep routs Serena Williams at WTA Finals |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=October 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305025929/http://news.yahoo.com/halep-routs-serena-williams-wta-finals-092843864.html |archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref> She claimed the [[WTA Finals]] title, which was her seventh title of the year, and finished the year ranked No.1 for the fourth time in her career.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rotherberg |first=Ben |date=October 26, 2014 |title=Serena Williams Punishes Simona Halep for Earlier Defeat at WTA Finals |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-punishes-simona-halep-for-earlier-defeat.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528175810/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/sports/tennis/serena-williams-punishes-simona-halep-for-earlier-defeat.html |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=March 16, 2015 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> She held the top ranking for the entire calendar year, a feat not accomplished since Graf achieved it in 1996. Williams was voted WTA Player of the Year and ITF World Champion for a third consecutive year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tandon |first=Kamakshi |date=2014-12-09 |title=WTA Player of the Year: Serena Williams |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/espntennis/post/_/id/1445/wta-player-of-the-year-serena-williams |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-12-18 |title=Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams named 2014 ITF world champions |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-19/williams-and-djokovic-top-itf-awards/5978036 |access-date=2024-05-28 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

Williams began the [[2015 WTA Tour|2015 season]] by reaching the final of the [[2015 Hopman Cup|Hopman Cup]], where she and her partner [[John Isner]] lost to Poland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Poland defeat United States to lift Hopman Cup for first time|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/388281.html|publisher=ESPN|access-date=April 20, 2017|date=February 22, 2015|archive-date=February 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222142632/http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/388281.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2015 Australian Open|Australian Open]], Williams defeated Sharapova for the 16th consecutive time to claim her sixth Australian Open singles title and 19th career Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite news|title=Serena Williams Wins Australian Open With Coughs, Guts and Aces|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/sports/tennis/serena-williams-beats-maria-sharapova-in-australian-open-final.html|work=The New York Times|date=January 31, 2015|access-date=March 16, 2015|last1=Clarey|first1=Christopher|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406131038/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/sports/tennis/serena-williams-beats-maria-sharapova-in-australian-open-final.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova to win Australian Open – as it happened|first=Katy|last=Murrells|date=January 31, 2015|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/jan/31/serena-williams-v-maria-sharapova-australian-open-womens-final-live|work=The Guardian|access-date=February 26, 2015|archive-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831125222/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/jan/31/serena-williams-v-maria-sharapova-australian-open-womens-final-live|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=How Serena Williams won the shouting match and more in Australia|date=January 31, 2015|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/12257852/how-serena-williams-won-shouting-match-more-australia|publisher=ESPN|access-date=February 26, 2015|archive-date=February 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215054432/http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12257852/how-serena-williams-won-shouting-match-more-australia|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Serena Williams wins Australian Open, 19th Grand Slam title in champion form|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/01/31/serena-williams-beats-sharapova-wins-australian-open-title|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=February 22, 2015|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406055714/https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/01/31/serena-williams-beats-sharapova-wins-australian-open-title|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Australian Open 2015 Final – Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611143816/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80ba6nJH1MQ | archive-date=June 11, 2020 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80ba6nJH1MQ|via=YouTube|access-date=March 16, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> With this victory, Williams surpassed both Evert and Navratilova for the [[List of Grand Slam women's singles champions|second most Grand Slam singles titles won]] in the Open Era. She is the only player in history to win all four Grand Slams at age 30 or older. She and Venus next traveled to Buenos Aires to face Argentina in a World Group II tie in the [[Fed Cup]]. She played and won her only match against [[María Irigoyen]] to help the US team win against the Argentines.<ref>{{cite news|title=Williams sisters see U.S. through in Fed Cup promotion bid|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-fed-argentina-idUSKBN0LC0XG20150208|work=Reuters|access-date=February 26, 2015|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406042536/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-fed-argentina-idUSKBN0LC0XG20150208|url-status=live}}</ref> After a 14-year boycott of the Indian Wells Masters, Williams announced that she would be competing at [[2015 BNP Paribas Open|the event]].<ref>[https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/12277217/serena-williams-wants-rewrite-indian-wells-ending "Serena 'proudly returning' to tourney"] . ESPN.</ref><ref name=NYT20150205>{{cite news |title=After a 14-Year Boycott, Serena Williams Plans to Play at Indian Wells |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/sports/tennis/serena-williams-will-play-indian-wells-ending-boycott.html |first=Christopher |last=Clarey |date=February 4, 2015 |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 13, 2015 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406195432/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/sports/tennis/serena-williams-will-play-indian-wells-ending-boycott.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams ends Indian Wells boycott, 14 years after racist incident|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/02/serena-williams-end-indian-wells-boycott-14-years-after-racist-incident|first=Chris|last=Chase|work=USA Today|date=February 4, 2015|access-date=February 27, 2015|archive-date=February 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220053534/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/02/serena-williams-end-indian-wells-boycott-14-years-after-racist-incident|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon her return, she received a standing ovation from the crowd and won her first match in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams received standing ovation, fought tears and won while ending 14-year boycott at Indian Wells|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/serena-williams-return-indian-wells-score-2001-racism|work=USA Today|access-date=March 16, 2015|date=March 14, 2015|archive-date=March 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316085710/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/serena-williams-return-indian-wells-score-2001-racism|url-status=live}}</ref> She reached the semifinals, but was forced to withdraw because of a knee injury. When Williams defeated Lisicki in the quarterfinals of the [[2015 Miami Open|Miami Open]], she became the eighth woman in the Open Era to record 700 match wins in her career.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Press Association|title=Serena Williams beats Sabine Lisicki in Miami to seal 700th career win|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/02/serena-williams-sabine-lisicki-700th-career-win|website=The Guardian|date=April 2, 2015|access-date=April 4, 2015|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403235817/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/02/serena-williams-sabine-lisicki-700th-career-win|url-status=live}}</ref> This also made her one of only three active players to have won 700 or more matches in singles, the others being Nadal and [[Roger Federer]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/slideshow/12597799/tennis-exclusive-700-club |title=Tennis' Exclusive 700 Club |publisher=ESPN |date=July 16, 2013 |access-date=April 15, 2015 |archive-date=April 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418011158/http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/slideshow/12597799/tennis-exclusive-700-club |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Outlasts Halep In Miami Classic|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4610499/title/serena-outlasts-halep-in-miami-classic|publisher=WTA|date=April 1, 2015|access-date=April 4, 2015|archive-date=April 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405023735/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4610499/title/serena-outlasts-halep-in-miami-classic|url-status=live}}</ref> Williams went on to win a record eighth title in Miami.<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Serena Wins Miami Title No. 8 |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4614412/title/super-serena-wins-miami-title-no8 |publisher=WTA |access-date=April 5, 2015 |date=April 4, 2015 |archive-date=April 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405113054/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4614412/title/super-serena-wins-miami-title-no8 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=As Serena Williams Ascends, Grand Slam Buzz Grows |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/sports/tennis/as-serena-williams-ascends-grand-slam-buzz-grows.html |work=The New York Times |date=April 5, 2015 |access-date=April 5, 2015 |last1=Clarey |first1=Christopher |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405211907/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/sports/tennis/as-serena-williams-ascends-grand-slam-buzz-grows.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Serena Williams wins eighth Miami Open |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/04/04/serena-williams-wins-eighth-miami-open/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=April 5, 2015 |archive-date=April 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413194312/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/04/04/serena-williams-wins-eighth-miami-open/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Serena Williams Won Roland Garros in 2015.JPG|thumb|upright=.7|right|Williams celebrating her third French Open title]]
As preparation for the clay-court season (and to ensure her eligibility for the 2016 Summer Olympics), Williams travelled to [[Brindisi, Italy]], where she competed with that country's team for a place in the [[Fed Cup]]'s World Group. Williams and teammate [[Alison Riske]] lost the decisive doubles match to Errani and Flavia Pennetta, which meant the [[United States Fed Cup team|United States]] was relegated to World Group II. It was Williams's first loss in the Fed Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Italy beats United States 3–2 in Fed Cup World Group playoff |place=Brindisi, Italy |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/12721344/italy-edges-united-states-serena-williams-fed-cup-playoff |publisher=ESPN |access-date=April 22, 2015 |date=April 19, 2015 |archive-date=April 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422013237/http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12721344/italy-edges-united-states-serena-williams-fed-cup-playoff |url-status=live }}</ref> The week of April 20 marked Williams's 114th consecutive week ranked No.1, the third-longest run in WTA history at the time, behind Graf's 186 weeks and Navratilova's 156. In the semifinals of the [[2015 Mutua Madrid Open|Mutua Madrid Open]], Williams suffered her first defeat of the season, ending a 50-match winning streak at [[WTA Premier tournaments|Premier-Mandatory events]].<ref>{{cite web |date=May 8, 2015 |title=Serena Williams' win streak, Madrid run come to an end |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/12845988/tennis-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-barely-put-fights-madrid-losses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511054459/http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/12845988/tennis-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-barely-put-fights-madrid-losses |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |access-date=May 9, 2015 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=May 8, 2015 |title=Serena Williams' perfect season ended |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/05/serena-williams-loss-madrid-petra-kvitova-win-grand-slam-french-open-rome |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511005656/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/05/serena-williams-loss-madrid-petra-kvitova-win-grand-slam-french-open-rome |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |access-date=May 9, 2015 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kvitova Stuns Serena in Madrid |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4701085/title/kvitova-stuns-serena-in-madrid |publisher=WTA |access-date=May 9, 2015 |date=May 8, 2015 |archive-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510190131/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4701085/title/kvitova-stuns-serena-in-madrid |url-status=live }}</ref> She played one match at the [[2015 Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] before withdrawing with an elbow injury.<ref>{{cite news |title=Serena Williams pulls out of Italian Open with elbow injury |year=2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/32741356 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=May 17, 2015 |archive-date=November 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120200559/http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/32741356 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the 2015 [[2015 French Open|French Open]], Williams defeated [[Lucie Šafářová]] in three sets to claim the trophy and win her third French Open and 20th Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams beats Lucie Safarova at French Open to win 20th grand slam |first=Simon |last=Cambers |date=June 6, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/06/serena-williams-safarova-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title |work=The Guardian |access-date=June 6, 2015 |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615141140/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/06/serena-williams-safarova-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Serena Williams Wins French Open for Her 20th Grand Slam Title |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/tennis/serena-williams-wins-french-open-for-her-20th-grand-slam-title.html |work=The New York Times |date=June 6, 2015 |access-date=June 6, 2015 |last1=Clarey |first1=Christopher |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804044520/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/tennis/serena-williams-wins-french-open-for-her-20th-grand-slam-title.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams wins French Open for 20th Grand Slam title |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/french15/story/_/id/13023322/serena-williams-wins-2015-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title |publisher=ESPN |date=June 6, 2015 |access-date=June 6, 2015 |archive-date=June 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606203900/http://espn.go.com/tennis/french15/story/_/id/13023322/serena-williams-wins-2015-french-open-20th-grand-slam-title |url-status=live }}</ref> The accomplishment made Williams only the third person in history to win each Grand Slam at least three times, the others being Court and Graf.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Battles To Milestone 20th Major |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4773153/title/serena-battles-to-milestone-20th-major |publisher=WTA |date=June 5, 2015 |access-date=June 6, 2015 |archive-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608002325/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4773153/title/serena-battles-to-milestone-20th-major |url-status=live }}</ref> At Wimbledon, Williams defeated three former No.1 players—Azarenka, Sharapova, and her sister Venus—to advance to the final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Incredible Record Against Top Players Adding to Serena Williams' Historic Run|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2518904-incredible-record-against-top-players-adding-to-serena-williams-historic-run|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=July 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711214747/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2518904-incredible-record-against-top-players-adding-to-serena-williams-historic-run|url-status=live}}</ref> Awaiting her was Muguruza, who had previously handed Williams the worst Grand Slam defeat of her career.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Serena Williams shocked by Garbine Muguruza in French Open second round|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2014/05/28/serena-williams-loses-to-garbine-muguruza-french-open-round-two|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=July 12, 2015|archive-date=July 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709220419/http://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2014/05/28/serena-williams-loses-to-garbine-muguruza-french-open-round-two|url-status=live}}</ref> Williams bested Muguruza and claimed her sixth Wimbledon singles title and 21st Grand Slam singles title overall. With this triumph, she completed her second "Serena Slam" (winning all four Grand Slams in a row, but not in the same calendar year).<ref>{{cite news |last=Perrotta |first=Tom |date=July 11, 2015 |title=Serena Williams Wins Sixth Wimbledon Championship |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/serena-williams-wins-sixth-wimbledon-championship-1436626560 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405074150/https://www.wsj.com/articles/serena-williams-wins-sixth-wimbledon-championship-1436626560 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 11, 2015 |title=Serena Williams Beats Garbiñe Muguruza In Straight Sets To Win Wimbledon |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/11/serena-williams-wimbledon_n_7775932.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712210644/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/11/serena-williams-wimbledon_n_7775932.html |archive-date=July 12, 2015 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |work=HuffPost}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Nguyen |first=Courtney |date=July 3, 2015 |title=Serena avoids upset against Watson to set up clash with sister Venus |url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/07/03/wimbledon-2015-serena-williams-defeats-heather-watson |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406104510/https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/07/03/wimbledon-2015-serena-williams-defeats-heather-watson |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> The Wimbledon victory made Williams the oldest woman in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 12, 2015 |title=Serena Wins Wimbledon & Serena Slam 2 |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4856959/title/serena-wins-wimbledon-serena-slam-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714044119/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4856959/title/serena-wins-wimbledon-serena-slam-2 |archive-date=July 14, 2015 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |website=Women's Tennis Association}}</ref> It also was her eighth consecutive victory in Grand Slam singles finals appearances, breaking Graf's [[Steffi Graf career statistics|Open Era record]] of seven and tying Pete Sampras's [[Pete Sampras career statistics|Open Era record]] of eight. The week of July 13 marked the first time in WTA history that the No.1 player had more than twice as many points as the No.2.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|title=Historic Ranking Milestone For Serena|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4863665/title/historic-ranking-milestone-for-serena|publisher=WTA|access-date=July 16, 2015|date=July 14, 2015|archive-date=July 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717014149/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4863665/title/historic-ranking-milestone-for-serena|url-status=live}}</ref> Following her win at Wimbledon, Williams was awarded her seventh [[ESPY Award|ESPY]] for [[Best Female Tennis Player ESPY Award|Best Female Tennis Player]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewrap.com/espy-awards-winners-2015-complete-list/|title=ESPYS Awards Winners: The Complete List|website=TheWrap|access-date=August 18, 2015|date=July 16, 2015|archive-date=August 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818074624/http://www.thewrap.com/espy-awards-winners-2015-complete-list/?|url-status=live}}</ref>

Williams was the defending champion at the [[2015 Bank of the West Classic|Bank of the West Classic]], but withdrew from the tournament to recover from an elbow injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=World No. 1 Serena Williams withdraws from Bank of West with hurt elbow|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/07/31/serena-williams-withdraws--bank--west--hurt-elbow/30955719/|website=USA Today|access-date=August 3, 2015|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406035639/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/07/31/serena-williams-withdraws--bank--west--hurt-elbow/30955719/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the semifinals of the [[2015 Rogers Cup|Canadian Open]], Williams had a 19-match winning streak ended by 18-year-old [[Belinda Bencic]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams battles from third-set hole but falls short in Rogers Cup|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/13446751/serena-williams-upset-18-year-old-belinda-bencic-rogers-cup-semifinals|publisher=ESPN|access-date=August 16, 2015|date=August 16, 2015|archive-date=August 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816090430/http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13446751/serena-williams-upset-18-year-old-belinda-bencic-rogers-cup-semifinals|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Serena Williams falls in Toronto semifinals|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2015/08/15/ap-ten-toronto|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=August 16, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924165819/http://www.si.com/tennis/2015/08/15/ap-ten-toronto|url-status=live}}</ref> The next week Williams defended her title at the [[2015 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]] with a straight sets victory over No.3 Halep.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams wins Cincinnati tournament for second time|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/13495801/serena-williams-defeats-simona-halep-win-cincinnati-title|publisher=ESPN|access-date=August 24, 2015|date=August 23, 2015|archive-date=September 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926000545/http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13495801/serena-williams-defeats-simona-halep-win-cincinnati-title|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Edges Halep & Wins Cincinnati|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4953555/title/serena-edges-halep-wins-cincinnati|publisher=WTA|access-date=August 24, 2015|date=August 23, 2015|archive-date=August 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825195649/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4953555/title/serena-edges-halep-wins-cincinnati|url-status=live}}</ref> Williams's attempt at capturing the "Grand Slam" (winning all four Grand Slams in a calendar year) came to an end at the [[2015 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], where she lost to [[Roberta Vinci]] in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite news|title=Roberta Vinci Ends Serena Williams's Grand Slam Bid at U.S. Open|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/12/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-ends-serena-williamss-grand-slam-run-at-us-open.html|work=The New York Times|date=September 11, 2015|access-date=September 25, 2015|last1=Clarey|first1=Christopher|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406065244/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/12/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-ends-serena-williamss-grand-slam-run-at-us-open.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Roberta Vinci upsets Serena Williams at the U.S. Open |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-upsets-serena-williams-at-the-us-open/2015/09/11/c5fdc6ca-5884-11e5-8bb1-b488d231bba2_story.html |first=Jacob |last=Feldman |date=September 11, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-date=May 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525180434/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/tennis/roberta-vinci-upsets-serena-williams-at-the-us-open/2015/09/11/c5fdc6ca-5884-11e5-8bb1-b488d231bba2_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams' grand slam dream ended by Roberta Vinci's shock win |first=Kevin |last=Mitchell |date=September 11, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/11/serena-williams-grand-slam-ended-roberta-vinci |work=The Guardian |access-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221111847/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/11/serena-williams-grand-slam-ended-roberta-vinci |url-status=live }}</ref> The defeat has been described by some as one of the biggest upsets in tennis history.<ref>{{cite web|title=No indication Vinci would stop Serena's Slam streak|date=September 11, 2015|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/usopen15/story/_/id/13633288/tennis-roberta-vinci-shatters-serena-dreams-monumental-upset|publisher=ESPN|access-date=September 25, 2015|archive-date=September 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926003947/http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen15/story/_/id/13633288/tennis-roberta-vinci-shatters-serena-dreams-monumental-upset|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=13 reasons Serena Williams' loss to Roberta Vinci was the biggest upset in tennis history|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/09/13-reasons-serena-williams-loss-was-the-biggest-upset-in-tennis-history-roberta-vinci-us-open-grand-slam|work=USA Today|date=September 11, 2015|access-date=September 25, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153557/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/09/13-reasons-serena-williams-loss-was-the-biggest-upset-in-tennis-history-roberta-vinci-us-open-grand-slam|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Why Serena's loss is one of the biggest upsets in sports history|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/serenas-loss-one-biggest-upsets-sports-history/|first=Chris|last=Chase|date=September 11, 2015|publisher=PBS NewsHour|access-date=September 25, 2015|archive-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925201754/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/serenas-loss-one-biggest-upsets-sports-history/|url-status=live}}</ref>  On October 1, Williams called an end to her season, stating that she had been injured for most of the year and wanted to "properly address [her] health".<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Ends 2015 Season, Withdraws from China Open and WTA Finals|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2574337-serena-williams-ends-2015-season-withdraws-from-china-open-and-wta-finals|work=Bleacher Report|access-date=October 13, 2015|archive-date=October 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014002636/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2574337-serena-williams-ends-2015-season-withdraws-from-china-open-and-wta-finals|url-status=live}}</ref> Coach [[Patrick Mouratoglou]] hinted that her decision to end the season early might be due to a lack of motivation and disappointment following her loss at the Open.<ref>{{cite web|title=Disappointed Serena Williams may not play again in 2015, says coach|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/29/disappointed-serena-williams-may-not-play-again-in-2015-says-coach|work=The Guardian|date=September 29, 2015|access-date=October 13, 2015|archive-date=October 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001221059/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/29/disappointed-serena-williams-may-not-play-again-in-2015-says-coach|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 5, Williams surpassed Evert for [[List of WTA number 1 ranked singles tennis players|third-most weeks ranked world No.1]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Serena Williams Stays On Top Of WTA rankings And Moves Third On All Time List|url=https://www.beinsports.com/us/tennis/news/serena-williams-stays-on-top-of-wta-rankings-/109739|publisher=beIN SPORTS|access-date=October 13, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924184342/https://www.beinsports.com/us/tennis/news/serena-williams-stays-on-top-of-wta-rankings-/109739|url-status=live}}</ref> Williams held the top ranking the entire season for the second consecutive year, finishing there for the fifth time in her career. She was voted [[WTA Awards|WTA Player of the Year]] for the seventh time, and named [[ITF World Champions|ITF World Champion]] for the sixth time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams: WTA Player Of The Year |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5194460/title/serena-williams-wta-player-of-the-year |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210105111/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5194460/title/serena-williams-wta-player-of-the-year |archive-date=December 10, 2015 |access-date=December 9, 2015 |publisher=WTA}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Serena Williams: ITF World Champion |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5226383/title/serena-williams-itf-world-champion |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101131502/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5226383/title/serena-williams-itf-world-champion |archive-date=January 1, 2016 |access-date=December 22, 2015 |publisher=WTA}}</ref> She was also voted [[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|Female Athlete of the Year]] by the [[Associated Press]] for the fourth time in her career, and was chosen as [[Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year|Sportsperson of the Year]] by [[Sports Illustrated]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Serena Williams wins fourth AP female athlete of the year title |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/serena-williams-wins-fourth-ap-female-athlete-of-the-year-title/article27939491/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226010421/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/serena-williams-wins-fourth-ap-female-athlete-of-the-year-title/article27939491/ |archive-date=December 26, 2015 |access-date=December 26, 2015 |work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref><ref name="SISPOTY2015">{{cite magazine|title=Serena Williams is SI's Sportsperson of the Year|url=https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2015/12/14/serena-williams-si-sportsperson-year|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=December 14, 2015|archive-date=December 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211040640/https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2015/12/14/serena-williams-si-sportsperson-year|url-status=live}}</ref> She became the third solo woman, and the first since 1983, to receive the latter award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why it matters that Serena Williams is on the cover of Sports Illustrated|date=December 14, 2015|url=https://www.vox.com/2015/12/14/10131368/serena-williams-sports-illustrated|publisher=Vox|access-date=December 27, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529022330/https://www.vox.com/2015/12/14/10131368/serena-williams-sports-illustrated|url-status=live}}</ref>