Editing Serena Williams (section)

===2004–2007: Injuries and comeback===
{{Main|2004 Serena Williams tennis season|l1=2004|2005 Serena Williams tennis season|l2=2005|2006 Serena Williams tennis season|l3=2006|2007 Serena Williams tennis season}}

After eight months away from tennis, Williams began her comeback at the [[NASDAQ-100 Open]] in March 2004, where she won the title for the third consecutive year. Although ranked No.7, Williams was seeded second at the French Open, where she lost to Capriati in the quarterfinals. A few weeks later, Williams was seeded first at [[2004 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], even though her ranking had dropped to No.10. She won six matches en route to the final, where [[Maria Sharapova]] defeated her. The loss caused her to drop out of the top 10 for the first time since 1999. Later that summer, Williams reached her third final of the year at the JPMorgan Chase Open in Los Angeles, where she lost to Lindsay Davenport.

Williams was seeded third at the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|2004 US Open]], where she faced Capriati in the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/us_open/2004/09/07/capriati.serena.ap/index.html |title=High drama. Serena falls to Capriati amid controversy; Roddick continues to roll |agency=Associated Press |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=September 7, 2004 |access-date=May 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608075909/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/us_open/2004/09/07/capriati.serena.ap/index.html |archive-date=June 8, 2009 }}</ref> During the match, umpire [[Mariana Alves]] made a call that favored Capriati, but subsequent video review showed that her call was incorrect.<ref name="saga">{{cite web |date=9 September 2018 |title=Serena Williams' controversial US Open moments following final saga |url=https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/32822/11493879/serena-williams-controversial-us-open-moments-following-final-saga |access-date=22 December 2023 |website=www.skysports.com}}</ref> Williams argued with Alves over several other calls during the match, which Capriati eventually won. Williams acknowledged that her loss was primarily due to her 57 unforced errors, but she nevertheless felt "cheated" and accused Alves of temporary insanity.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Clifton |date=September 8, 2004 |title=Umpire's Unforced Errors Help Lift Capriati |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/08/sports/tennis/umpires-unforced-errors-help-lift-capriati.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Broussard |first=Chris |date=September 9, 2004 |title=Williams Receives Apology, and Umpire's Open Is Over |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/09/sports/tennis/williams-receives-apology-and-umpires-open-is-over.html |access-date=March 4, 2019 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> The controversy renewed calls for, and was widely given credit for, the adoption of new technology such as the MacCAM and [[Hawk-Eye]] systems.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 9, 2004 |title=Officials apologize to Serena for bad call – U.S. Open |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5933547 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105051331/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5933547 |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=January 27, 2011 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref>

Williams won her second title of the year at the [[China Open (tennis)|China Open]] in September, defeating US Open champion [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] in the final. Williams's successful season allowed her to qualify for the [[2004 WTA Tour Championships|Tour Championships]], held again in Los Angeles. She lost to Sharapova in the final, where she suffered an abdominal injury.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=November 16, 2004 |location=Los Angeles, California |access-date =April 23, 2009|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6474040|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127000326/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6474040|archive-date=November 27, 2012|title=Sharapova tops injured Serena for WTA title|publisher=NBC Sports}}</ref> Williams finished 2004 ranked No.7, but did not win a Grand Slam singles tournament for the first season since 2001.<ref name="rankingshistory" />
[[File:Serena serving.jpg|thumb|upright=.7|Exhibition match, 2004]]

Following Venus's early exit from the [[2005 Australian Open]], Williams rejected suggestions that she and her sister were a declining force in tennis.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4204449.stm|title=Angry Williams rejects criticism|work=BBC Sport|access-date=May 30, 2017|date=January 25, 2005|archive-date=July 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721082142/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4204449.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> She defeated top seed Davenport to win the tournament, claiming her second Australian Open trophy and seventh Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4214545.stm|title=Williams battles to Aussie title|work=BBC Sport|date=January 29, 2005|access-date=May 30, 2013|archive-date=May 30, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060530153214/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4214545.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The victory moved her back to No.2.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4217997.stm |title=Williams eyes return to top spot |date=January 29, 2005 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=April 20, 2017 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721082142/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4217997.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Williams completed just two tournaments between the Australian Open and Wimbledon, losing to Venus in Miami and [[Francesca Schiavone]] in Italy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2005-02-12/k.php |title=Serena Williams Pulls from WTA Paris with Stomach Illness |website=Tennis-X.com |date=February 12, 2005 |access-date=January 27, 2011 |archive-date=June 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615113323/http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2005-02-12/k.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7884299.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905095603/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7884299.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 5, 2013 |title=Strained Tendon Forces Serena Out  |date=March 5, 2005 |access-date=January 27, 2011}}</ref> A reoccurring ankle injury caused her to miss the [[2005 French Open|French Open]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-may-21-sp-french21-story.html |title=Serena Pulls Out, Citing Ankle Injury |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 21, 2009 |access-date=January 27, 2011 |first=Lisa |last=Dillman |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015101633/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/may/21/sports/sp-french21 |url-status=live }}</ref> She returned to [[2005 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] as the 4th-seeded player, but was defeated in the third round. At the [[2005 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Williams lost to her sister in the fourth round. Williams played just one more match that fall, a loss to No.127 [[Sun Tiantian]] at the China Open in Beijing. She failed to qualify for the year-end championship for the first time since 1998, and she finished 2005 ranked No.11.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Cai |first1=Weiyi |last2=Gamio |first2=Lazaro |last3=Ward |first3=Joe |date=2022-08-09 |title=Serena Williams: Charting a Career at the Top |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/08/09/sports/tennis/serena-williams-ranking-tennis-wins.html |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Williams made her 2006 debut at the [[2006 Australian Open|Australian Open]], defending her title. After she lost to [[Daniela Hantuchová]] in the third round, she told the press that she was injured.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 20, 2006 |title=Hantuchova stuns champion Serena |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4631036.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220232344/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4631036.stm |archive-date=February 20, 2006 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4818448.stm|title=Injured Serena pulls out of Miami|date=March 17, 2006|access-date=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport|archive-date=April 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415234156/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4818448.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In her biography, Williams wrote that she was suffering from depression during this time. She stayed away from tennis for six months during the 2006 season, and began seeing a therapist daily.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=175–176}} After a chance meeting with a young girl who idolized Williams and believed in her, Williams signed up to play in Cincinnati in July, her first tournament since January.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=198–199}} She had slipped to No.139, her lowest ranking since 1997. On her return, Williams defeated Myskina and [[Bethanie Mattek]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5175132.stm |title=Serena scores big win on return |date=July 19, 2006 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420065613/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5175132.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5201908.stm |title=Serena comeback gathers momentum |date=July 21, 2006 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405074148/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5201908.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> before losing in the semifinals to [[Vera Zvonareva]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5207094.stm |title=Serena run comes to end in semis |date=July 23, 2006 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030230817/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/5207094.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> She also reached the semifinals in Los Angeles, losing to Janković in straight sets. Williams needed a wildcard to enter the [[2006 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], as her No.139 ranking was too low to automatically qualify her to play. By the time the tournament began, however, she had risen to 79th.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4801379.stm |title=Serena granted US Open wildcard |date=August 17, 2006 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=February 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220190111/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4801379.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> She lost to top-seeded Mauresmo in the fourth round.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5314730.stm |title=Mauresmo sees off tired Williams |date=September 5, 2006 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420065611/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5314730.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Williams finished the year ranked No.95, her lowest year-end ranking since 1997.<ref name=":0" />

Williams began 2007 with renewed confidence. She stated her intention to return to the top of the rankings, a goal that was labeled "deluded" by commentator [[Pat Cash]].<ref name="targets#1">{{cite news |date=March 17, 2006 |title=Serena targets number one ranking |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6236551.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406114200/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6236551.stm |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=April 23, 2009 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref name="cash">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1292868.ece|title=Williams is lost cause|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821180813/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1292868.ece|archive-date=August 21, 2008}}</ref> Williams lost in the quarterfinals of the [[Moorilla Hobart International|Hobart International]], a warm-up for the [[2007 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she was unseeded and widely regarded as "out of shape".<ref name="shape">Tandon, Kamakshi (January 14, 2008) [https://web.archive.org/web/20091026224342/http://www.tennis.com/tournaments/2008/australianopen/australianopen.aspx?id=110906 New Mindset: Serena Playing for Herself]. tennis.com</ref> Shortly before her first match, a representative from [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] told her the company might cancel her sponsorship if she did not perform at her customary level. Williams claimed that Nike's ultimatum meant she would have to reach the quarterfinals at least.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|pp=205–206}}

The Nike situation did not distract Williams, as she lost just three games to [[Mara Santangelo]] and defeated Anne Kremer in straight sets.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009a|p=206}} By this point, a blister had developed on her foot and she had contracted a cold. In the third round, Williams found herself two points away from losing to [[Nadia Petrova]], but fought back to win in three sets. She then made it to the final, defeating [[Jelena Janković]], Shahar Pe'er and Nicole Vaidišová along the way. Williams described them as "good players ... who certainly didn't expect an overweight, out-of-shape, has-been champion ... to give them a game."{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|pp=208–209}}<ref name="NY 2007 AUS" /> Commentator [[Tracy Austin]] said she expected Sharapova to easily defeat Williams in the final. Williams thought the commentary was mean, and used it as motivation to win.{{sfn|Williams|Paisner|2009b|p=209}} She triumphed over Sharapova, losing just three games; it was her first tournament title in two years.<ref name="NY 2007 AUS">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/27/sports/27iht-web.0127tennis.4368100.html |title=Williams shocks Sharapova to win Australian Open |date=January 27, 2007 |last=Clarey |first=Christopher |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613010541/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/27/sports/27iht-web.0127tennis.4368100.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Williams became the first player since [[Chris O'Neil (tennis)|Chris O'Neil]] to capture the title without being seeded. The victory, which elevated her to No.14, was her third Australian Open title and eighth career Grand Slam singles title. Williams dedicated the achievement to her deceased half-sister Yetunde.<ref name="ausopen07">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6299369.stm |title=Superb Williams wins Aussie title |work=BBC Sport |last=Newbery |first=Piers |access-date=May 30, 2017 |date=January 27, 2007 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406054220/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6299369.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Her performance in the final was described in the press as one of the best performances of her career, and "arguably the most powerful display ever seen in women's tennis".<ref name="shape" /><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6669051.stm "Resurgent Serena targets Paris"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913202752/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6669051.stm |access-date=April 20, 2017|date=September 13, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6304837.stm|title=I proved critics wrong – Williams|date=January 27, 2007|access-date=May 30, 2017|work=BBC Sport|archive-date=February 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212150222/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6304837.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Williams won the [[Sony Ericsson Open]] in Miami for the fourth time by defeating Henin, but then lost to her in the quarterfinals at the [[2007 French Open|French Open]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6514957.stm "Serena takes title in epic final"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009030840/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6514957.stm|access-date=April 20, 2017|date=October 9, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref><ref name="activity">[https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/230234/title/serena-Williams Serena Williams Playing Activity] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306114435/https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/230234/title/serena-Williams|date=March 6, 2019}}, [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]]. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> During a fourth round match against Hantuchová at Wimbledon, Williams collapsed from an acute muscle spasm. After a medical timeout, rain forced play to be suspended for nearly two hours. When the players returned, Williams won the match.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6262654.stm Injured Serena seals amazing win] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716094757/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6262654.stm |date=July 16, 2007}}, BBC Sport. Retrieved August 19, 2008.</ref> Williams then lost her quarterfinal match against Henin.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cheese |first=Caroline |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6270864.stm |title=Henin overcomes battling Serena |work=BBC Sport |date=July 4, 2007 |access-date=May 30, 2013 |archive-date=October 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007021401/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6270864.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> At the US Open, Williams lost her third consecutive Grand Slam singles quarterfinal to Henin.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/05/sports/tennis/05tennis.html| title = Henin Defeats Serena Williams Again| last = Robbins| first = Liz| date = September 5, 2007| work = The New York Times| access-date = February 18, 2017| archive-date = April 6, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230406132046/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/05/sports/tennis/05tennis.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Williams reached the final of the [[Kremlin Cup]], but lost to [[Elena Dementieva]]. She qualified for the WTA Championships, but retired from her first match with a knee injury and subsequently withdrew from the event.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/07/AR2007110702033.html| title = Serena Williams Hurts Knee in Madrid| date = November 7, 2007| agency = Associated Press| newspaper = The Washington Post| access-date = April 25, 2017| archive-date = December 23, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171223044010/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/07/AR2007110702033.html| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-women-championships-williams-idUSL0857371820071108| title = Williams withdraws from Madrid through injury| work = Reuters| date = November 8, 2007| access-date = July 5, 2021| archive-date = April 6, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230406063216/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-women-championships-williams-idUSL0857371820071108| url-status = live}}</ref> Williams finished 2007 as No.7 and the top-ranked American for the first time since 2003.<ref name="activity" />