Few athletes can claim the dominance and global recognition Serena Williams has achieved. She's more than just a tennis star—she’s a living legend. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles to her name, Serena has solidified her place in the sports world. But her path to becoming one of the greatest didn’t just involve powerful serves and unmatched footwork. There have been plenty of unexpected, humanizing moments along the way, like when she tried to cash her first $1 million check at a drive-thru ATM.
Million Dollar ATM Moment
Serena Williams / Instagram
Imagine pulling up to your local drive-thru bank with a $1 million check. That’s precisely what Serena Williams did after one of her earliest big wins. Most people might expect a smooth transaction, but the bank teller had other ideas. Serena recalls when the teller gently informed her that she needed to come inside. While it’s not every day someone tries to cash that amount at a drive-thru, for Serena, it was just another example of how her focus had never been on the financial rewards.
Playing for Passion, Not Profit
Despite earning millions throughout her career, Serena never prioritized the financial side of tennis. She has repeatedly admitted that it was always about the sport itself. Her desire wasn’t driven by thoughts of wealth but rather the hunger to win. She wasn’t the type of player counting her earnings after each match. Sometimes, she forgot to collect her winnings from various tournaments worldwide. Winning was what mattered—whether in Zurich or Moscow.
Learning Financial Lessons the Hard Way
Serena Williams / Instagram
Serena’s journey with money wasn’t as smooth as her serves. She admits to being somewhat carefree about her finances in her early career. It wasn’t until her tax advisor brought up missing checks that she realized how many tournament winnings had slipped through the cracks. For Serena, these weren’t missed opportunities for wealth but simply a reminder that tennis had always been her focus, not the money it brought.
Family First
In August 2022, Serena made headlines again—this time, for announcing her retirement from tennis. She wanted to shift her focus to her growing family, a decision that fans both understood and respected. Alongside her husband, Alexis Ohanian, Serena is now a proud mom to two daughters, Olympia and Adira. Post-retirement, she’s been candid about her life off the court, sharing stories about motherhood, like using breast milk to treat sunburn or struggling to fit into her old clothes after giving birth.
From Tennis Star to Business Mogul
Serena Williams / Instagram
While Serena may have stepped off the tennis court, she hasn’t slowed down. The launch of Serena Ventures, her investment firm, has shown her keen interest in business and entrepreneurship. The drive to win that fueled her tennis career now powers her ventures in the business world.
