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Serena Williams recently announced her tennis retirement in Vogue magazine’s September issue. The icon is gracefully “evolving” from the sport and moving on to other things.
The game of tennis has been a part of Williams’ life since she was a tot. She has mastered the sport with 23 Grand Slam singles titles and numerous wins under her belt. The sport’s trajectory for Black women has shifted positively because of Williams’ significant contributions and unapologetic presence. She has paved the way for more tennis stars who resemble her to penetrate the sport and build on the legacy that she has cemented.
Serena Williams’ retirement is not only an opportunity for us to acknowledge her impressive accomplishments but also for us to join her in passing the torch to other great Black women tennis players. So, if you were only privy to the Williams sisters when it came to tennis, below are five other Black women tennis pro players who are sure to pick up where Serena Williams left off. Check them out below!
1. Naomi Osaka
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Naomi Osaka did not come to the tennis courts just for fun. She is ranked No. 1 by the Women’s Tennis Association and a she is 4x Grand Slam singles champion. She’s also an Australian Open winner and a force to be reckoned with.
2. Sachia Vickery
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Sachia Vickery is coming in strong on the tennis courts with being a 3x ITF winner. The 27-year-old turned pro in 2011, and has been killing it ever since.
3. Taylor Townsend
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Taylor Townsend is on the rise in the sport of tennis. The Chicago native placed in the fourth round of the U.S. Open. She was also named the ITF Junior World Champion in 2012.
4. Sloane Stephens
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Sloane Stephens is on her way to picking up where Serena Williams left off. Some of her tennis accomplishments include being the 2017 U.S. Open winner and a 7x WTA winner.
5. Coco Gauff
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Coca Gauff is showing up and showing out with one WTA title and placing in the fourth round of the 2019 Wimbeldon. She ranks No. 11 in singles and No. 5 in doubles.
6. Alycia Parks
A powerful force with a big serve, Alycia Parks captured her first WTA singles title at the 2023 Lyon Open and a WTA 1000 doubles title at the 2023 Cincinnati Open. Recently, she made it to the third round of the 2024 Australian Open.
7. Hailey Baptiste
Hailey Baptist is and up and coming star we should all continue to watch. The pro athlete achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 47 in August 2025, and she secured one WTA Tour singles title, two WTA Challenger doubles titles, and multiple ITF championships.
8. Victoria Mboko
A rising Canadian icon, just 18 years old, Mboko made history by defeating four Grand Slam champions in a single WTA 1000 tournament (Canadian Open), becoming the youngest Canadian woman to reach the final in the Open Era. She currently holds a singles ranking around No. 23.
9. Clervie Ngounoue
A standout junior athlete, Ngounoue reached the No. 1 ranking in the ITF juniors in 2023, winning Wimbledon girls’ singles and French Open girls’ doubles titles. She’s since stepped into the WTA pro circuit with appearances in Grand Slam main draws.
10. Asia Muhammad
An accomplished doubles specialist, Asia Muhammad has reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 19 and has captured 11 WTA doubles titles, along with numerous ITF accolades. Her court savvy and net skills make her a standout figure in doubles.
11. Madison Keys
A consistent force on the WTA Tour for more than a decade, Madison Keys finally captured her first Grand Slam title at the 2025 Australian Open after defeating both the world No. 2 and No. 1 in one of the most thrilling runs of her career. Her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive style have long made her a threat on any surface, and this victory propelled her to a career-high ranking inside the Top 5.
12. Robin Montgomery
Robin Montgomery is quickly making her mark, earning spots in Grand Slam main draws and catching the tennis world’s attention with her competitive grit and promise. Be on the lookout for this powerhouse, because she is slamming balls and taking names.
