Serena Williams' first grand slam - 25 years on - video Dailymotion

It's 25 years since Serena Williams won her first ever grand slam title at the US Open, on September 11, 1999.

Transcript

00:00I've had a big X on my back since 99, since I won the US Open.

00:06It's an all-time great legacy, right?

00:30I played Serena when she was 16. I think I was number one at this stage.

00:44And I remember calling my agent that night. I said, boy, my days are numbered.

00:47You know, as an other player, you kind of feel it when somebody comes on the scene.

00:51It's going to take the game to another level.

00:53Starting in 99 when she won her first major as a 17-year-old at the US Open,

00:58upsetting Hingis on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

01:02She was the first of the Williams sisters to win a singles major.

01:06She's been making history, you know, late 90s.

01:28The legacy there, you know, the greatest female player of all time.

01:38I think her and Venus is the greatest sports story of all time.

01:44That two women players coming from where they came from,

01:47both ended up at number one in the world.

01:49It's the most extraordinary sports story ever.

01:52I've had a big X on my back since 99, since I won the US Open.

01:59And so when players play me that hard, every single tournament, every single match,

02:05every single Grand Slam, just doesn't matter where, you just get better.

02:11But at the end of the day, that's why I'm Serena.