Serena Williams shook the whole world this year when she announced her retirement. Obviously, that spiked her popularity around the world. But what is more astonishing is that Williams surpassed renowned names like Meghan Markle, Beyonce, and Michelle Obama in a unique list of renowned personalities.

Well, it is not that shocking too because we know what Williams is to the world. More than a tennis star, she has become the symbol of resilience and tenacity, impacting the lives of millions for the better.

Serena Williams leaves Michelle Obama, Meghan Markle, and Beyonce behind in an interesting statistic

Serena Williams has overtaken the likes of Meghan Markle, Beyonce, and Michelle Obama on the list of the most searched African-American women on the internet. The popularity of the 23-time Grand Slam Champion increased during the US Open 2022. It happened because of her announcement of retirement just before the US Open. The retirement of the tennis legend made people inquisitive about her. Serena Williams‘ final run at the US Open made people search for her more because of her matches and also the legacy she was leaving behind.

The research done by social commentators ThatSister looked for over 100 of the most influential women since the beginning of 2022. Meghan Markle ranked as the third most searched African-American woman, and Beyonce the fourth. The former US First Lady, Michelle Obama, was the fifth most searched women.

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So, who surpassed Serena Williams? Well, it is none other than the African-American Hollywood sensation, Zendaya, who has taken the world by storm in recent years.

How did Serena become one of the most famous stars in the sporting world?

It can be safely said that the American tennis legend changed the face of women’s tennis. With 23-time Grand Slam titles under her name, she became an icon of the sport. However, that was not it. She did not limit herself to just the on-court action. She actively voiced her concerns regarding equal pay in tennis. As a matter of fact, the US Open finals where Williams played in 2022 recorded one of the largest viewerships ever in the history of tennis. This shows the remarkable hold that the player has all over the tennis realm.

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Off the court too, in her business endeavors, she has made inclusivity a non-negotiable criterion. Her venture fund, Serena Ventures, focuses on funding the businesses of women and colored people. It is to give them more equitable opportunities to grow.