Serena Williams wins her first WTA title

Closing stages of Serena Williams' first title win at the Paris Indoors in 1999

[@erebttbzhhy3772]

I was there. People knew that day a legend was born.

[@NaturallyLluvme]

Yes!

[@ecu22331963]

Wow, you were so Blessed to see the beginning of a Female Legend! Good for you.

[@charvaka9526]

@@ecu22331963 Blessed? A bit much.

[@ecu22331963]

@@charvaka9526 Naw, I think I'm right. All because you are Blessed with certain talents does not mean your an Angel.

[@Sabior19]

Bobba Rockersons Racist 101, come on. Try harder Martina!

[@dblog]

I think Venus also won a tournament on the same day in the states making them the first ever sibling to win a championship on the same day....

[@ferapple]

Yes in Oklahoma

[@arnoldamaral3814]

Our friends in Oklahoma city Attended that 1It was called the Oklahoma classic.

[@albertareid8850]

You are correct

[@xty070]

...and that kids is how the Legend of Serena Williams began.

[@angelahunter5954]

These people were really against Serena

[@themouse6539]

@@angelahunter5954 really? I hardly noticed! LOL

[@j-tallica1188]

To be fair, it was Maresmo she was playing against

[@pamela7651]

Yup the start of a legend

[@Belgarath777]

@@dunker982 ummm yeah, 20 years later and 23 grandslams later....duh

[@johnhaakmat8861]

At 17 facing one of the toughest crowd and not being intimidate,wow.

[@elektriqa864]

Who is watching in 2019. Serena is still standing

[@swinde]

2020.

[@kilortoe1060]

2021 December 31

[@beebee242]

2022 🙌🏼🤝🤝♥️

[@elvisngandwe7739]

Winning at 17 with the majority of the crowd against her wow such a classy lady 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@TheSPEEZY99]

Majority of the crowd (white)

[@Yowza78]

Majority of the crowd French ... and playing a Frenchwoman.

[@XxxX-wx3er]

@@TheSPEEZY99yeah all them French racists going for their home player. Disgraceful. We should never of saved them on D-Day bc this is how they repay us.

[@Dondee1997]

Wow you have to give big respect to Serena the entire stadium except for her mom and the guy she shook hands with were against her. That is what you call guts and what super stars are made of. Wow, just wow!!!! They stopped laughing at Richard after this day. 😍😍😍🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@yawantwi-gyamfi4656]

Including the commentators were against Serena.

[@godbyone]

Serena is a dude

[@ianjhodson]

the faces of the French crowd is a picture we Williams wins LEGEND SERENA WILLIAMS

[@amehka5416]

@Illya Kuryakin not surprised.

[@LolaFunnyGirl]

She was only 17 and in the same year she wins her FIRST title, she wins her FIRST major at the USA Open later in the year in September

[@johnhaakmat8861]

After this won indian wells against Graf and then the Usopen against nr 1 Hingis at 17.

[@garebfeumba5407]

Serena the great!!! You could feel she barely had supporters.

[@garebfeumba5407]

Illya Kuryakin what arrogance are you talking about? She still had a lot to prove at that time and it was her 1st WTA title. I just saw a mom supporting her daughter in a place where everybody was against her because she was playing against a local girl (which is normal). Serena is the greatest female athlete and her results are undeniable.

[@arnitaomeara7658]

@Illya Kuryakin they were not arrogant just had a lot of people against them and didn't kiss an asses or take anyone $hit. I lot of the girls hated them when they first came on tour and probably would have been a wash out if they didn't have each other to tour with. White people saw them as arrogant, blacks saw them as confident which they were.

[@warriornanny5780]

@Ilya Kuryakin No, You're so wrong and you know that JUST like how know right from left.

[@MrTbeeto]

Mauresmo went and built her Hall of Fame portfolio :Grand slam winner,WTA # 1. Serena became one of the best athlete ever ,playing in the same league as Muhammad Ali,Michael Jordan ,Michael Phelps......Thanks for this video.

[@kwasiaking185]

MrTbeeto she was well established long before Phelps.

[@garebfeumba5407]

Illya Kuryakin and in the world too.

[@marsswep2794]

I always thought Mauresmo was Trans🤷🏽‍♀️

[@carolwilliams6715]

Thanks Richard and Oracene Williams the GOAT in coaching producing the GOAT of the wta!

[@fedfan3079]

That’s right. There through it all. Iconic athlete.

[@teresajones936]

@Illya Kuryakin In the 2019 poll she is number one. What does Federer and Lavar have to do with the WTA?

[@aydenanthony6508]

@Ilya Kuryakin first of all, Polls of popularity don't determine who is the greatest, stats do. If we had to go with popularity, then you should probs do a poll on serena williams in Australia, cause Americans hate their own people for some reason 🙄. And Federer has absolutely nothing to do with WTA, based on Federer and Serena's resumè in their respective fields, that's an entirely different convo.

[@aydenanthony6508]

@Ilya Kuryakin don't watch boxing, can't agree, but I think Muhammad Ali is great in a completely different way, based on what he achieved inside and out of the ring 🤷🏽‍♂️. However, when speaking about tennis, no, I believe most tennis fans tend to make their deductions and assessment based off actual stats, facts and achievements.

[@aydenanthony6508]

@Ilya Kuryakin that makes ZERO sense 🤪🤪

[@christophermallo5926]

First American to win this title? Wow!!! That's amazingly historical!!! That's why she's the greatest ever!

[@KevinMphotography]

No, they meant to say something else. several other Americans won before her. Honest mistake.

[@HesJustSteven]

They said she was the first American to win in France.

[@rn6710]

@@HesJustSteven not true

[@HesJustSteven]

R Navs yeah I didn’t believe it either

[@BoxerBriefs4]

Well, “first American born” athlete to win the title, if that makes a difference for the “nay” sayers.

[@gk891]

Never saw this one before so thanks for posting it. You can really see Serena's hunger and will to win. It was clear that year that she was going to be great.

[@MjYosh]

she was 17 when she won??? well deserved

[@toddmaek5436]

Yes she was, and just think when they went to Indian Wells she was a teenager then too hearing all of that racist crap from HOME!

[@swinde]

@@toddmaek5436 There was no problem when the won the title playing Steffi in 1999. The problem occurred in the 2001 final after Venus withdrew. Serena still won that title defeating Kim Clijsters.

[@doksh5740]

Wow, how wonderful to see you play, Serena. You were only 17 when you won! You are really very talented. Have never seen a player like you. Wish they would show the whole match.

[@jjsworld3307]

This is what today's era doesn't have. Special young players. This was Serena's arrival. She won Indian Wells a couple of weeks later beating the legendary Graf in the final and then later on won the USO. What a year for her! Can't imagine any of the young talentless hacks of today doing this at 17. Hell they can't even do it at 25 and yet are still called "up and comers." Please.

[@xty070]

+jjsworld i died at "young talentless hacks " LMAOOOOO

[@TreebeardWood]

Though it's true we are lacking some new blood, you must remember that the "Age Eligibility" rules changed right around the time of Serena's entrance into the WTA. I don't remember exactly when the age restriction changed, but it was around the mid/late 90's. Players are no longer allowed to play a lot of tournaments between the ages of 14 and 18. For example, players between 14 and 15 are only allowed to play 8 ITF tourneys a year and they can't be big ones for a lot of money. It increases each year as a player gets to 18. SO... They don't get the experience they once did earlier on and thus... don't win titles until they are older. That's why you don't see 14 or 15 year olds like Jennifer Capriati or Monica Seles playing in Grand Slams anymore.

[@Soxette74]

What about the 15-year-old Catherine Bellis who played in the 2014 US Open? She beat Cibulkova in the first round.

[@jjsworld3307]

Soxette74 Jury is still out on her but she seems to have regressed since then.

[@lastvirginmedia6243]

hahaha

[@robertmclellan6584]

Where it all began... Best athlete that has ever lived

[@KevinMphotography]

actually, that was jim thorpe

[@elektriqa864]

Will inspire many more

[@kevintuohy6402]

Not even top50

[@zamadladla826]

LOL@@kevintuohy6402

[@lifeoftennis1285]

You can’t say best athlete, only best female athlete. Because even a #200 ranked male player could beat her in straight sets

[@jasonenglisbe6480]

Serena came to net twice in a row on big points in the deciding tiebreak. She was always willing to come to net, and she was successful at it.

[@johniii8147]

I would say Serena end up doing pretty good. We are what 23 grand slam titles now

[@CBrown-gb2dj]

I never knew she won her first title and grandslam in the same yr

[@andreabryant2857]

Nearly two decades and one baby later and Serena is still taxing these women.

[@sabzsabz6875]

From little girl serena is fire...i love her

[@divadidi1]

...child prodigy grew to be the GREATEST OF ALL TIME! People thought her father was crazy! He said he had TWO WORLD #1 champion daughters, BUT SERENA WAS ... and he was RIGHT!

[@lastvirginmedia6243]

She never knew that she would go on to become the greatest of them all

[@unc1589]

I don't know about that! Her dad taught them to be warriors from day one.

[@jennettwalker6630]

@Illya Kuryakin stop hating and find you a sport to dominate and stfu

[@jennettwalker6630]

@Illya Kuryakin hmmmm, didn't recognize they were both whitei don't see people as colors

[@c.h301]

@Ilya Kuryakin Navratilova is NOT American born. She defected from her home country.

[@c.h301]

@Ilya Kuryakin You used the word "Technically" in the wrong manner as to say their American bcuz they defected their home country. I am saying They're NOT American. So S.W holds the correct title as being the ONLY American. We have to be careful of words we use. Words have meaning and it can change the whole concept of a sentence/conversation.

[@ifyobi5342]

This was exactly 20 years ago and she's still doing same thing, people talking shirt about her performance. She's a Queen and a good one at that.

[@elizabethc9843]

17!!!!! 💕💕💕💕💕 still playing! Love this girl!!

[@Shenables]

That bomb serve from Serena was epic!

[@fedfan3079]

She would go on to win 72 singles titles. 23 of them GRAND SLAMS. 👸🏾 ❤️ also 23 doubles titles.

[@anthonymos185]

Serena's the GOAT and Mauresmo is easily top 15-20 all time.

[@rbfortheloveoftennisandlif144]

Love Serena smile>>>>>

[@MrArghim]

"And both these players we're gonna see more over the future" so damn true, lady, so damn true!

[@巴刹那]

MrArghim OKAY?! 2003 French Open 😂💀💀

[@stephenrobinson1606]

the beginning of a champion team Williams baby

[@Idahtv1]

wow i have never seen this match thanks for the upload

[@lastvirginmedia6243]

And the legend begins

[@AliiScott]

Serena’s biggest talent is having the guts and will to win. All the other talents just back that up to make her unstoppable.

[@SalRN14]

thanks for loading this!

[@marcwhitepop]

You are an amazing inspiration for me Serena! And for countless others. I recently bought the King Richard DVD and have lost track of how many times I have watched it. It instantly became my favourite movie. I will be watching the second half of it again tonight, which will be a great reward for me. Watching your first ever title win in Paris means so much to me now. I wrote a song called Just Like Serena in 1997. Thank you Serena, Venus and Richard and the whole family. You have done great!

[@marcwhitepop]

Correction. Sorry, I wrote Just Like Serena in 2017. Woops! I perform it often.

[@josephryan5949]

Lovely to see her joy.

[@Alyssasrealm]

She was still cute that time...

[@preciousstoryward8708]

I cry watching the end🙂The emotion I felt from Serena. I am a fan!!

[@davidocean7007]

As you can see also in this video , most of the white spectators refuse to cheer Serena when she won a point , for Serena to overcome what she's been through mentally and emotionally and still have tenacity to focus and dominate a sport where she wasn't welcome is amazing

[@fikiswantilini1279]

She's not strong physically but also mentally

[@tulifranz9336]

David ocean , Serena Said once in an interview she likes proving people wrong.

[@stacitowery3475]

The French spectators were clearly cheering for the French player, nothing more, nothing less.

[@tylerbam7183]

@Jan Merc Maybe they would have cheered for Mauresmo against any opponent, other than maybe another French player who wasn't Mary Pierce. I supposed if they were rooting for Serena you would accuse them of being homophobic.

[@stacitowery3475]

@@tylerbam7183 well put❤

[@marcos.1481]

Thats when it all started!!!

[@synthiasimms4608]

Emily didn't want to shake Serena's hand,but glad she did!Win or loose, Serena shows respect@ net!

[@thrshwll1526]

Beautiful. SERENA was so sharp. Very few unforced errors. So good. She has played everybody. She's the BEST

[@effiesaliora1910]

The beginning of a brilliant career.Serena Williams LEGEND ❤️

[@rayarthey3706]

She was a beast... the lady was a bossy back in the day!... in my personal opinion, what lacks in the younger guns of today tennis, is not the physio, most of then have bodies that could make goddess Athena gelous, is mental strength... here Serena was playing against an world class athlete an at that athlete home soil and still pull off the upset!... the lady was and still is the real deal!

[@kimbilinkimbilin]

She's the greatest of all time💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@cjbfire95]

So happy to see this, loved the look on moms faced at the end as to say, now what!!😁😁😁

[@fountainmay4175]

The MALE COMMENTATOR was right on point at the end....an all round disappointment for Amelie.....ahem... and the all white crowd secretly hoping that she(Amelie) wins. Moreover, Amelie's body language screamed "I AM SO MUCH BETTER THAN YOU" with an arrogant and aggressive intimidating now and then glances at SERENA WILLIAMS. But my girl Serena Williams has been programmed "Right and Very Well" to deal with xters like Amelie. You do not and can not Intimidate Serena and Venus Williams with any audience..... She is a bull dog , a fighter and a warrior...... Thank you Mrs Ohanian, for making the way and leading the way for other black girls/ladies/women all over the world.... Congratulations....this video is very valuable and priceless, historically speaking..... I am sure that this video will be used in lecture halls in the future, as a motivational material.... BRAVO Serena Williams 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@sfhayesvalley]

Awww...Serena was just a cute little beebee then! I remember this. My how time flies!

[@TranBam14]

Damn just watching this we can see how much women's tennis has changed. It's no longer who can make less unforced errors. At the top it's who can make the most plays (more like men's tennis) and the level of play is just substantially higher now. love it

[@richninety]

I like how the commentators refer to her as “Serena Williams”. It’s just “Serena” now.

[@chrisarmelseyibayebek4977]

Amazing how Venus and Serena is enough to Know Who Someone is talking about...

[@Thkmra]

Remember this like it was yesterday. Oddly enough, feels like it was hearing those commentators. They've been at it, together this long?

[@ChristelleMponeDemets1982]

I remember that year! It was the most painful tournament S. Williams ever faced in her life. The French public was rude, Mauresmo was the sweetheart of the country, and that little black (!!!) , a girl (!!), an American (!!!!!} pretended to grab the trophy ? NO WAY. The French were already struggling to forget that it was a mixed-coloured guy who won Roland Garros for them in the 80s, so they really hoped Mauresmo would "bring it back home" at last. Lmao. What is funny is that all these women S.W competed against , almost all of them went on retirement ! Mauresmo was criticized to be man alike and today, S. Williams !!! It was during that tournament that Hingis was booed by the French crowd ( she allegedly commented on Mauresmo being a lesbian " No wonder i fell like playing against a man". Yeah! It was somehow a funny year for those great players (Mauresmo, Williams, Hingis etc).

[@kittybookitty]

what mixed colored guy won Roland Garros?

[@lillywansa5478]

+kittybookitty Yannick Noah...what a backward description though.

[@kristelmpone5350]

+kittybookitty Yannick Noah, born from a French mom and a Cameroonian father.

[@mustaphatroqui7114]

very true

[@camembertdalembert6323]

if french crowd is rude, what would you say about the crowd at the master of Miami ? they insulted players.

[@iceman9109]

Ah the rise of a benevolent queen.

[@JasLon]

Thanks for the video!

[@poosnip]

Just love watching this

[@repoman3862]

Came to see when she won her first wta title since coco is just about to win her first wta title😎😎 Yep she did it just when im writing this, at age.of 15 topped Serena Williams with 2 years👍👍

[@DjokovicFan]

Nearly 20 years has passed since then and Chris Bradnam and Jo Durie are still commentating WTA and Grand Slam matches on Eurosport, and BT Sports since 2013.

[@Rubyred-rb2fe]

YT folk stunned because the game of tennis changed forever...and King Richard Williams had the last laugh!

[@synthiasimms4608]

Excellent game, Serena!This was tough,but exciting!

[@neetrab]

I love how she was so happy when she won.

[@perfectchaos0078]

CoCo Gauff also won her first WTA title at an indoor event. I see a lot of similarities between the two in fight, energy, and height.

[@lalehabasova1880]

Wow, Serena looks so pretty, so slim! Lovely girl with such happy shinning eyes!! :-)

[@foundgrace82]

that was a 17 year old girl

[@peterhammer6915]

Slim?

[@a32tl]

10:05 That lady did NOT want Serena to win! Haha!

[@Askanison29]

they, the sisters, went through that for awhile

[@christabellll]

And so it begins...

[@optimumreality9745]

HERstory! #G.O.A.T.

[@KingWelshy]

Awww Serena even celebrating like Venus early on in career then found her own way. What a queen. Did super well to mentally hang tough after leading the set then going behind. Many crumble once the momentum shift that way at that age but Serena regained focus.

[@travisbarron7218]

LOL the person behind Serena at 10:06. They look pissed!

[@tlovesgreens8244]

😆

[@Queeen_Dej]

I just commented the same thing 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ynmonroe]

Good call out, lol

[@GladiatorInChucks]

That guy on the left hand side, right behind her is PISSED!! 😂😂

[@GladiatorInChucks]

Illya Kuryakin and that has what to do with my comment? 🙄🙄

[@Shenables]

You can tell female commentator is disappointed that Serena won!

[@holgerniermann8887]

Amelie got often problem with her nerve. Specially at Home Tournaments. She feels the Pressure. A lot disapointed Early looses in GS the First Years. So i was so glad for her that she Wins 2006 two Grand Slams and get Nr. 1.

[@cjbfire95]

The mama had me cracking up with that look on her face, like how do you like them apples😂😂😂

[@ellieellie9341]

it Was the beginnings

[@RichardsWorld]

And, so it began.

[@cwilliams6166]

Yes this was the beginning of the legend of Serena the GOAT.

[@cwilliams6166]

@Illya Kuryakin Actually Serena is the GOAT and I am not counting MS Corrt the person who has 24 GS because she played mostly country club tennis.

[@cwilliams6166]

@@Illya Kuryakin, actually the stats give Serena Williams the GOAT status I did not make it up. Although I do respect your opinion.

[@baegoals8112]

I wish she would have let Naomi feel that same happiness and excitement😢😢😢

[@um567]

👏👍

[@CBrown-gb2dj]

I guess serena told thousands of ppl to boo the empire

[@marleneking5004]

Omg let that go they have

[@BoxerBriefs4]

No one talks about how Mauresmo looks like a man, interesting...

[@travelkogaly]

I noticed

[@neetrab]

They did A LOT when she was playing. Believe me.

[@peterhammer6915]

Mauresmo does not look like a man. Sometimes I wonder the hypocrisy of Serenas fans, its beyond unbelievable.

[@BoxerBriefs4]

Peter Hammer I know, right? The hypocrisy of non-Serena fans is even more unbelievable, especially considering that their favorite female tennis player will never achieve Serena’s success. Tsk, tsk...

[@BoxerBriefs4]

Illya Kuryakin Less than, greater than, or equal to... she still looks like a very ugly, white man, and my opinion won’t change, nor will the undisputed fact that Serena is the better player. Why this became about Serena, I don’t know, but we can go there. I have time...

[@shanmugaanand2231]

see the way serena cherished her victory simply she is amazing hope for the downward people....

[@trommelbiel]

I watched this match whilst in Germany. Cool Tennis days.

[@melvaburke2608]

Merci Beacoup ⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘Oom Wa💋Serena ..Watched👀The Vid 2x's 😎

[@izzyshootsiphone]

Never heard of Serena Williams. Would love to see a “where are they now” type video about her

[@alessandromachado7570]

It is nice watch this images , Serena winning her first ATP title ! She got really emotional....Go Serena !

[@regworld1167]

You forget that Amelie Mauresmo is only 19 years old here, though you imagine she is older.

[@Queeen_Dej]

10:05 the guy in the background 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣💀💀💀💀 #HesMadAF lol

[@duhin100]

If only 38-year-old Serena could look back at 17-year-old Serena. PS: Nike is set to inaugurate the new Serena Williams building at their Beaverton complex, later this year. #RENASARMY

[@duhin100]

Illya Kuryakin You should probably write to them.

[@heymambootialiana]

First American to win this place? WOW VENUS Queen . I think she may win this French game again.

[@iwnunn7999]

And later she would ascend into the stratosphere

[@yeezydoes_it]

Lady behind Serena when she won was mad as hell

[@eunicequeen221]

AWESOME

[@abdulsamadsaleh]

Serena Williams

[@themezzymahon]

What a win! Does anyone know if this tournament still exists?

[@magnetmac1]

Google it.

[@spiffyspice3724]

Two things happening simultaneously; the beginning of a long unparalleled journey and the beginning of the HATE.

[@swicheroo1]

Feels like the commentators weren't so keen on Serena...

[@godswilllaks1530]

I love the disappointment on their pale looks hahaha

[@garebfeumba5407]

Guys let’s forget it.

[@graciesquiltingandcrafting]

Awww a baby Serena 😍😍

[@telmut247]

Awww, look at the young Serena. She looks like a baby...

[@michellesheppard7859]

Everyone want to say serena looks like a man but what u think that other tennis player looks like that broad look more like a heshe so stop 👄 hatters and just be ☺ that a young 👦 at 17 years old is the new champion how bout that.🇺🇸

[@PHlophe]

Auntie Michelle , Amelie Moresmo is the one that looks a lorry driver . all that muscle and that height and couldn't win more than 2 grand slams. and she talked shit about serena too

[@queenteireigns6212]

I swear I was thinking the same thing.

[@tuarchep3964]

Wunderschön!!!🙏

[@pyro9818]

Serena beat her when she was 17. She would demolish Mauresmo at her prime.

[@jamesdavidkmoss]

but monica by 17 ??

[@Randyphx]

Wonderful person ❤