As Serena Williams enters the U.S. Open semifinals on Friday, following a rain delay, she’s making a run at tennis’ history books: if she successfully completes a calendar-year grand slam (consecutive wins at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open) she’ll join the ranks of a handful of greats from the sport’s history.
Just five other singles players have ever met the challenge—though one did so twice, and several doubles players have managed too. From Don Budge in 1938, to Maureen Connolly in 1953, to Rod Laver in 1962 and 1969, to Margaret Court in 1970, to Steffi Graf in 1988, a calendar-year grand slam has been a rare feat. Here’s a look back at those tennis titans.
Don Budge in the first round at Wimbledon. June 28, 1938. Imagno—Getty ImagesIn 1938, Don Budge became the first player to win the Grand Slam.Popperfoto—/Getty ImagesMaureen Connolly at Wimbeldon, July 4, 1953.
Keystone-France—Gamma-Keystone via Getty ImagesAmerican tennis player Maureen Connolly (Little Mo) with the women's singles trophy after beating Doris Hart in the final at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships, July 1953.Central Press—Getty ImagesAustralian Wimbledon champion Rod Laver defending his title against Pierre Darmon. Laver won. June 30, 1962.Central Press—Getty ImagesAustralian tennis champion Rod Laver holds up the Wimbledon International tournament single men's trophy that he won, four-time consecutively, against his country fellow Tony Roche. Champion of the champions, Rod Laver is the one man to have won two grand slams, in 1962 and in 1969.AFP—Getty ImagesMargaret Court of Australia in action at Wimbledon on June 30, 1970. Popperfoto—Getty ImagesMargaret Court holds up the Ladies Singles plate at Wimbledon, July 3, 1970.
Popperfoto—Popperfoto/Getty ImagesSteffi Graf in action vs Argentina's Gabriela Sabatini during the Women's Final at USTA National Tennis Center in Queens, N.Y., on Sept. 10, 1988.
Walter Iooss Jr.—Sports Illustrated/Getty ImagesSteffi Graf during the 1988 U.S. Open Tennis Tournament in Flushing, Queens. PL Gould/Images —Getty Images
