Serena’s Stunning 2016 US Open Upset Ends Her Reign as No. 1, But For How Long?

Serena Williams never gives in, even when she’s hobbling on an injured left knee in the semifinals of the 2016 U.S. Open. There she was, trying to get to the final over big-serving upstart Karolina Pliskova, but her body was unable to cooperate two straight nights against two top young players in the WTA.

On a muggy New York evening that topped 80 degrees, Serena’s streak of 186 consecutive weeks as the world No. 1 player finally came to an end. (No. 2 Angelique Kerber ascended the throne before her warm-ups in the semifinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium.)

Oddly enough, the Serena streak will remain in the record books alongside Steffi Graf’s 186 weeks at No. 1, as does her 22 career major titles (There’s still time for Serena to get at least one more major.).

Looks like Serena and Steffi will stay tied for all timeMost consecutive weeks at No. 1Graf 186Williams 186

— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) September 9, 2016

There’s a lot to marvel about Serena’s No. 1 streak, and now is the best time to step back and appreciate just how dominant and determined she was for over three-and-a-half years.

Will Serena make it back to No. 1 soon, and perhaps get another mini-streak to catch Graf’s 377 weeks, or will she bow out with 309 career weeks at the top?

The Serena Streak of 186

Go back to February 18, 2013. Serena replaced Victoria Azarenka for the No. 1 ranking and the top-10 players were listed as follows, according to WTA Tennis:

Serena Williams Victoria Azarenka Maria Sharapova Agnieszka Radwanska Li Na Angelique Kerber Sara Errani Petra Kvitova Samantha Stosur Caroline Wozniacki

It’s staggering to note that Azarenka and Sharapova are no longer (for now) playing on the WTA tour. Li Na has been retired a couple years, and Kerber was not even on the radar as a future No. 1 player.

To put in perspective Serena’s 186 weeks at No. 1, none of the other top-10 players that day would stay inside the top 10 every week during Serena’s stranglehold at the top.

In February 2013, most tennis fans had not even heard of Simona Halep, Garbine Muguruza, Madison Keys, Eugenie Bouchard or Karolina Pliskova.

Serena Williams won nine Grand Slam titles that were instrumental in her time at the top, beginning with the fast majors at 2012 Wimbledon and the U.S. Open that were the foundation to getting her …

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