Serena Williams went from learning tennis on public courts in a notorious American gangland neighborhood to becoming a superstar for a generation and perhaps the greatest player in history.
![Tennis star Serena Williams nears end of sport-changing career after US Open loss](https://s.france24.com/media/display/73dd573e-2b5e-11ed-a148-005056a97e36/w:1024/p:16x9/AP22246041142227.jpg)
Serena Williams went from learning tennis on public courts in a notorious American gangland neighborhood to becoming a superstar for a generation and perhaps the greatest player in history.