FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON ATTENDS THE WOMEN'S FINALS MATCH AT THE U.S. OPEN IN NEW YORK

Former president Bill Clinton watches play during the women's singles final of the 2013 U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Photo by: David Goldman


Former President Bill Clinton watches the women's finals match at the U.S. Open Championship held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2013 in New York City. UPI /Monika Graff

SAN DIEGO, September 8, 2013 – Serena Williams won her first U.S. Open women’s singles tennis title at age 17 in 1999.

Thank goodness it never gets old. After a rough start feeling frustrated by the windy conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Williams prevailed over a tough Victoria Azarenka.

"She didn't give up": President Clinton embraces Serena Williams after she won her 17th Grand Slam title at the 2013 US Open. Photo: Chris Trotman/Getty Images.

Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams pose with Monica Seles before the women’s final. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

A happy Serena Williams

Williams won the game, set, match and America’s championship, 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-1 in two hours and 46 minutes. It was the longest women’s championship match since the tournament has been keeping track, 1980.
"From the first point, the tension, the battle, the determination, it was raising. Really, you know, kind of like boiling water," Azarenka said. "I fought as hard as I could. But I lost to a great champion."

It is Williams’ fifth U.S. Open singles title, third Grand Slam title this year, and her 17th Grand Slam title overall in singles. She is the oldest U.S. Open women’s champion just shy of her 32nd birthday. She won $2.6 million in prize money, plus another $1 million for placing first in the Emirates Bonus Challenge.

And move over former president Bill Clinton, who ambled to the women’s locker room at the U.S. Open to give Serena a hug and hang out to commemorate the occasion.

Serena Williams Grand Slam finals

Won 17, Lost 4

1999 U.S. Open — def. Martina Hingis, 6-3, 7-6 (4).

2001 U.S. Open — lost to Venus Williams, 6-2, 6-4.

2002 French Open — def. V.Williams, 7-5, 6-3.

2002 Wimbledon — def. V.Williams, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

2002 U.S. Open — def. V.Williams, 6-4, 6-3.

2003 Australian Open — def. V.Williams, 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-4.

2003 Wimbledon — def. V.Williams, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

2004 Wimbledon — lost to Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-4.

2005 Australian Open — def. Lindsay Davenport, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.

2007 Australian Open — def. Sharapova, 6-1, 6-2.

2008 Wimbledon — lost to V.Williams, 7-5, 6-4.

2008 U.S. Open — def. Jelena Jankovic, 6-4, 7-5.

2009 Australian Open — def. Dinara Safina, 6-0, 6-3.

2009 Wimbledon — def. V.Williams, 7-6 (3), 6-2.

2010 Australian Open — def. Justine Henin, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

2010 Wimbledon — def. Vera Zvonareva, 6-3, 6-2.

2011 U.S. Open — lost to Sam Stosur, 6-2, 6-3.

2012 Wimbledon — def. Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.

2012 U.S. Open — def. Victoria Azarenka, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.

2013 French Open — def. Maria Sharapova, 6-4, 6-4.

2013 U.S. Open — def. Victoria Azarenka, 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-1.

SOURCE: USA TODAY, INSIDE TENNIS