NEW YORK – Serena Williams was 17 and still in beads when she surprised the public and even her own family when she won the 1999 U.S. Open against Martina Hingis.
Her 6-3, 6-3 defeat Sunday of good pal Caroline Wozniacki in Sunday's U.S. Open final — her sixth in New York and third consecutive — comes 15 years later, the longest span between Grand Slam titles in history.
That sustained arc of excellence may one day stand out more than the 32-year-old's number of major championships, her vaunted serve or competitive (and sometimes polarizing) ferocity.
"I'm sure you have your ups and downs, and every time she's so competitive," said five-time Grand Slam champion Hingis, who is one year older than Williams and reached the women's doubles final. "I mean there's no words. I mean Serena is Serena. Geez. Wow."
In a season where eight different women reached Grand Slam finals, Williams cemented her status as the top player. But it took the biggest stage and home turf for Williams to win her first major of 2014.
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