Throwback: Venus Williams becomes WTA World No.1 20 years ago

Almost 20 years ago to this day, Venus Williams rose to World No.1 on the WTA Rankings for the first time in her career, overtaking Jennifer Capriati for the top spot.

The 21-year old had won Wimbledon and the US Open in 2001, but still lacked sufficient points to claim the top spot. However, Williams began her surge to the World No.1 position by claiming the Gold Coast title at the start of the 2002 season, before reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

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Her solid performance Down Under led her to lift back-to-back titles at the Open Gaz de France and the Proximus Diamond Games soon after, before eventually falling in the semifinals at Dubai.

Nonetheless, this incredible run of form was enough for the American to climb her way to the top of the Rankings, and she would spend a total number of 11 weeks at the position during the 2002 season.