Serena and Venus Williams as kids. Photo: getty

Happy Birthday, Serena Williams!

The tennis great turns 42 on Sept. 26, 2023, and some fans probably feel they’ve known her all her life.

In the spotlight from a young age thanks to her talents (and those of her big sis, Venus), Serena has grown from über-impressive kid to global champion to the actual G.O.A.T. who happens to also be a devoted wife and mother of two.

In honor of her latest milestone, check out these sweet throwback photos of Serena Williams and her sister Venus through the years.

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Compton Courts

Venus, Richard and Serena Williams. Paul Harris/Online USA/ Getty

Venus and Serena Williams sported colorful tees while practicing in Compton with their dad Richard Williams in 1991, years before they would play each other for the first time as pros at the Wimbledon semifinals in July 2000.

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Sparking Smiles

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Venus and Serena were as close as can be, especially during their early years training in Florida with matching Reebok gear in 1992.

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Beaded Braids

Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty

As the sisters prepared for the U.S. Open at New York City’s Arthur Ashe Stadium years ago, they twinned with their white-beaded braids — a look they would be remembered for.

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Double Dare You

Stefan Hesse/picture alliance via Getty

The dominating doubles partners matched in white tennis dresses and sneakers while facing off against Mercedes Paz and Rika Hiraki during a match in 1998. (They won, of course.)

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Seeing Double

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On and off the court, Serena has talked about copying older sister Venus.

“I was like, ‘Why am I not Venus?’ And she was tired of me copying her. She was like, ‘Get your own identity, please!’ ” Serena told GQ in November 2018 about how close they were, and still are.

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Sisters in Sync

Tony Marshall/EMPICS via Getty

The sisters hydrated at the same time in their matching white-and-blue tops at Wimbledon in 2001.

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Victory Lap

MARTYN HAYHOW/AFP via Getty

Venus and Serena were all smiles after winning their third round doubles match at Wimbledon in 2000 against Irina Spirlea and Caroline Vis.

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Silly Sisters

Venus and Serena Williams. William STEVENS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

Serena giggled while chatting with Venus at the French Open tennis tournament in 1999. The two always had fun on the court, while coordinating in their tennis dresses.

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Got Your Back

MIKE NELSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Serena showcased her powerful backhand while Venus focused forward during their 1999 match against Katrina Adams and Debbie Graham at the Evert Cup in Indian Wells.

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Winning Big

Mike Hewitt/Getty

After Serena won against Venus at Wimbledon in 2002, the sisters came together to show off their shiny new hardware.