Serena Williams named AP Female Athlete of the Year

Williams previously won the honor in 2002, 2009 and 2013.

Serena Williams has been named Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year in a vote by U.S. editors and news directors for the fourth time in her career, the AP announced.

Williams previously won the honor in 2002, 2009 and 2013. Fellow tennis star Chris Evert also won the honor four times in her career. Babe Didrikson holds the record with her six awards for track and field and golf.

This year, Williams compiled a 53-3 record with victories at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. Williams fell just short of completing the first calendar-year Grand Slam since 1988 with a semi-final loss at the U.S. Open.

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Williams won with 50 first-place votes and 352 points overall. Carli Lloyd, who scored a hat trick in the FIFA Women's World Cup final against Japan, finished second with 14 first-place votes and 243 points. UFC fighters Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm finished in third and fourth place respectively.

The 34-year-old was also named Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year.

The AP's Male Athlete of the Year will be announced on Saturday.

- Christopher Chavez