has shared a heart-warming tribute to her dog, Lauerlei, after she passed away on Saturday.
The seven-time champion revealed that her ‘toughest little pup’ had taken her last breaths and she will ‘miss her… so much’ after 18 years together.
The devastated 40-year-old shared sweet snaps of her late Maltese dog cosied up on the sofa as she shared the sad news with her 15.2 million followers on Instagram.
Lauerlei was also pictured with her other s a Jack Russell called Jackie (after Mariah Carey’s dog) and a Yorkshire terrier, Christopher Chip , named after her fellow tennis player and friend.
In a heartfelt caption, Serena penned: ‘Lauerlei sadly took her last breath yesterday. I am sad but happy for all the time and all the extra I got to spend with her.
‘She lived a long long life. The last year and a half was a bonus. She got to get anything she ever wanted and she was biting toes till the end. Literally.
‘She LOVED chicken and acrobatics. She was the smallest yet toughest little pup and I will miss her… so much. truly the end of an Era.’
She added: ‘Lauerlei Linkogle Williams, May 2004 – Aug 27, 2022.’
Friends, fans and her family flooded Serena’s comments with love hearts including her sister and fellow Wimbledon champion, Venus Williams, as others shared memories of her ‘special’ dog.
Singer, Kelly Rolland wrote: ‘Awwwww such special, funny moments with this sassy girl! Joshes got her Big Sis by her side!! Cause we miss her too!’
It comes after the tennis superstar opened up about her personal life and motherhood with the .
Serena touched on female ambition and the barriers that hold women back in sport, after she .
The Grand Slam champion is one of the greatest players of all time, but has had a challenging few matches including  in July.Â
