Serena Williams secured the WTA’s No. 1 ranking for a fourth time on Friday, when Maria Sharapova was eliminated from the WTA Finals in Singapore.

The American has secured the year-end ranking in consecutive years for the first time in her career, and Williams is also the first player to hold the No. 1 ranking for the duration of a full season in 18 years. Steffi Graf was the last player to achieve the feat in 1996.

Serena is also first player to go wire-to-wire at No. 1 for every week in a year since Steffi Graf in 1996. Close call at the end.#wtafinals

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) October 24, 2014

2014 is the fourth year which Serena will finish at No. 1. Previously 2002, 2009, 2013. Her span of 12 years is a record. #wtafinals

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) October 24, 2014