Roger Federer of Switzerland, who celebrates his 43rd birthday today on August 8, is one of the greatest tennis players of all time with 20 Grand Slam titles and more than 300 weeks as the World No. 1. On the other hand, Serena Williams of the United States is also among the greatest in women’s tennis with 23 Grand Slam titles and more than 300 weeks as the world’s premier player.
Both the greats have now retired as professional tennis players and have always had nice things to say about each other.
Accordingly, here’s a look at three respectful things Federer and Williams have said about each other.
#3 Roger Federer says he watched Serena Williams play for hours
In a recently released docuseries on the American champion’s life and career by ESPN named “In The Arena: Serena Williams”, Roger Federer said:
“I think with anybody who played your sport, you have a bond, but even more so with somebody like Serena. We go way back. Played on the same courts. You won the same tournaments. You felt the same amount of pressure.
“It’s 15 years seeing each other, waiting for each other, for me to finish my match so she could play hers or vice versa. So, I mean, I’ve spent hours and hours watching Serena play, of course, and admiring what she’s done as well.”
Federer’s words were full of respect for a fellow athlete whom he shared a large part of his career with. His acknowledgement of having watched Williams for long periods of time is surely a testimony to her greatness.
#2 Serena Williams discusses emulating Roger Federer’s style of play
Roger Federer’s greatness is undisputed and Williams has readily acknowledged that fact. If imitation is the best form of flattery, then the American’s words are proof of her utmost respect. She said in the docuseries mentioned above:
“My career was weirdly parallel with Roger Federer. He and I were the same age and I always looked up to Roger in a way. He always knew how to handle every single situation, and he always knew how to win. I would study his game and I would say, ‘How do I hit the ball early? How do I move like that? How do I have that footwork like Roger Federer, like I want to study him because he is the best.”
Williams has thus said explicitly that she thinks that Federer was the best in the game.
#1 Roger Federer terming Serena Williams’ tennis skills ‘nerve-wracking’
In an interview during the Hopman Cup in 2019, Roger Federer played against Serena Williams in a mixed-doubles match. He was in awe of the American’s abilities as a player and said in his post-match interview:
“Well, I was nervous returning, because you just don’t know. People talk about her serve so much, and I see why it is such a wonderful serve, because you just can’t read it. It was a bit nerve-wracking to be honest, because all of a sudden you’re serving, especially the last serve, I’m like, ‘I’ve got to win this point but it’s Serena Williams!’”
We all know how effective Williams’ serve is, but if ever one needs further confirmation, one could refer to the Swiss maestro’s words.