When it comes to sports, Tiger Woods and Serena Williams are two of the biggest names in the game. But despite their shared passion for competition and excellence, these two titans of the sporting world might seem like an unlikely pair of friends.
They have proved our assumptions wrong. Over the years, Woods and Williams have developed a close and enduring friendship, one that has been forged on the court and off. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the unlikely friendship between Tiger Woods and Serena Williams. We’ll explore how they met, how their bond has grown over the years, and what they’ve learned from each other along the way.
Serena Williams and Tiger Woods become close friends
Over the long course of their dominating careers, Tiger and Serena have always been really close to each other. Oftentimes, each other’s advisors, they have one of the most wholesome friendship stories in the world of sports. “Serena is one of my closest friends and our relationship has evolved into that.” said the 18-time championship victor when asked about his friendship with Serena. Williams on the other hand, couldn’t even believe she was in front of Tiger Woods.
Serena was in utter ‘awe’ after first meeting him. “When I first met Tiger, I honestly didn’t think we would be friends. I was honestly just in awe of him like he is Tiger Woods, he was competing against everyone and he looked like me.” said the tennis great.
A yet another lesser-known fact is that Tiger actually advised Serena on her ‘evolution away from tennis’ i.e retirement. “I was talking to Tiger Woods, who’s a friend, and I told him I needed his advice on my tennis career. I said, ‘I don’t know what to do: I think I’m over it, but maybe I’m not over it.’ He’s Tiger, and he was adamant that I be a beast the same way he is!” wrote the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
When @serenawilliams was trying to figure out what to do with her tennis career, she went to a friend named @TigerWoods:
“He was adamant that I be a beast the same way he is!” https://t.co/rX7fYoK8sV pic.twitter.com/RIgGiCdrfg
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) August 9, 2022
“He said, ‘Serena, what if you just gave it two weeks? You don’t have to commit to anything. You just go out on the court every day for two weeks and give it your all and see what happens.’” Woods wrote back. It turns out she could not do it. She went on the give in everything in Wimbledon and US Open that year. Unfortunately, she could not beat Margaret Court’s legendary 24 career slams and completed her tennis career in New York.
Tiger Woods was inspired by pregnant Serena Williams’ Australia Open win
Tiger Woods has always appreciated the dedication, perseverance, and grit it takes to succeed at the highest level of sports. So when he saw Serena Williams win the Australian Open during post-pregnancy in 2017, he was blown away by her remarkable accomplishment.
“Having her child then come back and play as well as getting to the finals. I mean its unbelievable what she has done.” said the golfer. “The way she has dominated the game for such a long period of time. That just doesn’t happen in that sport.”
.@serenawilliams you’re literally the greatest on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring all of us to pursue our dreams. I love you little sis!!!!!!
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) September 3, 2022
Woods himself knows a thing or two about overcoming adversity and making a comeback. Woods went through a series of injuries and personal setbacks. Moreover, he was also under scrutiny for various scandals. From infidelity and drug use to multiple arrests, Woods has faced a series of public scandals that have tarnished his reputation and legacy.
But in an iconic redemption story, he returned to form in 2019 by winning his fifth Masters championship, one of the most coveted titles in golf.
The story of Serena Williams and Tiger Woods is one of remarkable resilience and friendship. Despite facing personal and professional setbacks, both legends have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their craft and a willingness to support each other through the ups and downs of life. Their story is a testament to the power of friendship and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.