Serena Williams hails Tiger Woods’ influence as she continues her US Open run
Serena Williams has hailed the influence of Tiger Woods on her career as she sets up a run at the women’s singles final.
The 32-year-old American, who will face Serena Kvitova in Indian Wells, Florida on Sunday, has never won a major championship but has been a serious contender on the women’s side since the start of the year after she won the Australian Open in August.
The two-time US Open champion came out of retirement in 2009 to win the Australian Open and had never played a professional-level match in the year since – but has had more success in her native US than in Australia.
Williams – who is ranked second in the world and first in the US, with 23 Grand Slam trophies – has beaten world number 10 Victoria Azarenka in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open, and will take on Serena Kvitova in the US Open final.
“I have a lot of respect for him – especially on the tennis court, I’ve admired him since I was little,” Williams told ESPN.
“I have a lot of appreciation for him, and you know what? I always have. I’ve had the opportunity to work with him since I was a little girl and I always have admired what he’s done in his career. That’s why I always have had, always, I’ve always had this admiration for him.
“That’s why I always – when I’ve been to Australia, he always greets me and I’m very appreciative. And when I go to San Francisco, he always greets me and I’m very appreciative.”
Williams won the US Open in 2009 and 2010, and also reached the final of the Australian Open in 2010, finishing runner-up to Serena in the first two Slams.
She beat Azarenka in the US Open final in 2004, and was runner-up in 2008, 2004 and 2004; won the Australian Open in 2004; and came back from a set down to defeat Serena in the US Open final in 2000.
Williams won the French Open in 2002, 2005 and 2006, and last year took the title at the
