Serena Williams hails Tiger Woods’ influence as she continues her US Open run
Serena Williams said it was “inspiring” to be in such a great company, adding it “puts a new meaning” to the word “hero.”
The 14-time Grand Slam champion spoke of how it was “tremendously motivating” to hear Woods’ comments in which he said: “Serena is so much better than me. And I mean it. If Serena wants to play in the finals, she’s the player to beat.”
Speaking to reporters on the eve of her third round win, she said: “He means something to me. I mean, I love him. He’s inspirational. He really does make you feel good. He brings out the best in the most people. I’m really appreciative of that.”
She continued: “You put a new meaning on the word hero. It makes you feel like you’re a whole lot better than you were yesterday.
“I really feel that way about him. I think he puts a new meaning on ‘hero’. And it’s that kind of motivation which I think is really, really, good.”
“It’s really kind of inspiring to be around him. I think that puts a new meaning to the word hero. It’s not just the player, it’s the role model, it’s the person that people want to look up to. And I think it’s great to be around him.”
On her own relationship with her family, she told reporters: “It’s always been hard because all of my family, all of my grandparents and my great-grandparents are all dead. I’m the only one still alive. My mother and father are great but the relationship that I had with them is no longer the same and that’s been really hard.”
Williams, who has now won three of her four singles titles this year