Competitiveness, the urge to be the best, and the fight to outplay your competitor, are some phrases that define sports. In a field primarily made up of such emulous methods, what often gets forgotten is the need for bonding. While the majority of the sporting world opts to walk on the same path, a handful of athletes give a shot at taking the other way around. Two such athletes are Tiger Woods and Serena Williams.

Over the years, the two greatest names in the world of sports, Williams, and Woods have rightfully succeeded in creating a bond to be cherished for a lifetime. In a more polished way, the two have succeeded in creating a sibling-like bond. Announcing her retirement, Serena Williams has been going through a major shift in her life recently. However, despite making a life-changing decision, the 23-time Grand Slam champion seems to be in a rather peaceful state of mind. The reason? Her ‘big-brother’, Tiger Woods.

Serena Williams sees her biggest support in Tiger Woods

Walking down memory lane, the year 2021 marked one of the biggest downfalls for Serena Williams. Playing her first round match at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, the former World No. 1 suffered a fall, injuring her hamstring. An injury, that forced Serena to stay out of the tour for a year.

‘Myself and Tiger Have Dominated’: Serena Williams, Who Had Tiger Woods Cheering Her On at the 2022 US Open, Once Drew the Similarities Between Herself and the Golf Legend

Cut to 2022, Serena Williams made her comeback at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. With the one year lag reflecting in her game, she suffered a first round defeat. However, showing a glimpse of her potential game, she gave birth to fan’s hopes to see her back at the US Open. Walking on the same lines, fans awaited to see her back in form at the North American hard court swing.

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However, on 9th August, Serena Williams not just stunned the tennis fans but the entire world. Working with lifestyle magazine VOGUE, the 40-year-old American announced her farewell from tennis. In her heart pouring note, she spoke about various people who played roles in probably her biggest decision. However, among the many names, the one that stood out was Tiger Woods.

“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,'” Serena said in her note.

“He (Tiger Woods) 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.’ I said, ‘All right, I think I can do that.’ And I didn’t do it. But a month later, I gave it a try. And it felt magical to pick up a racket again,” an extract from the note read.

Tiger is a big time fan of Serena

Playing a handful of tournaments after the 2022 Wimbledon, Serena headed for her final Slam – The US Open. Following the first round win over Danka Kovinic, Serena proceeded in the draw. Under the lights of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 6-time US Open champion played what most thought would be her last match. She further advanced into a second round clash against the current World No. 2, Annett Kontaveit.

Supporting Serena was a massive crowd of close to 30,00 people. However, despite colossal support from the fans, one fan that took the spotlight was the legendary golfer, Tiger Woods. Also a former World No. 1, Woods settled himself in the player box. With a combination of his iconic fist pumps and loudest of his cheers, Woods cheered Serena on during her game with her Estonian opponent.

Following the victory, a contended Serena walked back to the player area. The place, where she was joined by Woods. Showing the warmest of gesture, Woods congratulated Serena for her win as the two started walking together.

Following the traditions, Serena next headed to the post match press conference. Even though she expressed excitement for her win, she didn’t forget to mention the reason behind her being at the US Open.

“He’s (Tiger Woods) one of the reasons I’m here, one of the main reasons I’m still playing,” she said during the press conference. “We talked a lot. He was really trying to get me motivated. There are a few people, but we were like: ‘OK, we can do this together, you know?’”

Tiger Woods and Serena Williams have been the talk of the town ever since Serena mentioned him in her retirement note. However, scrolling back the memory reel, the bond between the two has been a solid bond for a long time.

Building the Williams-Woods bond

Over the years, the two have rightly walked to put together a bond which the two cherish for their lifetime. Going back in time to 2016, Tiger suffered one of his biggest downfalls in terms of injuries. A downfall, which forced Tiger to not only miss tournaments but also slip down to over 400 in the world rankings.

Learning about Woods, Serena suggested, “For me I say you should just try to enjoy your time off, and when you’re feeling better, get back into it, but it’s a process that you don’t want to rush.”

As one says, ‘relationships aren’t meant to show to the world. But are meant to be felt between two people.’ An apt example of it took place in 2018. The year 2018 was a mixed bag for both the players. On one hand, Serena had just made a comeback on the tour after her pregnancy and lost the finals at the Wimbledon Championship. On the other hand, Woods had finished on T6 at the Open Championship.

Following the loss, Woods opened up about what went wrong in his performance. However, in addition to that he also opened up about his bond with Serena, who he likes to call a ‘very close friend‘.

“Serena and I are good friends. I’m sure she’ll probably call me and talk to me about it because you’ve got to put things in perspective. She just had a baby and lost the Wimbledon finals. Just keep it in perspective and the same thing with me,” Woods said.

Serena is the epitome of the spirit of fighting. Making a comeback after her pregnancy, Serena suffered a loss in the 2018 Wimbledon finals. However, she made a comeback again for one last time at the US Open…an accomplishment, that clearly impressed Tiger Woods.

“Serena and I talk quite a bit but what she is doing is just truly remarkable,” Woods said with a sense of pride visible in his eyes. “Having a child and having all the duties of a mother and trying to come back and trying to play at the elite level and she’s doing it.”