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Stunned by Serena Williams’ 33-Year-Old Best Friend’s Hidden Strength, American Tennis Star Frances Tiafoe Bows Down to the WTA Legend in a Warm US Open Moment

Published 08/29/2023, 5:13 PM EDT

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In the world of sports, fierce competition usually takes the spotlight. But equally so there remains a place in our hearts for camaraderie and sportsmanship. We witnessed an instance recently involving Frances Tiafoe and a very close friend of Serena Williams. While everyone is focused on exciting tennis matches as the tour closes out, a wholesome exchange has caught people’s attention on what could be an iconic tennis friendship.

The US Open has been a lucky platform for the Dane to make really great friends. It was the 2014 US Open’s clash between Serena Williams and Wozniacki that laid the groundwork for an indomitable friendship. Over the years, their blossoming friendship has taken many turns, and now, Tiafoe might just be completing the power trio. Something must be different in the air at New York’s Slam!

Tiafoe and Wozniacki’s unexpected friendship at US Open 2023

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Though Wozniacki was defeated by her future BFF, Serena Williams in the finals at Flushing Meadows in 2014, it led to a great friendship. They first talked about getting drinks together after their match. Sure enough, a few drinks and some pictures posted together on social media formed the foundation of a great bond, and the rest is history. A similar thing happened with Wozniacki and Tiafoe too.

via Reuters

Social media lit up when Tiafoe shared an Instagram story featuring himself and the WTA veteran, Caroline Wozniacki, on the practice court. The tagline, “Thanks for the big hit today,” by Wozniacki underscored the collaborative spirit of the sport. Tiafoe’s resharing of the story with the message “Thanks for breaking me down” added a playful twist to the tale, highlighting the intensity of their session, to which Tiafoe couldn’t help but pour his appreciation.

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Tiafoe and Wozniacki’s friendship may have just set sail. But it has also evoked the nostalgia of 2014 when two fierce foes of the WTA went beyond the scope of sport to develop a genuine friendship off-court. How did Williams and Wozniacki become friends?

How Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki went from on-court foes to off-court friends

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Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki were big competitors in women’s tennis, but their story goes beyond the court. They actually ended up becoming great friends despite their face-offs. This camaraderie between these WTA greats has stood the test of time, blossoming into a connection that extends far beyond the tennis arena. During the rise of the Danish player Wozniacki, she often found Williams on the other side of the net. Yet, this competition didn’t hinder the growth of an enduring bond between them.

via Getty

One significant instance of their rivalry-turned-friendship occurred during the WTA Finals of 2014. In a hard-fought match, Williams overcame Wozniacki in three sets. After the match, Williams went to the locker room to apologize for the intense competition. However, Wozniacki’s frustration boiled over, leading to a heated exchange where she questioned Williams about her plans to retire, given her age at the time.

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As Tiafoe and Wozniacki kindle a newfound friendship at the US Open 2023, it’s nice to see that a fierce rivalry can evolve into an unlikely friendship like in the case of Williams and Wozniacki.

WATCH THIS STORY:  ‘Can’t Go Any Higher.’ – 42-Year-Old Venus Williams Disappoints Fans as She Pays Stirring Tribute to Serena Williams With an Unfortunate Update on Her Tennis Future

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Written by:

Ansh Tandon

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Ansh Tandon is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. Ansh received his undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has been working in content creation for 2+ years. Before Ansh stepped into sports journalism, he was a professional tennis player, honing his skills in national level tournaments for the past 12 years as an active AITA athlete.
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Edited by:

Tony Thomas