Serena Williams is one of the best examples for younger players on the tour to follow, according to her rival Caroline Wozniacki.
The Dane spoke about the 23-time grand slam champion following her straight sets win over Yulia Putintseva at the Rogers Cup. The two have faced each other on the tour 11 times so far in their careers. Williams has won 10 of those meetings with Wozniacki’s sole victory taking place at the 2012 Miami Open.
Despite her emphatic losing record against the American, Wozniacki relishes their rivalry on the court. Branding Williams, who has won 72 WTA titles, as one of the greatest players of all time in her press conference.
“It’s always fun to play someone who is the best ever to play the game. You learn a lot every time.” She said.
“We’ve played against each other quite a lot. And obviously she always pushes you to play your best tennis. And you have to serve and you have to return well to have a chance, and then you just have to keep your head down and keep playing.”
The two have formed a close friendship over the years. Williams was one of Wozniacki’s bridesmaids earlier this year when she married NBA player Davis Lee. The wedding took place at the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany, Italy.
Eight years younger than 37-year-old Williams, the world No.18 has praised both her and her sister Venus’ longevity in the sport. At present Williams is the fourth oldest player to have a WTA ranking and Venus is second. The oldest is Hungarian world No.362 Greta Arn, who is aged 40. Neither of the Williams sisters have indicated that they will retire from the tour anytime soon.
“I think she’s an awesome role model for the next generation as well. And she’s been playing for such a long time.” Wozniacki said of Williams.
“I remember when I was young, a long time ago, watching her on TV. And the fact that she’s still here, still playing, her and Venus, I think is very impressive and something that I can only take my hat off for.”
To put the longevity of those two players into perspective, Wozniacki says her father Piotr used to compare the Williams sisters with her opponents on the junior tour. Piotr has coached his daughter on the tour since the age of 14.
The comparison was fine for the Dane, until the first time she played Venus on the tour.
“I remember being maybe 10, 11 years old, and I would play a girl and I would think she had a big serve. My dad would always say, ‘You’re not playing Venus or Serena. This girl doesn’t have a big serve, so just suck it up and play.’ And I was like, Okay, okay.” Wozniacki explained.
“That mentally got me through a lot until the first time I played Venus. And I think I was maybe 16 or 17, and I was like, ‘Dad, so what am I supposed to do now?’I know this girl has a big serve.’ I’m playing Venus. ‘
“He’s was like ‘Yeah, can’t help you there. Good luck.’”
This year is the first time Williams will play in the Rogers Cup since 2015. She will take on Elise Mertens in her opening match. Meanwhile, Wozniacki will play either Ajla Tomljanović or Iga Swiatek in her next match.
