Serena Williams and Andy Murray have shared one of tennis’ most heartwarming and unlikely friendships across their many years within the sport.
And, despite both having retired, it seems they remain close.
They played together in doubles, and spoke about one another at length, with the American often praising the Scotsman for his constant support in the fight for equality, among other things.
Looking back upon their wildly successful careers, there was actually a moment in 2014 which saw Williams compare herself to Murray, when given the chance.
However, it was not in the way they played, or even in a specific technical similarity. It was in their on-court demeanour.
Serena Williams compares herself to Andy Murray in 2014
Speaking during the 2014 Cincinnati Open, she was quizzed about Murray, and took time to praise him for the action he always brought onto the court with him.
After all, he was a passionate and emotional player who was not afraid of voicing his opinion if he felt wronged.
With this in mind, one reporter posed: “You said you like watching Andy Murray because he acts like a baby sometimes.”
She corrected them: “Because he acts like me.”
Then asked if she could relate to emotional players like Murray, Serena continued: “I think I do. I definitely do. I’m super emotional on the court.
“I think he’s exciting to watch. I think it’s fun. I think it’s just so entertaining.”
She ended by admitting the main reason why she enjoyed Murray’s on-court tirades, concluding: “Well, only because I sometimes am not the best on court, so it’s good to know that I’m not alone sometimes. That’s all.”
It’s ironic to look back on this moment just days after Patrick Mouratoglou revealed what Serena Williams did immediately after winning the French Open in 2013, the year earlier.
When Serena Williams and Andy Murray played doubles together
In one of the stories of the 2019 Wimbledon championships, Serena Williams and Andy Murray joined forces to take on the mixed doubles event.
It marked the latter’s return to tennis after a six-month lay-off, hampered by one of many serious surgeries he underwent during the latter stages of his career.
And whilst it did not result in a title, as they lost to top seeds Bruno Soares and Nicole Melichar, they left Court Two smiling, and both feeling like they had earned plenty from the experience.
Williams in particular enjoyed the camaraderie and support that playing with a hometown hero brought, admitting: “Hopefully I can still have it [their support].
“I think to play on this stage with Andy, who has done so well here for so many years, is literally just a lifetime experience. I’m so happy that I got to experience it.”
Their mutual respect is so heartwarming, likely inspired by the raw emotion they both shared when playing.
