NEW YORK (AP) — Serena Williams turned to Tiger Woods for her contribution before making her recent comeback after a one-year absence due to injury. On Wednesday night, Woods sat on the edge of the court at the US Open, throwing hooks. to the stands to cheer Williams to victory.
“He’s one of the reasons I’m here,” Williams said after beating second-seeded Anett Kontaveit 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-2 to triumph in the third round at Flushing Meadows in what could be the last tournament of his career. One of the main reasons I keep playing. “
Woods in Williams’ locker room at Arthur Ashe Stadium sold out, two seats behind his sister, Venus.
When Woods was shown on suspended video screens a break between games, he earned a warm welcome from the crowd and pulled up the edge of his cap to receive applause.
After the game, Woods tweeted, “It’s a privilege to see greatness. Congratulations @serenawilliams. “
Three weeks ago, Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, announced she was willing to leave her playing days through an essay in Vogue magazine. In the article, he said he approached Woods, the owner of 15 major golf courses that returned to action after seriously injuring his leg in a twist of car fate, to recommend him when he was looking for whether he deserved to play again. play after being sidelined due to injury at Wimbledon in June 2021.
“It’s Tiger,” she wrote, “and he insists I would be a beast the same way he would. “
Asked Wednesday about Woods’ role, Williams said: “We talk a lot. I was looking to motivate myself.
She continued, “I didn’t know what I was looking to do. I was lost. So many questions. When you can count on someone like that, I mean, oh my God, it’s Tiger Woods, it was helpful to get clarification. .
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