Serena Williams recently responded to decorated gymnast Simone Biles as the latter picked the tennis legend as her 'ideal doubles partner'. The gymnast recently made a trip to Flushing Meadows for the US Open.
Biles watched the quarterfinal between Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula. She was also present for Jannik Sinner's win over Daniil Medvedev as the Italian reached his maiden US Open semifinal.
Williams also returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium as she was seen attending the match between Frances Tiafoe and Grigor Dimitrov. She was also seen chatting with Coco Gauff, Tiafoe, Dimitrov, and Iga Swiatek.
During Biles' appearance at the New York Slam, she answered some tennis-related questions. When asked whom she would choose as her doubles partner, Biles said:
"Definitely, Serena Williams. I mean she is the GOAT in tennis, so that would be my partner if I had to choose."
The 23-time Grand Slam champion responded to Biles' statement. Williams revealed that she wanted to be a gymnast but instead chose tennis.
"I used to want to be a gymnast but chose tennis lol. So I'll def be your partner," she said.
The 2024 US Open has hosted numerous tennis and non-tennis personalities such as Maria Sharapova, Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Roger Federer, Paige Bueckers, and Andy Roddick. Also present was the star cast of hit TV shows Grey's Anatomy and Scandal, along with producer Shonda Rhimes.
Serena Williams: "I wish I could be like Simone Biles when I was younger"
Serena Williams was all praises for Simone Biles in an interview with FADER in 2016. The tennis legend said Biles had a very mature mentality, adding that she wished to be like her when she was younger.
“I think all of the women (Biles and swimmer Simone Manuel) are so poised. I really find them so amazing, especially Biles. Her comments, her performance, I feel like she’s 35 years old, mentally. She’s just so incredible. If anything, I wish I could be like her when I was younger. It could be that society’s changed and there are so many things that are different now,” Williams said.
Biles also lavished praise on her 'favorite athlete' in an interview with USA Today in 2019. She said Williams taught her to own her confidence and not be afraid to show emotions.
“You don’t have to be a robot all the time, and you don’t always have to seem happy out there. It also shows kids that it’s okay, if you’re enjoying the moment, to smile, to be happy. If you’re not having a good time, it’s okay—you don’t have to hide that from people," Biles said.
Serena Williams retired from tennis in 2022. Her final appearance came in the third round at the US Open, where she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic.
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