Following the devastating wildfires in Southern Australia in 2020, which tragically took the lives of at least 25 people and nearly half a billion animals, renowned tennis players such as Serena Williams, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal have stepped forward to participate in a charity match aimed at raising funds.
When the tennis legend Roger Federer stepped onto the court, he was greeted by another tennis great and 22-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams, as well as a roaring audience.
Serena Williams welcomed Roger Federer to Australian Open 2020
During the 2020 Australian Open, Serena Williams welcomed tennis GOAT Roger Federer to the audience, which erupted with a round of applause. It happened before the tournament was to begin the following day—a form of charity work where organizers were rallying for relief due to the Australian Bushfire.
Other players like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Naomi Osaka, and Novak Djokovic were on the court talking about who was likely to win the competition and Serena Williams said, “Why don’t you ask the GOAT?”
Roger Federer made his way to the court with that introduction and the audience erupted into loud, raptorial applause. Roger Federer, who had won the Australian Open six times, was seen as a major contender with already 20 Grand Slam in his trophy cabinet.
However, Serena Williams faced an unexpected setback when she was defeated by China’s Qiang Wang with a score of 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5 in the third round of the Australian Open 2020 at Rod Laver Arena. This loss marks her earliest departure from the tournament since 2006. Although Roger Federer lost to that year’s champion Novak Djokovic 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinals, his chances of victory were significantly affected by a nagging groin injury.
Are Roger Federer and Serena Williams friends?
Federer and Williams have always been friends. The two legends have won 43 major titles combined with more than 200 single career titles. Being the biggest names in tennis during their glory days, they were close to each other. That was proven in 2019, when they were particularly effusive during a joint interview at the Hopman Cup.
The pair had just come up against each other in a competitive match for the first time ever, with Federer and Belinda Bencic emerging triumphant from the mixed doubles rubber. When asked about the occasion, Williams found it impossible to contain her excitement.
“It was super cool that we got to do it, at such a pinnacle point in both our careers,” she enthused. “For me, it was super cool. Literally wanting to take pictures. I wanted to bring my baby out. Like way too excited. But it was really fun.”
Federer then raved about Williams, complimenting her serve in particular. “Well, I was nervous returning, because you just don’t know. People talk about her serve so much, and I see why it is such a wonderful serve, because you just can’t read it.
Also, Serena Williams praised Roger Federer for all of his accomplishments after he announced his retirement from professional tennis at the 2022 Laver Cup.
Williams took time to put together her thoughts on Federer, writing on Instagram: ” I have always looked up to you and admired you. Our paths were always so similar, so much the same. You inspired countless millions and millions of people—including me—and we will never forget. I applaud you and look forward to all that you do in the future. Welcome to the retirement club. And thank you for being you @rogerfederer.”
