Serena Williams Did Not Like Getting Aced by Federer, Says Frances Tiafoe

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Vivek Devane | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 1:39 PM ET

The Williams sisters may no longer dominate the courts week in and week out, but their impact on the next generation of American tennis remains undeniable.

In a recent candid conversation for the ATP and WTA Tour, Frances Tiafoe and Hailey Baptiste reflected on how Serena and Venus Williams inspired them on and off the court.

For Hailey Baptiste, one memory stands out above all: the chance to partner with Venus Williams in doubles. Playing alongside the multiple Grand Slam champion, Baptiste described it as one of her most ‘starstruck’ moments of her career.

Even while NBA legend Kevin Durant, made a court side appearance at the match, Baptiste had eyes only for Venus Williams.

Serena Williams Left Her Mark on Frances Tiafoe Years Ago

Frances Tiafoe, meanwhile, recalled his unforgettable experience pairing with Serena Williams at the 2019 Hopman Cup.

Although the duo lost every match, the moment left an unforgettable memory that stuck with Tiafoe. What struck him most was Serena’s relentless mentality, even when facing tennis legends like Roger Federer.

“I got to say mine also, like kind of the same thing like I played with both of them,” recalled Tiafoe. “I played with Serena in the Hopman cup and we lost every match bro and I’m looking at Serena- like but just like the mindset they have.”

“Federer is acing her and she’s like, ‘Well I got 23 [Slams], he got 20. He’s not as good as me.’ I was like wait, ace, ace, ace—and she’s like, ‘How’s he acing me? He’s not better than me.’ But the mindset yo, it’s crazy. Losing with them- like that killed me. Losing killed me because I like to see them win,” added Tiafoe.

Even as a new generation of U.S. stars emerges—Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, Hailey Baptiste, and Frances Tiafoe among them—the echoes of Serena and Venus’s influence remain strong.

Their legacy is not just in their titles and records, but in the culture of confidence, self-belief, and relentless mental fortitude that has been passed down to those who grew up watching them dominate.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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