Serena: Tiger is 'one of the main reasons I'm still playing'

Serena Williams Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Serena Williams: Tiger Woods is 'one of the main reasons I'm still playing'

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Sep 1, 2022 5:11 PM ET

Serena Williams kept her remarkable career alive for a bit longer after stunning No. 2 Anett Kontaveit on Wednesday to advance to the third round of the U.S. Open.

Williams has all but confirmed she'll be walking away from tennis after the U.S. Open. However, her storied career may have ended much sooner if not for another transcendent superstar.

Tiger Woods cheered Williams on from the stands Wednesday. After the match, Williams spoke about Tiger's impact on her career.

"He's one of the reasons I'm here, one of the main reasons I'm still playing," Williams said. "We talked a lot. He was really trying to get me motivated."

Williams and Woods walked off the court together after her second-round upset. Woods tweeted later, "It was a privilege to watch greatness."

It was a privilege to watch greatness. Congrats @serenawilliams
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) September 1, 2022

Williams will face Australian Alja Tomljanovic in the third round on Friday night as she pursues the record for career Grand Slam singles titles.

Serena and Venus Williams will make history on Thursday night, participating in the first-ever first-round U.S. Open doubles match held at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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