"It gets too hard to beat them, I feel sorry for them" - When Serena Williams explained why she didn't get 'emotionally involved' with other players
Serena Williams once opened up about why she chose not to form close bonds with other players. The American explained that getting too friendly with her competitors had a detrimental impact on her mindset when she had to face them on court.
In the later stages of her career, Williams became open about enjoying close friendships with some of her fellow WTA stars. In 2019, the American candidly discussed her love for Victoria Azarenka, admitting that while it was "hard" to face a close friend, it was also refreshing and enjoyable. She also had a similar bond with Caroline Wozniacki.
However, there was a time when Serena Williams chose to keep herself closed off from her fellow players. During her remarkable 2013 season, the American clinched consecutive titles at the Miami Open, the Charleston Open, and the Madrid Open, entering the Italian Open with a 19-match winning streak.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated ahead of her campaign in Rome, Williams was asked which player she would invite to join her for dinner during a tournament. However, the American revealed that she didn't dine with her rivals.
Although Serena Williams clarified that she got along well with many of her fellow players, she emphasized that she avoided becoming too close with her competitors because it led to her getting too "emotionally involved," which made it hard to beat them.
"I don't eat dinner with players. Only because, I get along with a lot of players, but I get too emotionally involved. I start liking people too much and it gets too hard to beat them. I feel sorry for them and then when I play them, I get depressed."
The American also admitted that while she could name Caroline Wozniacki and Jamie Hampton as potential dinner dates, she refrained because of her concerns about growing too attached to people.
"As much as I would want to -- I could name a lot of players, like Caroline [Wozniacki], Jamie [Hampton]. But I would feel so bad. I even lost to Caroline [at the Sony Open in 2012]. I can't. I get too close to people," she added.
Serena Williams: "Caroline Wozniacki's one of my true friends that will tell me the truth no matter what"
Despite her earlier resolve to keep her rivals at arm's length, Serena Williams referred to Caroline Wozniacki as a "true friend" just a few years later. In a 2016 interview with CNN, the American gushed over Wozniacki for being so "loving" and kind, disclosing that she could always count on the Dane to be honest with her.
"Caroline is really honest, she’s really real. She’s one of my true friends that will tell me the truth no matter what because she doesn’t have anything to gain or to lose, and that’s what I love about her."
Williams added:
"She’s really sweet, she’s really, really loving – but most of all she is kind and she is giving. I’m a little older than Caroline, but mentally she’s older than me so it really works out great." s
Wozniacki, meanwhile, credited the American for her invaluable support after the Dane's former fiance, golfer Rory McIlroy, abruptly ended their engagement and called off their wedding in 2014.
Serena Williams later served as a bridesmaid in Caroline Wozniacki's wedding to former NBA star David Lee during their lavish ceremony in Tuscany on June 16, 2019.