"Serena Williams is a workhorse, nothing in her life came easy" - Sascha Bajin
2018 WTA Coach of the Year Sasha Bajin lavished praise on Serena Williams' work ethic during the latest episode of The Functional Tennis Podcast.
Before Bajin led World No. 13 Naomi Osaka to two Grand Slam titles, he served as a hitting partner for Serena Williams.
Recalling the experience, the German credited Williams for teaching him how to train with the right amount of intensity. Even though the former World No. 1 is acknowledged as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Bajin remarked that nothing was handed to her on a silver platter.
Bajin further described Williams as "a workhorse" who has had to work hard for everything she has achieved.
"The biggest lesson I've learned from Serena Williams was, without a doubt, how to keep up the intensity and how to practice," Bajin said. "She is a workhorse. Nothing in her life came easy and she really had to work super hard for everything in her life."
The German referred to their warmup sessions before Grand Slam finals in particular, saying that Williams required everything to be meticulously taken care of before those important matches.
Bajin added that his partnership with the American taught him to avoid making excuses.
"I would have to walk on eggshells, making sure everything was perfect before Grand Slam finals," Bajin said. "There was never an allowance for excuse, so we had to eliminate excuses."
"Serena Williams was usually distant to outsiders but she was very open towards me" - Sascha Bajin
Sascha Bajin also revealed how his relationship with Serena Williams came to be. The 37-year-old recalled how Williams chose him as her hitting partner because she wanted to practice with a young hitter who could match her shots.
Sascha Bajin ‘really, really, really’ hopes Serena makes the #USOpen final.
And he hopes he has a front row seat for it.
"I'm thankful for the time I had with her. I really, really, really hope she makes it to the finals here & I hope that we do, too. That would be beautiful."
Moreover, the 23-time Grand Slam Champion required the services of a partner who was available to practice at all times, making Bajin the perfect candidate.
"I got a call saying Serena Williams was looking for someone young who can hit well and is available 24x7," Bajin said. "She came to Munich in 2007 and we connected immediately."
Bajin impressed Williams during a trial before the 2007 French Open and moved to America to join her entourage.
"She was usually closed and distant to outsiders but she was very open towards me," Bajin said. "I hit with her for days before the French Open and then I moved with my bags to America."
During Bajin's stint with Williams between 2008-15, the American won 12 singles Majors as well as singles and doubles gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics.