Shaun White picks Serena Williams as one of his biggest female inspirations, calls her "incredible and hilarious"
In a recent Q&A session with fans, former American snowboarder Shaun White heaped praise on Serena Williams, describing her as one of the female athletes that inspired him the most. Calling her an "incredible and hilarious" person, White also recalled the time Williams hung out with him at a Halloween party.
"I would say Serena Williams. She is incredible, just how long her career has been and everything she represents and she's hilarious because we hang out sometimes, one time it was Halloween. She came to my party," said White.
Former World No. 1 Williams and White are great friends and have often cheered each other on during matches.
"So bummed I won't be in LA this weekend to make my buddy @shaun_white @airandstyle Festival.… instagram.com/p/BB8bzsfsTAT/
So happy for you @shaunwhite
Apart from Williams, White also took the names of renowned American gymnast Kerri Strug, American Alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn and American snowboarder Chloe Kim for "female athletes he looks up to."
I remember the various headlines out of Atlanta in 1996: Kerry Strug had won the gold, despite the pain. And we all applauded it. It was, after all, quite the feat.
Applauding Simone Biles for what she did today - refusing the mental pain - is, I find, progress.
#Tokyo2020 https://t.co/pAPj6yGpRU
"The first one that inspired me was Kerri Strug. She was in the Women's US Gymnastics and she injured her ankle and did the jump anyways to win the gold for America and her friends and that was crazy," mentioned White.
Happy Women's History Month! Today, we are celebrating the inspiring Lindsey Vonn, an amazing Olympian with over 82 wins! #SportsPhilanthropyNetwork #womenshistorymonth2022 https://t.co/Sl0zv9qInq
Dare to dream like a dragon 🐉❄️
Two-time gold medal champion @ChloeKim is sliding in from the half-pipe to the Island in our latest Icon Series.
fn.gg/chloe-kim https://t.co/4QGsleNGwA
"Lindsey Vonn, legend, she's gone through so much in her career and just dominated, and then I would have to say Chloe Kim, you are a beast and you keep collecting golds and you are awesome," concluded the American former snowboarder.
Serena Williams has not played professional tennis since Wimbledon in 2021
Williams was last witnessed on the court at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, where she injured her leg and retired from her first-round encounter against Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Williams has not played a professional tennis match since.
Seven-time @Wimbledon champion @serenawilliams ended her 2021 campaign after just six-and-a-half games on Centre Court 💔
Although she recently featured as a presenter at the Oscars, the 40-year-old is still not ready to return to the court.
Venus and Serena Williams on the #Oscars red carpet. 👑👑 https://t.co/8C4STxOPe4
Currently ranked 240th in the world, Williams' comeback date remains uncertain.
Also Read: I know Serena Williams' story pretty well, I read her book and my dad used to talk to her father a lot: Naomi Osaka