Hailey Baptiste and Frances Tiafoe recently recounted memorable moments from their careers involving the Williams sisters amid their current hard-court tournaments. Tiafoe is preparing for the US Open mixed doubles event alongside Madison Keys, while Baptiste competes at the Tennis in the Land tournament.

Tiafoe and Keys will face Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud on August 19 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the opening round. Meanwhile, Baptiste advanced by defeating Elena-Gabriela Ruse and is set to meet Anastasia Zakharova next. Both players took time during this competitive stretch to speak with The Tennis Gazette about their unique encounters with Serena and Venus Williams.

Frances Tiafoe Reflects on His Partnership with Serena Williams at the 2019 Hopman Cup

Frances Tiafoe recalled teaming up with Serena Williams at the 2019 Hopman Cup, where they faced off against the team of Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic. He shared intriguing insights into Serena’s unwavering confidence during the match.

“The mindset they have, Serena is like, Federer is acing her and she’s like, ‘Well I’ve got 23 and he’s got 20, he’s not as good as me’. I’m like…I was like, wait, here comes ace, ace and ace. She’s like ‘I don’t know how he’s acing me, he’s not better than me’. And I’m like we going to say no? Like, no he’s not. Are you going to say no? But like the mindset yo, it’s crazy. Losing with them, that killed me,” said Frances Tiafoe.

This glimpse into Serena’s self-belief demonstrated the competitive edge that has defined her illustrious career and made an impression on Tiafoe.

Hailey Baptiste Shares Nerves and Excitement Doubles Partnering Venus Williams

Hailey Baptiste described the thrill and pressure of playing doubles with Venus Williams at the Citi Open earlier this year. She admitted feeling both excited and nervous about sharing the court with a tennis legend.

“I mean I would say, probably this year’s Citi Open, playing doubles with Venus. It was insane. From the moment I heard that we were going to play and it was set up, I was like, that’s all I could think about. I was like, ‘I’m about to play with a legend’…. No, literally every ball I miss, I’m like ‘she regrets playing with me’,” said Baptiste.

Baptiste’s candid confession reveals the respect that current players hold for the trailblazing Williams sisters, underscoring Venus’s influential presence on the court.

Serena Williams Provides a Motivational Boost to Frances Tiafoe Before US Open Round Four

At the 2024 US Open, Frances Tiafoe delivered a commanding performance over Alexei Popyrin in the fourth round, winning in four sets 6-4, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3. Prior to the match, Tiafoe received an encouraging pep talk from Serena Williams, which he described during a post-match press conference.

“It was really cool to have her want to talk to me before my match and really say she wants me to do this thing that I’m capable of doing. Coming from her, it’s just so loud. I don’t think any of it will hit me like that if anybody else said it to me,” said Frances Tiafoe.

He also revealed feeling nervous while responding to Serena’s simple questions before the contest, highlighting the impact and respect Serena commands among fellow players.

Williams Sisters’ Influence Continues Through Mentorship and Inspiration

These stories from Hailey Baptiste and Frances Tiafoe provide a rare look at how Serena and Venus Williams continue to shape the careers and mindsets of emerging tennis talent. Their legends extend beyond titles and records, as they actively mentor and inspire through personal interactions.

As both Baptiste and Tiafoe move forward in their tournaments, their experiences with the Williams sisters serve as reminders of the lasting legacy Serena and Venus have built within the sport, influencing not only the game on court but also the confidence and motivation off it.