Roger Federer: Serena Williams reveals secret code benefitting Swiss star
SERENA WILLIAMS has revealed a secret code among players which benefits Roger Federer.
Australian Open: Serena Williams reflects on Tatjana Maria win
Federer was knocked out of the Australian Open fourth-round stage yesterday by Greek youngster Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou also trains Tsitsipas and was in the 20-year-old’s box for the memorable upset.
Mouratoglou occasionally gets his two stars together to practice, as was so ahead of the season-opening Grand Slam.
But Williams was still surprised with how well Tsitsipas played - although she did not give the youngster her full backing because of an unwritten rule.
“Yeah, we trained together like a couple weeks ago now, and I see him at the academy, at Mouratoglou's academy, so it's always nice,” Williams said.
“I thought it was an incredibly high-level match. I mean, I couldn't keep up. The balls were flying so fast.
“I just was wildly impressed with Stefanos.
“At the same time, you just don't root against Roger. It's kind of like a thing. So you always want to see him to do well no matter what.
“But it was a fantastic match to see. It's a shame there couldn't have been two winners.”
Williams booked her own quarter-final place this morning with a three-sets victory against world No 1 Simona Halep.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner takes on Karolina Pliskova in the last eight on Wednesday.
“We have had good matches,” Williams said.
Roger Federer hands Serena Williams a tennis racket
“She's beaten me on an occasion or two or three. She's always someone that comes out and serves big and plays well.
“I’ve got to return a little bit better the next day that we play, but I will be ready.
"She's ready, I'm ready, and let's do it.”