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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Serena Williams of the United States reacts her quarter final match against Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic during day 10 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Serena Williams of the United States reacts her quarter final match against Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic during day 10 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
Serena Williams sometimes forgets that she herself is one of the legends in the sporting world. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, owing to her down-to-earth nature, rarely puts herself on the same pedestal as her idols.
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Further, Williams, who is famous for her outspoken nature, is extremely shy around people whom she admires. A very interesting example of this dates back to the 2012 London Olympics when she herself admitted to a surprising fact.
Serena Williams about meeting Michael Phelps
After winning her first singles Olympics gold medal against Maria Sharapova, Williams spoke about how she never mustered up the courage to speak to her Olympics idol, Michael Phelps. She said, “No, I’ve never met him. I was in the [Olympic] Village the other day and I passed by him, and I’m really shy. And he didn’t see me, so …”
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 30: Serena Williams of United States smiles during her Ladies Final match against Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia on day three of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at International Tennis Centre Zayed Sports City on December 30, 2017 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
Thereafter, she addressed her will to see him if not in London, then in the next Olympic event. As she said, “Rio, that’s where I’ll go. I need to get there, Rio.” We hope the former world no.1 got the chance to speak to the Olympic legend.
Read more: ‘More of My Life Now’ – Serena Williams’ Genuine Admission on Enjoying Life Outside the Tennis Court
Michael Phelps is an American competitive swimmer who is the most successful and decorated Olympian of all times. He has won 28 medals in total and has the highest number of gold medals (23) to his name.
Who is Williams’ first opponent?
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Serena Williams will make a comeback to singles after a year out of the circuit. She walked out of the first round of the Wimbledon Championship last year due to a hamstring injury.
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Serena Williams of the United States celebrates winning her Ladies’ Singles Quarter-Finals match against Camila Giorgi of Italy on day eight of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Last week she oiled her skills alongside Ons Jabeur in the grass courts of Eastbourne and now is ready to lock horns with her first opponent of Wimbledon. The former World No.1 will face the 24-year-old French tennis professional Harmony Tan in the first round.
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Watch this story: Love you bestie Serena Williams reacts as Caroline Wozniacki announces happy news
Even so, the American has a significant chance of dominating the game as Tan hasn’t played in the major draws of the event earlier. However, this will be her first encounter with the 8 ITF singles title winner. They will grace the green courts of Wimbledon on Tuesday 28th June.
