Serena Williams hails Tiger Woods’ influence as she continues her US Open run, and explains how mental toughness can help you succeed
The US Open starts in three days, and after six matches on the Grand Slam schedule, the two of us have the same two words in common: Serena Williams.
The first came in last year’s Wimbledon final, when she spoke of ‘craziness’. The second came a week later at the Australian Open, when she spoke of how ‘guts’ and ‘toughness’ are two characteristics that ‘help you succeed.
‘Guts’ is one of those words that is used to describe someone who doesn’t know when to stop, but the next day, at a press conference, Serena is talking about ‘toughness’. It seems like she is just keeping it short. When she says, ‘Toughness, toughness, toughness, you can’t go wrong if you try…’ She says it all in one breath.
I find it really fascinating that Serena Williams is talking about toughness in this way. It seems to be part of her persona. Maybe she is being open about the fact she doesn’t like to be called ‘gutless’. Maybe she is being open about the fact that she doesn’t understand when she loses in a way that other women’s losses do not.
Maybe she is just talking about being tough in general, being’strong’, being mentally tough.
When you’re a strong person, when you’re tough, a lot of the time, people who are tough get to the top, they can be successful. And I find that interesting.
I remember talking to [Andy], at the age of 13 and 14, about what it takes to be strong. I said, ‘You know what, if you’re gonna be strong, you need to believe in yourself. You’ve got to have confidence in yourself. You’ve got to believe in yourself… and you’ve got to be able to do what it takes.’ I remember thinking, ‘
