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Serena vs. Federer everything we wanted it to be, and needs to be enjoyed

By Veronica Elizabeth Bruno

TOPSHOT - Roger Federer of Switzerland (R) stands alongside Serena Willams of the US (L) following their mixed mixed doubles match in their sixth session on day four of the Hopman Cup tennis tournament in Perth January 1, 2019. (Photo by TONY ASHBY / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo credit should read TONY ASHBY/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Roger Federer of Switzerland (R) stands alongside Serena Willams of the US (L) following their mixed mixed doubles match in their sixth session on day four of the Hopman Cup tennis tournament in Perth January 1, 2019. (Photo by TONY ASHBY / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo credit should read TONY ASHBY/AFP/Getty Images) /
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It was a battle of the GOAT’s, with Roger Federer and Serena Williams facing each other for the first time in their careers and it was the best New Year’s gift to tennis fans worldwide.

First Roger Federer beat Serena Williams’ teammate, Frances Tiafoe in the singles match of Switzerland vs. USA, 6-4, 6-1. But Serena evened the score by defeating Federer’s partner, Belinda Bencic, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, setting the stage for the mixed doubles decider between the two teams. It was a much-hyped match, the biggest draw in the Hopman Cup’s history, with every seat of the 14,000 capacity stadium accounted for.

So did it live up the hype?

You bet it did. Just check this out:

https://twitter.com/Eurosport_UK/status/1080103318423252992

Federer and Bencic (#Benderer) sealed the win for Team Switzerland, in the Best of 4 format, 4-2, 4-3. But the real winner was tennis, with the duo of Roger Federer and Serena Williams demonstrating their irresistible charm and sportsmanship after the match. Watching these two gush over each other’s talents and skills was everything for tennis fans.

Who could resist that?

First of all, the career stats and parallels between the two are staggering.

They’re both 37, still in the prime of their careers, a stat that both own separately and all on their own, in the women’s game and the men’s. Federer has 20 grand slams, Serena 23, for a combined total of 43. Both were in finals as recently as last year, with Federer winning in Australia, and Serena getting to the finals in Wimbledom and the U.S. Open. The two players are also recent Australian Open winners, with Federer having won back-to-back titles, including 2017, the same year Serena won her last. Both are now parents.

Serena said she had even been preparing for the historic matchup, while competing at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi the week before.

“You know I’ve been training offseason to be ready for Roger, so not sure how I’m going to do but we’ll see,” Williams cheekily explained, according to the NY Post.

Both are a complete inspiration to the sporting world. Check out Serena graciously continuing the praise afterwards, calling it the match of her career—quite a statement coming from the GOAT herself.

Will there ever be a moment like this in tennis again? Two megawatt stars in the sport, facing each other, in the twilight of their careers, while still dominating?

Even the two of them couldn’t resist an epic selfie, first Federer, then Serena, saying that the “goat won.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsGInedHdqf/?utm_source=ig_embed

Hopman Cup labeled the selfie the “greatest selfie of all time,” so the GSOAT.

Federer said it was an “honor” to face Serena, but admitted he was nervous about being on the receiving end of her serve, but excited for such a “big moment.”

“This guy (Federer) is great, both off the court and on the court,” Serena answered right back, according to MSN. “I think his serve is super-underestimated. It’s a killer serve, you can’t read it. I watched him all the time and I never knew how amazing it was.”

Both legends traded the “greatest of all time” praise at each other. And the crowd just lapped up every single word.

The Australian Open tweeted out their love for two of its greatest champions.

But really, that picture represents all of us, watching and loving this moment in tennis history. It was a perfect way to start out the New Year for tennis fans.

Roger Federer and his Swiss partner Bencic are the reigning champions of the Hopman Cup and are looking in fine form to defend their title. A successful run at the event in 2018 seeded the ground for the Swiss player to forge ahead to his record GS at Melbourne last year. Serena Williams holds the Open Era record for most singles wins, and is gunning to equal Margaret Court’s overall record of 24. Federer holds six AO titles, while Serena retains seven. Federer shares the record of most AO titles with Novak Djokovic, Serena the same with Court. Both would like to hold the record outright with one more Melbourne crown.

And we want more Federer and Serena celebrating together.

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