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Roger Federer And Serena Williams To Go Head To Head For The First Time Ever

Roger Federer And Serena Williams To Go Head To Head For The First Time Ever

The historic match, which takes place in Perth, will see Federer and Switzerland take on Williams’ United States.

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

While many of us will be sleeping off a colossal hangover, tennis legends Roger Federer and Serena Williams will be going head to head for the first time ever in a mixed doubles match at the Hopman Cup competition on New Year's Day.

The historic match, which takes place in Perth, will see Federer and Switzerland take on Williams' United States.

I'm sure there's a certain air of rivalry ahead of the big match, but the two aren't using the lead-up to rile each other up as some other sportsmen - or, erm, YouTubers - do.

Instead, they're both keeping it classy and sharing nothing but praise for each other.

"It's very exciting for both of us," Federer told the Australian Associated Press.

"I hope a lot of tennis fans will tune in to watch the match, because it's going to be one time and probably never again in this kind of a competition.

"I admire everything she's done on and off the court. We can relate to one another now even more so for being parents.

"I've played with some of the greatest doubles players in the world in Martina Navratilova and Martina Hingis, and I've also played against some of the best in Venus [Williams] and other great ones in the past.

"This time it's against Serena, who is one of the biggest champions ever in our sport - men and women combined."

Serena Williams shakes hands with Maria Sakkari of Greece after winning their match at the Hopman Cup.
PA

The two may both be tennis superstars, but Federer admitted he barely knows Williams.

"I don't know her that well," he said.

"In the corridors and cafes, walking by each other, sometimes in the past she has asked me how are the kiddies and how is everyone doing, but if I said I know her it would be a bit of an exaggeration."

Williams, meanwhile has already said she's hell-bent on getting a selfie with Federer to share to her 10.3 million Instagram fans.

Federer's response? "It's the age of social media," he said, laughing at the prospect of Williams' plan. At least that's not a no!

Federer already beat Great Britain's Cameron Norrie 6-1 6-1 yesterday.
PA

Federer managed to get off to a good start at the Hopman Cup - an international tournament that sees countries compete with mixed gender teams - when he beat Great Britain's Cameron Norrie 6-1 6-1 yesterday (30 December). His teammate Belinda Bencic then beat Katie Boulder in the women's singles, before the Swiss pair completed their victory in the mixed doubles.

Federer will then face off against America's Frances Tiafoe, before playing Williams in the mixed doubles.

WOW!

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: SPORT, News, Tennis, Serena Williams, Tennis news, roger federer