Serena Williams spent much of her career handing out lessons on the tennis court.
The American, who is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, was practically untouchable in her prime.
Her record 23 Grand Slam women’s singles titles prove that, as does the fact she spent a ridiculous 186 consecutive weeks ranked No.1 in the world between 2013 and 2016.
Williams built her career on being an aggressive baseline hitter who dominated her opponents with a powerful serve and forceful groundstrokes.
She often adopted a high-risk playing style, making each and every match an exciting watch from the stands, even if the result was often predictable.
Williams achieved so much during her early career that by the time she hit her prime in 2013, she was already an inspiration to many younger players on the WTA tour.
One of those who looked up to her was Laura Robson.
The Brit burst onto the tennis scene herself in 2008, winning the Junior Wimbledon championships at the age of 14, before turning pro later that year.
Robson went on to reach a career-high ranking of 27th in the world in 2013, and came up against Williams in May of that year.
That was her first and only meeting with the American star, but it was one she will never forget.
Robson, aged 19 at the time, played Williams in the second round of the Italian Open.
And while she was beaten 6-2, 6-2 on clay, Robson told talkSPORT that Williams taught her something that she would carry with her for the rest of her career that day.
“What surprised me at the time was feeling like I had to do too much,” she recalled.
“As soon as the ball dropped short I felt that if I didn’t go for it straight away, then it would have been point over on her next shot.
“So, I think what I took from that was just to have a bit more patience and just to rely on the fact that a regular rally ball for me was quite tricky for other people and I just had to learn how to stay in the rally.
“She chopped me, but she was always great to have in the locker room and would always go out of her way to give me advice.”
Even in defeat to Williams, Robson learnt a valuable lesson about being patient on the court that she carried with her through to retirement almost a decade later.
And all these years later, she is still grateful she had the opportunity to play against the American icon — even if it was only for one hour and 15 minutes.
“My experience was very quick. I couldn’t believe that I was playing Serena,” Robson said.
“I spent the first half an hour of the match thinking, ‘Wow she’s really good.’ She’s my idol and always has been, so that probably didn’t put me in a great position.
“But at the time I just remember thinking (the ball) comes so much quicker than you expect and her weight of shot was so much bigger than anyone else’s that I’d faced.
“I didn’t really get a look in — I’d like to think that on a hard court it would have been a little different, or maybe on a grass court.
“But I always think back on that and just feel very lucky that I got to play her.”
Laura Robson spoke to talkSPORT as Sky Sports celebrated the launch of their 2025 tennis coverage.
Sky Sports is the home to more live tennis than anywhere else. Watch year-round action including the ATP and WTA Tours and US Open exclusively on Sky Sports and NOW.
