Tennis superstar Serena Williams has banned her new friend and AFL star Dustin Martin from her player’s box at this year’s Australian Open. Serena says she did it with best of intentions.
Williams is attempting to win her 24th grand slam title – which would tie her with Margaret Court’s record.
Serena insinuated that she doesn’t want distractions in her 24th grand slam chase, hence, she said, “‘If we could hang out, it would be cool but not at Australian Open.”
Serena Williams in action
She struck up an unlikely friendship with Martin after the pair bumped into each other while on holiday in the Maldives in 2019.
There is no malice in Williams’ decision, however she is fully aware just how popular Martin is in footy-mad Melbourne.
‘We decided he couldn’t come to the Australian Open because he would be mobbed way too much,’ Williams said after her opening round match.
Martin met Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian (pictured rear) while on holiday in the Maldives
‘If we could hang out, it would be cool.
‘But definitely not in Melbourne Park or here; it would be way too crazy for him.’
Martin had just secured his second premiership with the Richmond Tigers when he bumped into Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian in the Maldives.
‘He just happened to be there, we just hung out and had a blast.’
The Brownlow and Norm Smith Medalist Dustin Martin
If Williams wins her 24th grand slam title, she will be one win closer to being the most successful female tennis player of all time by equaling the grand slam record.
‘It was good. I felt like I started out really well. Played really strong in the first set, and just kept building on that,’ the American said.
‘I feel like I can still improve and get better throughout this tournament, for sure. This is a good stepping stone for right now.’
Williams had endured more than three-year title drought before winning in Auckland in front of daughter Olympia to underline her intentions to finally match Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 singles majors.
‘It was amazing,’ Williams said.
Serena Williams nipple popped out
‘I hadn’t been able to win as a mum, it was nice to be able to win a tournament with a two-year-old.
‘It was really special for me – and hopefully for her.’
