What Andy Murray did at the Cincinnati Open in 2014 which made Serena Williams claim he ‘acts like me’

Serena Williams and Andy Murray have shared one of tennis’ most heartwarming and unlikely friendships across their many years within the sport.

And, despite both having retired, it seems they remain close.

They played together in doubles, and spoke about one another at length, with the American often praising the Scotsman for his constant support in the fight for equality, among other things.

Looking back upon their wildly successful careers, there was actually a moment in 2014 which saw Williams compare herself to Murray, when given the chance.

However, it was not in the way they played, or even in a specific technical similarity. It was in their on-court demeanour.

Serena Williams compares herself to Andy Murray in 2014
Speaking during the 2014 Cincinnati Open, she was quizzed about Murray, and took time to praise him for the action he always brought onto the court with him.

After all, he was a passionate and emotional player who was not afraid of voicing his opinion if he felt wronged.

With this in mind, one reporter posed: “You said you like watching Andy Murray because he acts like a baby sometimes.”

She corrected them: “Because he acts like me.”

Then asked if she could relate to emotional players like Murray, Serena continued: “I think I do. I definitely do. I’m super emotional on the court.

“I think he’s exciting to watch. I think it’s fun. I think it’s just so entertaining.”

She ended by admitting the main reason why she enjoyed Murray’s on-court tirades, concluding: “Well, only because I sometimes am not the best on court, so it’s good to know that I’m not alone sometimes. That’s all.”

It’s ironic to look back on this moment just days after Patrick Mouratoglou revealed what Serena Williams did immediately after winning the French Open in 2013, the year earlier.