Back in 2016, a 21-year-old Jennifer Brady arrived at Roland Garros with dreams of breaking into the main draw through qualifying. After two strong wins, her run ended against former world No. 5 Daniela Hantuchova in the final round. At the same time, Serena Williams, still the undisputed queen of the sport and top favorite for the French Open crown, marched her way to the final before falling to Garbine Muguruza. Years later, as the 23-time Grand Slam legend has now bid farewell to tennis, Brady revisited that unforgettable moment, confessing with a laugh that she once fled the locker room after a bizarre, awe-struck encounter with Serena Williams herself.
On a recent episode of The Players’ Box podcast, Jennifer Brady joined Jessica Pegula, Desirae Krawczyk, and Madison Keys to share stories from the tour, and what came next had everyone in stitches. When asked about her most embarrassing locker room moment, the former world No. 13 didn’t hesitate. What followed was a hilarious, human moment involving none other than Serena Williams, one that perfectly captured Brady’s mix of awe and awkwardness.
“It was at Roland Garros, and you guys know how the space is very small,” Brady began, painting the scene vividly. “I was actually next to Serena, and I was cleaning out my locker. I had four boxes of laundry — literally two bras and like one pair of shorts in one box — and I just froze up.” Her voice carried both laughter and disbelief as she recalled the moment that made her want to disappear.
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As Brady continued, the story unfolded like a comedy sketch. “I just literally go stand on the bench, walk over, jump over the bags, and just leave. I never even finished cleaning out my locker.” The mental image alone had her co-hosts laughing, the idea of a top-tier athlete reduced to nervous silence by the sheer presence of Serena Williams.
What made it even more relatable was Brady’s honesty about her reaction. “I just had this urge to leave her in her space. I was like, ‘I’m in her way. I have to move,’” she confessed. For someone who has gone toe-to-toe with Grand Slam champions, it was a strikingly vulnerable admission, proof that even elite athletes can feel starstruck.
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Later, Brady added even more detail, describing how Serena walked in surrounded by her gear. “Like she comes in and there’s like tennis bags everywhere. So she couldn’t even get into her locker. So, she’s taking the bags and she’s like throwing them onto the other side. And not like literally throwing them, like literally picking them up and just putting them on the other side of the bench. And I’m like I’m holding these boxes like I have like four boxes in my hand and I look at her and then I look and then I just like literally just like go stand on the bench, walk over like jump over the bags and just leave.”
(More to come…)
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