The tennis player who Shaquille O’Neal said was one of his favorite athletes of all time

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Shaquille O’Neal was full of praise for this tennis player and called her one of his favorite athletes of all time.

O’Neal is one of the greatest basketballers of all time, having ended his decorated career in 2011.

The four-time NBA champion also enjoys other sports, with O’Neal once meeting Novak Djokovic.

While Djokovic is a 24-time Grand Slam champion, there was a different tennis player who O’Neal called one of his favorite athletes ever.

When Shaquille O’Neal said Venus Williams was one of his favorite athletes

In 2020, during an online conversation for Salesforce, O’Neal told seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams that she was one of his favorite athletes of all time, and also praised Serena Williams.

O’Neal particularly highlighted Venus as a role model for his three daughters to look up to.

“Venus has always been one of my favorite athletes,” said O’Neal. “You know a lady, a woman, a business person you know my daughters could look up to.

“When I was coming up I looked to the athletes and certain people in the neighbourhoods to kind of guide me but once I stopped going left to the people in the neighbourhood and started focusing on athletes it helped me develop so Venus has always been someone, she is tall, she is beautiful, my daughters are tall and beautiful so whenever I have problems I always say look at Venus and Serena.”

How did Venus Williams respond to Shaquille O’Neal’s comments?

Venus appeared very grateful to receive this compliment, and returned the favour to O’Neal, who she said ‘revolutionized the game’.

“That’s so kind. Just the way he revolutionized the game and the only word in everybody’s mouth for like 20 years was Shaq,” said Venus. “He brings so much joy it’s so much fun the whole time.”

While O’Neal has been retired for nearly 15 years, Venus is still competing at 45 years old.

Venus will begin her 33rd season on the WTA Tour at the 250 tournament in Auckland, which gets underway on January 5.

It is still unclear as to whether she will play the Australian Open, with just one wildcard remaining for the women’s singles main draw.