Serena Williams is, in the eyes of many tennis fans, the greatest of all time.

The GOAT debate is one which has and forever will rage on, but the unprecedented success witnessed in the most recent generation has completely skewed expectations.

A patented combination of first Roger Federer and the Williams sisters was later joined by Rafael Nadal, before Novak Djokovic then joined along to crash the party.

This group, in their own special way, have reshaped tennis.

However, Serena Williams has since outlined a player she sought to copy, which helped form her into the player she became.

Serena Williams names her favourite player growing up

Speaking on the Hot Ones talk show, we were offered but a tiny glimpse into what promises to be a hilarious interview with the former world number one.

After all, whilst she is widely regarded as an impeccable athlete and the ultimate competitor, her personality often goes underappreciated.

TOMORROW on @HotOnesFWF, Serena Williams takes on the Wings of Death. 💀 Will she make it to the end? Find out @ 11AM ET. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/B0jOYlBF63

— First We Feast (@firstwefeast) July 3, 2024

She is funny and full of energy, and in just a short clip that is brilliantly captured.

In fact, she even revealed a little insight into what made her the titanic tennis star that she became, noting one former player who she actually sought to emulate.

She noted: ‘So I grunt because growing up I liked this tennis player named Monica Seles and she grunted. She had this really cool grunt that was like [imitates grunt].

‘And then it just became natural and my grunt became like a [imitates her own grunt].’

Being copied by Serena Williams is a great honour

Whether it be mentality, forehand serve or even just the grunt, having any aspect of your game copied, or even admired by Williams, is a remarkable honour.

After all, she is undoubtedly one of the greatest sports stars of all time, having transcended tennis with ease, winning all there was to win.

The 42-year-old finished her career having won 23 Grand Slam titles alongside a handful of tour finals, and would add Olympic gold to her resume as well.

However, her endeavours outside of the sport have drawn her even more acclaim, having proceeded her own fashion and beauty line, to name but one of her many successes.

Everything she touches turns to gold, especially when it comes to tennis, and when Serena Williams hinted at a return to tennis, people clamoured to learn more.

Photo by SEAN DEMPSEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Revolutionising the sport, Seles will likely be supremely flattered to receive such praise. However, the 50-year-old, who represented both Yugoslavia and the United States during her career, was no slouch.

She also finished her career with nine Grand slams.
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