Serena Williams needs little introduction. She’s the greatest female tennis player in the world, the winner of 39 Grand Slam titles, 23 in singles, and an inspiring icon for women both inside and outside the world of sport.
She’s also a style maven, as her collaboration with luxury Swiss watch brand Audemars Piguet testifies. Williams is the face of the Diamond Outrage, the latest and last in a trilogy of exceptional spiked, diamond-set secret watches unveiled by the brand over three years. And she sure knows how to rock it.
See also: 7 High Jewellery Watches That'll Make Your Jaw Drop
We had a chat with Williams about becoming a mother and life after tennis:
How does it feel to be the best at what you do?
I’ve always wanted to be an athlete. What drives me daily is my love for what I do. I wake up and I want to be the greatest player. Awards do mean a lot as it is nice to be recognised for the work you’ve done, for everything you’ve achieved, but I don’t like to just look back at victories. My objective is to keep winning. I need to focus on that instead of looking at what I have accomplished so far.
What character traits are most important to you?
Mental strength and determination. Whether you’re on or off the court, you have to feed both, work on them constantly. At the end of the day, it’s what’s going to make the difference between athletes.
Do you have a number of Grand Slams you want to reach before you retire?
Having won different titles, there is less pressure to achieve anything specific at the moment. I’ve won every Grand Slam, the Olympics. I can play for fun now.
You’re expecting your first child. What’s a lesson you’d like to teach him or her?
That you can do anything if you believe in it.
Is tennis going to take a back seat once you become a parent?
No, I’m looking forward to becoming a mum while remaining a performing athlete. I’m definitely thinking of coming back to the courts already.