I always say if I play my best it's difficult to beat me

People see me on the court only as a superhero, grunting and winning. They think you're a robot, and I'm not.

I'm proud to have opened [two] schools in Africa and one in Jamaica [through the Serena Williams Fund and its partners]. I was given a lot. I was given two parents. That's already starting above a lot of kids. And then I was given the opportunity to play tennis and parents who supported that. I feel I can give back.

I have started to realize that I am really just a world athlete and a world entertainer -- I am a world-known person, I am a global icon.

I think a smile can make your whole body. Models, they look fabulous, but they don't smile, and they look so mad.

I need to be at my peak and my best is holding up the trophy. Anything less I wouldn't be really excited about. So that's all I can focus on.

I try not to be protected. Because I feel like you can become a little bit of a robot. That's not who I am. And I don't want to be monotone. It's important to be yourself, whatever the cost.