When I was growing up in Terrell, Texas, I felt that it was not where I was supposed to be. I knew that I was meant for a different destination. I think that the minute I was born, there was something inside telling me where I would go, it's like energy - an intangible destiny.

I have about 20 to 25 platonic relationships with women all across the board from professional to artistic and they always give little clues on what they like.

Then I was playing the piano at eight, and that helps you learn about women because most of the people I was playing for were women.

Man, after all my grandma put into me learning the piano, that was a hard day, telling her I was telling jokes for a living.

And when I go around and talk to schools, what I tell the kids are, first of all, you have to accept each other's differences. Some of you are going to be a crappy football player, some of you are going to be a great mathematician. Whatever it is, accept each other's differences and help prop each other up.

Because football is an emotional game, it's full of feeling, and that's why we try to train with a smile on our face. At the same time, we work very hard, but it's a fine line, and you've got to try and get that balance right if you can.

With any kind of artistic thing, it's a muscle, like any athlete, and the moment you're not doing it, you lose all confidence. That's why I'm terrible with down time.

Serena is an icon of women's sport.