Serena Williams on chasing the "high": "I'd literally win Wimbledon, I remember a conversation with my dad, 'I know I can win the Open'"

Serena Williams recently discussed herself having thoughts on the perpetual pursuit of winning and chasing the 'high." She is one of the most accomplished tennis players in history and has secured 23 Grand Slam singles titles throughout her glittering career.

Williams has 39 Majors under her belt - 23 in singles, 14 in women's doubles, and two in mixed doubles. She has won all her women's double Grand Slam finals matches alongside her sister, Venus Williams.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Serena Williams reflected on her journey to success. She credited her inner drive as well as the support and push from her father, Richard Williams, for her achievements in tennis. The former World No.1 stated that she was "amazed" with people's reactions to her performance on the court when she was only doing the best that she could on that day.

"I am always amazed at people and the excitement they have for what I’ve done. I’m just a normal person. I’ve been so in a box of staying focused and just doing the best that I could on that day," Williams said.

The American recalled that once after winning the Wimbledon title, she had immediately told her father that she was ready to conquer her next Slam. She said that she had a relentless pursuit of excellence and that she never dwells on past victories and is always seeking the next “high,” and the next win.

"I would literally win Wimbledon, and I remember having a conversation with my dad, being like, “OK, Dad, that was great, but I know I can win the Open.” I never took much time to settle in my wins. I was always looking for the next quote-unquote “high,” for lack of a better word. It was always the next win," she added.

Serena Williams on eventually making her daughters understand the level of fame & achievements she has had: "I’ll let them know the impact I have had on sport"

Serena Williams and her daughter Olympia

Serena Williams, along with her husband Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, are parents to two daughters. Their eldest, Olympia, was born in September 2017, and their youngest, Adira River Ohanian, was born in August 2023.

In the aforementioned interview, Williams discussed how Olympia handles her fame and whether she comprehends her achievements

The former World No.1 revealed that Olympia is aware of her celebrity status, as she once asked her about it. In response, Williams revealed that she had redirected the conversation and stated that she is simply her mother.

Serena Williams then stated that in future she would make both her daughters Olympia and Adira understand the impact she has had on tennis and beyond.

"It’s tricky. Olympia told me the other day, 'You’re famous.' And I’m like: 'Oh, not really. I’m just your mom.' So I don’t know. I just feel like when the time comes — and, honestly, when it’s settled in for me too — I’ll definitely have that conversation with them, and I’ll let them know the potentially, the important, you know, the … I don’t want to be too presumptuous, but the impact I have had on sport and beyond," Williams said.

Serena Williams retired from tennis in 2022, with that year's US Open being her last tournament. The American reached the third roound of the New York Major before suffering a defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic.