Serena Williams may have retired, but one can never really separate the athlete inside her. She is a lot more obsessed with fitness than she ever was, and that has also taught her humility. Now the former tennis star and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, often bond over their favorite food and how it affects their bodies. In fact, during their first date in Paris, they had roasted chicken and fries, while being monitored by the wearable technology. Serena’s glucose didn’t spike as much as Ohanian’s. “I learned that I was a super-human and a superhero,” she stated.

“It didn’t affect me as much, but it still did affect me. At some point, you could see my level rising, which is why I always try to eat healthy. I’m all about a healthy lifestyle.”

Let us not forget that she has been accustomed to an active lifestyle and seldom do athletes get into a sedentary lifestyle even after retirement. And that’s exactly what happened to her. “The more that I don’t play sports professionally, the more that I think, ‘Okay, this is what I’ve done for literally my entire life, and how do I optimize and keep it up?’”

But there’s another reason. She has two young children: Olympia, 7, and Adira, 1. Not only does she want to set a good example but also wants to stay healthy for her kids. She wants to be able to enjoy the special moments with them. And though there may have been a time she thought she was a super-human, she knows that isn’t the case. Add to this the fact that she has gone through multiple injuries like knee injuries, pulmonary embolism, shoulder issues, etc. throughout her tennis career, one can understand her thought process.

“Athletes and musicians, I feel like sometimes we think that we’re untouchable and that’s just not true. I literally don’t think of myself any different than anyone else. And I love to try to post relatable content. And I’m not doing it on purpose, it’s just who I am. I have the same struggles trying to fit in these darn skirts and I want to follow my health levels too. And I just think it’s so cool for people to see that, especially for me growing up in Compton,” she told PEOPLE in a new interview.

“It’s just like if there’s anyone else watching, know that. Knowing that I’m not any different from you. I’m literally the same. And probably, if anything, you’re probably smarter and better than I am. And that’s kind of what I always like to preach or show,” Serena said, showing her humble side. Yes, this is despite her $300 million net worth.

Over the years, Williams has garnered a huge sum in prize money and sponsorships. Additionally, her business ventures have been flourishing and her net worth has surged. And while Williams is also the undisputed GOAT of women’s tennis, winning 23 Grand Slam titles over her illustrious career, her fellow players have always been amazed by her humble nature. Canadian star Bianca Andreescu once made a candid revelation about Serena’s nature.

When Bianca Andreescu was impressed by Serena Williams’ humble gesture

Back in 2019, Andreescu won her only Grand Slam title when she defeated Serena Williams in the summit clash of the US Open. It was one of the tournament’s major upsets, as all the odds were pinned in favor of Williams. However, Andreescu produced a stunning display to defeat the American legend in straight sets, 6-3 7-5. Despite Williams falling in the final hurdle, she made a wonderful gesture toward Andreescu.

Speaking about the encounter, Andreescu once said, “She’s a very nice person. After the final at the US Open, she came up to me in the locker room and she said really nice things about me, and I said really nice things about her as well… even though she’s heard it so many times. But yeah. It was a nice encounter.”

This was just one of the many examples where Williams’ humble nature came to the fore. While her exploits on the court are no secret, Serena Williams is a legend in the true sense with her down-to-earth nature impressing many. That being said, she also knows who she is and does not underestimate herself.

In 2017, she stated, “I try to be so humble that I forget I have accomplished so much,” she said, explaining that hard work was key to her success.”