Venus Williams was born in California and turned professional at just 14. She won her first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon in 2000. Two years later she became the first African-American woman to reach the number-one ranking on the WTA Tour, and won the singles and doubles gold medals at the Sydney Olympics.

In all, she has won four Grand Slam and 20 other titles. She boasts the fastest serve on the woman's circuit - 128mph!

Away from the court, Venus runs her own interior design business and is studying for her degree.

How to Play Tennis is her first book with DK, co-authored with her sister Serena and published in June 2004.