Wimbledon 2018: I didn't understand what greatness was until I had this exchange with Serena Williams
I never knew what greatness really looked like until I met Serena Williams.
It was early evening at Wimbledon, and the sun was still strong, though not as hot as when Williams had been on court, beating Kristina Mladenovic.
While all around her, top seeds were falling, the American was safely through to the last 16.A year ago, she was still pregnant.
A month ago, she was still injured.
And today she has another chance to show just why she is so revered in world sport.
In the press conference after her victory Williams walked in merrily, dressed in a white t-shirt with a silver Nike logo, black and white Nike jacket over the top, paired with blue and white patterned leggings.
At 5' 9" she is tall, but with a wide smile, she was not intimidating like on court just a little while before.
I had seen her match, and watched her that morning on the practice courts.
She was much quieter there, playing the same shots over and over again, grunting, but not as loud as when facing a real opponent, and certainly not as loud as Rafael Nadal, training a few courts down.
I told Williams that Madison Keys blamed her defeat on concentration.
Her mind was wandering towards a next round encounter against the 23-time grand slam winner now sat in front of me.
Keys added that "It must suck," having every opponent up their game specifically to play you.
I asked if Williams was just used to it now.
"I'm glad someone admitted that," she said, softly.
"Every single match I play, whether I'm coming back from a baby or surgery, it doesn't matter, these young ladies, they bring a game that I've never seen before.
"It's interesting because I don't even scout as much because when I watch them play, it's a totally different game than when they play me.
And then Williams paused.
It was only four seconds, but felt much longer.
"That's what makes me great.
I always play everyone at their greatest, so I have to be greater."At that moment, I realised just how special Williams is.
Of course, her record on paper speaks for itself: 23 singles grand slam titles, 14 doubles grand slam titles, 72 singles titles in her career and four Olympic gold medals.
But it was the way in which she was unapologetic about her success, without a hint of arrogance.
Later she said she had nothing else left to prove.
And she is right.
I reminded Williams that Keys said "it must suck" having everyone bring their best tennis to the court against her.
"At first it did," she admitted.
"But I like it because it kind of backfires because everyone comes out and they play me so hard and now my level is so much higher because of it, from years and years of being played like that.
"So it's like, you know what, my level, if it wasn't high, then I wouldn't be who I am.
So I had to raise my level to 'unknown' because they are playing me at a level that's unknown, so now I'm used to it.".
What Williams had said was remarkable.
Openly admitting that she doesn't scout her opponents because she knows they will play their greatest tennis against her, but then accepting that it isn't a problem, because it only makes her better.
Williams knows she is great, and says she has taken her tennis to an 'unknown' level.
I had to let that sink in.
I posted a video of our exchange on Twitter, and very quickly reaction came flooding in from sporting stars around the world."Great, honest answer" said Kim Clijsters, a former world number 1 herself, and four time grand slam winner.
She followed it up with the acronym "GOAT" - Greatest Of All Time.
There would be a lot more of those to come.
Allyson Felix, who won Olympic gold in the 200 metres in London simply said: "Queen.
Golfing major winner Trevor Immelman was more considered: "Amazing clip, great perspective from one of the greatest athletes to ever walk the planet.
"There are few who can operate at that level for such a long period of time, Serena is one.
I count myself fortunate to witness greatness in any endeavor, very inspiring.".
Dan Orlovsky, who spent 12 years as an NFL Quarterback said: "Champion Mentality."What was fascinating to see, as the comments rolled in, is just how much Williams inspires other athletes.
Particularly black Americans.
Vince Williams, a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers said: "This is an amazing answer from and even more amazing athlete.
Wow talk about the price of greatness".
Duane Brown, the Seattle Seahawks Left Tackle, and one of the best defensive players in the NFL said: "Pretty damn inspiring.
Brittney Reese, the 2012 Olympic long jump gold medalist said: "Loved her answer," while Canadian Kaillie Humphries, a double Olympic gold medalist in the bobsled added: "Love this answer Serena Williams #PositiveMentalAttitude #greatest #Inspiration"Another group Williams seemed to galvanise was women: Great Britain's Wimbledon wildcard Katie Swan, former Team GB long jumper Jade Johnson and English footballer Eni Aluko also showed their appreciation for the tennis star.
International female footballers from the United States, Scotland and Wales also joined in as did female Aussie rules footballers, rugby players and ice hockey stars.
Outside the world of sport, there were television presenters, musicians, academics, activists and actors.
Even Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian retweeted the video.
"We should be showing this to all of our girls," said beauty blogger Caroline Hirons.
"Generations of being conditioned with 'speak when spoken to', 'don't be overly confident.it's not attractive', 'don't be too opinionated'.
and then there's Serena.".
June Sarpong, the British broadcaster said: "This is what happens when women say goodbye to our Imposter Syndrome.
Thank you Serena Williams for being an example of female excellence.
#PowerofWomen #PoW".
18,000 retweets and 50,000 likes later and the compliments keep flooding in.
As for the woman at the centre of it all? Williams simply posted a quote from the exchange: "It's what makes me great.
I always play everyone at their greatest, so I have to be greater.".
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