Serena Williams always had an aura about her and she leaves a lasting impression on most people she meets.

Former tennis professional Conor Niland had the chance to practise with the future 23-time Grand Slam champion when they were both 16.

Niland opened up on his encounter with the Williams sisters in his book

Niland opened up on his encounter with the Williams sisters in his bookCredit: Getty

Niland, who reached a high of 129 in the world, details his brushes with the iconic names over his career, as well as some of the brutal reality of being a pro outside the top 100, in his new book The Racket.

It is one of the six books nominated for the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year in 2024.