Forget Air Jordans! Serena Williams launches the Greatness Collection with Nike

First came NBA legend Michael Jordan's iconic Jordan trainers and now tennis champion Serena Williams has teamed up with Nike to bring fans 'The Greatness Collection'. The 33-year-old star has unveiled her own range of trainers with the sportswear giant to celebrate her eventful tennis career.

The Nike Air Max 1 Ultra, Nike Roshe LD-1000 and NikeCourt Flare were the chosen styles for the collection and featured Williams' favourite affirmation reproduced in her own handwriting on the insole: "You are strong, powerful, and ... beautiful!"

Williams worked with Nike CEO Mark Parker to design the range and announced her new venture on social media by posting a series of snaps on Instagram along with the captions: "@nikecourt #greatnesscollection #nikecourt #strongisbeautiful"

News of the partnership come days after Williams hit back at body-shamers, insisting that she didn't have time for self-doubt because she was too busy being a winner.

"I don't have time to be brought down, I've got too many things to do," she said."I have Grand Slams to win, I have people to inspire, and that's what I'm here for."

The 33-year-old star, who is said to be dating rapper Drake, explained that she had grown to love her body and embraced her physique. "It's me and I love me and I learned to love me and I've been like this my whole life, and I embrace me, and I love how I look," she told Good Morning America.

"I love that I'm a full woman and I am strong, and I'm powerful, and I'm beautiful at the same time, and there's nothing wrong like that. It's so important to look at the positives, if I get caught up looking at the negatives it can really bring you down."

Fan will be able to get their hands on the Greatness Collection from 3 September when they hit Nike stores and online. Williams will be giving a sneak peek by also wearing the shoes during the US Open.

In other news, Williams is set to make tennis history if she emerges victorious at the US Open. The win would see her tie with Steffi Graf's 22 Grand Slam titles. She is the current holder of all four tennis' Grand Slams: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and finally, the U.S. Open. Serena won the U.S.Open in 2014. That is the second highest number of Grand Slam wins in women's tennis history, behind Australian player Margaret Court, who won 24.