Don’t get it twisted. Serena Williams‘ heroism extends way beyond the tennis court, and she isn’t one to be messed with — even when facing a thief.
On Wednesday, the world’s No. 1 tennis player explained on Facebook how she thwarted a man who tried to steal her mobile phone in a Chinese restaurant.
While eating, Williams said she noticed the man was hanging around her and making her uncomfortable. She says her phone was resting in a chair near her.
“He was there too long,” she wrote. “Is he a customer? I thought ‘Is he waiting on the bathroom?’ Nonetheless I tried to shake this eerie feeling. However, I kept watching him from the corner of my eye.”
But Williams’ instincts were correct, however, because she says the man grabbed her phone and made a quick beeline for the exit.
The alleged thief didn’t realize the 34-year-old powerhouse would make chase.
“Omg that dude took my phone,” shouted Williams, who added that she leapt up to follow the man.
“He began to run but I was too fast,” she wrote. “I was upon him in a flash!
“In the most menacing yet calm no nonsense voice I could muster I kindly asked him if he ‘accidentally’ took the wrong phone.
“He stumbled on his words probably not expecting this to happen. Eventually he said: ‘Gosh you know what I did! It was so confusing in there. I must have grabbed the wrong phone.'”
Williams, with phone in hand, says she received a standing ovation when she returned to the restaurant.
“I was proud. I just showed every man in there I can stand up to bullies and other men — it was a win for the ladies!” she added.
“Just because you are a lady don’t be afraid to step up to any challenge and not be a victim but a hero!”