Serena: I'm 'one of the greatest athletes of all time'

After clinching her ninth career berth in the Wimbledon final, where she'll pursue a seventh Venus Rosewater Dish and a record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title, Serena Williams was asked by the press about her place as one of the greatest female athletes of all time.

The world No. 1, who dismissed her semifinal opponent in dominant fashion on Friday, chafed at the qualifier.

"I prefer 'one of the greatest athletes of all time,'" she shot back.

Williams was also asked after the 48-minute match whether she felt the women on tour deserved equal prize money to the men, which they get at all the majors and a small handful of other joint ATP/WTA events. The issue came to the fore earlier in the year, spurred by sexist comments made by since-deposed Indian Wells tournament director Raymond Moore, and perpetuated in part by comments about equal pay from men's No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

Serena, who's always been a passionate ambassador for women in sport, talked about how she'd like to see the perception of women's tennis change.

"Well, I would like to see people, the public, the press, other athletes in general, just realize and respect women for who they are and what we are and what we do," she said.

"Like I say, you know, I've been working at this since I was three years old. Actually maybe younger, because I have a picture where I'm in a stroller. I think Venus is actually pushing me, and we're on the tennis court.

"Basically my whole life I've been doing this. I haven't had a life. I don't think I would deserve to be paid less because of my sex, or anyone else for that matter in any job."