Serena describes White House visit as amazing

WASHINGTON: Before heading off to St. Louis to throw the first pitch at the Major League Baseball All-Star game, President Barack Obama welcomed Wimbledon champion Serena Williams to the White House on Tuesday.

"It was amazing," Williams said. "I love President Obama; he has such an unbelievable presence, and he seems to be so normal - and he noticed my shoes. I think that was the highlight of the whole day, was he liked my shoes." Williams said she was wearing 5-inch (13-centimetre) heels for the presidential visit.

"He asked me, 'Should I be wearing high heels?' So I thought that was kind of funny because he may have been right," Williams said. "Because it is a job hazard for me, but I insist on wearing them." Williams got to meet Michelle Obama and the rest of the first family.

"I didn't know she had such an amazing personality," Williams said. "She had me cracking up and laughing. I knew she was a great person, but now I really understand how important this first family is to the United States. And the kids were just so cute and sweet, and the dog was nice."