Tennis: Serena Williams channels 'Supergirl' to chase down phone thief

Serena 'Supergirl' Williams. Photo/Serena Williams Facebook.

Serena Williams is comparing herself to Supergirl after the tennis star chased down a would-be phone thief at a Chinese restaurant.

The 34-year-old American detailed her crime-stopping adventure yesterday with a Facebook post showing her wearing a Supergirl costume and asking her followers to foster their inner superhero.

"Soooooo yesterday at dinner the CRAZIEST THING happened to me," Williams wrote.

"I was sitting enjoying some Chinese food (delicious may I add) and this guy stands next to me. It was only 2 of us sitting at a 4 person table just chatting like we have not seen each other in years.

"Anyways I digress, so this guy is standing next to me and something (I have now dubbed it my SUPERHERO sense) told me to watch him. My phone was sitting in the chair but I just didn't feel right.

"Low and behold this common petty thief grabbed my phone and swiftly left. I looked at the chair, than shouted "Omg that dude took my phone!!"

"Not thinking I reacted, I jumped up, weaved my way in and out of the cozy restaurant and chased him down. He began to run but I was too fast. 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.

"While he was thinking of the right thing to say and eventually he said "Gosh you know what I did! It was so confusing in there. I must have grabbed the wrong phone."

Her crime-stopping actions then had Williams considering her own superhero abilities.

"Superhero? Maybe? Or HELL YEA!! I've got the speed the jumps, the power, the body, the seduction, the sex appeal, the strength, the leadership and yet the calm to weather the storm.

Always listen to your superhero inner voice. Always keep your things close! Fight for what's right. Stand for what you believe in! Be a superhero!

"When I got back into the restaurant I received a standing ovation. I was proud. I just showed every man in there I can stand up to bully's and other men. It was a win for the ladies!

"Just because you are a lady don't be afraid to step up to any challenge and not be a victim but a hero!"

Williams has not played since her US Open semifinal defeat to Italy's Roberta Vinci coast her a shot at a calendar year Grand Slam.

Meanwhile, her older sister Venus opened the inaugural WTA Elite Trophy in southern China on Tuesday with a three-set win over fellow American Madison Keys.
- with AAP