Serena Williams in Croatia

The best women’s tennis player currently in the world, and one of the best of all time, Serena Williams, is taking some time away from the spotlight in Croatia…

Williams, who pulled out of her Wimbledon doubles match earlier this month due to a mystery illness, is spending seven days in the Istrian town of Novigrad, the town’s official website reported. Williams is using the Croatian holiday as a chance to relax and also to start preparing for the next Grand Slam – the US Open.

According to Novigrad town, the 17-time Grand Slam winner is in the pretty seaside town thanks to her long-time friend and hitting partner Saša Bajin, who spent a lot of time there as that is where his family lived.

“Saša doesn’t often come to Novigrad, he just spends part of his holiday’s here, and this time he bought Serena with him, to show her first hand the natural beauty and all the other attributes which Novigrad and Istria are renowned for.” said the site.