The news broke on Thursday that the world number two had got engaged to Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit.

“He said four words”, and I said yes – she wrote in a poem published on the social media company’s website.

Her fiance popped the question during a surprise trip to Rome. The couple have reportedly been dating for over a year.

Serena Williams announced her engagement to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian with a poem on her Reddit account. pic.twitter.com/ftzwOEzgjl

— NBCSN (@NBCSN) 29 dicembre 2016

Serena Williams is now in New Zealand where she’s due to play a tournament in Auckland next week. The 35-year-old is competing in the country for the first time.

With 22 grand slam singles titles, she’s seen as the best player of her generation and perhaps of all time. (Euronews)

'@serenawilliams wins at love again; says 'yes' to engagement in poem https://t.co/EwG3eanOtD pic.twitter.com/y34qSxaezJ

— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) 30 dicembre 2016