In a new interview with NPR, Serena talks about her book, On the Line, which documents her life in tennis, including her on-court relationship with Venus. Serena is close to her older sister, but she says she always felt like the underdog:

Venus was the big star. When we were growing up, it was a lot about Venus—it needed to be about Venus, because she was an incredible player. And that actually, being the little sister, the one that wasn't as strong, wasn't as good yet, gave me encouragement and the fight I have in my game.

While most of us can remember competing against our siblings at some point, being constantly pitted against your sister seems like it could lead to a truly fraught relationship. Not so for the Williams. Serena says she once told Venus that "we'll be sisters later." On the court, they are rivals, but after the game is over they go right back to normal. Serena explains:

In the book I talk about how difficult it was to be there. First of all, I didn't believe I could, and second of all, I was playing my sister. I had to come up with something new, that, right now, we're competitors, but the moment we shake hands and we're done with this match, we're sisters. I'm always happy for Venus, and she's always happy for me.

Serena also talks about an incident early in her career, when she was playing in a tournament at Indian Wells, and her sister was forced to drop out because of an injury. Serena says the angry fans booed and shouted racial epithets. "I was crying in my towel at the changeover. I would cry, and I knew that I had to go on," she recalls. "But I got strength from a lot of the situations like Althea Gibson, who ended up having to sleep in her car because of the color of her skin...And I thought 'wow, this is nothing compared to what they went through,' and I was able to draw strength from that to finish the match."

Serena does mention the recent incident at the U.S. Open, where she threatened a lineman. She offers a weak—but probably honest—explanation for her actions, but she continues to assert that the lineman's call was at fault. When asked "Why do you think that happened?," Serena responds: "A lot of things factored into it... This is a case where I may, not may, I definitely wore my emotions a little too far on my sleeve—on a bad call." She adds, "Just so you know, this is not the first time this happened in tennis, and I definitely think one moment doesn't make your career or define you as a person."

Serena Williams Puts Her Life Story Into 'On The Line' [NPR]

[Queens, September 14. Image via Getty]

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Serena Williams (R) and Venus Williams celebrate championship point after defeating Cara Black of Zimbabwe and Liezel Huber in the Women's Doubles final on day fifteen of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 14, 2009 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Williams/Williams defeated Black/Huber 6-2, 6-2. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

• Surprise, surprise: Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are a "complete nightmare" for the people working on the Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas, where Heidi is supposed to perform on Sunday night. An insider says:

"Heidi has missed many rehearsals… Spencer tried to demand that the hotel pay him to lay by the pool." Dear Miss Universe People: You have no one to blame but yourselves. [Page Six]

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• Save the date: September 14. Whitney Houston will give her first full-length interview in almost seven years to… Oprah. Of course. As you may recall, in 2002, Whitney sat down with Diane Sawyer, and memorably declared: "Crack is cheap. I make too much money to ever smoke crack." [Mirror, NY Daily News]
• Venus and Serena Williams are in talks to become part owners in the Miami Dolphins. [AP]
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• Will Paula Abdul return to American Idol? Focus groups may make that decision. "Fox loves focus groups," an insider says. "If Paula consistently scores far higher than any other person in her chair, they will feel compelled to make her an offer she can't refuse and make this deal happen." Another source says: "There will be four judges at American Idol come January. And that fourth judge will be Paula Abdul." [MSNBC]
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• As mentioned yesterday, Leona Lewis tracks have been leaked onto the Internet. One was a song produced by Justin Timberlake. A police investigation is ongoing. [Daily Mail]
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• District 9 sequel? Maybe. It's already being referred to as District 10. [NY Daily News]
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• "I loved New York, even back then (1980s graffiti-scarred, pre-Giuliani New York). It was such an overwhelming animal. I loved the energy and attitude of the place. It's great for being productive and creative." —Eric Bana, who's on the cover of Men's Health. [Just Jared]
• "It's a lot of material to fill. It is a lot of jokes. This is lot more work. A lot more work. You're doing probably three shows worth of comedy every night. On The Tonight Show we had maybe two talking guests and a band. That's not a lot of work for me. But this will be a lot more work." — Jay Leno on his new show. [Reuters]
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• "[The culture here] isn't based on anything other than ‘Who got a boob job?' That's what I feel L.A. is about. A lot of people here want to be everyone but themselves." — Mila Kunis. [Just Jared]
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• Forbes has released the top-earning celebrities over 50, and Oprah is at number one! To put things in perspective, Forbes' Lauren Streib writes:

"Her earnings power is equal to that of the creator of Star Wars and the Material Girl, combined." [Forbes]

• Oprah's O magazine has a power list — with a twist. For example: Venus Williams has "The Power Of Female Strength"; Donna Brazile has "The Power Of Ambition"; Sarah Silverman has "The Power Of Transgression." [Newser]
• Gwyneth Paltrow smells like moth balls. [PopCrunch]
• Michael Phelps was in a three-car accident in Baltimore last night, but he was not injured. A woman in another car was taken to the hospital with head and arm pain. Alcohol was not involved. [TMZ]
• VOM: Heidi Montag says she has 20 to 30 orgasms a day with Spencer Pratt, and claims: "I was never very sexual before I met Spencer. Sex was just something that happened. Now it's something I look forward to every minute of the day… it makes me want to try every new thing, doing it all kinds of ways — indoors, outdoors, upside down." [Page Six]
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• Mariah Carey has pulled out of an appearance on VH1 Storytellers and a concert on the Today show and gone back in the studio as her album has been delayed again. Is she all shook up by Eminem's dis track? [Reuters]
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• Scarlett Johannsson is Brigitte Bardot-inspired in Pete Yorn's new video, and I have three letters for the whole thing: Zzz. [Gatecrasher, JustJared]
• New Moon swoon! Twihards and Team Jacob/Buff Werewolf fans: Video of Taylor Lautner wrestling with Kristen Stewart at the link. [EW]
• Kristen Stewart on Taylor Lautner: "I love that kid. I would do anything for him. I would kill for him, literally." [NY Daily News]
• TMZ has obtained the search warrant used to raid the pharmacy where Dr. Conrad Murray purchased the Propofol that killed Michael Jackson. They're calling it the smoking gun. [TMZ]
• TMZ actually called the manufacturer of Propofol to see what they knew about the case? [TMZ]
• Dr. Conrad Murray says he didn't know about Michael Jackson's "very unusual problems" when he agreed to be his personal doctor, and didn't know what drugs MJ was taking when he accepted the job. [TMZ]
• LaToya Jackson has something to say: "I've been approached to do Dancing With the Stars. The fact of the matter is, I won't be doing it, simply because of the circumstances that [are] going on at the moment. I can't see myself putting myself into there right now, dancing every single day when I'm still trying to find out what exactly happened to my brother." [Access Hollywood]
• LaToya was interviewed while working at AIDS Project Los Angeles, a charity Michael Jackson often helped. She says: "We're doing the best that we can. Everyone has just been going through what they're going through at the moment. It's a very trying time for all of us." [E!]
• Scott Disick is the one who got Kourtney Kardashian pregnant, but you knew that, right? [E!, Page Six]
• Today in bizarre celebrity feuds: Courtney Love vs. The Veronicas. She thinks they stole her clothes; they're calling her a "twat" and "delusional." [Perez]
• For some reason Vanessa Hudgens has haters? But her Bandslam costars say "She's such a sweet person, such a nice girl." So. [E!]
• Whoa: Kate Winslet will star in Mildred Pierce, a miniseries project (possibly for HBO). The 1945 film of the same name won the incomparable Joan Crawford (and her eyebrows) an Oscar. [Variety]
• Aerosmith has canceled its summer tour "with great regret" after frontman Steven Tyler fell from the stage. Quoth he: "I just want to say that I' m plain grateful that I didn't break my neck. In truth, after thousands of live shows, falling off the edge four times ain't too bad." [AP]
• Christie's will conduct a London auction of art and furniture belonging to the late Indian-born film producer Ismail Merchant in October. Merchant, along with James Ivory, made over 40 films including A Room With a View, Howards End and The Remains of the Day. [Reuters]
• Jonathan Demme has walked away from directing a documentary about Bob Marley; last May, Martin Scorsese dropped out of the project. [Page Six]
• Blind item! "Which recently single celeb wasn't so faithful to her last boyfriend? She'd been sleeping with a big-name hip-hop artist for the last four months of her relationship." [Gatecrasher]
• "It would've been smart to take some time off too, but I'm really glad I did Runaways. If it was Twilight all the time, I would go mad. To just play one character for four years, it's not what I do. I like to have variation. I like to change it up. To live one experience, it would be like I have this weird alter-ego, alternate life, instead of slipping into a character for 6 weeks, sucking it dry, and leaving. It would be like 4 years of living like a fucking psycho person, thinking that I'm like Bella. You know what I mean? It would just be impossible for me. The tabloids would have a lot of crazy shit to say about me in that case." — Kristen Stewart. [EW]
• "[I wasn't] one of the industry kids who they groom on the fucking Disney channel and who do what they are told. [Being a star was like] being strapped to a rocket ship. But some of us weren't built for speed. I was almost overwhelmed by it all. I had this house — not a giant house, but three or four nice rooms, and a jukebox. And it had this laundry room, and I would sit in there with an ashtray that I trusted. It was like the world couldn't get me in the laundry room." — Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. [Guardian]
• "I was doing the Tyler shuffle and then I zigged when I should have zagged ... and I slipped, and as I live on the edge ... I fell off the edge!" — Steven Tyler, on his accident hat left him with a broken left shoulder and 20 stitches on the back of his head. [People]
• "It's remarkable what a new kidney does to your life. I have no complaints…I'm pretty amazed. I have been working on my stamina." — Natalie Cole, who would love to meet her donor, saying, "I would probably kiss them all over the place." [People]
• "I get a lot of e-mails and photos of people that are dressing like [Don Draper]. That was pretty strange. People will say to me, ‘Oh, I just saw you in a mall.' I guess it's pretty easy. Slick your hair back, put a nice suit on, and you're ready to go." — Jon Hamm. [WWD]

I love the antiqued look of Katherine Heigl's chiffon, and also the 1890s feel of the draped skirt. Indeed, I'd say the gown is classier and more original than anything in the movie!


It's nice of Kate Walsh to represent - both Katherine and, apparently, Talbots! I jest. Actually, she probably pulls off this Preppy Handbook homage as well as anyone could - and looks kind of spiffy!


I love the contrast between Venus Williams' caftan of yesterday and this sleek little peach. I especially like that she's showing off her curves!


Wow, Mimi Michaels is really working the fairy princess thing!


I can barely concentrate on Nina Bergman's getup with this intense sexyface staring at me. And yes, she's doing it in every picture.


Terri Seymour looks crisp, comfy, and natural. And must feel totally self-conscious as a result.


I'll be curious to hear what you think about Jewel's throwback. I can't get away from the thought that I like it...on her.


This makes so much sense! Serena Williams is a bombshell!


As Bonnie Somerville knows, when in doubt, an LBD always works.


She relayed this cunning secret to Anna Faris.


Bree Turner's dress looks like it's covered in broken glass. This looks dangerous. And I can't get past that.


Major props to Jennifer Morrison for shopping her closet, but as this shows, not all shifts are made to be belted! (This is something about which I feel strongly.)


Yvette Nicole Brown looks easy, breezy, lovely, and happy about all that.


Roselyn Sanchez' dress kind of reminds me of when Flora, Fauna and Merriwether try to make Briar Rose a dress without magic. "It looks awful." "That's because it's on you, dear."


Deidre Hall is ready for a cruise! Cue the Love Boat theme. Now. Do it.


Clearly Rachel Harris doesn't care that I want her to start owning her glasses and wearing them on the red carpet. Fine. Whatever. Do what you want. I don't care.


And for your sins....


[Images via Getty]

Serena Williams may look a little bridesmaid, but I love these graceful lines on her.


And Miranda Kerr is the bride! Albeit an incredibly glamorous one.


Jaime Pressly's mini kind of reminds me of what the evil trophy wife wears to her elderly mogul husband's funeral on a soap/one of those romance novels where all the wardrobe seems mired in 1984. Just picture it with a huge hat.


It's really striking how carefree Condoleezza Ricelooks now compared to...well, you know. Bright colors and a big smile make her look like a different dame!


Don't you wonder if Kendra and Condi were forced to talk? And what they said? And if she's hard to talk to in this dress - although I'm sure Kendra was totally un-self-conscious! And, from the waist down, it's extremely demure.


Rashida Jones can do almost no wrong in my book, but I'm not loving the fit of this - at least, in motion.


Venus Williams is perhaps the only woman in the world who could wear this caftan - and not the other way around. Some would say a tall lady shouldn't do a lot of pattern - I say they can and should!


Kristi Yamaguchi's right: self-exams are important. So are comfy shoes. Either, though, is optional for formal situations.


[Images via Getty]

[Wimbledon, England, July 4. Image via Getty.]

WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - JULY 04: Venus Williams of USA (L) and Serena Williams of USA celebrate victory with their trophies after the women's doubles final match against Samantha Stosur of Australia and Rennae Stubbs of Australia on Day Twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 4, 2009 in London, England. The Williams sisters won 7-6, 6-4. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

[London, June 30. Image via Getty]

US tennis player Venus Williams plays against Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska in a Women's Quarter Final match of the 2009 Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Tennis Club, in southwest London, on June 30, 2009. AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZA (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images)

[Rome, May 4. Image via Getty]

ROME - MAY 04: Venus Williams of the USA serves during her second round match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic during day one of the Internazionali BNL D'Italia which is part of the WTA Sony Ericsson Tour at Foro Italico on May 4, 2009 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

[Dubai, February 21. Image via Getty.]

Venus Williams of the US holds her trophy after beating France's Virginie Razzano during their WTA Dubai Tennis Championships final tennis match in the Gulf emirate on February 21, 2009. Williams returned to the world's top five for the first time in six years by clinching the 40th title of her career with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Razzano. (KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images)

[Melbourne, Australia; January 30. Images via Getty]

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 30: Serena Williams and Venus Williams of the United States of America pose with the championship trophy after winning the womens doubles final match against Ai Sugiyama of Japan and Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia during day twelve of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 30, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

[Melbourne, Australia; January 23. Image via Getty]

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: (EDITORS NOTE: NUDITY) A streaker runs across Show Court 3 during the second round doubles match between Venus Williams and Serena Williams of the United States of America and Ayumi Morita of Japan and Martina Muller of Germany during day five of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)

[Melbourne, January 22. Image via Getty]

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Venus Williams of the United States of America plays a backhand in her second round match against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain during day four of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

[Melbourne, January 21. Image via AP.]

Serena Williams, right, and Venus Williams of the United States, celebrate their victory after their Women's Doubles match against Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova and Nadia Petrova at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

[New York, September 10. Image via Splash.]