Serena pens 8216;inspiring8217; memoir

But facing various injuries and distracted by off-court interests, Williams slipped from the top until she staged a comeback this year to win the U.S. Open and regain the No. 1 ranking for the first time in five years.

This year, with her sister Venus, she won gold in the Women8217;s Doubles at the Beijing Olympics.

Karen Kosztolnyik, a senior editor who acquired the book for Grand Central Publishing after a bidding battle, said Williams was one of the world8217;s most remarkable athletes.

But it was also her charm and drive that gave her a role in modeling, film, television and fashion, with her line of designer clothing called Aneres 8212; 8220;Serena8221; spelled backwards.

8220;We8217;ve watched her rise to No. 1 despite physical and emotional setbacks, and her hard work and determination have inspired legions of fans, young and old. Serena will give her memoir a strong motivational slant,8221; she said in a statement.

Grand Central Publishing is a unit of Hachette Book Group.

Financial terms were not given for the deal that was negotiated with literary agent Suzanne Gluck from the William Morris Agency.