Watch out Tim Henman. An epidemic of Rooneymania is sweeping the sedate lawns of Wimbledon.
And the England soccer striker's number one fan is Serena Williams. "Wayne Rooney's a real sweetie," the American giggled while declaring herself an England soccer fan.
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"I don't think he's podgy at all," she said. "He's only 18. That's a horribly, mean thing to say.
"The kid is 18. The kid scored, what, two goals yesterday? He's doing really good. Yeah, he's a real sweetie.
"I'm a big fan of Rooney now and obviously (Michael) Owen and (David) Beckham.
"Especially Rooney because he really saved the team, so I'm real excited. I can't believe I'm even talking the lingo here."
Serena said she has become a fan of all things English and was glued to the television screen during England's 4-2 victory over Croatia in Euro 2004.
SCREAMING HARD
"It's weird. I've become an amazing English fan," she laughed. "I'm a huge Tim Henman supporter now. I was like when England was down one-love and they made the goal, I was like, 'Whoa'.
"I was watching it at my house. I was so excited... I was like 'Yeah'. I was screaming. Thinking, 'Why am I screaming so hard?'.
Serena's new-found love for soccer hasn't extended towards the domestic game yet, but that is surely only a matter of time.
"I haven't gotten that far into it," she smiled. "But soon. I think I'll be supporting whatever team Rooney is on."
While she claims to love the sport, the 22-year-old clearly feels soccer players could be a little more robust on the pitch.
"I just know that everyone falls down. Doesn't seem like they're really hurt, though," she said.
"They'll just like take a fall. I'm like, 'Okay. Well, he didn't even touch him.'
"It's like he fell because a gush of wind when the guy must have passed by."
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