Serena Williams complimenting Russian Maria Sharapova for being 'sexy'

Serena Williams knows much about sex appeal, and the tennis star complimented Russian teenager Maria Sharapova on Tuesday for having lots of it.

"She’s sexy," Williams said, smiling.

Organizers of this week’s WTA Championships have focused their advertising on Sharapova, the 17-year-old blond beauty who stunned tennis by winning Wimbledon in July, NBC reports. Her leggy image is featured in a tournament poster with the tag line, "The closer you sit the hotter she gets."

"I love her legs in this picture. Her legs are so sexy," Williams said, studying the black and white shot of Sharapova sitting in a short skirt on a court. "She is not being sold in this picture. This is a hot picture. If you’re not ready to sell pictures, then you shouldn’t be part of the tournament. Unfortunately, I hate to say it, but sex sells."