Serena: I'm the best despite the rankings

ROME: Serena Williams still rates herself as the best player in the world even though she has been toppled from the top spot by Russia's Dinara Safina.

"We all know who the real No 1 is," Williams told a news conference at the Italian Open on Monday. "Quite frankly, I'm the best in the world."

Second ranked Williams, who will face Swiss Patty Schnyder in her opening match in Rome, felt she could back up her claim because she owns 10 grand slam singles titles while Safina's tally stands at zero.