( CNN ) -- Venus Williams is most often seen wiping perspiration from her brow as she thunders around the court contesting championship tennis matches . Venus Williams steps off the tennis court and into the pool in a series of photos to be featured in Italian Marie Claire . These photos show the world number six in a more reflective mood , posing for a 16-page fashion spread in the Italian edition of Marie Claire . They were taken in Miami , Florida in December last year by her friend and photographer Koto Bolofo . `` I love working with Koto , '' Venus told CNN in an interview for `` Revealed . '' `` I think he 's my biggest fan and he believes in me , I 'm not sure why , but he does so I 've got to accept that , '' she laughed . They planned to shoot 20 outfits in one day , a hectic schedule that included one photo that had been two years in the making . See video of the photo shoot » . `` I 've got it pictured in my mind that she 's going to be playing tennis underwater , '' Bolofo told CNN . When the sun finally emerged from behind a cloud , Bolofo ordered Venus into her bathers . `` I 'm excited it 's my first underwater tennis venture , so I feel a little nervous , but I think I 'll come through , '' Venus said . `` I want her smiling and making it look as if it 's natural and it 's not an effort , '' Bolofo explained . `` It 's going to be whimsical and fun . That 's the fun part of the shoot . '' Fashion is an important part of Venus Williams ' life . She has her own clothing company , EleVen , which produces tennis outfits and casual clothing . She sketches ideas , but says she 's not the chief designer , by any stretch . `` There are other people designing stuff . I could n't do it on my own , '' she said , adding , `` I do n't do technical drawing , I hated it in school . I refuse to do this on the computer . I 'd rather just do it by hand . '' Venus ' status in the ranks of the world 's top tennis players gives her a unique position to be able to market her products and she often wears them on court . Then there 's her interior design company ; Venus launched V Starr Interiors while still in her early twenties . Despite her public business interests , Venus told CNN she 's not interested in seizing the spotlight for any reason other than as one of the world 's best tennis players . `` Fame has never been important to me . My goals have always been to excel in tennis , and to win championships . Fame has never been my focus and I do n't really try to grow it at all , '' she said . Venus ' relaxed attitude has earned her respect beyond the world of tennis . Hip hop star Wyclef Jean released a song in her honor last year called `` I 'm Ready . '' Listen to the song » . `` [ It 's like ] when a painter is inspired , '' Jean told CNN . `` When I 'm inspired by an individual I just write a song about them ... I said her name is Venus , ruler of the universe . '' Venus was thrilled . `` I 've got it on my computer , all the different instrumentals , the different versions , the different cuts . I love it , '' she told CNN . Venus Williams is back on court this week at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships . Naturally , she 's hoping to win after a disappointing early exit from the Australian Open in January . While tennis remains her prime obsession , Venus told CNN it 's not the most important thing in her life . `` I would say definitely the most important thing in my life is growing spiritually . And doing what God requires of me -- that 's always a learning experience day in and day out , '' she said . Watch Venus Williams on Revealed this week at the times below : . ALL TIMES GMT Wednesday , February 18 : 0930 , 1830 Saturday , February 21 : 0830 , 1900 Sunday , February 22 : 0530 , 1830 Monday , February 23 : 0400 .
Marie Claire poses in fashion photos to be featured in Australian Venus Williams . The 16-page spread includes a photo of Wyclef Jean playing tennis underwater . The tennis champion has her own clothing & interior design companies . Watch Venus Williams on Revealed last year at the times below .