PARIS, May 29: African football champions Cameroon can rely on a new supporter as they begin their World Cup campaign - US tennis star Serena Williams.

As the 20-year-old brushed aside the feeble challenge of Martina Sucha of Slovakia 6-3, 6-0 in the first round of the French Open on Wednesday, it was her green dress, red knickers and bright yellow, soccer-style knee-length socks which attracted more attention than her easy victory.

“The same company which makes my dresses also makes the kit for the Cameroon football team and when they started wearing sleeveless shirts, the manufacturers thought it would be a good idea for me to have something similar,” said Serena.

“I am really excited about wearing it and I’ll be rooting for them at the World Cup.

“I know they are the Olympic champions and they seem to be everyone’s favourite team after their own nation,” added Serena who said she met some of the players at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

“They are the best African team and I met a lot of the players in Australia at the Games. I swapped pins with them - I’m an avid, neurotic collector of pins,” Serena said.—AFP