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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The tennis player, clothes designer and fledgling actress leapt to the defence on Tuesday when one reporter described him as "podgy".

"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."