I have obsessive compulsive disorder, says Serena

Serena Williams said Friday she suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), urging people not to focus too much on the perceived mental weaknesses of Australian Open final opponent Dinara Safina.

During this year's Open Safina has complained about having a split personality, with a "shadow Dinara" taking the court on occasions rather than the real one.

"My game is there, I just don't know what's going on in my mind," Safina said after she scraped through the fourth round against Frenchwoman Alize Cornet.

"Practicing I'm playing aggressive, hitting the balls -- 10 times out of 10 I hit exactly where I need to hit, aggressively.

"Come to the court and its like a shadow is playing. Like, you know, Dinara is there, but it's just not me.

"I'm telling myself, hit the ball, and the arm just doesn't go because my mind is just stupid.

"Somebody (needs to) just smack me so hard in my head that something shakes finally and I put the cables together."

When Serena, who is renowed for her mental toughness, was asked whether she would take advantage of any weaknesses her opponent may have, she revealed that she had her own issues.

"I mean, I have mental issues too, so... I think everyone has mental issues," Serena said.

"I get really angry and I'm a perfectionist -- I have a slight case of OCD. Yeah, those are my issues."

She pointed out she had not been diagnosed with the disorder by a doctor.

"It's definitely self-diagnosed, but I think I can pick it out, maybe.

"I think it's good to have it. I mean, you have a lot of order in your life. I like to be really ordered -- I like order.

"I'm not necessarily the neatest person in the world, but I do like to have that order.

"I'm obsessed with my nails, too. I have to do them like every day. That's another OCD thing I have."

And Serena said that despite what Safina may say, there was a big difference to the Russian now than when she first came on the tour.

"You can just see she's more focused now, more intense, and you can just totally see the change," Serena said.