"I can't believe I said that" - Serena Williams reveals conversation that left Martina Hingis 'startled' during coin toss at US Open 1999 final

Serena Williams won her first Grand Slam title by defeating Martina Hingis in the 1999 US Open final. The American revealed that her mind games had started from the coin toss. She left Hingis 'startled' before earning the win in straight sets.

In her new documentary 'In the Arena: Serena Williams', the 23-time Grand Slam winner gives insights into her life and career as one of the most decorated female tennis players in the world.

Williams opened up about her first Grand Slam final appearance during the documentary. In the 1999 US Open final, Williams faced the World No. 1 Martina Hingis.

A 17-year-old Williams entered the court against an accomplished Hingis and the pair joined each other for the coin toss. Hingis won the toss and chose to receive the serve and Williams says that she 'startled' the former with her mind games.

"We're doing the coin toss. I never talked about this. I lose the coin toss, [and Martina chooses to receive] and I looked at her and I said 'Are you sure about that?' And she was startled. And, I was like 'Okay'," Serena Williams said.

However, Williams could not believe she did this when she remembers it years later.

"Years later, I remember and I can't believe I said that," she added.

At her home Slam in 1999, Williams was in inspired form. She got the better of multiple Grand Slam champions including Monica Seles and Lindsay Davenport before facing the No.1-ranked Hingis.

The Swiss led the head-to-head against Williams 3-2 before the final and the American leveled the record by winning 6-3, 7-6(4).

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Serena Williams used to be happy if she did not have to face Martina Hingis in a tournament

During her recent appearance on the 'Hot Ones' where she talked about her career while eating increasingly spicy chicken wings, Serena Williams opened up about Martina Hingis' dominance.

She revealed that early in her career, she would not think about defeating the Swiss.

"I think at that point of time in my career, it was more or less about winning tournaments. At the time, Martina Hingis was so good that I didn't really think about beating her," Williams said (2:50).

She used to be happy if Hingis was not in a tournament.

"She wasn't in the tournament. I was probably happy that she wasn't there because she, probably at that point maybe would have won. Maybe not. But it was also good to just win it in a bit," Williams added.

When Williams won her first title, the Open Gaz de France in 1999, Hingis had been defeated by Amelie Mauresmo in the quarterfinals, and the American went on to defeat the Frenchwoman in the final.

When it comes to Hingis and Williams' head-to-head record, the pair were tied at 6-6 before they faced each other for the final time in Miami in 2002. Williams won the match in straight sets to lead 7-6.