Graceful Serena shows off splits

Serena Williams performs the splits for a New York magazine feature. Photo / Twitter - New York Magazine

Serena Williams has shown the athletic grace her body is capable of in a photo shoot with New York magazine.

The world tennis number one has fielded more than her fair share of criticism about her body over the years, being called "fat, fat, fat" and told she was "built like a man" by media in 2007.

In the photo shoot the 33-year-old 21-time grand slam champion is graceful and elegant, in one photo she does the splits while suspended above two bars.

Ever the perfectionist, Williams posted the photo to Instagram, with the caption "Still working on that toe point @gqlew."

Williams has faced numerous sexist and racist accusations during her spectacular tennis career.

She has been accused of being born a man and taking steroids and the head of the Russian Tennis Federation called her and sister Venus "the Williams brothers".

But Williams refuses to be shamed into submission.

Previously she told the New York Times: "I realised that you really have to learn to accept who you are and love who you are. I'm really happy with my body type, and I'm really proud of it."