World No.1 Serena Williams has put some bite into her comeback plans.

The 21-year-old American, sidelined from the US Open tennis championship after left knee surgery, expects to reclaim her dominance of women's tennis by adopting a "Mike Tyson approach".

Citing the former heavyweight boxing champion's tendency for temper, the reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion said she would be even better than before when she returned to action.

"I'm going to be a much better player because I'm going to be mentally relaxed," Williams told the New York Times.

"I'm going to be stronger and I'm going to be angry.

"I'm just going to take a different attitude, take the Mike Tyson approach."

Thankfully, the tennis net would make it difficult for Williams to bite an opponent's ear during a match the way Tyson did to Evander Holyfield during a title bout, for which he was banished for a year.

Tyson is an interesting choice for a role model, having served prison time for rape and assault, but the message to rivals is clear - Williams intends to reign again.

The six-time Grand Slam champion spoke on Wednesday to a select handful of handpicked reporters at a Manhattan hotel room, part of a publicity burst that included television appearances that overshadowed play here at the US Open.

Williams blasted critics who have trapped her and fifth-ranked sister Venus in a no-win situation.

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