London - Serena Williams reached the fourth round at the Wimbledon Championships on Friday and then paid homage to Michael Jackson as she expressed her grief.

"Words can't express my shock and horror, just thoughts and prayers that go out to him and his family," said the 10-time Grand Slam champion. "It's just a terrible, terrible, terrible thing.

The American said she learned of the king of pop's death Thursday night instead of waking up to the news Friday.

"I mean, I'm always online. I'm always looking at the latest news up until I fall asleep, so I saw it fairly early.

"Michael Jackson, everyone listens to his music. It's like you think of the Beatles, you think of Elvis Presley, you think of Michael Jackson, those are just lifetime icons that I've never forgotten.

"The things that he did was beyond iconic."

"I've met him a few times, I was honoured. He had such a great heart and wonderful kids. You know, it's just really a shame," said Williams. (dpa)