Serena Williams stars in a Michelob ad that examines the role of joy in achieving success

While Serena Williams has reached the highest of heights in the world of tennis, the 23-time Grand Slam champion says she needed time to learn how to enjoy her wins.

“A lot of people talk about how hard work pays off and that’s true,” she tells PEOPLE. “Playing tennis all my life has just been work, work, work. But sometimes it’s good to take a brief step back and enjoy the moment.”

Serena Williams explores the role of joy in achieving success – saying she didn’t start to slow down and enjoy her wins until a conversation with someone suggested she shouldn’t be focusing right away. in the next match.

“It sounds crazy and strange but I just needed to learn how to do it,” she explains. “I really needed a chance to enjoy the celebration.”

Williams said the happiness she found in her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their daughter had a profound impact on her.

“It gives me so many reasons beyond what I do and so it’s really important,” she said. “My whole life, I was very focused on my career, but when I had a family and got married, I realized there was so much more to life. And it was wonderful.”